Comments on: Multiple Guitar Effects without Tap Dancing – (Part 1.)

By: music studio kit

music studio kit — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:51:07 +0000

Properly carried out. This was a fantastic piece of writing. Do go on as you are. I shall be eagerly waiting.

By: karen

karen — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:17:32 +0000

I stumbled upon your website while searching for a good advise on how to run my effcts. Now I can’t wait for part 2 of this topic!

I am just wondering — can I connect my gt-10 to FX S/R of my mesa express (to use only the modulation effects) and still use the external amp channel switching / midi controller capability of the gt-10? I tried (and love) the 4cb method. However, I noticed that it colored my sound a little bit. I am just thinking of ways on how to minimize (or possibly eliminate) these colorations from the gt-10 and get the purest tone possible from the amp. Is this even possible? Thanks!

By: Bob Molton

Bob Molton — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:05:11 +0000

@ Izzat, You’re welcome!

Be sure to see (part.2) as it may help you further decide what is best for you.

By: Bob Molton

Bob Molton — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:55:45 +0000

@ Jason, I really don’t think that upgrading to the Digitech GSP 1101 is the complete answer to your problem.

The first thing I would recommend is removing the Sonic Maximizer from your chain during this testing process… Maybe permanently… I’ve used them in the past and they always seem like a good idea at first, but the truth is I’ve always had to remove them from the signal path because of the un-desired way it changed the tone and signal. More on the BBE later….

If you’re going to continue using the V-amp I would suggest plugging the guitar directly into the V-amp and coming out of the V-amp directly into the “return” of the effects loop on the Marshall. This way you’re using the V-amp in the way it was meant to be used, and you still have the “Power Amp” sound of the Marshall.

You’ll probably need to go and set up a few new patches on the V-amp to match this new set-up, but it’s well worth it. This should make a huge difference in your sound immediately. (for the better of course;-)

NOTE: keep in mind when you use this set-up you’re bypassing the Marshall pre-amp section, therefore none of the preamp controls on the Marshall will be functional… Only the overall main volume of the Marshall is functional.

I would crank up the Marshall “power amp” and run the V-amp as your Master volume. This set-up should rock for you.

Hope this helps.
Bob

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:43:03 +0000

Hey Bob, the distortion pedal I am talking about is internal in the gnx, I have set that to my distorted tone. I like it with my dirty at about 30 percent for extra gain. My mesa is a 2 channel triple rec head from the nineties and yes it has no effects or to me doesn’t have enough gain. When I want to switch between distorted and clean, I have to click my clean patch on the gnx then click my mesa channel. I know it may sound petty, but 2 channel changes doesn’t work. I think I’ve decided that a midi foot controller is the only way to achieve controlling my heads channels and my effects together with 1 tap. Thanks for your time Bob I have no problem spending some cash for this type of set up any ideas?

By: Ectomy

Ectomy — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:08:42 +0000

Thanks Bob for your concern for my passion for guitar. Here in Nigeria, we don’t use effects(most guys here are into different style of music like afro beat). But I’m moved by this article, cause I’m really so into heavy metal, being a beginner I’m being poked by friends for my passion for the killer guitar. Believe me, I aspire to use these effects no doubt!

By: Izzat

Izzat — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:18:04 +0000

Thanks for the helpful article. Though i do not own this specific gear yet, i do plan on building a rig in the future. This article will help me, thx.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:16:35 +0000

I use a vamp pro, a marshall 100 watt MG head and a sonic maximizer rackmount, yet i find my tone from the vamp as really thin in a live setting. Perhaps i should upgrad to a digitech gsp 1101?

By: Bob Molton

Bob Molton — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:59:23 +0000

@ Jeff, Thank You and You’re welcome! You’re definitely on the right track. I’ve also used an EQ for a volume, gain, and frequency bump for leads… It works great! I’m also a fan of the live amp distortion over the digital modeling amps. As far a recording goes they work great. I think the actual effects within the multi-effects units sound really good, but the actual tube amp distortion is what I always go for.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:48:42 +0000

Thanks for being here for us Bob! I recently switched my set-up from analog pedals to a GT-10. I run the GT-10 throught the effects loop of my 6505+ and I use the amps distortion. The GT-10 is very versatile and I like the quality of it’s effects. I’m thinking of getting a midi unit to link my amps channel switching to the GT-10. I am not a fan of the distorion/overdrive on the GT-10. I like to use a graphic EQ on top of the normal EQ(s) and adjust the gain settings within the graphic EQ for a “boost”. Cheers!