GNX3 -vs- GNX4 - Is there a big difference?

Murrph67

Hiya All,

I am getting ready to head out to my local Guitar Center and pick me up a GNX4, but I was wondering if there was a huge difference between the GNX3 and the GNX4. It is a 200 dollar difference in price, but it is worth spending the extra 200 bucks for the GNX4?

Thanks for your help.

Murrph

guitar3456

Depends on what you need. GNX features are widely varied. Is it worth the extra $$....you can decide

Here's a comprehensive list:

http://www.44lbs.net/ilia/compare_GNX.pdf

ednrg

If you plan on recording on the unit itself, maybe. If you're recording on a PC, no.

There was an old running joke on how the GNX4 should have been called the GNX3.5 when it first came out.

Murrph67

So, is the extra expense because of the software or are there actually some upgrades to the device itself?

guitar3456

Many have gone with the GNX4 since it allows a lot of control assigns. those are very useful Live and worth the bucks for the difference. The CF card capability gives you recording space, midi, mp3, and 80 additional user preset storage locations. I highly recomemmend the GNX4. Many users have purch other versions, then find out the additional features of the 4 outweigh the difference in price.

When I write tunes, it's nice to arm a track and create a quick song scratchpad without being anywhere near a PC.

thehootman

The 4 is way, way more versitile. I didnt think i needed the extra features when i bought mine, now i wouldnt be without them.

iliace

GNX4 provides several advantages over GNX3, for instance:

* bigger, more useful storage card capabilities
* much better drum machine with more kits and custom pattern capability
* three assignable controller footswitches (instead of one), and a dedicated tap tempo function (for delay and drum machine)
* headphones and other outputs work simultaneously (on GNX3 it's either 1/4\" or headphones)

In that sense, GNX4 is a much more powerful workstation, for many many applications (for example you can use it as a sound card on your computer, or as a mini mixer in your home studio). GNX3 has some of that, but GNX4 really took it to the next level. Here's a swiss army knife analogy:

GNX3: http://store.yahoo.com/theledstore/swarvialplmu.html
GNX4: http://www.valorcorp.com/images/products/4400184.jpg

More gadgets, but some were replaced with new ones.

As far as 4 vs 3 sound, I don't notice too much difference. Amp modeling is pretty much the same, effects pretty much the same, etc.

ednrg

Thanks, your post validates mine.

When the GNX3 first came out, I went to the \"local\" Guitar Center, and did a side by side comparison. I couldn't hear a difference at all. After I posted my findings, I was told that they have the same sound. No difference. The only real difference was the card, and the interface (USB).

If you're recording via computer, and you have a SPDIF connection get the 3. If you want to record on the unit only, or need the USB connection, consider spending $200 more for the 4.

BTW: you may find a deal on ebay for the GNX3.

Murrph67

Well I went to Guitar Center lastnight to make the purchase and the Sales Person said I should consider getting the GNX3000. He said it was the same as the GNX4 but without the recording functionality built into the unit.

Is this true? Can I do everything on th GNX3000 that I can do on the GNX4 but with out the recording on the unit?

Sorry for all of the questions, but I have never owned a multiple effects processor before, so I am pretty much a newb. Since 1983 I have only used and collected stompboxes.

Thanks again for the help.

Murrph

AlbertA

Look at the comparison sheet for features (it's on one of the first posts here in the thread)

The GNX3000 doesn't have the CF card, 8-track recorder or mp3 player.
It also lacks the control assignments of the GNX4 (on the GNX4 you can assign 3 switches to 3 parameters).

The sound of the GNX3000 is better tough.

Seriously consider wheter you are going to use this live (where the GNX4 facilities would greatly help here) or just at home or for recording.

Both can record via USB.

Murrph67

I would like to use it to play out, so I guess I will be getting the GNX4. How much better does the GNX3000 sound? I have heard some pretty incredible tones on the Digitech site where ppl upload their mp3s using the GNX4.

BTW - Thanks everyone for helping me out with this, I really appreciate it.

Murrph

Murrph67

Oh... I have another question. Can you load patches on the GNX3000 like you can on the GNX4?

Thanks.

Murrph

iliace

GNX3000 is a whole new modeler. There werea few other improvements made, but the tones are in fact noticeably better, or perhaps \"more realistic\" oftentimes. We're not even talking a POD 2.0 -> PODxt change here, this is a much more drastic jump in my estimation. The tweaking process changes as a result: you'll either have to do less of it, or more of it, depending on your needs. Just ask Kewlpack

The recorder functionality I'm sort of divided on, here: having used both GNX3 and GNX4 prior to GNX3k (and still to this day), I've gotten quite used to having the recorder readily available, and so it felt like GNX3000 was lacking in that respect; if you've never had one of the previous two, you probably won't miss it as much.

And in general, the GNX3000 features are stripped down from the GNX4. From simple things, like no phantom power on/off or mic pad, to lower phantom power voltage. Also they took away the ability to assign your own parameters to the middle three footswitches - something I will never forgive them for. However, the fundamental functionality - including USB recording, custom amp/cab creation, and two sets of balanced outputs - is the same as on GNX4 (read: loading patches is just like on GNX4).

So where swiss army knives are concerned, I'd put the GNX3000 right about here (perhaps a bit of a hyperbole):
http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/swissarmyonline_1880_11042080

somewhat sleeker and fancier, but nowhere near as functional (in terms of versatility) as the GNX4.

Murrph67

I really appreciate your help with this. I think after work tomorrow I will be going to the Rancho Guitar Center and picking up the GNX4.

Again, thanks for the help.

Murrph

Murrph67

Well Yall, thanks for your help, I went and got the GNX4 tonight. I have not even turned it on yet, there is alot to read! Does it come with Cakewalk? It is listed on the outside of the box, but the CD suite inside does not list it on the packaging.

Anyway - THanks again for the advise.

Murrph

granitehead

Yes. Pro Tracks+ is essentially Cakewalk's Sonar 2. *Very* functional pkg.
- g