Boss VF-1 Effect Processor

Hi,
I know this group isn't particularly active anymore, but maybe a few 
folks still read this...

One thing that always seemed really odd to me about the way the VF-1 
is set up is the fact that the distortions and overdrives are part 
of the same module as the amp sims.  That means you can't put an 
overdrive box in front of an amp.  Further, the only way to set the 
overdrive intensity is with the gain function, but that's only a 3-
way toggle (low, medium, and high).

Why on earth did they design it this way?  The predecessor of the 
VF1, the SE70, had separate overdrives that could be turned on 
before the amp sims.  Plus those overdrives had a fully adjustable 
gain knob (0-100).

I don't get it: seems like this really limits the amount of control 
we have on the VF-1.  Am I missing something here?

Thanks,
Bert

Hi Bert:

It's true that there's only 3 intensity levels in the VF-1 but each
level can be adjust from 0 - 100 of gain... you only need to set one
of those 3 intensity levels of overdrive and saturate or desaturate
them with the volume parameter of the pre-amp that you choose... (the
volume is the second parameter of the preamp algorithm).

I hope you can get the sound that you like

greetings

Martin

Hi Bert:

It's true that there's only 3 intensity levels in the VF-1 but each
level can be adjust from 0 - 100 of gain... you only need to set one
of those 3 intensity levels of overdrive and saturate or desaturate
them with the volume parameter of the pre-amp that you choose... (the
volume is the second parameter of the preamp algorithm).

I hope you can get the sound that you like

greetings

Martin




--- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "stratoskier" <stratoskier@...> wrote:

>
> Hi,
> I know this group isn't particularly active anymore, but maybe a few 
> folks still read this...
> 
> One thing that always seemed really odd to me about the way the VF-1 
> is set up is the fact that the distortions and overdrives are part 
> of the same module as the amp sims.  That means you can't put an 
> overdrive box in front of an amp.  Further, the only way to set the 
> overdrive intensity is with the gain function, but that's only a 3-
> way toggle (low, medium, and high).
> 
> Why on earth did they design it this way?  The predecessor of the 
> VF1, the SE70, had separate overdrives that could be turned on 
> before the amp sims.  Plus those overdrives had a fully adjustable 
> gain knob (0-100).
> 
> I don't get it: seems like this really limits the amount of control 
> we have on the VF-1.  Am I missing something here?
> 
> Thanks,
> Bert
>

Hi,
   
  This is a fact, the device is built like that. But; as a pedal freak I own a lot of new models and old ones too. 
  Two weeks ago I just bought Zoom's new model G9.2tt and you know what? It's built the same way. There are also some stompboxes (Boss OD1 etc...) but the whole system is the good old, well known thing. I do not even see anything wrong in that; the character of the preamp is one of the most important factor in the sound you tweak.
   
  Greetings
   
  Andy

stratoskier <stratoskier@...> wrote:
          Hi,
I know this group isn't particularly active anymore, but maybe a few 
folks still read this...

One thing that always seemed really odd to me about the way the VF-1 
is set up is the fact that the distortions and overdrives are part 
of the same module as the amp sims. That means you can't put an 
overdrive box in front of an amp. Further, the only way to set the 
overdrive intensity is with the gain function, but that's only a 3-
way toggle (low, medium, and high).

Why on earth did they design it this way? The predecessor of the 
VF1, the SE70, had separate overdrives that could be turned on 
before the amp sims. Plus those overdrives had a fully adjustable 
gain knob (0-100).

I don't get it: seems like this really limits the amount of control 
we have on the VF-1. Am I missing something here?

Thanks,
Bert



         

 		
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi again,
Thanks for the responses, guys!  The group is still active.

Martin -- I haven't experimented with using the volume control for 
regulating gain.  That's a good tip.

Andy -- interestingly, the Zoom G9.2tt was my probably choice if I 
decide to get a floorboard system.  I'd be very interested in 
hearing your overall thoughts on how the two systems compare -- the 
good old VF-1 versus the new Zoom.  I'd mainly be interested in 
hearing about the quality of the tones.

I do have one more VF-1 question: I know that you can hook up 2 
different foot pedals (latching or momentary pedals) to the Ctrl 1/2 
input using a special cord to bridge the two pedals, but has anyone 
tried to hook up 2 continuous controllers to that jack?  All the 
pictures in the manual show regular pedals, but it would be very 
handy to be able to hook up a second CC pedal to that jack.

Thanks!
Bert




--- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "stratoskier" <stratoskier@...> 
wrote:
>
> Hi,
> I know this group isn't particularly active anymore, but maybe a 
few 
> folks still read this...
> 
> One thing that always seemed really odd to me about the way the VF-
1 
> is set up is the fact that the distortions and overdrives are part 
> of the same module as the amp sims.  That means you can't put an 
> overdrive box in front of an amp.  Further, the only way to set 
the 
> overdrive intensity is with the gain function, but that's only a 3-
> way toggle (low, medium, and high).
> 
> Why on earth did they design it this way?  The predecessor of the 
> VF1, the SE70, had separate overdrives that could be turned on 
> before the amp sims.  Plus those overdrives had a fully adjustable 
> gain knob (0-100).
> 
> I don't get it: seems like this really limits the amount of 
control 

> we have on the VF-1.  Am I missing something here?
> 
> Thanks,
> Bert
>

I still have my VF-1 (and the rest of my previous rig), so I still
check in on my old groups to see if I can help. But, I made the jump
to the VF-1 "replacement," the GT-Pro. If you're looking for options,
control and unbelieveable tone, you might want to check it out. My
previous rig was a VF-1 in front, a Tech 21 PSA-1 for the preamp and a
TC Electronics G-Major in the effects loop, all controlled by a
Behringer FCB1010. Now I have the GT-Pro being controlled by the
FCB1010 and that's it! Simple and incredible, all at the same time.

Steph


--- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "stratoskier" <stratoskier@...> wrote:

>
> Hi again,
> Thanks for the responses, guys!  The group is still active.
> 
> Martin -- I haven't experimented with using the volume control for 
> regulating gain.  That's a good tip.
> 
> Andy -- interestingly, the Zoom G9.2tt was my probably choice if I 
> decide to get a floorboard system.  I'd be very interested in 
> hearing your overall thoughts on how the two systems compare -- the 
> good old VF-1 versus the new Zoom.  I'd mainly be interested in 
> hearing about the quality of the tones.
> 
> I do have one more VF-1 question: I know that you can hook up 2 
> different foot pedals (latching or momentary pedals) to the Ctrl 1/2 
> input using a special cord to bridge the two pedals, but has anyone 
> tried to hook up 2 continuous controllers to that jack?  All the 
> pictures in the manual show regular pedals, but it would be very 
> handy to be able to hook up a second CC pedal to that jack.
> 
> Thanks!
> Bert
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "stratoskier" <stratoskier@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> > I know this group isn't particularly active anymore, but maybe a 
> few 
> > folks still read this...
> > 
> > One thing that always seemed really odd to me about the way the VF-
> 1 
> > is set up is the fact that the distortions and overdrives are part 
> > of the same module as the amp sims.  That means you can't put an 
> > overdrive box in front of an amp.  Further, the only way to set 
> the 
> > overdrive intensity is with the gain function, but that's only a 3-
> > way toggle (low, medium, and high).
> > 
> > Why on earth did they design it this way?  The predecessor of the 
> > VF1, the SE70, had separate overdrives that could be turned on 
> > before the amp sims.  Plus those overdrives had a fully adjustable 
> > gain knob (0-100).
> > 
> > I don't get it: seems like this really limits the amount of 
> control 
> > we have on the VF-1.  Am I missing something here?
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > Bert
> >
>

Instead of using two footswitches why don't you try using the Fcb-1010
from Behringer... it has two expresion pedals and you can control
everything via midi...




--- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "stratoskier" <stratoskier@...> wrote:

>
> Hi again,
> Thanks for the responses, guys!  The group is still active.
> 
> Martin -- I haven't experimented with using the volume control for 
> regulating gain.  That's a good tip.
> 
> Andy -- interestingly, the Zoom G9.2tt was my probably choice if I 
> decide to get a floorboard system.  I'd be very interested in 
> hearing your overall thoughts on how the two systems compare -- the 
> good old VF-1 versus the new Zoom.  I'd mainly be interested in 
> hearing about the quality of the tones.
> 
> I do have one more VF-1 question: I know that you can hook up 2 
> different foot pedals (latching or momentary pedals) to the Ctrl 1/2 
> input using a special cord to bridge the two pedals, but has anyone 
> tried to hook up 2 continuous controllers to that jack?  All the 
> pictures in the manual show regular pedals, but it would be very 
> handy to be able to hook up a second CC pedal to that jack.
> 
> Thanks!
> Bert
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "stratoskier" <stratoskier@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> > I know this group isn't particularly active anymore, but maybe a 
> few 
> > folks still read this...
> > 
> > One thing that always seemed really odd to me about the way the VF-
> 1 
> > is set up is the fact that the distortions and overdrives are part 
> > of the same module as the amp sims.  That means you can't put an 
> > overdrive box in front of an amp.  Further, the only way to set 
> the 
> > overdrive intensity is with the gain function, but that's only a 3-
> > way toggle (low, medium, and high).
> > 
> > Why on earth did they design it this way?  The predecessor of the 
> > VF1, the SE70, had separate overdrives that could be turned on 
> > before the amp sims.  Plus those overdrives had a fully adjustable 
> > gain knob (0-100).
> > 
> > I don't get it: seems like this really limits the amount of 
> control 
> > we have on the VF-1.  Am I missing something here?
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > Bert
> >
>

Hi . 

My VF-1 application has been mainly live which I find
it VERY handy because of its size . It coupled with a
simple MIDI controller such as a Rolls Midi Buddy is a
real quick and easy set up that takes up practically
NO space and sounds GREAT . Typically on stage I will
have a wah pedal in front of me but other than that
its just a couple of controller pedals for the VF1 ...
One for turning the effects on and off , and one for
tap tempo function . If there's room on the floor in
front of me then maybe I'll put the midi controller
there but typically it sits on top of the amp as does
the VF1 . Again its a VERY economical rig . It goes
great with club owners who get tired of their servers
having to walk over and around the guitar player's
gaudy pedal rig ...

I'm sure there are more up to date units that are ALL
on the floor units , as it seems NO companies are
investing in research and development of half rack
space units any more .(A drag if you ask me...) I
guess what difference does it make ? If you're playing

one of those tight spaced club gigs then companies
like Boss are figuring that you would just put the
"all on the floor" unit on top of your amp . Makes
sense to me . 

As far as regulating gain yes it is "volume"  thats
the key paramiter with the VF 1 and other units like
it . There are alot of units out there through the
years as well as differnt types of amps and theres
quite a variety of vocabulary which all means the same
thing . For example gain , volume , volume 1 ,
saturation , pre , pre amp , distortion , and probably
some others that I couldn't think of all mean "GAIN" .
Master ALWAYS means "master volume" - that is - the
over all volume of the patch ...Sorry if this sounds
redundant . 

As far as putting a distortion pedal simulater in
front of the amp simulater I suppose I could see this
as being a legitimate argument for some type of direct
recording situation where you wish to simulate the
sound of a DS1 through the front of a Fender Twin but
really you could tweak a whole bunch of distortion
type patches (as I did) and ultimately come to the
conclusion (as I did) that they all pretty much sound
the same by the time that you eq them right in the
over all mix . For example high gain  bridge pickup
style rhythm guitar tones don't sound that much
different to me once I've got things eq'd the right
way . Maybe other people are different ... I quit
beating my head over it and found that I have that 1
or 2 killer rhythm guitar sounds that I use .( Both
for live and for direct recording). I wind up using
the volume on my guitar to further regulate the gain
if necessary and that ALWAYS does the trick . Now it
just depends on WHICH guitar you are using but youy'll
ALWAYS have a cool vibe one way or another . 

For me again its been more of a live thing so the "not
being able to put a stomp box OD in front of the amp
sim"  hasen't been an issue because I'm thinking that
what ever disortion sound I'm getting from the VF1 is
going IN FRONT OF my actual amp which is usually a
Fender Twin or a Boogie Mark 1 . Sounds great either
way . 

Over all its like having quite an effective pedal rig
in a half rack space unit .

Sorry for such a long message and hope this helps .
Scott . 


--- stratoskier <stratoskier@...> wrote:

> Hi,
> I know this group isn't particularly active anymore,
> but maybe a few 
> folks still read this...
> 
> One thing that always seemed really odd to me about
> the way the VF-1 
> is set up is the fact that the distortions and
> overdrives are part 
> of the same module as the amp sims.  That means you
> can't put an 
> overdrive box in front of an amp.  Further, the only
> way to set the 
> overdrive intensity is with the gain function, but
> that's only a 3-
> way toggle (low, medium, and high).
> 
> Why on earth did they design it this way?  The
> predecessor of the 
> VF1, the SE70, had separate overdrives that could be
> turned on 
> before the amp sims.  Plus those overdrives had a
> fully adjustable 
> gain knob (0-100).
> 
> I don't get it: seems like this really limits the
> amount of control 
> we have on the VF-1.  Am I missing something here?
> 
> Thanks,
> Bert
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

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Hi,
Thanks again for all the responses.  I've been spending a lot of 
time with the VF-1 the last few days, and am pretty pleased with the 
results.  If I can coax just a few more core tones out of it, I may 
drop the idea of moving to a dedicated floorboard (POD XT, Boss GT-
8, etc).

The main thing I haven't been able to pull out of the VF-1 is a 
convincing gritty blues tone -- something in the Robben Ford or SRV 
(Lenny or Riviera Paradise) vein.  It seems like both the Crunch and 
Blues amp models (the two likely candidates) have a fair amount of 
fizziness in them whenever the gain is bumped up.  That goes away on 
low gain settings (gain on low and volume low), but gets more 
apparent when with the gain & volume up high enough for real bite.  
Does anyone have some similar tones they'd like to share.

I've also been learning a fair amount about midi control of the VF-
1.  I expect that most of what I've learned is old news to veteran 
VF-1 users.  I'm now running one expression pedal into the rear 
jack, along with a midi floor controller (Digitech PMC10 with 
another expression pedal).  The PMC10 can send both PC and CC 
commands in a single string.  The CCs can be used to turn each 
effect in a patch on/off individually once one of the VF-1 Assigns 
has been specified as on/off for that effect.  One thing that really 
surprised me was how well the the VF1's "pedal wah" worked using the 
expression pedal.  I've had poor success regulating a wah with midi 
before (glitches in the midi transmission when you move the wah 
quickly), but the exp pedal directly into the VF1 seems to be 
working great.

Here's one more thing from this forum (apparently not in the manual)
that helped me while setting up my patches: The VF-1 is preset for 
midi program changes 1-128 to call up patches UserA 1-100 through 
UserB 1-28.  But you can switch among either of the two Program 
Change Maps or any of the four VF-1 banks using CC 00 commands:

CC 00 value 00 => Map 1
CC 00 value 01 => Map 2
CC 00 value 02 => Preset A
CC 00 value 03 => Preset B
CC 00 value 04 => User A
CC 00 value 05 => User B

So sticking a CC 00 command in a midi string allows access to any of 
the 400 VF1 patches.  This was in an old thread in this forum by 
Sjaak de Vos and I found it very useful information.

Cheers!
Bert





--- In BossVF1@yahoogroups.com, "stratoskier" <stratoskier@...> 
wrote:
>
> Hi,
> I know this group isn't particularly active anymore, but maybe a 
few 
> folks still read this...
> 
> One thing that always seemed really odd to me about the way the VF-
1 
> is set up is the fact that the distortions and overdrives are part 
> of the same module as the amp sims.  That means you can't put an 
> overdrive box in front of an amp.  Further, the only way to set 
the 
> overdrive intensity is with the gain function, but that's only a 3-
> way toggle (low, medium, and high).
> 
> Why on earth did they design it this way?  The predecessor of the 
> VF1, the SE70, had separate overdrives that could be turned on 
> before the amp sims.  Plus those overdrives had a fully adjustable 
> gain knob (0-100).
> 
> I don't get it: seems like this really limits the amount of 
control 

> we have on the VF-1.  Am I missing something here?
> 
> Thanks,
> Bert
>