Boss VF-1 Effect Processor

Hi,
I recently bought a used VF-1.  I was pretty excited to get it, but 
now I'm disappointed in the tones I'm getting out of it.  I'm almost 
wondering if something is wrong with it. For the most part, 
the "overdrive" presets (tube, OD, metal, MS, 5150, etc) presets 
sound really harsh and brittle. They don't sound natural at all, but 
rather very digital.  So far, I've mostly been testing it using 
the "line" setting (in the global section of the utility menu), 
although I did try it out through a combo amp briefly with the same 
results.  I've also tested it with a couple of different guitars with 
different pickups.  So do you VF-1 devotees really feel like this box 
produces some convincing tones?  If so, I'm wondering what's up with 
my unit.
Thanks,
Bert

Hi,

Try expiermenting with the speaker emulations when in line mode.

Also eq plays a major role in the sound.

You may also try to reset all programs to the original state.

Remember it's a used unit and who knows what the previous owner did 
to the settings

Also when using it through an amp turn off the speaker emulations.

hope this helps.

Niki

Hi Niki,
When you refer to the speaker emulations, do you mean the Amp Sim 
parameter section, or the amp types in the global section of the 
utility menus, or ...?  I did try tinkering with both of those, but 
it still sounds pretty buzzy.  The tones really have a fuzz type 
quality to them.  Also, I can hear what sounds like a processing 
glitch: a sort of pulsating sound that has unappealing overtones to 
it.  I did reset the unit to the factory presets, so I don't think 
I'm hearing someone else's bad edits.  I wish someone else around 
here had a VF-1 so that I could compare.  I'm really starting to 
think that I have a processor problem.
Thanks,
Bert

Hi,

I think i know what the problem is from.  First, what
are u connecting ur processor to?  An amp or digital
studio.  To solve this problem, go to UTILITY, then
pick GLOBAL

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Hi,

I think i know what the problem is from.  First, what
are u connecting ur processor to?  An amp or digital
studio.  To solve this problem, go to UTILITY, then
pick GLOBAL.  Under GLOBAL, move to OUTPUT SELECT. 
Choose whichever output source that gives u the
cleanest sound.  I personally use LINE, cause it gives
me the cleanest sound with the digital speakers.  Tell
me if this works for u.  


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Hi again,
Thanks for the responses!  The way I've been auditioning the VF-1 is 
like this:  guitar into front (Hi-Z) input of the VF1 > mono (L) out 
of VF1 into the guitar input of my midi tone generator (a Yamaha 
MU100R).  The only reason to connect it to the MU100R is because it 
has a headphone out jack.  (I turned off all of the effects 
processing, etc. of the MU100R).  I also tried the VF1 into a small 
desktop stereo system (a high quality Sansui boombox). Finally, I 
tried it with a guitar amp using both the regular input and the Power 
Amp input (like an effects return).  It sounded pretty much the same 
no matter how I tried it.  I did experiment with the Output Select, 
but Line seems like the only acceptable option for the first two 
setups (into MU100R or stereo).  Incidentally, the 1st setup I 
described works great with my old SE70.
Bert

Maybe It's possible for you to record the sound that comes out of your red box
(directly from Line Out to Sound Card) and put it somewhere on the web?
I'm sure that' it's the best possible way to recognize the problem 
(if exists). 

regards,
tomek.

Hi again,
I've been doing some more experimenting today, and I'm feeling better 
about the VF-1.  I think the main problem was running the output of 
the VF1 into another processor and listening though headphones from 
the 2nd unit.  For some reason, this worked fine with my SE-70 but 
there's some mysterious incompatibility between the VF and the Yamaha 
unit.  It seems to work much better to run the vf1 directly into a 
stereo monitor as Rick suggested.  So now that I've got that 
happening, some of the presets are really pretty impressive (although 
I agree that a number of them are rather noisy).

So now that I'm excited about the possibilities, ...anyone have an 
Eric Johnson patch?

Thanks for all your help!
Bert

I think you have a bad unit I just got my whole board
replaced a month ago because of the same problem. And
since the unit is discontinued open it up and make
sure all the connections are good. I had a connection
that was barely on and it gave me similar results. I
took mine to the shop and the (authorized) service
gave me a brand new board ($250 value).

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I noticed, long time ago, my VF-1 has a problem with the Hi-z guitar Input.

When connected, this Hi-z input should "block out" the (left or right) input
at the back of the VF-1.

Sometimes the Hi-z input keeps on blocking out (or at least disturbing) the
backside input when it's not supposed to do that.
I mean the Hi-z keeps thinking there is a guitar jack connected.

This totally disturbs the VF's sound.
So if youre VF-1 sounds terrible also try connecting and disconnecting the
Hi-z input a few times.
That does the job for my VF, I can see both the left and right channel
levels on the (mixer VU) meters are oke after this "repairjob".

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: stephen bowers <tcadillac@...>
Aan: BossVF1@yahoogroups.com <BossVF1@yahoogroups.com>
Datum: zondag 30 maart 2003 17:43
Onderwerp: Re: [BossVF1] Why does my VF-1 sound harsh and unnatural?

>I think you have a bad unit I just got my whole board
>replaced a month ago because of the same problem. And
>since the unit is discontinued open it up and make
>sure all the connections are good. I had a connection
>that was barely on and it gave me similar results. I
>took mine to the shop and the (authorized) service
>gave me a brand new board ($250 value).
>
>__________________________________________________
>Do you Yahoo!?
>Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
>http://platinum.yahoo.com
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>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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Hi,
I'm still tinkering with my VF-1.  Sjaak, I'm actually using the Hi-Z 
input for directly plugging in my guitar. Do you suggest using the 
other (rear) input for guitar?  I haven't tried that on the VF-1, but 
on my SE-70 that was the ONLY input (the rear one) and it worked fine 
in that unit.
Bert



--- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "Sjaak de Vos" <sjaakdevos@g...> 
wrote:
> So if youre VF-1 sounds terrible also try connecting and 
disconnecting the Hi-z input a few times.
> That does the job for my VF, I can see both the left and right 
channel

Bert,

Tinkering a VF-1
Did not know "tinkering".
My dictionary says:  "tin-plate worker who travels from place to place and
repairs kettles, pans etc. --(try to) do repairs without expert knowledge".

Well I guess what I'm trying to say is also in the Tinkering Department.

I had an VF input-problem long time ago and wrote Roland, this was the
answer:
"The left input at the rear wil be disconnected when you plug in the Hi-Z
input.
The rear right input will function".

My VF-1 Hi Z input does not always notice that it is unplugged and keeps on
blocking the left input at the rear.
To repair this I stick my Guitar jack once or twice in the Hi-z input and
then disconnect it hoping the rear input will function 100 %.
Till now this "repairmethod" releases the blocked rear input.


I think the Hi Z input (which I do use for guitar) and the Rear inputs
(which I use for synth's and so on) are connected in a very tricky way (I
don't even totally trust the answer above af the Roland guy, there was
something mixed up).

I do not recommend plugging in the Hi-z \ufffdnd the rear inputs at the same time
because this will have strange effects on the sound produced by the VF (the
balance between the left and right channel is lost/changed).
That's all I tried to point out, do not know/think if youre problem has
anything to do with this "Sticky Hi - z input".

My vf works fine most of the time (99,99 %), the manual is somewhat
incomplete (or maybe even wrong) when it comes to the inputs.
Read below one more comment/answer in your original mail.

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Datum: maandag 7 april 2003 17:01
Onderwerp: [BossVF1] Re: Why does my VF-1 sound harsh and unnatural?


>Hi,
>I'm still tinkering with my VF-1.  Sjaak, I'm actually using the Hi-Z
>input for directly plugging in my guitar. Do you suggest using the
>other (rear) input for guitar?  I haven't tried that on the VF-1, but
>on my SE-70 that was the ONLY input (the rear one) and it worked fine
>in that unit.
>Bert

Have not plugged in my guitar directly in the rear input, I use the Hi-z for
this.
I do, however, plug in the outputs of my Roland gp-100 guitar preamp in the
Vf's rear inputs.
You can always try connecting your guitar directly to the rear input, maybe
it works fine........maybe it won't........be gentle with the VF, i dunno if
it is very very reliable.......


Greetings and succes tinkering..

Sjaak

>
>
>
>--- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "Sjaak de Vos" <sjaakdevos@g...>
>wrote:
>> So if youre VF-1 sounds terrible also try connecting and
>disconnecting the Hi-z input a few times.
>> That does the job for my VF, I can see both the left and right
>channel
>
>