Info about Varranger2

[patrizio1000000]

Hi, I'm looking to buy Varranger2. I can see that there is a lot of potential with this software but I have a lot of questions. I tried to see for any proper demo on you tube about this software and I couldn't really find any useful video's. For the price that we pay for, there should be videos showing all the features and explanations of this software. It is ashamed that after so many years there is no video's on how to setup, on how to use or what kind of gears we need to have the best sound etc.etc.etc.

So my first question is how does this software compares to a physical arranger. Is it comparable to Genos keyboard. Is the sound quality as good or close to genos?

If a buy the software what guarantee do I have if I don't like the software. Can I get money back? Again the price is very steep and I need to be sure that it's really worth it.

When we buy software do we get a downloadable copy immediately, or do I need to wait for the Dongle license to be shipped to me?

I see that Dan you work all the time to make upgrades or fixes to the software, but you are a one man show. Not to know your age, even if the age doesn't mean anything since because anything can happen at any time, and I wish you that nothing happens to you. But my question is are you going to be around for a long time? is There going to be future support when you are not around anymore.

Other question is since we need a dongle to use the software, can we make a copy of the software on a backup drive in case of any problems? Can the dongle be backed up as well in case of any problems?

Next is what kind of gear do I need to play live gigs?
First I have an hold Tecknics KN800 keyboard, wich I sue only has a midi IN.
Second I have a sony vayo laptop I7-4500 CPU @ 1.8ghz with 12 GB of RAM and windows 10 OS
I use a Roland UM-ONE USB midi Interface.

Do I need a audio interface like a focusrite or any other type to play for live gigs? Sound quality is important for me. Again for live gigs what kind of speakers, PA system, mixer do I need with varranger2. Like I said can we get closer like a genos physical arranger and again would be nice that someone would do proper video's on gears setup and teaching on how to use as best as possible this software.

I really would appreciate an input to all these questions. Thanks in Advance.

[patrizio1000000]

Hi Dan! Any answers to my questions. I start to see that the service is not there.
I am on vacation this week and it's been already 4 days that I wrote to get some info.
I really wanted to decide this week if to buy or not.
I even pm'd you directly but no reply back.
I saw on the forum that this varranger user was selling is copy of software. Is name on the forum is garciarob. I pm'd him to see it was still available to buy but didn't get any reply back.

Do You know if it's still available or if anyone else is selling their license?

Please like I said I need to decide this week.
Thank-you

[v.muller]

Hi Patrizio

As a long-time user of the vArranger program, I will try to answer at least a few of your questions.

Regarding the comparison with a physical arranger.
(answer to the first and last question)

Sounds
The basic version of the program contains only basic sounds of not very good quality.
(vArranger Software Synthesizer)
So you need to do at least one of these options:
- copy sf2 files to the vArrangerData\Sounds\SAMPLES folder
- use some VSTi
- use an external hardware synthesizer generator (for example, Ketron SD1000)
- buy expansion sound banks from Dan (for example, Genos)

Styles
Unlike hardware arrangers, vArranger plays styles from many different manufacturers.

Purchasing the program.
vArranger will use your USB flash drive as a dongle.
After purchasing the program, you will receive a program from Dan that will detect the parameters of your USB flash drive.
Dan will then add these parameters to the program and send you a link to download the new version.

I am not qualified to comment on upgrades and warranty.

The Tecknics KN800 should have MIDI IN, OUT and THRU. (for vArranger you need MIDI OUT)
You will need a MIDI cable to connect these keys to your PC.
The Roland UM-ONE USB midi should be OK.

[Dan]

Hello,

Sorry for my late answer. I usually receive the email notifications of new forum posts, but recently there are sometimes big delays until I receive the forum notifications
The easiest way to contact me, is with the vArranger contact form
https://www.varranger.com/contact-us/
I will check your private message

v.muller thank you very much for your accurate answer

[patrizio1000000]

Thank-you for your response.

Some of questions were not answered.
1) If I buy software and it doesn't meet my expectations can I get a total refund and how long do I have?

2) To play live gigs, what kind of gear do I need to get good quality sound. Do I need a audio interface or connecting from my laptop directly to speakers is good. Sound quality is important.

3)  How many sounds does varranger loads at the same time? meaning how many sounds does the software support at the same time?

Finally Dan I did try to contact you from this page https://www.varranger.com/contact-us/, not sure if you did receive  the email. If you want to continue the conversation privately I have put my personal email on that page so pm me and we can continue from there.

Thank-you

[patrizio1000000]

Hi Dan! Sorry If I'm pushing you, but I emailed you has you requested to this email asking for info.

Not sure if you got my email. I know that you are probably a busy person but like I said I wanted to finalize my decision this week-end to buy this software. Please if you can get in touch with me.

Thank-you

[patrizio1000000]

Dan I'm really disappointed that you are not getting in touch with me. I was very interested on this software but I started to believe that this whole thing is a scam. There is no demo, no video's showing all the features of the software and I see a lot of that posts on this forum that they are not responded back.

probably the pay pal link is just to get your money and you won't get anything.

Really disappointed. Like I said I had the week off so I had time to look for final answers than pay and install it before the end of this week but that didn't happen. Very disappointed. Either you do business or don't do it at all if you can't fulfill the duties of your business.

[Dan]

Just sent you an answer to your private email today on Sunday
This is a real website and a real software with content since 15 years

[v.muller]

Unfortunately, the program is not widespread enough for Dan to devote all his time to development and technical support. Therefore, you need to be more patient. In any case, the program works great and should get more attention.

[DjTony1981]

I would like to add my experience on the subject: in 2017 I became a user of vA2 version 1.17 (now 1.20) to use it with Ketron SD1000. It was and still is the best arranger simulator for Windows. It does not suffer from bugs during play, allows compatibility of various formats, gives its best with the compatibility of even recent Yamaha styles and its proprietary Synth Software supported by sound banks derived from Genos. The only flaw that has remained from 2017 to today is the poor version update, with perhaps new features and new compatibility with new styles formats. For example, "Half-fills" or "Only drums fills" could be implemented like the Yamaha. For the rest, the software is excellent and also allows professional use.

[Dan]

And the forum is missing the Thank you emoji

[DjTony1981]

Hi Dan, when and if there will be a new version? 

[patrizio1000000]

So I finally bought the software last week.
I must say that I was following this software for years now, but I was always in doubt that it could be as good as physical arranger.
Well I have to say I was wrong. The software is amazing, I should of bought it years ago. Yes it is pricey but it is worth it compared to thousands of $ physical hardware.

This software is amazing. The sounds are very good. I have a Sd2 ketron soundfont and I downloaded some genos styles from the forum and it sounds amazing. Even if I was in doubt for so many years know I absolutely recommend this software.

Now said that, there is still a lot of things that I need to figure out with the software. Of course I'm on the learning curve and I need to learn this software to use it at it's best capacity. Hopefully I can get all the help from the varranger2 forum community.


So first thing I saved a song with all the different levels of volumes and settings. The right and left hand volumes I see that they are at 127. So I adjusted the right hand volume to 100 and saved the song.
When I select that song again from the list the right hand volume is didn't save at were i set it. it goes back to 127.
Are we not able to save the volumes for the right and left sounds?

[Dan]

Welcome to you Patrizio, it's never too late
Thanks for the positive feedback

DjTony, I hope to find some time soon to first explain some of the good things inside vArranger that you own but don't actually know

[RLMusicProject]

No demo?? That's a disappointment. I was a Yamaha Genos owner but I sold it when I moved into a motor home because it's simply too big for the small space I have now.

So I started looking around for a software replacement for the Genos and I found Giglad and vArranger but how can I compare the two if I I cannot test both?

Regards RLMusicProject (Richard)