One of the unique features of Guitar Rig is how easily it can be controlled by external hardware and software. As a plug-in, its parameters can be automated by your sequencer. By using the learn function in the Controller page, delay times, distortion amounts, cabinet types, etc. can be switched or altered in real time. You can use Bradshaw type foot controllers for instant effect on/offs. You can use a MIDI control surface for editing.
One way to control Guitar Rig (especially on the road) is with an Oxygen 8 keyboard by M-Audio. They are affordable, bus powered, and portable-perfect for your mobile rig! You can use all twenty-five keys to bypass effects, toggle between parameter values, trigger TapeDeck transports, step thru presets and banks, etc. You also have eight rotary knobs, pitch and mod wheels, and a data slider that can be assigned to just about anything you can think of to control in Guitar Rig. Best of all, the keyboard connects with one USB cable, and you’re set!
In Guitar Rig, go to the “Audio + MIDI settings” (File ->), and in the MIDI section you should see the Oxygen 8 as a choice. Make sure it is enabled.
Now go to the Controller section in the Left View. Create a controller (scroll down the Rack Controls window, click “Add Controller”), click on the “Learn” button, and play a note on the keyboard. It should recognize your controller and display the value in that controller window.
Go over to the right and click on “Not assigned” to open the drop down menu: It will lay out a spread of parameters to control (will only display parameters for components which are already active in your rig).
Another method to assign controllers:
An alternative way to assign controllers is: Right click (Mac: ctrl + click) the desired knob in the rig (e.g. the Amp volume) to open the context menu; now select “Learn”. Then press a key or move a controller on the Oxygen 8 and the parameter is assigned to whatever you just moved. After that you’ll find a new entry in the “Rack Controls” window of the “Left View” where the settings can be edited.
Controller settings
Remember even a MIDI note can control parameter values in GUITAR RIG. By adjusting the “handles” on the maximum and minimum values, you can go between two values on a parameter. This is great for using a footswitch (or MIDI note in this example) to kick in more distortion or delay etc.
Go BIG: CPU-friendly Bypass mode
If you create an effect or amp in GUITAR RIG but put them in bypass mode, you’ll notice that it doesn’t put any drain on the CPU meter.
Because of this you can create a really big rig, keep effects that you’re not using in bypass mode, and then use the Oxygen 8 to kick effects in and out.
Save your controller setups:
The best part is that you can save all your controller setups depending on whether you are using GUITAR RIG with a foot controller, keyboard or MIDI control surface. Your setups can include live versus studio applications. Then when you switch controllers (say an Oxygen 8 back to the NI Kontrol) you simply load the appropriate setup that you created previously. How’s that for flexibility! And for all you control freaks: try using the Oxygen 8 and the Kontrol together for total domination!