Frustration of choosing a modeller
Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum as I've just completed an extensive assessment of some of the best Multi FX units on the market and concluded that I wanted a GNX3000. I imagine that most of you will say I made the right choice as this is a Digitech forum but I can say that it wasn't an easy choice. The main thing I discovered was that there is no such thing as a perfect Multi FX unit, regardless of what the manufacturers may say. I studied all of the forums in my quest for more information so I thought I'd start by writing about my own experiences of the different units that are available and it may help others and explain why I chose the Digitech.
The first one I tried was a Pod XTL and in many ways I liked this unit but it was easily the most digital and processed signal of them all so it was quickly dismissed.
Next up came the Boss GT8 and in many ways I was sorely tempted to buy this one as the versatility is incredible and the effects are superb. Overall I'd say the amp models were very good though the Hi-gain models didn't impress me too much and it can be very complicated to use. Overall a great unit but compared to what I could buy a GNX3000 for, it was simply too expensive and didn't, in my opinion, justify the premium. I can't think of any area where it was significantly better than the GNX.
The Vox Tonelab LE is awesome at reproducing real valve tone and in my opinion is easily the best on the market for that, however, it does come with limitations that I decided I simply couldn't live with. The model of the JCM800 is its best feature but higher gain models just weren't as convincing. You could help it out with a distortion pedal but if you select that it means you can't use the Wah effect. To me that was daft and for all I loved the tone, it was just too limited.
That left me with the GNX3000. In many ways I find this to be the best compromise on the market. Clean and Lo-gain sounds are as good as anything I've heard, maybe slightly behind the Vox; Classic Rock like the JCM800 is good compared to the GT8 but nowhere close to the Tonelab and Hi-gain models are the best you can get today. I loved playing Hi-gain on the GNX especially as it was great at making pinched harmonics jump off the fretboard. Arguably it may not be as versatile as the GT8 but with the Warp feature it's damn close and the effects are also very good with excellent recording potential. The only thing I really didn't like was the very noticeable latency between patches. I figure that for what I do it wouldn't be a major problem but I accept that it may put some people off as Digitech really should not have that problem. None of the other units suffered from this.
Just based on what I've said so far I was leaning towards the GNX3000 but the real ace in the hole for it was the price. I found it new on the internet for about £80 ($160) less than either the Vox or Boss so I've put my saving towards buying a RadTone Harmonic Converger to go with it. Both were ordered this morning and I can't wait for them to arrive. No doubt I will soon be here asking for help on how to get the best from it and I am delighted to have become part of the Digitech GNX community. I have no doubts that I've made the right choice.
For anyone reading this who is looking for a Multi FX unit and isn't sure what they want, I hope this helps. In their own way they are all good and I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice but for my money the GNX3000 is the best value on the market at the moment and has the best balance of what it can do. Other than the lag between patches it has no really weak areas like each of the others do and it is the unit's consistency in all areas that makes it such a winner. Fantastic amp models across all styles, a unique warping function, tremendous effects and a few additional features not included in its rivals as well as possibly the best facillities for recording.
I'm new to the forum as I've just completed an extensive assessment of some of the best Multi FX units on the market and concluded that I wanted a GNX3000. I imagine that most of you will say I made the right choice as this is a Digitech forum but I can say that it wasn't an easy choice. The main thing I discovered was that there is no such thing as a perfect Multi FX unit, regardless of what the manufacturers may say. I studied all of the forums in my quest for more information so I thought I'd start by writing about my own experiences of the different units that are available and it may help others and explain why I chose the Digitech.
The first one I tried was a Pod XTL and in many ways I liked this unit but it was easily the most digital and processed signal of them all so it was quickly dismissed.
Next up came the Boss GT8 and in many ways I was sorely tempted to buy this one as the versatility is incredible and the effects are superb. Overall I'd say the amp models were very good though the Hi-gain models didn't impress me too much and it can be very complicated to use. Overall a great unit but compared to what I could buy a GNX3000 for, it was simply too expensive and didn't, in my opinion, justify the premium. I can't think of any area where it was significantly better than the GNX.
The Vox Tonelab LE is awesome at reproducing real valve tone and in my opinion is easily the best on the market for that, however, it does come with limitations that I decided I simply couldn't live with. The model of the JCM800 is its best feature but higher gain models just weren't as convincing. You could help it out with a distortion pedal but if you select that it means you can't use the Wah effect. To me that was daft and for all I loved the tone, it was just too limited.
That left me with the GNX3000. In many ways I find this to be the best compromise on the market. Clean and Lo-gain sounds are as good as anything I've heard, maybe slightly behind the Vox; Classic Rock like the JCM800 is good compared to the GT8 but nowhere close to the Tonelab and Hi-gain models are the best you can get today. I loved playing Hi-gain on the GNX especially as it was great at making pinched harmonics jump off the fretboard. Arguably it may not be as versatile as the GT8 but with the Warp feature it's damn close and the effects are also very good with excellent recording potential. The only thing I really didn't like was the very noticeable latency between patches. I figure that for what I do it wouldn't be a major problem but I accept that it may put some people off as Digitech really should not have that problem. None of the other units suffered from this.
Just based on what I've said so far I was leaning towards the GNX3000 but the real ace in the hole for it was the price. I found it new on the internet for about £80 ($160) less than either the Vox or Boss so I've put my saving towards buying a RadTone Harmonic Converger to go with it. Both were ordered this morning and I can't wait for them to arrive. No doubt I will soon be here asking for help on how to get the best from it and I am delighted to have become part of the Digitech GNX community. I have no doubts that I've made the right choice.
For anyone reading this who is looking for a Multi FX unit and isn't sure what they want, I hope this helps. In their own way they are all good and I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice but for my money the GNX3000 is the best value on the market at the moment and has the best balance of what it can do. Other than the lag between patches it has no really weak areas like each of the others do and it is the unit's consistency in all areas that makes it such a winner. Fantastic amp models across all styles, a unique warping function, tremendous effects and a few additional features not included in its rivals as well as possibly the best facillities for recording.
Comments
I own a GNX4 and I constantly find myself saying that theres nothing that CAN'T be done (one way or another) with this amazing unit!
In other words, I feel you've made the right choice going with Digitech. The customer service is AMAZING (I think, they took care of me VERY promptly) and if you need ANYTHING, you already know where to come. Welcome aboard and let us know how your experiances with the 3000 go. Enjoy it. I knowww you will!