Robert “Bubby” Lewis
Roland/BOSS power user, Robert “Bubby” Lewis, has played and recorded bass for an “A-List” of music industry powerhouse artists.
VB-99
V-Bass System
Videos
Bubby Lewis on the VB-99
Robert “Bubby” Lewis, bass player for Snoop Dogg and Lupe Fiasco, talks to Roland about the VB-99 V-Bass System.
Darryl Jones Interview
Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones, Sting, Miles Davis) talks to Roland about the VB-99 V-Bass System.
Derrick Murdock Interview
Derrick Murdock (The Jay Leno Show, B.B. King, Gladys Knight) talks to Roland about the VB-99 V-Bass System.
Gary Willis Interview
Gary Willis (Tribal Tech, Wayne Shorter, Allan Holdsworth) talks to Roland about the VB-99 V-Bass System.
VB-99 Overview
Take a guided tour of the VB-99 V-Bass System.
VB-99 Onboard Sounds
Check out some of the amazing sounds onboard the VB-99.
VB-99 Real Time Controllers
Learn about some of the expressive ways to control the VB-99.
VB-99 Bass to MIDI
Convert your bass to a powerful MIDI controller.
VB-99 USB
Connect the VB-99 to a computer via USB for transmitting audio and MIDI.
VB-99 Editor
Learn about the powerful software editor included with the VB-99.
VB-99 Other Features
Learn about some additional VB-99 features.
VB-99: V-Bass System
Stunning New Possibilities in Bass Recording and Performance
Features
When Roland introduced the original V-Bass System, serious bass players worldwide took notice. Now, we are proud to introduce the VB-99 V-Bass, which delivers three times the sonic firepower of the original model! Based on an all-new custom processing engine and 10 years of research and development, the VB-99 serves up a wide range of inspiring new COSM® bass and amplifier models, powerful polyphonic effects, new string modeling technology, dual independent signal paths for blending sounds, and new controllers. It also features a host of thoughtful improvements that bassists demanded, such as bass–to-MIDI converters, streaming audio via USB, and much more.
- Most advanced bass processor ever
- Dozens of COSM® instrument models, including coveted vintage and modern basses, amps, synth basses, effects and even electric guitars
- Converts bass to MIDI and streams audio via USB audio sources
- Dual independent stereo signal paths can be layered or switched: allows two different virtual sounds at the same time
- Allows users to play polyphonic synth bass sounds without tracking issues
- Table-top configuration, rack mountable, or stand mountable
- Stereo XLR, stereo 1/4", MIDI, SP/DIF and USB outputs
- Advanced new real-time controllers: D Beam, ribbon and V-Link
Audio & Video
Video
Bubby Lewis on the VB-99
Robert “Bubby” Lewis, bass player for Snoop Dogg and Lupe Fiasco, talks to Roland about the VB-99 V-Bass System.
Darryl Jones Interview
Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones, Sting, Miles Davis) talks to Roland about the VB-99 V-Bass System.
Derrick Murdock Interview
Derrick Murdock (The Jay Leno Show, B.B. King, Gladys Knight) talks to Roland about the VB-99 V-Bass System.
Specs
- Audio processing
- 24 bits + AF method
- 24 bits + AF method
- DA Conversion
- 24 bits
- Sampling Frequency
- 44.1 kHz
- Program Memories
- 400: 200 (User) + 200 (Preset)
- Nominal Input Level
- BASS INPUT: –10 dBu
- Input Impedance
- BASS INPUT: 2.2 M ohm
- Nominal Output Level
- MAIN OUT: –10 dBu, SUB OUT (XLR): +4 dBu, BASS OUT: –10 dBu
- Output Impedance
- MAIN OUT: 1 k ohm, SUB OUT (XLR): 600 ohm
- Dynamic Range
- 100 dB or greater (IHF-A)
- Top Panel
- Controls
- Top Panel: OUTPUT LEVEL knob, Function knobs x 6 (F1–F6), BALANCE knob, V-BASS LEVEL knob, V-LINK button, DIRECT PATCH buttons x 5 (1–5), CONTROL buttons x 2 (1, 2), COSM BASS buttons x 2 (A, B), BASS DIRECT button, POLY FX A/B buttons x 2 (A, B), FX buttons x 2 (A, B), COSM AMP buttons x 2 (A, B), MIXER buttons x 2 (A, B), DELAY/REVERB button, DYNAMIC button, CHAIN button, CONTROL ASSIGN button, NAME/KEY/BPM button, Function buttons x 6 (F1–F6), EXIT button, WRITE button, PAGE buttons x 2 (Left, Right), BASS TO MIDI button, SYSTEM button, GLOBAL button, TUNER button, CATEGORY button, PATCH/VALUE dial, Power switch, Rear Panel: Ground Lift switch (SUB OUT)
- D BEAM
- D BEAM Controller, PITCH button, FILTER button, ASSIGNABLE button
- Ribbon Controller
- Ribbon Controller, PITCH button, FILTER button, ASSIGNABLE button
- Display
- 240 x 64 dots graphic LCD (with backlit)
- Connectors/Switches/others
- Top Panel
- GK IN connector (13-pin DIN type)
- Rear Panel
- BASS INPUT jack (1/4" phone type), BASS OUTPUT jack (1/4" phone type), SUB OUT jacks x 2 (L, R) (XLR type), MAIN OUT jacks x 2 (L/MONO, R) (1/4" phone type), PHONES jack (Stereo 1/4" phone type), DIGITAL OUT jack (Coaxial type, conforms to IEC60958-3), EXP PEDAL jack (1/4" TRS phone type), CTL 3,4 jack (1/4" TRS phone type), USB connector (B type), RRC2 IN connector (RJ45 type), MIDI connectors x 2 (IN, OUT) (5-pin DIN type), DC IN jack
- Power Supply
- AC Adaptor (PSB-1U)
- Current Draw
- 1.3 A
- Accessories
- Owner’s Manual, GK cable (5 m), USB cable, RRC2 cable, VB-99 Software CD-ROM, AC adaptor (PSB-1U), Knob Bolt x 4
- Options
- Divided Pickup: GK-3B, MIDI Foot Controller: FC-300, Footswitch: BOSS FS-5U, Dual Footswitch: BOSS FS-6, Expression Pedal: EV-5, BOSS FV-500L/500H, GK Cable: GKC-10/5/3, Unit Selector: US-20, Rack Mount Adaptor: RAD-99, Pad Stand: PDS-10, Footswitch Cable: PCS-31, Carrying Bag: CB-VG9
- Size and Weight ( excluding AC Adaptor )
- Width
- 384 mm
- 15-1/8 inches
- Depth
- 218 mm
- 8-5/8 inches
- Height
- 94 mm
- 3-11/16 inches
- Weight
- 2.1 kg
- 4 lbs. 11 oz.
- * EIA-5U rack mount type: optional rack mount adaptor RAD-99
- *The specifications are subject to change without notice.
Articles
-
Darryl Jones
Find out why Darryl Jones (Miles Davis, Sting, Rolling Stones) is extremely excited by the VB-99’s potential to expand his musical voice with the bass.
Gary Willis
Bass virtuoso Gary Willis (Tribal Tech, Wayne Shorter, Allan Holdsworth, and more) shares his enthusiasm for the VB-99.
Derrick Murdock
Learn about the VB-99’s role in Derrick Murdock’s (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Jay Leno Show) live setup.
Accessories
-
GK-3B
Divided Bass Pickup
Bass players looking to expand their tone palette won’t want to miss Roland’s new GK-3B pickup.
-
FS-5U/-5L
Foot Switch
Durable metal footswitch available in latching and unlatching types.
-
FS-6
Dual Footswitch
Two switches in one, BOSS’s new FS-6 combines latch- and momentary-type switching into one unit.
-
US-20
Unit Selector
A floor pedal unit that allows a GK-equipped guitar to control and switch between two GR-compatible devices.
-
EV-5/-7
Expression Pedals
Durable pedals for controlling a wide range of effects parameters.
-
FV-500H/-500L
Volume Pedal
Tank-tough diecast pedals designed to meet the needs of the most demanding players.
-
FC-300
MIDI Foot Controller
A new standard of power, versatility and innovation for MIDI foot control including bi-directional MIDI data flow to VG-99, patch memory recall, twin expression and control pedals and more.
-
GKC-3/-5/-10
13-Pin Cables
Connects GK-compatible guitar gear
-
RAD-99
Rack Mount Adapter
Rack mount adapter for the VG-99 V-Guitar™ system.
-
PDS-10
Pad Stand
A stand for Roland’s HPD-, SPD-, VG-, and VB-series instruments (including the HandSonic 10, HandSonic 15, SPD-20, SPD-S, VG-99, and VB-99.)
Downloads
Brochures & Catalogs
Updates & Drivers
- VB-99 STAGE EXPERT Soundset
- Detlef Blanke, a professional bass player from Bremen, Germany, has been involved in numerous live and studio projects with international lineups. He has toured extensively around the world, and worked as a producer and bassist for Steinberg’s “Virtual Bassist” and as musical director for “Virtual Guitarist 2.” Detlef has used the Roland VB-99 live and in the studio for many years to expand his palette of bass sounds. Now, he shares his top 20 signature sounds with you—all tried and proven on stage. You will also find an audio demo to accompany each sound.
- VB-99 Editor/Librarian Version 1.00 (MAC)
- This installer includes two programs: VB-99 Editor - a program for editing the parameters for the VB-99 on your computer, and VB-99 Librarian - a program for patch management for the VB-99 on your computer.
- VB-99 Editor/Librarian Version 1.00 (PC)
- This installer includes two programs: VB-99 Editor - a program for editing the parameters for the VB-99 on your computer, and VB-99 Librarian - a program for patch management for the VB-99 on your computer.
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Windows 8
IMPORTANT NOTICE: When the Windows SmartScreen is displayed upon installing the driver, please perform the following procedure:
1. Click [ More info ]
2. Click [ Run anyway ]
* Skip Step 1 If your PC is not connected to the internet.- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Windows 7 32-bit Edition
- This is the VB-99 driver for Microsoft® Windows 7.
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Windows 7 64-bit Edition
- This is the VB-99 driver for Microsoft® Windows 7 64-bit Edition.
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Windows Vista 32-bit Edition
- This is the VB-99 driver for Microsoft® Windows® Vista™.
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Windows Vista 64-bit Edition
- This is the VB-99 driver for Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ 64-bit Operating Systems.
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Windows XP
- This is the latest driver for connecting the Roland VB-99 to Microsoft® XP.
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Mac OS 10.8
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Mac OS 10.7
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Mac OS 10.6
- This is the USB driver for Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard).
- VB-99 Driver Version 1.0.0 for Mac OS 10.5 and Earlier
- This is the USB driver for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and earlier.
Support
If you have questions about operating your Roland, BOSS or Cakewalk product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support department by phone or email.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference. If Support Documents are available for this product, they will be listed below.
Product Manuals
Support Documents
- VB-99 Workshop 01: Introduction to the VB-99
- The VB-99 is hands-down the most powerful bass processor ever made, capable of transforming your instrument with sounds both familiar and unreal. This booklet introduces you to the VB-99’s creative possibilities and discusses some of the technologies that are part of it.
- VB-99 Workshop 02: Pickup Settings
- This booklet gives you the lowdown on using a divided pickup with the VB-99, including the Roland GK-3B and third-party piezo-type systems. Using the normal pickups in your bass is covered as well.
- VB-99 Workshop 03: On-the-Gig Sound Settings
The VB-99 makes it easy to tweak its overall sound for different performing environments without changing the sounds stored in the individual patches. This booklet shows you how.
- VB-99 Workshop 04: Using the Built-in Tuner
When working with the VB-99, you’ll find the built-in chromatic tuner to be one of its most often-used features. This booklet discusses how to use the tuner and control it with external switches.
- VB-99 Workshop 05: Working with Patches
- A VB-99 patch stores all the parameter settings that make up a particular sound. In this booklet, we show you how to select, save, and manage your patches in the VB-99.
- InFocus 02: Roland’s Librarian Software
- If you’re the kind of person who digs into your Roland/BOSS gear, odds are you go way beyond factory patches and settings. It’s for users like you that we include a computer-based Librarian application for backing up and organizing your data. This booklet explains the Roland/BOSS Librarian.