Roland VG8S-1 VG-8 System Expansion
January 18, 1996
In the wake of last year's overwhelmingly well-received VG-8 V-Guitar System, Roland is opening up the VG-8's options with a versatile software expansion: the VG8S-1. The VG8S-1 takes Roland's proprietary COSM (Composite Object Sound Modeling) technology to even greater heights. The System Expansion gives VG-8 owners instant access to four new instrument models, as well as an extensive collection of new and improved features for existing VG-8 instrument "models." The System Expansion adds another 64 killer new preset patches to the VG-8 that take full advantage of these exciting new functions.
New instrument models include a long-awaited hollow-body guitar [HOLLOW ST] which delivers rich hollow body sound reminiscent of acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars like Ovations, mid-sized hollow bodies like ES-335s and full-sized hollow bodied electrics like the Gretsch Chet Atkins. As with other VG-8 guitar models, each string can be individually panned, providing even more spacious hollow body sounds.
Another great new option is the [HOLLOW & AMP] parameter, which uses hollow body modeling in addition to a guitar amp and speaker configuration modeling which provides the guitar characteristics associated with jazz, acoustic and fusion. These beautiful warm and mellow tones take the VG-8 into an entirely new realm.
The two other new instrument choices are the [DUAL AMP] and the [VIO GUITAR]. The Dual Amp mode lets the player program two completely different signal chains, each with its own amp/speaker configuration as well as the related parameters and blend them, much as guitarists do in the studio with various amplifiers. The Vio Guitar mode offers distinctive synth-like tonal variations by adding a comb filter to the VGM mode.
The VG8S-1 has a large collection of new features for all the VG-8 instrument models. Increasing the "pickup" options from three to ten, are seven new options: TELE (Telecaster), P-90 (Les Paul with P-90 pickup), PAF (Les Paul with PAF pickup), LIPS (Dan Electro), RICK (Rickenbacker), CHET (Gretsch) and SSH (single-coil active pickup). There are also three new amp variations: SLDN (Soldano), Modern Stack (Marshall with a master volume) and British Combo (Vox/Matchless). New speaker models include 4x10 open (Fender Super Reverb), Modern Stack (modern Celestions) and British Combo (Vox - 2x12 configuration).
But the new features don't stop there. A highly requested "wah" function has been added for use both as an auto-wah or with a pedal. The VG-8's polyphonic pitch shifting has been improved as well. Now the shift amount can be assigned per string to a pedal for whammy, B-bender and pedal steel techniques. "Intelligent" polyphonic pitch shifting is also available via the Polyphonic Harmonist feature. Now you can even have Polyphonic Pitch Glide, which varies the pitch shift amount per string. The pitch shifter is now available in HRM mode as well. For even more expressive potential, a variety of HRM parameters can be assigned and controlled with an expression pedal.
This versatile expansion kit includes everything you need to take your VG-8 to the next level. Since the VG-8 uses flash ROM for its system memory, incorporating the VG8S-1 couldn't be simpler. This user-installable expansion kit gives any VG-8 owner the opportunity to easily add new instruments, functions and patches. For more information, visit their web site at www.rolandus.com. | 
