Camping guitar processor?
I am going camping for a month and I want the most versatile do-all guitar processor I can find. I will be bringing a laptop too, so I guess could have some laptop interfacing as well, but I do not want to get real complicated or have too many different components all wired together on a camping picnic table, or in our little trailer.
I used to have a Korg Pandora PX4 and it was OK but rather noisy at times and quite limited for recording. I do not need something that can run on batteries as I have good 120 volt inverter power.
It seems like maybe the DigiTech GNX4 is the best overall? I also looked at the new Boss RC-50 looper and although it’s very cool as a dedicated looper, and would be a blast in that sense, it is not (I think) a good do-all choice. Although I could bring my PodXT to fill in the gaps if I bought the Boss RC-50, again I don’t want to have too many different components all wired together on a camping picnic table or in our little trailer.
Then there is the Zoom GFX-5 or GFX-707 II which appears to have drums and such too, but I know little about Zoom stuff.
I don’t mind using headphones or an external amp with whatever choice I make, and I guess if there was some really cool software I would use my laptop with a guitar processor or maybe the laptop alone?
It would be really nice to play with loops, backing tracks, and build up and tear down tunes and just plain noodle around.
I am aware of programs like Garage Band but I'm into PC's not Mac's, although I understand programs like Acid can do all of the Garage Band stuff and more right? Still I do not want to get too bogged down with large learning curves and multiple pull down menus with more choices that I’ll ever need just for fooling about camping.
But PC programs don’t really have the simple hardware based interface of a guitar processor and might be a bit more of a hassle camping, right?
What would you guys do? I guess my budget would be the cost of the DigiTech GNX4.
I spent a bunch of time reading up on the GNX4. It’s quite the machine for a do-all box and AFAICT there is nothing to touch it, unless I either go seperate components, or some sort of software and sound card combo with my laptop.
I used to have a Korg Pandora PX4 and it was OK but rather noisy at times and quite limited for recording. I do not need something that can run on batteries as I have good 120 volt inverter power.
It seems like maybe the DigiTech GNX4 is the best overall? I also looked at the new Boss RC-50 looper and although it’s very cool as a dedicated looper, and would be a blast in that sense, it is not (I think) a good do-all choice. Although I could bring my PodXT to fill in the gaps if I bought the Boss RC-50, again I don’t want to have too many different components all wired together on a camping picnic table or in our little trailer.
Then there is the Zoom GFX-5 or GFX-707 II which appears to have drums and such too, but I know little about Zoom stuff.
I don’t mind using headphones or an external amp with whatever choice I make, and I guess if there was some really cool software I would use my laptop with a guitar processor or maybe the laptop alone?
It would be really nice to play with loops, backing tracks, and build up and tear down tunes and just plain noodle around.
I am aware of programs like Garage Band but I'm into PC's not Mac's, although I understand programs like Acid can do all of the Garage Band stuff and more right? Still I do not want to get too bogged down with large learning curves and multiple pull down menus with more choices that I’ll ever need just for fooling about camping.
But PC programs don’t really have the simple hardware based interface of a guitar processor and might be a bit more of a hassle camping, right?
What would you guys do? I guess my budget would be the cost of the DigiTech GNX4.
I spent a bunch of time reading up on the GNX4. It’s quite the machine for a do-all box and AFAICT there is nothing to touch it, unless I either go seperate components, or some sort of software and sound card combo with my laptop.
Comments
Does anyone have an views on the “M-Audio Black Box\"? It sounds very interesting although it does seem as if it’s focused at processed guitar beat-syncing and I would still require something like Acid or Sonar?
I also have Acid Pro, I believe it is also version 4. Back in the day, I liked it for looping but now I find that I dont use it. I think once Sony took it over, it lost some of its uniqueness. The Sonar interface to me just makes more sense. If you are already using Pro Tracks, Sonar will look about the same.
If you decide to go with either Acid or Sonar, see if you can qualify for an educational version - saves lots of $$$.
Cakewalk's Acid like program is called Project 5. That might be more to your liking that either Acid or Sonar. It works great for the looping applications and also allows recording. Its interface reminds me of a Roland beat box.
The one down side that I woulld see to taking the GNX4 camping is its weight and size. If you are talking about RV camping, take it. If you backpacking up the Himalayas, take one of the Zooms.
A friend of mine had a small M Audio unit. I'm not sure if it was the black box. You might want to check those out, as I do belive they come with some software. I thought it came with a version Pro Tools, but they may just be one version of the package. As I recall though, what my fried had was just a recording interface, it wasn't any kind of guitar processor.
No worries about the weight of the GNX4 we’ll be using a trailer. I’ll check out the apps you refer to.
Hi iliace,
Thanks very for the input.
I just use my Dean \"Stack in a Box\"..and still do like it for my practice stuff...as I am mostly concentrating on chords and scales and technique...like alternate picking, legatos, and tapping stuff...when I'm on the road. I just can't seem to get my head into songs when traveling. You will find you are in a whole different frame of mind and thought. You get a world of ideas, and bits and pieces of inspiration...but concentration is out the window. (literally...haha..sorry...I crack myself up)
For songs..yes you might like to practice with sound effects.
With the Dean...I find a clean channel shows me areas of weakness, and the crunch channels are plenty good for satisfying my urge to rip it up. I have taken my GNX4 with me...and use a 12 volt power converter to run it....as I do my laptop, DVD player, microwave, coffee pot, etc. I have used the Pandora...but it goes through batteries like crazy. The Dean runs FOREVER on a single 9 volt battery.
I travel alot...so I am speaking from vast experiance here. You want to keep it simple out on the road. You want to travel light...and smart. The Dean fits into your guitar case...and needs nothing extra to enjoy your practice. I will tell you again...also....out on the road...you are not going to practice as you would at home. Think more about using that time to work on technique...if you actually choose to practice over \"girlwatching\" and other wonderful distractions you are not use to choosing between.
....one last thought...and this is a precaution. I don't like bringing my most valuable equipment....you are more of a target out there than you are use to realizing...or considering. Be safe.
I go camping all the time with a trailer. I take my gnx3k every time. It's great to be able to play and tweak all my sounds, as loud as I want, all night if I want, while the family is sleeping.
I agree with Manitou that traveling (especially on an airplane) and staying in hotels, we all need to keep our head screwed on straight, and be aware of what's going on around you. However, trailer camping is a very different story. Like the guitar communittee, the world of campers is a very tight knit group, and people really look out for each other at campgrounds. People who just 5 minutes ago were complete strangers, will go out of their way to help with anything. Seems strange at first, but man it's totally cool 8)
Also, I have a computer speaker/sub set-up in the camper for my mp3 player. I can run the gnx3k into it as well. I find that it attracts quite a crowd, and distortion gives a whole new meaning to campfire songs :twisted:
I am closest to nsideout’s mindset I believe
I just read a bit about the RP350 and although it does not have the flexibility of the GNX4 it does have ease of use, drum machine, can double as a floor processor (should I want), USB record out, amazing new chip, and because it is not an “empty box” like the Line 6 Guitar Port or Tone Port UX2 it does not tie up the laptop processor. My laptop has a 2 GHz Pentium M, 1 GB RAM so maybe processor speed is not the bid deal here anyway? Anywho if the new RP350 had MIDI and effects sync to clock I would be super tempted.
Which is why the M-audio Black Box still holds my interest too, because is has a floor pedal option (should I care) drum machine, effects sync to drum machine and/or MIDI clock, guitar modeling, effects modeling, and Roger Linn is behind it FWIW, plus the M-audio Black Box has not only USB audio interface but S/PDIF out (something neither the GNX4 nor RP350 have).
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioBlackBox-main.html
Of the GNX line, GNX4 is the best for camping you're describing. There's really very little you need in addition to it, besides a guitar and a CF card. I would recommend having a DI box and a 1/4\" to RCA stereo cables just in case, but that's about it.
Well...I just got back from traveling...and most of me didn't catch up until now......I mean...naaa...aaa....now.
I first read your post...I didn't have time to respond...but I should have reread it this morning. :roll:
You are planning on being gone for a month! and you said you don't want a battery operated unit. :oops:
hehehe....shuffle...shuffle.
When I travel, it is for like a week. Even at that...I can't wait to get back home to my music studio...aka den/sanctuary. Being out as long as you are planning...I would bring my GNX4 and my Peavey S/S Backstage 30.
As insideout indicated...these campgrounds are like a small community with people all sharing a kindred spirit. I know when I use to travel about with my horse to Endurance Rides...you share a bond which links you together...like a comraderie. Still protect your assets.
Only other thing that should be considered...and I don't have knowledge about...is the effects of running your gear off a power converter. As I mentioned...I run all kinds of gear off a converter...but it is hooked up to 4 huge diesel truck batteries...with the truck engine always running.
I have heard people loose their laptops, TV/DVD players, etc. to them burning out faster by running off a converter. I haven't had this happen to me yet. (Knocking on my head) But...I am consious of this aspect...and limit my running time...giving all my equipment time off....and not running too many things at one time. Also...my system is Huge...and continually recharging itself. Something to look into..at least.
Well I do want to tie it in with the laptop as discussed earlier, and I do understand that the GNX4 is much more the stand alone as compared to the Black Box OTOH spdif/USB matters to me as I may wish to use the Black Box as an audio interface too. You see I have no such animal at all (at this time). I did not know the BlackBox was nowhere near the adrenalinn as a practice tool and multi-fx box. The audio interface potential is most interesting with the Line 6 Tone Port (and to a lesser extent the Guitar Port) but of course that way I am committed to a laptop for anything I might do with it.
Gear like the GNX4 / Black box somewhat split the difference between a “purer” audio interface (Guitar Port Tone Port) and a “purer” guitar multi-effects processors, (such as my old Yamaha Stomp) right?
I have the proper pure sine wave inverter, it is the cheaper inverters that cause the problems with sensitive electronics. Thanks for the heads up though. PS they are called “inverters” not “converters” not that it really matters what’s in a name.
My real conundrum right now is how much of a stand alone device I want versus how much I want to rely on the laptop versus what I might do with it after I come back on holidays.
I'm not sure how I feel about the organization of effects, either... 121 :shock: a bit confusing for my tastes.
So here is my thinking now, I am leaning towards Sonar and the Line 6 Tone Port UX2 http://www.line6.com/toneport/
And then when they become available the new RP350, that would give me huge flexibility for camping, recording and otherwise for about the same price as a GNX4 given that the laptop and software I already have.
I would miss out on the GNX4’s looper, on the floor - on the fly recording and talker mic input, but the laptop / Sonar / Tone Port can blow away the GNX4 for recording, plus the new RP350 covers a heck of a lot of the GNX4 (AFAICT) for on the floor on the fly jamming. Comments?
I don't know about all that, but the new RP series sure look interesting. Again, GNX4 is an all-in-one type of device... much more so than any of the RPs. Also, I'm not sure how the GeNetX comes through on the RPs, and whether you have the Warp option available... and whether or not that matters to you. The USB interface, once again, is superior on GNX4, with 4x2 rather than 2x2 recording/playback.
Warp would be very fun but I do not know if the RP350 supports it, who would know?
I am rather clueless on what exactly you mean by “how the GeNetX comes through on the RPs” as I am do not understand (DigiTech’s presumably proprietary?) GeNetX, who would know?
If I understand it correctly GENETX enables user to create custom amplifier and cabinet models. DigiTech claims it’s an “infinitely tweakable RP interface” and “AudioDNA2 has 400% more horsepower”.
ftp://ftp.digitech.com/pub/PDFs/Catalogs CutSheets/RP350.pdf
Because they claim increased horsepower, I'm assuming it sounds decent at least. While I'm not expecting Digitech to let us down with the modeling that will be built on the next-generation AudioDNA processors, the company has been known to make sharp, unexpected terms in its product development cycles. Thus, I cannot say what the new modeling will be like - in the GNX series, it is the most important feature to me and thus it's a touchy subject. Also, Warp has become indespensable... most of my models don't make it past a single rehearsal or practice session unaltered, unless I'm preparing for a gig or recording and want to keep them consistent. It's an ever-evolving thing, the lack of which would make life boring, for lack of a better word. And looking at the descriptions, it doesn't look like hypermodeling is possible.
Of course also - and this has come in the past quite a bit - currently the GNX4/3000 presets are saved in a PC file format that is [relatively] easily converted into sensical data, resulting in a more-or-less \"open\" (albeit undocumented) technology. Digitech might take a step into the direction favorable to tweakers - i.e. allow changing of individual amp characteristic parameters from within X-Edit (and hopefully addressable via MIDI) - or more difficult, for example encoding the amp/cab data to make it nonsensical even to the mathematicians/engineers among us.
For a casual user, neither of the last two points might be important. If so, I would bet the 350 is quite a workhorse, perfectly suitable for the needs for which it intends to provide.
‘Scuse my ignorance again but what is “hypermodeling” and is there a Line6 / Roland / generic equivalent?
The way it works is you have a coefficient control between the various characteristics of two amps. This of it as various gain stages, the interraction of the various amp components, etc. In technical terms,
so processing a signal through these equations (and numerous others) you get the sound of your guitar as though it's coming through an amp - what we know as an amp model.
Now, you can take two of those amp models, and using the Warp coefficient create a new set - resulting basically in a brand-new custom amp model, which is what's called a \"hypermodel\". This new amp model, if saved as such, has its own gain/level control, eq, etc. It will have characteristics that can be said to be a combination of the two original amps.
The same can be done for cabinet models.
Next you can take a hypermodel and warp it with another amp, ad infinitum.
At first this may seem like a \"silly toy\", but the results can be quite stunning. It offers unparalleled flexibility once you get accustomed to using it.
Musicians Friend is closing out the Yamaha Magicstomp II for $80. Chatter is up on a Yahoo forum as to what that means for users and product lines.
http://www.guitarvision.com/mf/mf_frameset.htm
and the best part - its only $99.
However, I do have a laptop, and for about the price of a behringer v amp 2, I can get a TonePort UX2.