Native Instruments Guitar Rig Mac

I have been making music at home with my computer for five years. While most things are done with programming, I use a real bass guitar for bass lines. I sing as well.
I downloaded the Guitar Rig 2 demo for Intel mac to run in Logic Express on my Mac Book Core 2 duo. I have also tried it out in a studio environment, running on an Intel iMac in Ableton Live.
At home I used the GR2 on a simple preset sound from FM8, and the result is simply awesome, even through my humble hi fi system. In the studio we used the plug-in more as intended, to manipulate the sound of an electric guitar played on a guitar amp mic'ed into the computer. Here, professional Genelec nearfield speakers were used.
Again, the result is just awesome.

A thread in the Native Instruments user forum deals with the pros and cons of using the GR2 onstage. Some contributors pointed out that the combined footswitch/stomp box that comes with the licensed version might be less than 100% reliable since you'll get into serious trouble if the USB cable comes off. A reboot of GR2 would then be required. Also, it's noted that the interface on a modern hi res laptop screen might be too small for use onstage.
Using GR2 in a studio enviroment however, couldn't be easier really. The interface is completely straightforward, making new customized sounds is a breeze, just drag and drop the desired components in the order you like them. Or tweak any of the many mostly great presets.
While NI obviously have not cleared rights to use the names and logos of some of the most familiar brands of amps in GR2, nobody with at least some knowledge about electric guitars should have any trouble recognizing the front panels of amps like Marshall, Fender Twin, Roland Jazz Chorus and the Vox AC series. And while I wouldn't argue with anyone claiming you can't accurately emulate the feeling of standing in front of a 100 watts Marshall tube amp sitting on top of two 4x12" Celestion speaker cabinets playing a power chord on your Les Paul, the sound in GR2 is spot on as well, as far as software plug-ins reasonably can go.
There is no need for a manual working this thing. The graphic interface goes a long way, and in addition every component is explained in writing in the interface itself. GR2 takes up a lot of space on the screen, though, and the GUI is not ideal for small laptops.

How do you get a good sound out of GR2? Well, plug and play is a good start. A lot of the presets sound great as they are, and then there are some extra tweaks. In addition to the eight different amps, you can choose which type of cabinet you want to use, how the cabinet is mic'ed, what kind of mic it's mic'ed with, and even the age of the amps and the voltage of the power supply.
In addition to amps and cabinets, there are a number of effects, from Big Fuzz, based on Electro-Harmonix' classic Big Muff dist box (something NI actually state on their web site, meaning they must have cleared it with the copyright owner - other effects are just "modelled on an all-time classic", hmmm). Of course the possibilities here are vast, and I cannot really give an opinion on the whole range of available effects, except to say that at a glance, they appear to be perfectly loveable. Effects of course being a department where NI have little to prove.
GR2 also feature a tape recorder so you can record yourself playing the rhythm, and then play it back while you play the lead and so on. Another great feature based on recording is the loop generator, which allows for up to 99 different loops. Opens a world of possibilities for the experimental musician into building intricate webs of drones. Anyone who's used the Line 6 DL4 knows what I'm talking about.

Now, I am no guitarist, and would never use GR2 as it is intended in a live performance. That means the foot switch/stomp box thingie is of little use to me. I think NI should consider selling the software alone as well, at a reduced price. There is a huge number of people out there who never play anything but midi keyboard but who would still love GR2. They don't need the hardware and shouldn't have to pay for it.
On the other hand, outside of actual stage performance, another piece of hardware that might be rendered obsolete is the Line 6 POD. Although a nice solution for musicians who want to be able to blast a tube amp at top level in the comfort of their own home without having to actually use up precious living space for those 4x12" cabinets, it is truly dwarfed by GR2.
We musicians and producers, professionals and hacks like me, have a proud history of misusing, abusing and tampering with equipment, to create new sounds. From Jimmy Page slicing the speaker up with a razor blade when as a studio musician he laid down the riff for The Kinks "You Really Got Me" and Jimi Hendrix playing his strat through a rotating Leslie organ cabinet (of course, you'll find the Leslie in GR2), to techno producers tweaking the s**t out of Roland's humble TB 303 bass synth and today's kids doing wonders with Game Boys, gear is always used in ways it wasn't supposed to. And GR2 will be no exception. If you make strictly electronic music, and you've never intended to pick up a guitar in your life, you should still check this out.

I have been playing guitar for 26 years. Play guitar.

The software version was guitar rig 2 with teh latest updates available as of 5-2006. I used GR2 with logic pro and as a standalone.

I have one of the original G5 1.8 GHZ Macs, 4 gb's ram, 10.3.9. I have Alesis MK2 powered monitors, etc., etc.

Easy to set up, easy to install, easy to register, easy to install patches.

OK, here's the rub. GR-2 as software is perfect. Great sounds, great interface, etc. I had GR-1 prior to this purchase, the software upgrade is huge. Very nice.

HOWEVER: the Rig Kontrol 2 has had numerous issues with my Mac. The issues are an incredible amount of noise when you use this as the audio interface. Once you register there are already THREE software patches for the Mac to remedy this noise issue: NONE fixed the issue with my Mac. Had loud pops every second or so while playing in both stand-alone and with logic 7 pro. Unusable as an audio interface.

NI tech support admitted this was a problem, and after a week of back and forth, authorized the dealer to refund my money (I sent NI the hardware).

Basically, numerous Mac?s have had similar issues. As a registered user you will read many reviews in the users group complaining of this hardware upgrade.

Let me say that NI USA tech support are great people. I have no complaints with them at all.

My opinion:

Rig Kontrol 2 is not ready for prime time as an audio interface. They don't know why it doesn't work with some Mac?s. Buy at your own risk if you plan on using Rig Kontrol 2 as the audio interface, esp. if the dealer doesn?t like returns on software (who can blame them?.

I am in love with the concept of this product, and will buy it agian once Kontorl Rig 2.1 or the right software patches are available to make it work with my mac. I intend to watch the NI website for two things: 1) to indicate this is an issue to potential buyers (doubt they'll do it), and 2) an indication that this issue has been resolved.

Too bad.

As above, not ready for prime time. Anyone say Apple Newton? :)

Damn, I really wanted this to work. The software kick's butt.

I jusy keep thinking of my old mantra: don't buy hardware from a software company. Sigh.

I hope KORE works.

I've been making music for over 10 years, and I play guitar, bass, piano...you know the usual. I play mostly rock music ranging from classic, bluesy, modern, post punk, and experimental. This is review is for the latest DEMO version of Guitar Rig. I run a mac powerbook with OX. I used headphones and speakers on a stereo. I used it with my MBox.

It was super easy. Streamlined and intuitive. No problems with instalation. Just set your levels properly and go!!(Do not first process with a POD or other such nonsense when conecting to the soundcard, like some reviewers use a appropriate interface) Didn't need a manual, although I am talking about the demo version free for download.

In a word- Inspiring! Just scroll through the presets and you'll find inspiration for tweaking the utter hell out of it! If your savy to getting a good sound, you'll been in heaven. Anywhere from Page to Beck to Gabrels to Gerry Leonard to Ronson to whoever you can think of! Great quality on ALL sounds (that's right. Clean AND Dirty AND Waayyy Out Ridiculous gain!) Click on a preset that sounds interesting (like "Dreamy" or something) and you'll hear things you never thought guitar would do. I have a great tube amp setup with 9 pedals or so for my regular rig, but I'd rather use this instead of lugging my rig around into my tiny apartment from my rehearsal space. Great for recording and learning and practice! Check out the tape deck and get into looping madness. It's a fantastic product. Better than any other amp sim out there. The only reason I can think of for not using it pretty much all the time is the fact that there is no guitar speaker interaction, so if you want feedback, you have to pull some tricks out of your sleeve.

The only downside I can see is that it is VERY expensive, but it comes with a good deal of hardware, too. But the thing just rocks! CPU friendly, never has crashed on me. The good thing about native instruments is that they also seem to be giving updates to the software regularly (free to registered users of course, unlike some more evil companies). Just think of the possibilities! Fantastic! MAKE A SOFTWARE ONLY VERSION!!! 9 for high price. Guitarist are poor. Thanks for the demo though. 30 Days of bliss!