Guitar Rig 3

[Gasp100]

I'm considering a big move from my current studio gear to something similar but smaller based on the pod toneport, but I'm a little nervous. I've never used a POD, but I do own a Johnson J Station which I do not like compared to the newer modeling stuff that's out there.
Anyway, I've heard good things about guitar rig 3 but I'm not sure if my soundcard can hanle it (along with Sonar or Reaper).
So, do you NEED the hardware based input device to be able to:
Find a great sounding patch, play and record that patch direct to disk?
I ask because the software version is $300, the version with the footcontroller is $500. I'm just wondering if the foot controller is geared towards live use, or if it's a necessity to get the thing to work as I intend.

[Sunbreak Music]

It's not necessary--Guitar Rig 3 will show as a plug in effect in your host w/ out the pedalboard/interface.

[sixstringmonk]

The good news is that you can demo Guitar Rig 3 for free as long as you want. The demo only runs for 30 minutes at a time and you can't save any changes. There is also a demo version of Amplitube 2, but it only runs for 10 days.

Both of them sound ok. I think my ears like Amplitube 2 a little better, but I haven't made up my mind yet. The biggest trick is getting your guitar hooked up to your system without too much latency. I'm using my Digidesign mbox for the audio interface. I can get it down to 10 ms of latency. It's a little bit annoying, but it isn't a deal breaker. Apparently Guitar Rig 3 can get down to 7 ms of latency with the controller/audio interface.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by sixstringmonk

Apparently Guitar Rig 3 can get down to 7 ms of latency with the controller/audio interface.

I believe it will also depend on the speed of your computer, slower computers needing higher buffer sizes (longer latency times) to keep up.

[Gasp100]

I tested GTR rig 2 (it got on my machine somehow ) by recording a completely clean guitar signal plugged straight into the preamp/sound card. Then I added GTR rig 2 as an effect, chose the Texas whatever model and I played it back... sounded pretty sweet.
My question is, how can I route this "effect" correctly so I can hear the GTR rig stuff as I play/record?
I was testing with Reaper using my cards ASIO drivers (Reaper doesn't like my cards WDM drivers) and the buffer of my ASIO has to be set at 256ms. Anything lower (this is tweaking the actual ASIO driver config of my card itself) and serious digital clipping occurs.
A new soundcard (probably Presonus or EMU) is tops on my list of new gear IF it will allow me to use soft synths and Guitar Rig in realtime. So, another important aspect of a new card is latency and from what you guys are saying I'm shooting for 10ms or below.
But I still don't see how you set this up / route this so you can monitor it in realtime. The version with the foot pedal puts this out of reach for me budget wise, but the software version along with a new soundard (~$300 + $300) seems to make more sense.

[Rod]

I've used both the Guitar rig 2 and the newer Amplitube , and I gotta tell ya, that when all's said and done, I end up going back to either my all tube Koch Pedaltone preamp/pwramp records direct ect box, or my Boss GS-10, the BEST modeller on the planet...No latency issues...That's a real problem with all the plug in stuff...The other alternative I use is a GT spkr emulater box that I can plug any of my amps into and record direct...there's still no substitute for tubes

[Gasp100]

I know, I've been going over so many options and different configurations and I'm looking at a similar idea using the new POD X3. The gear you mentioned (Koch, Groove Tube emulator) is just too far out of my price range. It looks like the POD X3 has a ton of nice features, including XLR in for mic/direct box as well. It can be connected via analog stereo outs, SPDIF or even USB and the actual processing all happens within the unit itself vs. the toneport line that has to use the computer to do all of the work. So, for guitar/bass (and maybe even light vocal stuff) this might be the way to go for me and my setup. The USB connections will also allow updating of the OS, connecting to GearBox for computer editing and adding "feature packs" of more amps and effects as they are released. I think the sheer number of amps/effects is actually too much, but supposedly there are some gems within the line 6 / POD stuff.

[Sunbreak Music]

Originally Posted by Gasp100

I tested GTR rig 2 (it got on my machine somehow ) by recording a completely clean guitar signal plugged straight into the preamp/sound card. Then I added GTR rig 2 as an effect, chose the Texas whatever model and I played it back... sounded pretty sweet.
My question is, how can I route this "effect" correctly so I can hear the GTR rig stuff as I play/record?
I was testing with Reaper using my cards ASIO drivers (Reaper doesn't like my cards WDM drivers) and the buffer of my ASIO has to be set at 256ms. Anything lower (this is tweaking the actual ASIO driver config of my card itself) and serious digital clipping occurs.
A new soundcard (probably Presonus or EMU) is tops on my list of new gear IF it will allow me to use soft synths and Guitar Rig in realtime. So, another important aspect of a new card is latency and from what you guys are saying I'm shooting for 10ms or below.
But I still don't see how you set this up / route this so you can monitor it in realtime. The version with the foot pedal puts this out of reach for me budget wise, but the software version along with a new soundard (~$300 + $300) seems to make more sense.

I don't use Reaper, but you need to figure out how to set up properly--maybe try their forum. Unless you're using an ancient computer, you should be able to play in real time without a problem--you could try a direct monitoring option.

What card are you using? I'm not sure that's the problem.