upgrading from RP2000 - GSP1101, RP350, or GNX3000?
This is an e-mail question from user that I received and answered, for those who may be interested.
My reply:
Hi there,
I've been looking to upgrade from RP2000 and all of the choices are making my head spin.
I'm looking for a good system to play out with and I'm boucing between the RP 350, GNX3000, and the GSP1101.
If I used the GSP I would use the amp modelers. I run into a Fender 200w Keyboard amp.
Is the RP a better sounding unit? It says it's 400 times more powerful than the older chips, but is there a big sound difference? I don't want to cheap on my tone, but the RP seems a bit limiting in terms of using live.
Thank you very much for your time.
Tim
My reply:
Tim,
GNX3000 - good unit, quality sound. It uses the older technology, but does use \"component\" modeling algorithms, so there is reminiscence of tube tones for many of the amp sounds, and killer solid-state emulations. This is my primary unit, to which I \"upgraded\" from a GNX3/4 setup, stripping it down a bit.
I have not used RP350, but I have an RP250. RP350 does have the I/O you need for live convenience (including XLR outputs), whereas the RP250 does not. RP350 unit also has more effects than the GNX3000. One disadvantage is that you cannot create custom amp models, which is a feature I very much liked on GNX3/4/3000. Also, the foot controllers are limiting, unlike GNX3000 which allows a great degree of flexibility. RPx50 units have true bypass equipped, so you can use them as effects-only for running to a guitar amp and preserving the amp tone.
GSP1101 is basically an RP350 in a rack. It has the additional effects and flexible effects chain, just like RP350 (meaning you can put the modulation effect before or after the amp model, somewhat like stompboxes).
The tremendous advantage of GSP1101 over RP350 is the flexible external routing. You can use it as an effects-only unit, running before an amp, after an amp, before and after an amp, or standalone with full amp modeling. It also has hard bypass, like RP350. Moreover, it allows for patch crossfading, so there is absolutely no signal drop between switching two patches - like a GSP2101 back in the day, with a second chip installed.
One GNX3000 feature I really like, besides the custom amp warping, is the capability of having two different amp models in one preset. This allows you to set up \"channels\" like you would on a regular amp. On either RP350 or GSP1101, you have to set up a separate preset if you want to have one clean sound and one distorted sound in a single song, and switch between them.
As far as sound quality, I noticed two things. One, GNX3000 has more digital \"fizz\" than the RP and GSP. It's barely noticeable, but listening side by side, just about everyone can guess which is the GNX3000 and which is the GSP, in a blind listening test. Two, GSP1101 has better dynamics. I was recording GNX3000 and GSP1101 in parallel, and noticed that there is a lot more variation in volume, looking at the wave form, on the GSP. This means better response to picking dynamics and the guitar's volume control. Not very noticeable at loud volumes, but it can make a difference when recording. However, for live usage, 99.9% of the time I am very happy with what GNX3000 has to offer.
One last comparison. GSP1101 comes with a built-in power supply. This means you can leave it plugged in 24/7 and it won't start getting hot. You also don't have to worry about a backup transformer - any standard power cable works. This is the reason I use mine as part of my PC/studio setup, so it's just plug-and-play. GNX3000 needs a transformer, but it does have an on/off switch. RP350 does not have a switch; to turn it off, you have to unplug it, and plug it back it when you're ready to turn it back on.
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Mickster.