GNX4 vs. GNX3000

Atkins

I'm not sure which i want to go with,... i know the extras that the 3k has as well as the cool things that the 4 has thinkin bout getting both to solve my problem.... what do you think i should do..... I'm into doing recording but not sure i need the 8 track since the 3k can record via usb.... and i'm thinkin bout getting the weapon pedal as well since it sounds soo cool
please any help would be appreciated

thehootman

The gnx4 is much more versitile than the 3k. Get that and try it out (take the time to learn it though) and then if you still think you need the 3k then the choice is up to you.

I wouldnt bother with the weapon.

iliace

Here's an ol' favorite:
http://www.gnx4.org/archive/comparing-gnx-units/

partch

Atkins,
Get the GNX4. Forget the Weapon pedal. There are 3 patches G3456 put together for that pedal on the old sound community. Here are the links:

http://www.digitech.com/soundcomm/guitar_view_patch.asp?productid=199&patch_id=8863

http://www.digitech.com/soundcomm/guitar_view_patch.asp?productid=199&patch_id=8868

http://www.digitech.com/soundcomm/guitar_view_patch.asp?productid=199&patch_id=8873

God Bless!!!
Partch

insideout

\iliace\ wrote:

Here's an ol' favorite:
http://www.gnx4.org/archive/comparing-gnx-units/

Excellent comparison table Ilia!! Wish I had seen this before I bought, but I still think I made the right choice (for me) going with the 3k. I'm happier with it, than I've ever been playing guitar through a modeler.

Atkins

see there are sooo many mixed opinions on here and i have never used an effects pedal like this before so i'm still stuck on the fence... I know that the 3k has more amps and some other different effects, and the 4 has the recording built in with the mp3 playback option.... not sure which would be good for me i plan on using it live but i would love to help some friends here to get their songs they have wrote recorded to mp3 so that they can listen to them to think of lyrics or even lead parts or even like a bass track or drum tracks.... soo i'm still stuck... I am very greatful for all the responses but i'm still not sure :?

insideout

\Atkins\ wrote:

see there are sooo many mixed opinions on here and i have never used an effects pedal like this before so i'm still stuck on the fence... I know that the 3k has more amps and some other different effects, and the 4 has the recording built in with the mp3 playback option.... not sure which would be good for me i plan on using it live but i would love to help some friends here to get their songs they have wrote recorded to mp3 so that they can listen to them to think of lyrics or even lead parts or even like a bass track or drum tracks.... soo i'm still stuck... I am very greatful for all the responses but i'm still not sure :?

You're absolutlely right about the mixed opinions, which is why I was careful to word my response in a way that didn't say one is \"better\" than the other. Each one has certain features that the others don't, and I agree that it is REALLY tough deciding which are more important - I want them ALL!!!!!!! The one thing I can say with certainty from my experience is, whichever one you pick, I can't imagine you being disappointed. The entire GNX line is awesome, and it's brought so much joy back into playing for me. I was in a bad rut, and this little box full of wonder has inspired me to be creative and play until my fingers bleed 8)

iliace

All too often I miss the GNX4 when I only have the GNX3000 available. But, I'm not too picky and pretty flexible, so the new 3k tones more than make up for the lack of features.

so the new 3k tones more than make up for the lack of features.

I think I've used that line way too many times...

Manitou

I bought the GNX4 because it cost more. :?
My motto...cheap booze...cheaper women...expensive toy's.
Why complicate things?

iliace

\Manitou\ wrote:

My motto...cheap booze...cheaper women...expensive toy's.
Why complicate things?

Cause Guiness is damn good.

Atkins

thats is gnx4 it is :P thanks guys

grathan

Nice choice. To me its all about sound over features. I would defeinitly recommend listening to audio samples in the patch sections of both units to others who might come across this post. After owning the gnx4 for a while and checking out the audio clips for 3k patches i think the gnx4 is clearer and crisper while the 3k seems to have a darker coloration to its sound.

Zepp3lin

Tone,sound and effects are my 1st priority, so GNX3000 would be my Choice.

shando

I don't think I could live without the 8 track on my GNX4. You come up with a new riff/lick/melody, BANG! you dial in a drum beat. KERPOW! you put down a bassline, KABOOM! you loop it and jam along and see what develops. I pick up my guitar for a \"quick blast\" and the next thing I know 4 hours have passed because of this. As far as tone goes between the 3k & the 4, well the tone is what \"you\" make it.

TY

shando

ACWild

Just my opinion after owning and comparing both, but \"you\" can make the tone better on the 3000.

shando

In what way & why better?

ACWild

\shando\ wrote:

In what way & why better?

The tones seem fuller and less digital. If you listen to the 3000 samples that people post, you'll notice that the samples are usually dry. That's because you don't need reverb or delay to smooth out some of the distortions.
When I first got the 3000, I wasn't too sure if it sounded any better. It took very little dialing in to get some great tones from the stock patches. I can hear a huge difference now and want to re-record a lot of my old songs now. There also seems to be a better distortion breakup reaction in relation to dynamics, so it rewards you with cleaner notes when playing lightly and more breakup when picking harder. More of a tube-like response.
I really liked a lot of the tones that I got out of my GNX4 and it's got more features, but for recording, the 3000 wins in my opinion.

shando

Oh no, don't tell me I'm going to have to get a 3k now !!!

ACWild

\shando\ wrote:

Oh no, don't tell me I'm going to have to get a 3k now !!!

Sorry man, but I know I'm not the only one with this testimony. The only thing that I had to do to the factory patches is adjust the eq brighter for my monitors. One of my favorite factory patches is the AC15 for a light blues crunch. It's very alive sounding. I got some great tones from the GNX4 by rolling off my guitar volume, but the distortions on the 3000 are smoother and richer. It was a subtle difference for me to hear at first, but there's no mistaking it now when I go from the 3000 to the 4.

Atkins

i just bought the 3k yesterday soo i messed around abit added some patches... not i'm gunna spend the week reading the damn manual

Zepp3lin

\shando\ wrote:

Oh no, don't tell me I'm going to have to get a 3k now !!!

Shando, don't waste that money keep the GNX4 unless you go for total tube preamps.
This is for the people who don't own a GNX, than they might think over to buy which 1 they like.

The GNX3000 that I own was not for replacing my current setup. I'm using the Tube Preamp ADA MP1 for my Dirty and clean sound. I was curious and wanted to try out this multi effects peddle and actually I got kind of tired carrying around my heavy Rack Setup, once in a while. So I go around testing, listening and read up the specs/effects on any multi effects peddle that I can get.

So at last I've decided on the GNX3000 because the distortion and the effects it produce are around my taste, not as good/warm as a real TUBE distortion but its there.

ACWild

See what happens when you ask for an opinion?

guitar3456

Guess it all depends on how you plan on using it. We do lot of Prog. Rush, Dream Theater, Yes, Queen, ELP, Deep Purple, Zep, Floyd, 80's, 90's, and Modern rock. What sets the GNX4 apart is the ability to act like an advanced midi pedal changing a rack based processor. Control assigns allow us to do medleys and complex arrangements.. push a switch and simultaneously be in and out of a song.

Red barchetta to 2112, or Brain Damage.. bang- in there! In these songs the efx settings are all over the place. patch changing does not allow the clean transitions. So, you use control assigns. having any of three kinds of variable effects transitions on one patch is vital for our band. Orig's or covers. What used to take a huge rack system and multi configured midi pedal is now as easy on the GNX4. 3 params, min/max settings can be arranged any way you wish in one preset. But the GNX4 gives you 3 of these control assign switches.. that makes 9 sets of efx/amp changes in one patch.. now add the expression assigns.. you have 12 sets of param changes, via 3 amp channels.. sound like a midi pedal rig???

To test all this, I set up both units and asked the sound guys and audio guys what appealed to them more.. for them GNX4 was the winner. From their opinion. With Xlr's through the House PA and 1/4\" via my Mesa 50/50 amp w 4x12 stereo (swamp thangs/mod 12's0. 2 additional mics off axis feeding the console. that mix is killer! Xlr feeds are usually lower. Depends on Indoor or Outdoor venue.

Cleans have the low end w top end clarity. more than the 3K? To them maybe... again debatable
Drives were subtle with gain change.. not as abrubt as the 3K (no gates on, no compression )
Effects- this is what they liked best. Exact same effects settings the 4 had less inherent artifacts as did the 3K. many say it's because the processor of the 4 is more powerful. It is more capable since it handles many of the additional features the GNX4 contains.

latency is also much less of an issue on the 4. Again, processor requirements not as taxing on the 4.

All this is debatable- but here's #1 what stands out for my live/recording usage if I haven't said it already 8x:

CONTROL ASSIGNS. I miss not having control assigns on the 3K. When you cover or do complex originals, control assigns give you tons more flexibility than the 3K. If you don't use C.A., then it won't be a big deal either way.

#2 GNX4 LFO has less pingy fluctuations with sin/square slopes at .4-.6sec . if you don't use it.. no big deal. To most people it's not very noticable. If you play with a variety of complex settings it will be by far.

many ask me why I play the 4 so much, Short answer-Control Assigns mainly since I require so much of the flexibillity it offers. Sounds? I can get them out of either one. Stock models of the 3K are better.. hands down. many users find the difference harder to accommodate an amp? So to them it may sound thin?.. again.. it's all debatable! Now many know why I prefer the GNX4 in usage. Both are great units! For my purposes, I need the features the 4 offers. That's why 99% of pics have that unit near my feet!

iliace

Second on the controller assigns. I've come to think that Digitech took those out because people were getting confused why their switches wouldn't work, or why they would switch off once you let them go... I can just see someone thinking that's a defect when it's actually the single biggest advantage for live applications. Also don't forget g3456's other favorite feature: having CF cards with an extra bank of patches. Each patch can contain all of those settings described above. So, not counting LFOs, 12 * (80 * 2) = hotdamn a lot of controller changes! You could be The Machine and get away with just the GNX (ok I may be exxagerating, but it's pretty potent). And then, got some downtime? Drum solo, bass solo, guitar-less intro/interlude, or some other nonsense... just pop in another CF card (a 32MB will do) and you got yourself 80 more patches. In cases of extended downtime, you could quickly copy those patches to the user area if you only needed one or two... then back to your main 2MB. Why is the main one 2MB? So you can store backing tracks and drum patterns on it, of course! Or perhaps make a live loop and solo over it? With your bassist in the mix (plugged into the mic)?

I could go on... bottom line, GNX4 is much more flexible and has many more practical functions and features. GNX3000... better amp tones. I really hated the GNX3000 because of the lack of controllers, until I heard it! After that I said, maybe it's not so bad after all. I do miss the features, but 3k is my main amp/multi-fx now.

As far as switching time... the amp model data is much more detailed on GNX3000, and thus there is more to \"load\" each time you call up the next patch. There is also an additional AudioDNA-1 processor (GNX4 has 3 of them, GNX3000 has 4) that handles some of the CBM calculations (I'm guessing)... so there are all these additional issues. This is probably what accounts for the latency in switching patches, besides actual processor speed.

ACWild

OK, you guys got me confused about the control assigns as I have my 3000 set up so that I can step on one pedal to go from a clean with chorus patch to a high gain with delay to a lead patch with flange. There is a delay when doing it, but I had a delay with the 4 too. Maybe not as long, but still, the 3000 does it fine.

For me, I just use the unit at home and it's attached to my desktop which is set up to record and has drum synths loaded. I have no need for the extras that the 4 offers so that's a consideration that future purchasers have to think about.

I'm glad that you guys have all these good points because I've got to E-Bay my 4.

iliace

Don't you have the description I wrote for Jer?

Zepp3lin

It all boils up to the end user of what they want, more flexibility than GNX4, more tones than GNX3K to go. For me I don't need much tone changing as I believe in my original tone Dirty or Clean and in any songs that I play.
Still I'm a tone guy so, I don't need much controller assign. So anyone here who wants to choose which GNX, than they have to know what they want and you can't have best of both worlds and it boils down to cost.
If cost is no object than I would want a GNX with the flexibility of a GNX4 with 2 expression paddle and tone of a tube preamp and that will be the most perfect Multi effects paddle in the world.

ACWild

\iliace\ wrote:

Don't you have the description I wrote for Jer?

Are you kidding? You know how hard it is to search there, right?

iliace

This was my addition:

The GNX4 allows up to 11 effects modules to be used simultaneously:
Pickup simulator - humbucker or single-coil
Wah, 3 types with definable range
Compression - of three types, with definable attack and threshold
Pitch effects - Legendary Digitech Whammy, Intelligent Pitch Shifting, and more
Stompbox models - modeled after actual famous distortion/overdrive pedals
Amp modeling - unlimited customization
Cabinet modeling - Advanced Cabinet Imagine Technology with adjustable Tuning (perceived size)
Noise Gate - with the reverse gate option
Modulation effects - Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Rotary - all with controllable parameters
Delays - excellent mono or stereo, analog or digital, with ducking delay capabilities
Reverbs - ambiences of all types, with fully adjustable parameters

The pedalboard rivals any in its class in functionality - the middle three footswitches are completely assignable, and a dedicated Tap Tempo for delay is available. You can toggle between up to three amp models per patch - clean, mean, and anywhere in-between - or put the GNX4 in bank mode and have up to five different patches at the tap of the foot, with the bounceback option! The expression pedal can control any three parameters simultaneously, each with definable range; two LFOs are available to control any one parameter automatically in real-time. MIDI I/O receives program changes and CC changes; 128 program changes are fully mappable.

iliace

This was Jer's part:

You are bidding on an entire Digitech GNX4 Guitar Workstation setup.

This is THE Guitar Workstation. Forget Boss, Forget Vox, Forget Line 6, only Digitech gives you the complete package that is the GNX4. And in this auction not only do you get a GNX4, but you get everything else.

Cakewalk’s Pro Tracks Plus recording software. Very similar to their flagship product, Sonar.

Lexicon’s Pantheon reverb plug in. Great studio quality reverb for your recordings.

A 2 GB Compact Flash Card for storing patches or files for the onboard recorder/MP3 player. ($60 value)

The GNX4 Power users Guide by Craig Anderton (w/CD) ($25 value)

MFX Supermodels ULTIMATE SERIES PATCH CDROM ($115 value)

The GNX4 is an unbelievable powerful unit. It has all the effects you could ever hope for and they are controllable in ways that you cant possible imagine. You’ll enjoy unlimited amp and cabinet models to use with all of the onboard effects as well.

Using X-edit, the included computer software you can customize all of the footswitches to change whatever parameters you like. Assigning multiple effects changes to single footswitches if you wish. An assignable expression pedal is there too, for volume, way, chorus depth, delay rate, reverb amount, you name it.

In addition to the mountain of effects and patches you can create, the GNX4 is an awesome preamp. The sound from the headphone out is superb. Even with bad headphones! Hook up some good ones and you’ll swear you were on a stage playing in front of a multi thousand dollar rig.

In addition to the headphone out the GNX4 sports BALANCED ¼” and XLR outs. You can configure each set to mono or stereo. There is also a speaker compensation button for each set for running to full range setups. Powered monitors, PA, stereo system, etc. I used this with a pair of Alesis 6 ½” 2 way 35 watt powered monitors and it sounded amazing! You don’t need an amp with connections like this. The GNX4 outputs full range thru these outs. Hook it to your PCs line in, an aux in on a stereo, your bands PA, whatever you like. There are volume controls for the outputs as well.
The GNX4 isnt just for guitar, there is a very high grade xlr mic input (w/ volume control) on the back as well. You can even run the mic with your guitar simultaneously. Choosing which effects to apply to the vocals. A great setup for a singing guitarist.

I used a bass with this unit as well. Great effects and sound quality for bass as well as guitar.

The built in tuner works well. A very convenient feature.

The built in 4 track recorder and looper is a great practice tool. Load the included 2 GB CF card with backing tracks, drum tracks, mp3s, whetever you like and jam along! Then record your own takes as well. You can construct entire songs with just a guitar and the GNX4!

All patches and banks are nameable. Great for customizing. I chose to setup a bank for each song. I would have my rhythm sound, lead sound, solo, clean, etc. Whatever the song asked for.

Drums! The unit has drums too! A built in drum machine with several patterns and great sounding kits to use. Build your own drum lines to jam along with. Record them to the onboard recorder then lay down guitar, bass, and vocal tracks over the top.

Using this unit with a PC is very easy. The included Pro Tracks software is a great multi track suite that allows you to record from either line out or USB. Direct recording into your PC without needing a mic! And since the unit works for guitar, bass, and vocals, you have all you need for a complete PC based or onboard Compact Flash recording studio! Protracks even supports VST plug ins for expansion. With the USB out you can even record multiple tracks simultaneously. And the GNX4 supports re-amping. Record your guitar part clean, then re route it through the GNX4 later to change the sound. You can record the part once and then toy with different sounds!

ACWild

Thanks!