I have a 2101 Artist with the 3.00.00a software and a PPC210 daughter card. I used it live quite a bit back in the 90's, but by the time I got my GNX3 I was out of the live environment and focusing more on home studio stuff.
From my experience using both at home I can see where I'd still prefer to use the 2101 in a live situation over the GNX unit. I like the tuner on the 2101 better, along with the seemless single S-DISC algorithm patch changes the PPC210 affords. I also like the layout and functionality of the Control ONE board over the layout of the GNX.
Even so, for my home studio environment the GNX3 (and soon a GNX3k) will out perform the 2101 hands down. To get the best tone out of the 2101 I found I had to use volume levels that weren't conducive to keeping peace in my neighborhood, so prefer the non-mic'd/direct signal to PC approach of the GNX unit.
Not really. The speaker simulator on the 2101 is a far cry from the amp/cabinet modeling the GNX units offer. Absolutely fantastic tone when matched up with a good amp/cabinet combination though. I like the 2101's tone better than the GNX unit under that configuration. It's just, I dunno...\"punchier\", but that may be more due to the amp/cab than the 2101 itself. But for direct recording the GNX wins, no contest.
I have the dual S-Disc, PPC210 set-up. I also used mine live quite often, and never used the Speaker Sim. The direct sound cut through nicely without it. IMO, the 2101 was, (and to some extent, still is), the best FX processor for guitar ever. The routing was deep and comprehensive.
I designed from scratch, several convolution style Reverbs that I have been unable to duplicate with any other hardware. Mind you, this is over 10 years ago. Pristine choruses and delays, awesome Flangers...the thing is bottomless! Plus, the ability to write your own Algorithms.
Yeah, it had a digital edge to it, but with the comprhensive EQ's, you could soften it up as you see fit. The CC controls were fantastic except for zipper noise on a few modules, but it could be corrected with a simple mod. It is one item I will never sell. I see them around for 150-175$, and plan on getting another.
Comments
From my experience using both at home I can see where I'd still prefer to use the 2101 in a live situation over the GNX unit. I like the tuner on the 2101 better, along with the seemless single S-DISC algorithm patch changes the PPC210 affords. I also like the layout and functionality of the Control ONE board over the layout of the GNX.
Even so, for my home studio environment the GNX3 (and soon a GNX3k) will out perform the 2101 hands down. To get the best tone out of the 2101 I found I had to use volume levels that weren't conducive to keeping peace in my neighborhood, so prefer the non-mic'd/direct signal to PC approach of the GNX unit.
My $.02 worth. YMMV
- Ilia
I designed from scratch, several convolution style Reverbs that I have been unable to duplicate with any other hardware. Mind you, this is over 10 years ago. Pristine choruses and delays, awesome Flangers...the thing is bottomless! Plus, the ability to write your own Algorithms.
Yeah, it had a digital edge to it, but with the comprhensive EQ's, you could soften it up as you see fit. The CC controls were fantastic except for zipper noise on a few modules, but it could be corrected with a simple mod. It is one item I will never sell. I see them around for 150-175$, and plan on getting another.