Just bought a GNX4 off of ebay, it doesn't work!

unknown1

I finally got my GNX4- looks like it was never out of the box. Plug it in and Pffffft! nothin!

I checked the power supply, no good.
Got another power supply and soldered the correct end on it. Now lights come on but it won't recognize any input. Each time I turn it on different lights come on and different garbage is displayed on the main readout. Tried a hard reset (Turn on while pressing the \"Output setup\" button) and nothing. Tried an update, Nothing. Tried plugging in the USB to my laptop. Nothing.

I think this thing is fried (motherboard or something) as there aren't any other parts inside! I read a little about the ribbon-cable issue. Could this be it?

I'd rather fix it than return it but have started filing a complaint against the seller already as I don't think it is fixable.

Anybody heard of this or even better: Anybody fix this before?

Thanks in advance guys.

rawfish

\unknown1\ wrote:

I checked the power supply, no good.
Got another power supply and soldered the correct end on it.

are you sure you got the right replacement PS? It's 9v AC, not DC. We crusty guitar workstation forum vets have seen a few folks try DC power supplies and get weird results.

BTW the PS's shipped with GNX units are ironically prone to failure at the stress relief inside the plastic cube. You might try carefully cracking open the failed PS and checking to see if the wires are broken there.

-rf

unknown1

\rawfish\ wrote:

\unknown1\ wrote:

I checked the power supply, no good.
Got another power supply and soldered the correct end on it.

are you sure you got the right replacement PS? It's 9v AC, not DC. We crusty guitar workstation forum vets have seen a few folks try DC power supplies and get weird results.

BTW the PS's shipped with GNX units are ironically prone to failure at the stress relief inside the plastic cube. You might try carefully cracking open the failed PS and checking to see if the wires are broken there.

-rf

A: Yes, it is AC, I triple checked that as most stomp boxes are 9v DC.

B: That's what I figured, it's amazing how so many kinds of power supplies have this problem! When I hear back from ebay or something, if I get to keep it I WILL crack open the Power Supply!

[EDIT Sunday 12/16/2012]

Oddly the old power supply seems to work intermittently. I figure it is just a broken wire inside (can't make it go off by wiggling the wires). Looks like ebay won't get back to me for a week, probably won't have a working unit till after the new year! :x

sunnydaze

Let me know if it ends up that it can't be fixed and you can't get help from Ebay or the seller.

I'm looking to get a non-working GNX4 for some parts. Mine works fine, but I need a new keypad for the recorder section. A bud stepped on it one night on a small stage.....

Now its out of production.

Thanks
mike

unknown1

Yeah, I was hoping to get it for parts and fix it myself but I had to send it back.

unknown1

GNX4 Number 2 arrived late Friday with two small amps in good shape (like new really). I'll probably sell off the amps.

As for the GNX4 it has a scratch or two but looks great. Turn it on and test out a few things. Something is wrong; NO OUTPUT! NOOOOOOOOOOO! Not again!!!!!

So I with great hope did a soft reset. Nothing.

Again with great hope I did a factory reset (hard reset). Still no output! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

OK composed now, I started going through and testing things to see if I could get some sound out of it. Mp3 player/ recorder, all effects, drum machine. Finally some sound. The drum machine can be heard when the level is raised to 50 or above, I can even tell when I adjust with the tap tempo. So the machine is working on some lower level and is not just a pretty light box!

My conclusion is that it has blown or disconnected output pre-amp. Likely not fixable on a circuit board.

Anyone else seen something like this?

unknown1

It WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Called DigiTech and they said it sounds like a power supply problem, 'take it to Guitar Center and try it on a NEW power supply'. That was it! Now I just have to buy a CF card (I wasn't aware it had no internal memory)

The power supply he sold me doesn't look like the right one though, it is only 1 amp and it is a wall wart instead of the 'big box' PSS3 like came with it. Am trying to decide if I will return it and get the original 'big box' power supply available on eBay or Amazon for around $30 shipped.

shredd

Glad to hear you got it running.

Yes, the power supply IS important, and if you peruse the forums here, you'll find that MANY people have experienced problems directly related to the power supply. Get the right one and you'll probably be fine.

FYI: the GNX4 DOES have a very small amount of internal memory, but it's not much to work with. Considering how cheap a 2GB CF card is, it's worth having.

guitar3456

Make sure the PSU is 9VAC. Amperage rating should be min 2 A.

You can't use a DC power supply on these. That only results in some features working but no dsp sound from the models or effects.

http://www.amazon.com/Digitech-PSS3-120-Power-Supply-J-Station/dp/B0002GYH10/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1358598033&sr=8-31&keywords=9vac+power+supply

unknown1

Yeah, I was scared to use that little power supply anymore so I took it back to Guitar Center and wouldn't you know, he admitted he gave me the wrong one and ordered me a new one (matched Amazon's price too). I wanted to keep the little one for now so I could still play while I wait for the right one to come in but he strongly suggested against it.

So now I am power supply-less for a few days but happy I have a working unit.

This thing really rocks. Just using a Line 6 Spyder III 15 watt amp turned way down, I've been using the Tube Screamer Stompbox for my Neil Young Patch and yes, it SCREAMS. Been told to turn it down many times!

Still working on Neil's octave 'earthquake' sound for Hey Hey, My My...

Using the Big Muff Stompbox with my two White Stripes patches (one with Whammy up one octave up, one with Whammy one octave down).

Any other discussion of patches and stuff around here or is it too late for GNX4 users? I don't see that DigiTech has replaced the GNX4 with anything top of the line, just the same old re-hashed plastic!

shredd

\unknown1\ wrote:

Any other discussion of patches and stuff around here or is it too late for GNX4 users? I don't see that DigiTech has replaced the GNX4 with anything top of the line, just the same old re-hashed plastic!

Yes....sad as it is, the GNX and it's users have been tossed on the trash heap of \"progress\"; DT has moved on from the workstation concept long ago, and has very little to do with it. And most of the people who used it are gone too - I'd be surprised if the usage on this site is 5% of what it was. The only ones that come here are GNX diehards (like me), people who enjoy the fun (like me), and people who will do anything to get Shania to notice them (like me :P ).
But - yes, there are many discussions about patches from the past that you can find with the search function. And don't forget the patch library at Sound Community, linked at the top of the page...some good stuff there...
Have fun! And the next time you bump into Shania at Starbucks, have her call me.

unknown1

So, just guessing here shredd, is Shania your avatar? if so she is quite the one.

Mine is just me playing around about 20 years ago...

shredd

\unknown1\ wrote:

So, just guessing here shredd, is Shania your avatar? if so she is quite the one.
Mine is just me playing around about 20 years ago...

Nup...my current avatar is simply the angel of a woman I'd love to have in my life. Shania is simply the woman who ignores my three or four phone calls a day... :P

yochillman

Don't worry, I will stop in from time to time to say hi to the die hards! Still using my 4 and loving it! (Though it needs to be sent in for repair, on may things) : /

Want to send it in soon cuz I'm a little OCD about it. BUt I don't have the $85 for something like this ATM.

unknown1

I am considering buying the Squaretrade warranty on mine but don't have the $47.00 at the moment either.

wildmann

Hey Shredd, I Got 5-count 'em 5-GNXx4s, one has problems with the recorder buttons! tr-1, and 3 are intermittent. press HARD. and maybe they work, or sometimes go to the next loop, or song on the card. Funny tho, this one was sent to the Digitechies, for this prob. and supposedly Fixed! Problem came Back SOON. Did get the i.4 firmware installed there however. I have4 that work correctly, but 1 came with the USB jack Removed?? What Genius NEEDED a USB jack so badly, as to surgically Remove one from his GNX4?? WTH??and-missing some plastic input/output jack nuts, and a few screws. Digitech replaced the parts , but I don't have the stones to take it apart and re-install the USB jack. Want to send it to the D-Techies, But they said the board might be screwed up there. Anyone Else have problems with the Recorder buttons?? 8)

shredd

\wildmann\ wrote:

Hey Shredd, I Got 5-count 'em 5-GNXx4s

Holy CATS. You reign as resident GNX fanatic!!!

ssolo8

Yes....sad as it is, the GNX and it's users have been tossed on the trash heap of \"progress\"; The only ones that come here are GNX diehards (like me)

Hello all!
My most awesome gnx4 has FIVE failed switches!! (I can only use #2, #5 and bank down!!??
A real tragedy as this unit was Faaaaar ahead of the current models! Amazing sounds (that I STILL cant recreate on my RP 500 OR 255 OR ALL THE OTHER dIGI MODELS THAT I'VE BOUGHT, TRYING TO REPLACE MY GNX4!!)
as well as Insane control over all parameters!!!
Good thing for the XEDIT program where I can control all the functions in the studio, but a gunslinger needs footswitches..
I use ebay too, but not for older electronics that have to survive UPS!!
I keep making backups in hopes of one day uploading this brain into another able body! (GENIUS Digitech move)

ssolo8

\wildmann\ wrote:

Hey Shredd, I Got 5-count 'em 5-GNXx4s, I have4 that work correctly

wow!! I envy your foresight in stacking these units up! Amazing unit STILL UNSURPASSED IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING!
My recorder is fine, but I have 5 failed stomp switches!! I can only use #2, #5, and bank down.
I'd trade this one for a broken recorder one, as I'd rather have the switches work (I go usb into protracks anyway)
one day I will upload my backup into an able body and Frankenstein all those beautiful sounds back to life!!

wildmann

You can send the unit back to the Digitech-ies, and for $75, bench fee + parts etc, plus freight to them, they will go through it and fix all the stuff wrong with it. Make a list, And -tell them to Check EVERYTHING!! :P They've moved, from Utah. now in Elkheart Ind. call Bill at 801-566-8800!