Guitar Rig 6

Components connected in a rack

GUITAR RIG 6 organizes its processing into Components loaded from a searchable Browser. The Rack normally runs from top to bottom, but dedicated tools can split the signal into parallel, frequency-based or mid/side paths. The result is useful not only for guitar amplification but also for building custom processors around other audio sources.

Separate tone building from control design

Amplifier and cabinet components establish a recorded instrument sound, while effects can be placed before or after them to change their interaction. Macros collect selected parameters into a smaller performance surface. Containers let a useful sub-chain carry its own controls and be reused, while Global FX sit after the main rack.

A repeatable workflow

Choose the correct mono/stereo input, set input gain and noise gating, then load a preset or assemble a basic chain. Compare cabinets before adding more corrective processing, and use the Browser's search and filters for focused substitutions. Once the sound works, create macros with sensible ranges, check output headroom and save the complete rack rather than relying on an unsaved combination of component settings.

Source: Manual, “Overview of GUITAR RIG,” p. 6; “Global Controls,” pp. 7–9; “Signal Flow,” pp. 10–11; “Macros,” pp. 44–49; “Tools,” pp. 57–60.

Header and rack

The Input selector chooses left mono, right mono or stereo input. Set Input Level with the peak meter, then use Gate and Gate Threshold to suppress unwanted quiet noise without losing soft playing. Threshold Learn analyzes the input while you play softly. Output Level sets the final output and Limit prevents digital clipping; watch CPU Load when building large chains.

The Browser selects full presets or individual Components. Drag Components into the Rack, then move or replace them to change the chain. The signal runs downward unless a splitter changes its route. Saving a rack preset preserves the combination, whereas a component preset recalls only that component's settings.

Amp and cabinet example

Van 51 provides Lead/Rhythm channel selection, Hi Gain, Rhythm-channel Bright/Crunch, channel gain controls, Bass/Mid/Treble, Resonance, Presence and Post Gain. Use channel gain for distortion intensity and Post Gain for level. Its Expert controls—including Sag and Bias—change modeled supply/tube behavior rather than acting as ordinary EQ.

Matched Cabinet Pro selects a cabinet and blends Cabinet/Room to change direct-versus-room perspective. A/B chooses alternate room impulse responses; Volume/Learn handle level. Changing cabinet or room often solves a tonal issue more naturally than adding another distortion stage.

Parallel and grouped processing

Container groups Components and exposes its own macros. Freq Crossover splits into Low and High bands; Frequency sets the split and Crossfade/Pan Low/Pan High balance and position the bands. Split Mix supplies independent A/B chains, with optional L/R split, crossfade, panning and polarity inversion. M/S Balance separates shared and differing stereo information for separate processing. Use solo or careful level comparison when adjusting complex paths so phase cancellation is not mistaken for simple attenuation.

Macros and utility tools

The Macros rack tool provides eight or sixteen controls, configurable as knobs or buttons. Drag a macro assignment onto a target; use its Expert panel to set minimum/maximum values, invert a range, disable a mapping or remove it. Buttons can toggle or operate only while held. This is useful for coordinated effect switching or a single controlled tonal sweep.

Tapedeck Pre/Post, Tuner, Metronome, Preset Volume and Global FX handle recording, tuning, timing and preset-level workflow. Keep global output management distinct from gain that intentionally drives an amplifier or effect.

Source: Manual, “Header,” pp. 7–8; “Macros,” pp. 44–49; “Rack Tools,” pp. 50–55; “Container,” p. 57; “Freq Crossover,” p. 58; “Split Mix” and “M/S Balance,” pp. 58–60; “Van 51,” pp. 102–103; “Matched Cabinet Pro,” p. 104.