Gibson Dark Fire System Quick Start

Gibson Dark Fire System Quick Start Installation and Authorization Windows XP RIP Console Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 Ableton Live 7 Lite Gibson Studio Edition Owner s Manual Version 1.1 1

Important Safety Instructions We value you as a customer and want our products to give you an inspiring, and gratifying, experience. So, to insure your safety and protect your investment in the Gibson RIP, please read and follow all safety warnings and operating instructions before using this product, and keep all documentation for future reference. Environmental Factors Heat and moisture can harm your Gibson RIP. Please do not install or operate this product near sources of moisture, such as sinks, damp basements, leaky roofs, etc. and never store it near heat sources, such as heaters or radiators. Both you and your RIP will be much happier if you store and operate this product under safe conditions. Power Sources Use only the power sources recommended in this manual. Make sure any power supply cords are not located where they are likely to be safety hazards, such as on the floor where people might walk, or in locations where they may receive pressure from items placed upon or against them. Also, be very careful with any power source connections, such as where the AC adapter connects to the wall outlet and where it plugs into RIP. If these are jostled loose, RIP may experience extreme power differentials, which can potentially harm you and the product. Service Please do not attempt to service RIP yourself. Opening the case may expose you to high voltages (besides, there are no user-serviceable parts), so let our expert technicians handle any repairs for you. Speaking of experts, always send the RIP to an authorized service technician if any of the following occurs (contact numbers for service centers are at the end of this section): Any foreign object (especially liquid) has gotten into the case RIP has been exposed to water, dropped, or otherwise damaged A marked changed in RIP s performance You hear anything rattling around inside if you shake the RIP gently 2

Warranty Protection It is very important to us that you are satisfied with your Gibson product. Register it and activate your warranty protection by mailing the warranty card included with Dark Fire to Gibson USA, Department W, P.O. Box 100087, Nashville, TN 37210-0087. If you encounter any kind of problem, contact us as soon as possible so we can make things right. Once you your warranty protection is active, RIP s electronic components are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. Your warranty covers the cost of both labor and materials on any repair deemed necessary by our Customer Service Representative for the warranty period, subject to the limitations below. Please note that our warranty belongs to the original retail purchaser only, and may not be transferred or assigned to subsequent owners. If RIP malfunctions as a result of faulty materials or workmanship, Gibson will determine whether repair or replacement is more appropriate. In case the original materials are no longer available for repair, Gibson reserves the right to use materials regularly utilized at the time of repair. If we determine that replacing RIP best serves your interests, or in the unlikely event that it is destroyed, lost, or damaged beyond repair while in our possession for repairs, we will replace the product. If it is no longer available, it will be replaced with the most similar product whose value does not exceed your original product s purchase price. Remember as a necessary condition to the warranty coverage described in this section, you must activate your warranty by mailing the warranty card included with Dark Fire to Gibson USA, Department W, P.O. Box 100087, Nashville, TN 37210-0087. Warranty Limitations Unfortunately, it is not possible for your product warranty to cover any of the following: Any product that has been altered or modified in any way, or upon which any serial or registration number has been tampered with or altered in any way. Any product whose warranty card has been altered or contains false information. Any product that has been damaged due to misuse, negligence, accident or improper operation or storage. Any product damaged during shipment. Inspect the package immediately upon receipt, and notify the carrier immediately if there is damage. Any product damaged as a result of extreme temperature, humidity, or the use of an improper power source. Any product not purchased through an authorized dealer, or any product that has had repairs, modifications or alterations made by an unauthorized service technician. Wear and tear based on normal usage. Factory installed electronics after more than one year following the original date of purchase. 3

Gibson makes no other express warranty of any kind. All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose that exceed the specific provisions of the warranty, are expressly and specifically disclaimed and excluded from the warranty. Note, however, that some states and/or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties, so this paragraph may not apply to you. In particular, if you purchased your product outside of the United States, contact your local distributor for the handling and resolution of all warranty issues, as the warranty described here is not always applicable. And of course, Gibson shall not be liable for any special, indirect, consequential, incidental or other similar damages to you or to any third party, including, without limitation, damages for loss of profits or business, or damages resulting from use or performance of the product, whether in contract or tort, even if Gibson or its authorized representative has been advised of the possibility of such damages, and Gibson shall not be liable for any expenses, claims or suits arising from or relating to any of the foregoing. To obtain warranty service, contact the service center nearest you: US (Toll Free) 1-800-4GIBSON US (Local) 1-615-871-4500 Email - service@gibson.com Europe 00800-4GIBSON1 Email - service.europe@gibson.com Japan 03-3434-5670 Email - service.japan@gibson.com China 800-820-8841 (in China only) Email - service.china@gibson.com Please do not send a unit in for repair before contacting your customer service center. They will advise you of the proper procedure for a quick and efficient repair, as well as provide information on where and how to send the product. Gibson is a trademarkof t he Gibson Guitar Corp. FireWire is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Windows and Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Inc. 4

Quick Start Install (Windows XP) This Quick Start manual is intended to get most users up and running as quickly as possible. However, if you encounter problems, please look over the documentation for each element included in the Dark Fire System: Dark Fire guitar, Gibson RIP (Robot Interface Pack), Native Instruments Guitar Rig, and Ableton Live. The latest documentation is available for download from http://www.gibson.com/darkfire. Step 1: Prepare Your Computer There are many tweaks for XP that supposedly improve performance, but most make a negligible difference, if any. However, there is one tweak that can improve performance with the ASIO drivers used by RIP. Gibson suggests you try this setting. 1. Go Start > Settings > Control panel. 2. Double-click on the System icon. The System Properties window appears. 3. Click on the Advanced tab, then under Performance, click on Settings. 4. Click on the Advanced tab, and under Processor Scheduling, make sure that Background services is selected. If not, select it, click on Apply, then click on OK. 5

Step 2: Start Installation Begin by closing all open programs (including virus protection software) other than what's necessary to read this file. Important notes: Do not connect the RIP interface to your computer until instructed to do so. If at any time during installation the Windows Logo Testing window appears, ignore it and click on Continue Anyway. 1. Insert the installation DVD into your Windows XP computer (note: this is a hybrid DVD that works with both Windows and Mac). 2. If you computer is set up to Autorun, the main installation screen will appear. If not, open the DVD-ROM, and double-click on the file Setup GibsonRIP_DVD.exe. In either case, you'll see the following screen. 3. Please read the letter to Dark Fire owners, and check the www.gibson.com/darkfire web site for updated information. Then, click on Install. 4. The RIP installation process begins, then you're asked if you want to install Guitar Rig 3 Dark Fire Edition. Click on Yes. 6

5. The Wizard checks the contents of the setup package. Please be patient, this can take a while. 6. The Guitar Rig 3 Setup Screen Appears. Click on Next. 7

7. Read the license agreement. If you agree with the terms, click on I accept the terms of the license agreement then click on Next. If you do not agree, click on Cancel and do not install the software. 8. When the Setup Type screen appears, select Complete and click on Next. 9. You now need to specify the VST Plug-In Destination folder. This is where programs such as Ableton Live look for plug-ins. There are four likely scenarios. If there's no existing plug-in folder on your computer, Guitar Rig will install one at C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\Guitar Rig 3\VSTPlugins 32 bit A program may have already created a VST plug-in folder. Typically, this is C:\ProgramFiles\Steinberg\VSTplugins, especially if you have any Steinberg programs installed. Guitar Rig 3 will select it as the default. You may have installed a custom VST plug-ins folder. If this is the one you use, then Guitar Rig 3 will select it as the default. There may be multiple VST plug-in folders installed. You can choose whichever one you want by clicking on the Change button and browsing for it. 8

Whichever option you choose, be sure to note the location where the plug-in will be installed in the Install Guitar Rig 3 VST-Plugin to field, as you will need to specify that later when setting Ableton Live's preferences. After deciding where to install the plug-in, click on Next. 10. On the Completing the Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 Setup screen, click on Next. 11.Installation begins. This takes a while, as both Guitar Rig 3 and the Native Instruments Service Center (used for authorization and updates) will be installed. 9

12.On the next screen, leave both boxes unchecked in order to install Ableton Live next. Then, click on Finish. Note: If you have no intention of installing Ableton Live, you can check both boxes then proceed to Authorizing Guitar Rig 3. However, Gibson recommends against this. 13.You are now asked if you want to install Ableton Live Gibson Studio Edition. Click on Yes, then in the next screen, click on Next. 10

14.Read the license agreement. If you agree with the terms, click on I Agree then click on Next. If you do not agree, click on I Disagree and do not install the software. 15.Live chooses the default location for installation, which is in your Program Files folder. Gibson strongly recommends you accept this default. Click on Next. 11

16.Select the Program Manager group. Gibson recommends using the default name. If your computer has several user accounts, consider clicking Install only for me. Otherwise, click on Install for all users, then click on Next. 17. A screen appears that says you're ready to Start Installation. Click on Next. 18. Installation progresses. 19. When Ableton Live is installed, click on Finish. 12

20.The installer now returns to the RIP Setup screen to finish RIP installation. Click on Next. 21. When the Install Complete window appears, click on Finish. 22.Locate the Gibson RIP, the power supply adapter included with your Dark Fire guitar, and the FireWire cable. With RIP turned off, plug one end of the FireWire cable into the FireWire connector on the rear of the Gibson RIP. Attach the other end of the FireWire cable to an open FireWire port on your computer. 23.Make sure you have selected the proper AC adapter plug that fits into the type of wall socket used in your country, then connect the AC adapter to RIP. Plug in the adapter. 24.Windows will detect RIP, and the Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. If this does not appear, wait 20 seconds, unplug the FireWire cable from the RIP, then plug it back in again. If the option No, not this time appears at any time, click on it. If not, you ll see an option to Install the software automatically (Recommended). Select this, then click on Next. 25.The software will install automatically, and during this process, the Console window will appear. Note: If at this point, or during the next two steps, you are asked about updating or checking RIP or guitar firmware, temporarily skip to Step 5 and read the notes on firmware updates. After following the instructions under Automatic Firmware Updating, return here. 13

26.When the Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard appears, click Finish to close the wizard. Installation for Windows XP is now complete. In the system tray, a notice will appear that lets you know your hardware is ready to use. 14

Step 3: Authorize Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 Please note: To authorize Guitar Rig 3, your computer must be connected to the internet. 1. After installation is complete, you need to authorize Guitar Rig 3 via Native Instruments' Service Center program. Go Start > Programs > Native Instruments > Service Center folder, then click on the Service Center entry. 2. The Service Center will log on to the internet and connect with Native Instrument's server. This may take some time; be patient. 3. If you already have an account with Native Instruments, enter your e-mail address and password, then click on Log In. If you do not have an account, you need to create one. Click on Create New User Account. 15

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account. After creating the account, you will be sent a password to your email address. Use this password to log in to the Service Center. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions; you will be prompted to enter your serial number for Guitar Rig 3. Enter this number. 6. Once entered, click on Activate. 7. The window will show that Guitar Rig 3 Dark Fire is activated. Click on Exit, and authorization is complete. 16

Step 4: Authorize Ableton Live Please note: In order to authorize Ableton Live, we recommend connecting your computer to the internet. If you do not have an internet connection, you can unlock from a file, as mentioned below. 1. Similarly to how you called up Native Instruments' Service Center, go Start > Programs > Ableton > Live 7.0.13 folder, then click on the Live 7.0.13 entry. Note: the last two digits may change over time if the program is updated. 2. When Live opens for the first time, an authorization screen appears. Enter the authorization code included with your RIP package, then click on Unlock Online. If you do not have an internet connection, click on Click here to unlock from a file and follow the instructions. 3. When the Thank you screen appears, click on OK. Ableton Live is now authorized. 4. If you're asked whether you want to install Gibson Dark Fire templates, click on Yes. After these are installed, installation is complete click on OK, and you're done. All system elements are now installed. Next, if automatic firmware updating did not occur previously, proceed to the next step to update the RIP and guitar firmware. To learn more about updating, the Console, and the RIP interface, please download and read the Gibson Robot Interface Pack manual, available online from the manuals section at http://www.gibson.com/darkfire. 17

Step 5: Update Your Firmware Firmware is computer code embedded in your RIP and Dark Fire guitar that controls many operational aspects of these two components. It works in conjunction with the Console and driver software, so it is important that you use the latest version of both the software and firmware. However, there are situations where the two may be out of sync. For example, you might download new, enhanced software from the Gibson web site, while the RIP or guitar has older firmware. Gibson has anticipated this possibility, and included procedures in the Console software that take different scenarios into account. As mentioned during the section on installation, you may be asked about updating or checking firmware. If so, update the firmware as described below under Automatic Firmware Updating, then return to the installation instructions where you left off. If you were not asked to update the firmware, after finishing Step 4 ( Authorizing Ableton Live ), follow the instructions in this step under Manual Firmware Updating. Automatic Firmware Updating When you open the Console, or when the console opens as part of installation, it checks whether RIP is using the appropriate firmware. If the firmware is up to date, nothing else happens and you're ready to go. If the firmware is not up to date, the following window appears. 1. Click Yes to install new firmware. Do not turn off or unplug your Gibson RIP or your computer while the firmware is being installed! This can leave RIP in a nonfunctional state that requires returning it to the factory. If possible, connect your computer and RIP to an Uninterruptible Power Supply while updating firmware. A window shows the updating progress. 18

2. Once the firmware update is complete, a screen appears that says Flash Update Complete. Turn off power to the RIP, wait 10 seconds (or more), then reconnect power to load the new firmware. 3. In most cases, during Console installation a window will appear that asks if you want to verify that your guitar has the proper firmware to run with the RIP. If this appears, click on Yes. If it doesn't, update the guitar firmware manually, as described in the next section. 4. A window appears that asks you to connect the guitar to the RIP with a stereo cable. Plug your Dark Fire guitar into RIP with the included stereo cable, then click on Continue. 5. Pull up on the MCK (Master Control Knob) and strum the guitar a few times until it's in tune. (For more information on tuning, refer to the manual on Dark Fire's tuning options that's posted online.) Keep the MCK knob pulled out, then click on Continue. 6. If a window appears that says The guitar is already up to date, click on OK. Installation and updating is complete. If updating is needed, follow the on-screen instructions to update the guitar's firmware. 7. After either updating or clicking on OK after the guitar is up to date message appears, the RIP Console appears. Learn more about the RIP Console in the Gibson Robot Interface Pack manual. 19

Manual Firmware Updating After installation is complete, if you haven't been asked during the installation process whether you want to update the RIP or guitar firmware, it's a good idea to do so manually. This insures that all firmware is up to date. 1. If the Console window is not already open, open it by going Start > Programs > Gibson RIP > Gibson RIP Console. 2. This may initiate the automatic firmware update procedures detailed above. If so, follow those directions. 3. If the automatic firmware update procedure doesn't occur, after the Console opens click on the Settings tab, then click on the About button. 4. The About Window opens. Click on Update RIP. 5. A window appears that asks if you want to flash your RIP. Click Yes to install the firmware. Do not turn off or unplug your Gibson RIP or your computer while the firmware is being installed! This can leave RIP in a non-functional state that requires returning it to the factory. If possible, connect your computer and RIP to an Uninterruptible Power Supply while updating firmware. 6. A window shows the updating progress. 20

7. Once the firmware update is complete, a screen appears that says Flash Update complete. Turn off power to the RIP, wait 10 seconds (or more), then reconnect power to load the new firmware. 8. Now check that your guitar firmware is up-to-date. Click on the About button again, but this time, click the Update Guitar button. 9. You will be asked if you want to write the current firmware to your guitar. Click on Yes. 10.A window appears that asks you to connect the guitar to the RIP with a stereo cable. Plug your Dark Fire guitar into RIP with the included stereo cable, then click on Continue. 21

11.Pull up on the MCK (Master Control Knob) and strum the guitar a few times until it is in tune. For more information on tuning, refer to the manual on Dark Fire's tuning options that's posted online. Keep the MCK knob pulled out, then click on Continue. 12.If a window appears that says The guitar is already up to date, click on OK. Installation and updating is complete. If updating is needed, follow the on-screen instructions to update the guitar's firmware. 13.After either updating or clicking on OK after the guitar is up to date message appears, the RIP Console appears. Learn more about the RIP Console in the Gibson Robot Interface Pack manual in the owner's manual section at http://www.gibson.com/darkfire. 22