MusicLab RealGMS

Plug-in Instrument
By Nick Magnus

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 Stars

This latest addition to MusicLab’s well‑respected series of virtual guitar instruments is one few people might have expected. It’s neither a conventional acoustic nor electric, although it could be said to fit somewhere in between — the Godin Multiac Spectrum SA, a semi‑solid‑bodied hybrid that shares the qualities of both. The Godin is unique in having not only a piezo bridge pickup and a magnetic neck pickup, each with their own outputs, but also a 13‑pin output to drive guitar synths. Clearly the latter makes no sense in the context of RealGMS, although a nod to that feature is included as we’ll see.

RealGMS follows the same principles as others in the series, with modes for freestyle picking, soloing and various strumming methods, and customisable keyswitch menus to invoke numerous articulations, gestures and guitaristic noises. If you’re au fait with performing or programming with other MusicLab guitars, you’ll be in familiar territory here.

RealGMS outputs a stereo signal; by default the two pickups are active, panned hard left and right and at equal volume. Either pickup (labelled M and P) can be soloed; on opening their edit panel there are sliders to adjust the relative volumes and panning. A third slider (labelled synth) is that nod towards the Godin’s guitar synth output mentioned earlier. It controls the volume of an additional 12‑string guitar layer, intended to blend with the pickups for a fuller sound. This was “recorded through the Roland SY‑1000” guitar synth, though it’s not clear whether the sound was generated by that synth, or an actual 12‑string that was simply processed through it. Either way, it adds a pleasant sheen to the pickups’ output, although it could do with a bit of extra volume headroom relative to the pickups. The ‘S’ button turns it on and off.

Although RealGMS’s primary output is stereo, it also offers separate mono left and right outputs. This brings obvious benefits: finer control of pickup volumes and panning, and the opportunity to EQ and otherwise process each pickup individually. The 12‑string layer has no separate output, appearing across both left and right outputs.

RealGMS delivers tones suitable for jazz, folk and rock, the latter aided in no small way by the excellent built‑in Guitarix amp simulator.

The real‑life Godin is known for its versatility, adapting to both acoustic and electric styles, and likewise RealGMS delivers tones suitable for jazz, folk and rock, the latter aided in no small way by the excellent built‑in Guitarix amp simulator. The unprocessed sound is clear and focused — smooth and shiny when played softly, with plenty of ‘snap’ at higher velocities. The piezo pickup has more emphasis in the upper midrange, the magnetic pickup being warmer and well suited to a more jazzy, semi‑acoustic sound. In contrast to the precise tuning of other MusicLab instruments, RealGMS feels a little less well‑tempered — more ‘organic’ if you will. The most apparent tuning discrepancies occur with high‑velocity round robins in the lower registers, so care should be taken when strumming full chords at lower fret positions, as it could get a bit messy. Overall, RealGMS brings a fascinating and unusual addition to the MusicLab family.

$149

www.musiclab.com

$149

www.musiclab.com

Published January 2025

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