Native Instruments Guitar Rig Kontrol, Hardware Reference Manual

Page 1: ...HARDWARE REFERENCE ...

Page 2: ...d reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded for any purpose without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH hereinafter referred to as Native Instruments All product and company names are or trademarks of their respective owners Hardware Reference written by Alexander Stamm edited by Patryk Korman Document Version 1 0 07 2009 Product Version 4 0 07 2009 Special thanks to the Beta...

Page 3: ...erlin Germany info native instruments de www native instruments de USA Native Instruments North America Inc 5631 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles CA 90028 USA sales native instruments com www native instruments com Native Instruments GmbH 2009 All rights reserved ...

Page 4: ...lation under Windows XP Windows Vista 13 4 1 Software Installation 13 4 2 Hardware Installation 15 4 3 Configuration 18 4 3 1 Configuring GUITAR RIG 4 18 4 3 2 Using the RIG KONTROL as your Default Audio Interface 20 4 4 Audio Connections and Levels 22 4 4 1 Connecting your Instrument and Adjusting the Input Level 22 4 4 2 Connecting a Second Instrument 23 4 4 3 The Input Level of GUITAR RIG 4 24 ...

Page 5: ...TROL in GUITAR RIG 4 36 6 2 Using MIDI Controllers with the RIG KONTROL MIDI Interface 37 6 3 Using Additional Footswitches and Pedals 38 7 Troubleshooting 39 7 1 Audio Issues 40 7 1 1 No Sound or Low Volume 40 7 1 2 Distorted Signal 40 7 1 3 Noise 41 7 1 4 Ground Loops 41 7 2 Hardware Related Problems 42 7 2 1 Driver Issues 42 7 2 2 USB Issues 42 7 2 3 Using the RIG KONTROL with a Laptop 43 8 Tec...

Page 6: ...GUITAR RIG KONTROL Hardware Reference VI 8 6 2 Supported Driver Formats 49 8 6 3 Supported Platforms 49 ...

Page 7: ...fessional audio software The RIG KONTROL connects to your computer via high speed USB 2 0 which also provides its power supply It features two inputs suited either for instrument or line level signals A two channel line out connects to your monitoring system and a stereo jack allows for headphone monitoring at an independent volume As a controller the RIG KONTROL offers 9 switches and a pedal givi...

Page 8: ...the product CD 2 2 Using the Unit Safely Please read the following instructions thoroughly to prevent from health risks and damaging the product 2 2 1 Warning To prevent hearing damage always follow these important security advices This Product in combination with an amplifier headphones or speakers can produce sounds in decibel ranges that may cause hearing damage For protection set all volume le...

Page 9: ...sition where it is possible the unit could accidentally fall Remove all connected cables before moving the unit Before turning the power on or off for any component set all volume levels to their minimum Do not use excessive force on the knobs or connectors When cleaning the RIG KONTROL use a soft dry cloth Never use paint thinners solvents cleaning fluids or chemical impregnated wiping cloths 2 2...

Page 10: ...ed The top row is labeled with the most frequently used functions of GUITAR RIG 4 matching their pre configured assignments 2 The expression pedal can be used to control any continuous parameter of the software such as volume or wah wah There is an additional freely assignable switch underneath the tip of the pedal 3 Shows the number of the currently activated GUITAR RIG 4 preset 4 This LED Meter ...

Page 11: ...or bass when pressed line level signals are accepted The selected input type is also indicated on the unit s top 2 This knob controls the gain of Input 1 3 The socket for Input 1 jack TRS balanced will accept line level or instrument level signals depending on the position of the Line Inst switch Connect a guitar bass guitar keyboard or the left channel of a stereo device 4 The socket for Input 2 ...

Page 12: ... with 1 input and 1 output The RIG KONTROL does not require MIDI to send controller messages to GUITAR RIG 4 but it is able to send MIDI signals to other applications 12 The USB port connects the unit to your computer Your computer must support USB 2 0 in order to work with GUITAR RIG SESSION I O The unit also relies on the USB bus power to function Connect this unit directly to your computer s US...

Page 13: ...detailed information about the GUITAR RIG 4 software please consult the Application Reference You can find this on the product CD or in the GUITAR RIG 4 menu under Help Open Manual Your Language 4 1 Software Installation Make sure you are logged in with administrator privileges Don t connect the RIG KONTROL yet 1 Browse the content of the product CD and locate the setup file It is called Guitar Ri...

Page 14: ...n is just use the standard setting 5 You will be asked if you want to install drivers for the GUITAR RIG audio interfaces Select RIG KONTROL and click on Continue 6 During installation of the driver several Windows security messages will show up e g The driver has not passed the Windows Logo Test or Windows can t verify the publisher of this driver software Don t worry everything is fine here Simp...

Page 15: ...mats Native Instruments Service Center this application handles product activation as well as update management Please refer to the Setup Guide for details The drivers for the RIG KONTROL In case you want to install the hardware drivers only a separate driver installer file is available on the installation CD You can also download its latest version from the Support section of the Native Instrumen...

Page 16: ... or with self powered USB 2 0 hubs On Windows XP systems Service Pack 2 or higher is required for the RIG KONTROL to work you can find out about your Windows version in the System Properties window After successfully installing the driver the RIG KONTROL will be recognized automatically If not start the software installation again as explained above ...

Page 17: ...ows security warnings will appear Please ignore them and click Continue anyway Windows XP or Install this driver software anyway Windows Vista to properly install the drivers On a Windows computer the driver is associated with a particular USB port If you plug the USB cable into a different port than the one it was installed at the driver assignment process starts again if this happens just follow...

Page 18: ...ow set up GUITAR RIG 4 to use the RIG KONTROL audio interface Start the software before you proceed When the software is started for the first time you will be prompted with the Audio Setup window automatically where you need to make the following settings To access these settings later on select File Audio and MIDI Settings from the program menu 1 On the Audio tab choose ASIO as the Driver interf...

Page 19: ...io drivers and want to create your own custom settings select User Defined Settings see next USB Buffersize and Audio Buffersize These parameters are grayed out unless you have selected User Defined Settings from the Presets Menu Together they define the system s latency i e the time that passes from the moment an audio signal is sent into the RIG KONTROL hardware until the moment you hear it in y...

Page 20: ...etting for your system If audio dropouts occur with the preset minimal latency you can try the low latency or standard latency set tings instead Higher latency values will reduce the probability of audio dropouts 4 3 2 Using the RIG KONTROL as your Default Audio Interface If you want to use the RIG KONTROL for playback of all audio applications on your computer not only for music software you have...

Page 21: ... follows 1 Open Start Control Panel Hardware and Sound Sound 2 Select the Playback tab 3 In the device list select RIG KONTROL and click on Set Default 4 Select the Recording tab 5 In the device list select RIG KONTROL and click on Set Default 6 Click Ok to close the dialog ...

Page 22: ...nt hearing damages 2 Make sure the input selector is set to Instrument button not depressed except if you are using a preamp to boost your signal to line level 3 Plug the cable connected to your guitar or bass into one of the input jacks of the RIG KONTROL 4 Completely turn down the volume of the input channel you are not using Keep in mind that for an instrument that generates a stereo signal suc...

Page 23: ... you play 2 At that point slightly turn the knob down until you are safely in the green zone even when you are playing really powerful chords Now the input sensitivity is set to its optimum level enabling the RIG KONTROL to provide the highest dynamical range without clipping 4 4 2 Connecting a Second Instrument You can connect different instruments to both input channels as long as they both prov...

Page 24: ...ng It also features an integrated volume fader that controls the input level of the software Please adjust it to achieve the highest possible level for your signal without clipping This is indicated by the Level Meter getting close to the red zone without actually hitting it If only one guitar is connected GUITAR RIG 4 will receive a mono signal You can set up the Input module to route your guitar...

Page 25: ...utput TRS allows for connecting your headphones 1 Connect the output jacks to the input of your amp with its volume level turned down 2 If you are using headphones connect them to the output jack and put them on with the headphone level fully turned down 3 Go to the Preset Browser and select one of the presets by clicking on it 4 Start playing and carefully turn up the volume of your amp or the he...

Page 26: ... information about the GUITAR RIG 4 software please consult the Application Reference You can find it on the product CD or in the GUITAR RIG 4 menu under Help Open Manual Your Language 5 1 Software Installation Make sure you are logged in with administrator privileges Don t connect the RIG KONTROL yet 1 Browse the content of the product CD and locate the file Guitar Rig 4 Installer If you are usin...

Page 27: ...lug in formats are supported Native Instruments Service Center this application handles product activation as well as update management Please refer to the Setup Guide for details The drivers for the RIG KONTROL audio interface In case you want to install the hardware drivers only a separate driver installer file is available on the installation CD You can also download its latest version from the...

Page 28: ...RIG KONTROL should be recognized automatically If at any time the computer does not seem to recognize the RIG KONTROL disconnect the USB cable wait a few seconds then re connect it If this does not solve the problem restart your computer with the interface connected 5 3 Configuration This chapter explains how to use the RIG KONTROL audio interface under Mac OS X and par ticularly with the included...

Page 29: ...ompted with the Audio Setup window automatically where you need to make the following settings If you want to access these settings later select Guitar Rig 4 Preferences from the program menu 2 On the Audio tab choose CoreAudio as the Driver interface 3 Select RIG KONTROL from the Device dropdown menu If RIG KONTROL does not appear in the list even though it is connected something went wrong Resta...

Page 30: ... audio processing On the other hand the size of the buffer directly affects the overall latency of your system The time between the moment you hit a note and the moment you hear the processed sound will be longer if the buffer size is increased It is recommended that you start with the default buffer size and continue with the subsequent steps of the installation Once you are finished you should l...

Page 31: ...terface For Mac OS X this works as follows 1 From the Apple menu select System Preferences 2 In the panel that opens click on Sound 3 On the Sound Effects tab select RIG KONTROL in the Play alerts and sound effects through menu 4 Click on the Output tab and then select RIG KONTROL from the Choose a device for sound output list 5 Click on the Input tab and then select RIG KONTROL from the Choose a ...

Page 32: ...nt hearing damages 2 Make sure the input selector is set to Instrument button not depressed except if you are using a preamp to boost your signal to line level 3 Plug the cable connected to your guitar or bass into one of the input jacks of the RIG KONTROL 4 Completely turn down the volume of the input channel you are not using Keep in mind that for an instrument that generates a stereo signal suc...

Page 33: ...ou play 2 At that point slightly turn the knob down until you are safely in the green zone even when you are playing really powerful chords Now the input sensitivity is set to its optimum level enabling the RIG KONTROL to provide the highest dynamical range without clipping 5 4 2 Connecting a Second Instrument You can connect different instruments to both input channels as long as they both provid...

Page 34: ...t also features an integrated volume fader that controls the input level of the software Please adjust it to achieve the highest possible level for your signal without clipping This is indicated by the Level Meter getting close to the red zone without actually hitting it If only one guitar is connected GUITAR RIG 4 will receive a mono signal You can set up the Input module to route your guitar sig...

Page 35: ...S allows for connecting your headphones 1 Connect the output jacks to the input of your amp with its volume level completely turned down 2 If you are using headphones connect them to the Phones output jack and put them on with the headphone level fully turned down 3 Go to the Preset Browser and select any of the presets by clicking on it Start playing and carefully turn up the volume of your amp o...

Page 36: ... pedal Please press the pedal all the way up and down and confirm by clicking on OK To recalibrate the pedal at any time go to the Options page and select Preferences Click on the Reset button next to RIG KONTROL Pedal Calibration The RIG KONTROL hardware has a graphical counterpart in GUITAR RIG 4 which is shown after clicking on the Virtual Kontrol button above the rack If you are running multip...

Page 37: ... 4 directly via USB Nonetheless it features a standard MIDI interface with one input and output channel To use a controller connected to the MIDI input jack make sure that the RIG KONTROL MIDI channel is activated in GUITAR RIG 4 1 Open the Audio and MIDI Settings On Windows they are found in the File menu under Mac OS in the Guitar Rig 4 menu 2 Go to the MIDI tab 3 On the Inputs table locate RIG ...

Page 38: ...ngs are available To calibrate an external pedal click on the Reset button next to RIG KONTROL Ext Pedals Calibration The two lines RIG KONTROL Ext Pedal 1 2 Mode allow to configure each both inputs to match your external footswitch or pedal Consult the manufacturer s product specifications to find out if it is a tip or ring active pedal or respectively if it is an opening or a closing switch If p...

Page 39: ...e check the Driver Control Panel On Windows computers you can find driver and firmware version in the GUITAR RIG 4 application folder in the Start menu Click on About to display the information desired On Mac OS X computers you can access the Driver Control Panel from the system preferences The information is shown in the main window Please visit this URL to contact the support team native instrum...

Page 40: ...ct your instrument to the other input jack or switch to the other channel by choosing L in the INPUT Module The RIG KONTROL s input gain is set too low Turn up the according Input Level Your instrument s volume is turned down Turn up the volume knob 7 1 2 Distorted Signal If the audio signal sounds distorted and no distortion is being added by the GUITAR RIG 4 software then this is most likely cau...

Page 41: ... should consider having your guitar s electronics serviced and shielded by a professional If you are experiencing hiss the input level at the RIG KONTROL preamp might be too low Turn up the instrument s volume or increase the input level on the RIG KONTROL For more information on setting the input level see section 4 4 Windows XP Windows Vista or section 5 4 Mac OS X of this manual 7 1 4 Ground Lo...

Page 42: ...not work on a USB 1 0 1 1 port Always connect it directly to a USB 2 0 port on your computer The port needs to fulfill the minimum power specification for a USB 2 0 port 500 mA On certain computers the USB 2 0 ports do not meet the official USB 2 0 power specification In this case you may see a message saying that there is not enough power available to operate your device The RIG KONTROL may produ...

Page 43: ...eeware tools to analyze your system for example www thesycon de deu latency_check shtml Start the tool with the RIG KONTROL disconnected In case your computer is unable to handle glitch free audio processing the tool will show red latency bars and report this in the box on the bottom In general it is not recommended to use laptops with shared memory graphic cards You will need all the memory and p...

Page 44: ... 2 input jacks In 1 In 2 for mono 6 3mm 1 4 inch phone plugs 2 output jacks Out 1 Out 2 for 6 3mm 1 4 inch mono unbalanced or TRS balanced phone plugs 1 Headphones jack for stereo 6 3mm 1 4 inch phone plug 2 input jacks for external pedals footswitches switchboxes Pedal 1 Pedal 2 for stereo 6 3mm 1 4 inch phone plugs 2 MIDI In Out 5 pin DIN circular connector 1 USB 2 0 Type B ...

Page 45: ...nels 2 Sample Rate 44 1 48 88 2 96 192kHz Bit Resolution 16 24 Bit Converter Cirrus Logic Instrument Inputs Input Impedance 1M Ohm Full Scale Level at Maximum Gain 11 5 dBu Maximum Input Level 16dBu SNR weighted 100dB THD N 0 009 Frequency Response 0 5dB 20Hz 24KHz Dynamic Range 105dB ADC ...

Page 46: ...Ohm Full Scale Level at Maximum Gain 5 5dBu Maximum Input Level 16dBu SNR weighted 100dB THD N 0 009 Frequency Response 0 5dB 20Hz 36KHz Dynamic Range 105 dB ADC Audio Outputs D A Channels 2 Sample Rate 44 1 48 88 2 96 192 kHz Bit Resolution 16 24 Bit Converter Cirrus Logic ...

Page 47: ...m Output Level 6 3dBu SNR weighted 100dB THD N 0 010 Frequency Response 0 5dB 22Hz 44KHz High low level switch Full scale 5Vpp 14dB Headphone Output Load Impedance 8 600 Ohm Maximum Output Level 1 61V rms 100 Ohm SNR weighted 91dB THD N 60 Ohms 0 013 Frequency Response 0m5dB 22Hz 44KHz ...

Page 48: ... 2 hub 8 4 Dimensions and Weight Dimensions 360 x 237 x 102 mm 14 1 x 9 3 x 4 inches Weight 2 6 kg 5 7 lbs 8 5 Environmental Specifications Operating temperature 0 C to 40 C 32 F to 104 F 85 non condensing humidity Storage temperature 20 C to 50 C 4 F to 122 F 85 non condensing humidity 8 6 System Requirements 8 6 1 General System Specifications Mac OS 10 4 x G4 1 4 GHz or Intel Core Duo 1 66 GHz ...

Page 49: ...are Reference 49 8 6 2 Supported Driver Formats Mac OS Core Audio Windows ASIO recommended DirectSound 8 6 3 Supported Platforms Mac OS Stand alone VST Audio Units RTAS Pro Tools 7 8 Windows Stand alone VST RTAS Pro Tools 7 8 ...