I need some GSP 1101 advice on hookup and equipment
This going to be hard not to be long winded, but I will do my best:
I know a lot about playing guitar, and I have even taught guitar. However, I am sad to say that when it comes to equipment, I guess I would be an amateur. I can tell you this much though: I have always loved the sound of a Digitech processor through a tube amp. It is all I have ever known. Since my early years of playing, I have never even messed with the channel changer on an amp because the processor has always given me what I was looking for in sound. Anyway, fast forward to the present: I stopped using the GSP 2101 and bought the GSP 1101. I liked how the 2101 had the stereo outs, and you could get certain affects to delay or pan between two amps. So I eventually stuck with the stereo configuration on the GSP 1101. However, from what I am reading, I do not connect mine like most guitarists. I run my processor through two different guitar heads and let the heads modify my sounds. I have never messed with FX loops , or anything.
So I guess here is my dilemma: One of my guitar heads is crapping out on me and it will need to be replaced soon. So I have been reevaluating my whole setup. You know, asking myself stuff like: “am I doing this the best way possible?” etc. So I did a lot of reading on the net, and the old saying is true: too many choices are as bad as not enough! Well, I need to be pointed in the right direction or given some guidance. I understand that in the end, it is my preference for sound, but I have gone around this in my head enough times that I want other people’s opinions. So here is the list of many of the issues that are swimming around in my head: (1) I can stick with my old way, and just get another guitar head to replace the dying one. However, what brand should I buy? Why dump the bucks into a fancy 5150 if I am never going to use its sounds? I guess I could run it through a clean channel, through a cheap valve king or something instead (2) I am reading that many artists now are using fancy tube power amps instead of guitar heads. Maybe this will work for me? However, one issue I have with this is some of these tube power amps are as much as guitar heads, or more. For example, the peavey or marshall power amps. So why shell out more bucks for this route? (3) As stated earlier, I don’t mess with channel switching much. I am a singer, rhythm and lead player, so I am going to have a lot going on when I play live. I don’t want to add more foot switching into the scheme of things. So having a switch channels on my amp head, and having to switch the digitech is way too much juggling for me. I know some people use the FX loop, Ive never messed with that, so any thoughts? (4) In the not so distant future, I will be playing live. Like I said, I have two rigs (a full stack, and a half stack), then two amp heads, a peavey and a marshall. I split the Digtech into both of them. I have been thinking maybe this is not the wisest of configurations because I am going to have a lot of equipment to haul to gigs. Maybe I should just give up on the whole stereo idea, use only the marshall stack (5) this relates to point 4, I do home recordings, so I like to record in stereo by mic’ing both cabs. Again, maybe I should make things less complicated, narrow down to one stack and record off of one instead of two
Anyway, that is about it. I know in some ways these seem like different questions. In the end, every one of these questions affects what type of gear I must buy next, and what configuration is going to work best for me. Any direction on any of these points would be great.
Thanks!
P.S. I plays 7 string guitars with EMGs and prefer heavey metal (if that info is needed for anything)
I know a lot about playing guitar, and I have even taught guitar. However, I am sad to say that when it comes to equipment, I guess I would be an amateur. I can tell you this much though: I have always loved the sound of a Digitech processor through a tube amp. It is all I have ever known. Since my early years of playing, I have never even messed with the channel changer on an amp because the processor has always given me what I was looking for in sound. Anyway, fast forward to the present: I stopped using the GSP 2101 and bought the GSP 1101. I liked how the 2101 had the stereo outs, and you could get certain affects to delay or pan between two amps. So I eventually stuck with the stereo configuration on the GSP 1101. However, from what I am reading, I do not connect mine like most guitarists. I run my processor through two different guitar heads and let the heads modify my sounds. I have never messed with FX loops , or anything.
So I guess here is my dilemma: One of my guitar heads is crapping out on me and it will need to be replaced soon. So I have been reevaluating my whole setup. You know, asking myself stuff like: “am I doing this the best way possible?” etc. So I did a lot of reading on the net, and the old saying is true: too many choices are as bad as not enough! Well, I need to be pointed in the right direction or given some guidance. I understand that in the end, it is my preference for sound, but I have gone around this in my head enough times that I want other people’s opinions. So here is the list of many of the issues that are swimming around in my head: (1) I can stick with my old way, and just get another guitar head to replace the dying one. However, what brand should I buy? Why dump the bucks into a fancy 5150 if I am never going to use its sounds? I guess I could run it through a clean channel, through a cheap valve king or something instead (2) I am reading that many artists now are using fancy tube power amps instead of guitar heads. Maybe this will work for me? However, one issue I have with this is some of these tube power amps are as much as guitar heads, or more. For example, the peavey or marshall power amps. So why shell out more bucks for this route? (3) As stated earlier, I don’t mess with channel switching much. I am a singer, rhythm and lead player, so I am going to have a lot going on when I play live. I don’t want to add more foot switching into the scheme of things. So having a switch channels on my amp head, and having to switch the digitech is way too much juggling for me. I know some people use the FX loop, Ive never messed with that, so any thoughts? (4) In the not so distant future, I will be playing live. Like I said, I have two rigs (a full stack, and a half stack), then two amp heads, a peavey and a marshall. I split the Digtech into both of them. I have been thinking maybe this is not the wisest of configurations because I am going to have a lot of equipment to haul to gigs. Maybe I should just give up on the whole stereo idea, use only the marshall stack (5) this relates to point 4, I do home recordings, so I like to record in stereo by mic’ing both cabs. Again, maybe I should make things less complicated, narrow down to one stack and record off of one instead of two
Anyway, that is about it. I know in some ways these seem like different questions. In the end, every one of these questions affects what type of gear I must buy next, and what configuration is going to work best for me. Any direction on any of these points would be great.
Thanks!
P.S. I plays 7 string guitars with EMGs and prefer heavey metal (if that info is needed for anything)
Comments
GSP1101 is an amp modeling unit. You have two options: use an internal amp model to \"modify your tone\", or use an external preamp to do it. GSP can do either one.
Unfortunately, you can only use one amp model or external preamp.
If you like the tone of your one preamp that is still functioning, you can use that. Look on page 11 of the manual, configuration #6. Modify that to use a stereo power amp, to get the stereo effect for your modulations, delays, reverbs, etc. Instead of using a single 1/4\" (or XLR) as shown in diagram, you'd use two. And you'd set the GSP to stereo output.
You will also want to run through the configuration wizard to make sure GSP knows that it's outputting to power amp.
That's what I would do, if I were in your situation. Hope that helps.
Basically, this is my issue: My Marshall head is dying. I need to decided if I want to replace the head, buy a power amp instead, or run my digitech through my Peavey amp head only (since I am running it through both heads at the moment)
(1) I will buy a decent amp head, but it doesn’t need to be an insanely expensive one since I would be using its sounds effects.
(2) Tube power amps are too expensive, so I should stick with guitar amps.
(3) No need to switch channels, just run the Digitch direct through the effects return, do all the switching through the processor itself.
(4) Need to eliminate the two guitar head configuration and go with one. It will be less to haul to gigs, makes life easier
(5) I can still record in stereo, will just mic one cab
Which part did I misunderstand? You have two heads, one is crapping out. I'm saying - if you want, you can use the other one as a preamp, bypassing GSP1101's own preamp capabilities. If not, that's fine, just run to a stereo power amp.
If you're only using the Peavy as a power amp, and you want stereo, then just get a stereo power amp and be done with it. Less equipment to haul.
You don't need a tube power amp. Solid state will work just fine. Also, look into something like the Carvin TS-100 if you can find a decent one used. They weren't very pricey new, and many people have had success using them with amp modeling processors.
This I agree. That's one of the advantages of modeling processors.
If that's the case, why don't you use the Peavey you already have? Or, if you go the stereo power amp route, that's still just one unit to carry instead of two.
Two thoughts on this. One, you don't need to record in stereo for most situations. Record in mono with no effects, and add the stereo in the mixing stage. Two, if you did want to record directly in stereo, you don't need a mic or a cab - just plug the XLR outputs of the GSP directly into your preamp and go. It has cab simulation already.