Future products Wishlist (GNX5/GNX4000 etc) ATN: DIGITECH
As we have done on the past, many of our suggestions have made it into future products (Most recently GNX4 pretty much incorporated a lot of suggestions from us GNX3 owners).
Since development development of future products is most probably taking place, I tought again that we should again compile a list of features/upgrades that we would like to see on these products.
Note: Please be reasonable in your expectations.
Here's a list of suggestions through out the years from others including myself (it may seem like a list of demands, but they are suggestions I swear
). The list is in no particular order.
Since development development of future products is most probably taking place, I tought again that we should again compile a list of features/upgrades that we would like to see on these products.
Note: Please be reasonable in your expectations.
Here's a list of suggestions through out the years from others including myself (it may seem like a list of demands, but they are suggestions I swear
). The list is in no particular order.- Warp is an excellent tool, but it would be good if you could have two amps at the same time, one on the LEFT or RIGHT or mixed. Like you planned to have on the GNX3 many years ago. This is IN ADDITION to warp, Don't remove warp!!
- Global BPM setting to have time synched modulation effects and delay. The BPM should also be changeable by MIDI. MAke it so that you can choose to ignore the BPM setting for a particular effect. (So can already have a tempo synched delay, but it should be done on a global basis for all time based effects).
- Pedals should be linked to any parameter that you wish. An extension of the Control A,B,C present on the GNX4. Make all pedals assignable to a parameter.
- All Effects, EQ, LFO's and functions of the machine should be assignable to a footswitch, expression pedal. This is BIG!! These are a few examples of what you CAN'T Do right now, assign a footswtich to turn on/off the LFO's, assign an EQ frequency to the expression pedal, assign anything from the GenetX section or EQ. Or other functional examples, assign the mode changing fucntion into any pedal, or assign the tuner to any footswitch, etc, etc.
- Bring back the configurable effects chain, in which you can place an effect in any order that you want. OR at least bring back the option like in the RP2000 of Pre or post amp.
- Bring back the microphone placement like in the RP2000.
- Bring back the ability to use the Pitch shifter in the MOD section to be completely wet. In the GNX4, a setting of 99 still mixes the unshifted signal in. This way we can have polyphonic pitch shifting if needed.
- Please, please fix the pitch shifting algorithms so that they are not out of tune in some cases. I remember the RP2000 didn't have this problem.
- For the drum machine add more alternate timing drum loops, yes the metronome has some additional timings but include 3/4, 6/8, 7/8, 5/8 for example for the regular drum sounds.
- Make the Drum machine respond to temp events.
- Make the 8-Track recorder controllable though MIDI.
- Again, if the BPM (Beats per minute) functionality is included, make it available to be set through MIDI, or MIDI CLOCK.
- In other words add MIDI SYNC.
- Ability to have more than one modulation effect at a time. For example chorus with flanger, flanger with tremolo, etc. Make it so that we can use whatever 11 effects (or more) we want to have at once.
- A gain/level control of the Warp channel
- REMOVE the Speaker compensation switch. Bring back the target system instead.
- A global EQ, either paremetric or graphic, or the ability to choose between both he he he.
- Bring back dynamic modifiers! Assignable to any effect!
- Make the footswitches and expression pedal able to send MIDI CC commands.
- Make room for more footswtiches if possible.
- If still compact flash based or whatever flash technology, remove the number of presets limitation and also the number of MP3s or MIDI limitations.
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Comments
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- Ability to use 2 or more modulation effects at once
- Have a S/PDIF output, could save the hassle of USB drivers etc when wanting to record.
A few of my own I have noticed would be wicked to change…
- USE TUBES vox did it, if you got TUBES you would own \\m/ really I don’t know how hard this is but if you could pull it off i would b prepared to pay extra.
- Unit comes with G3456's patches as factory presets haha that would own too.
- CF's for ALL future models, GNX5 for recorder/presets and GNX4K for presets only with ability to fill ENTIRE CF card up not limited to 80 presets.
- The delay time between preset swaps, WAY too long, my RP200A did them instantly but the GNX’s seem to take a bit longer, especially hard if you’re the only guitarist playing live with a little gap between clean>distortion changes.
- A firewire output as well as USB, don’t know the benefits, but what is one extra toy output for the unit haha.
- A power supply which can accommodate universal 120/240v operations.
- Also maybe have the power supply lengthened by about 2m or so.
- Maybe 2 little carry handles on each side of the unit… [=====] <<<imagine the “==” is the actual unit, so that you don’t need to use the wah pedal to grip the unit when picking it up.
- Or have indented grooves on the side of the unit instead of handles that way you dnt have metal things sticking out, but can just put your hands in the grooves to carry it.
- Not sure if you said it above AA but the ability to have separate effects for the Mic input such as compressors, EQ’s, reverbs etc.
- Lengthened LED display to say 12-14 characters or something so i can fit in long patch names (mainly artist names), with maybe the ability to change colours of the LED’s or take on the POD Lives approach with whatever style LED display that is.
- Glow in the dark labels for preset selectors (amp channel, stompbox, chorus/mod etc, those 5 switches at the bottom of the unit so we can see them in the dark).
- Have a separate option for TUNER cuz if im not wearing steel caps and trying to select tuner, sometimes i get uneven balance on switches and most of the time it will change preset rather than selecting the tuner. On the GNX3K when in preset mode and you stomp the preset a second time it goes into BYPASS mode, maybe assign a third stomp to take you into TUNER mode to please us when using socks and not shoes
Arg dam I cant think of the other one I had in mind but it was good though haha, ill post here later if I remember it \\m/
But if you could nail all those into one unit and call it the GNXUltimate then i would defintly be prepared to pay extra for it, because you probably wouldnt need to buy another unit again, especially one with tubes \\m/
Also in X-Edit there are some certain things you can ONLY edit in this program such as additional controls on BOSS Metalzone, would be cool if these could be editied on the unit and not just in X-Edit.
more wah models
pickup selections other than single coil and hubuckers, such as EMG, duncan, etc. this would save me some tweaking time for sure.
maybe a rack mounted GNX5
must have g3456 as factory presets.
Bank 1 80 presets
Bank 2 80 presets
Bank 3 80 presets
etc.
yes, this may seem impractical to some but allowing these additions for CF users would be great. I have sets laid out for multiple venues I play and each contain the parameter adjustments for the patches at each venue. This is cool since I don't have much tweaking at subsequent shows. It does require multiples of CF cards though. I have an album of these for 15 venues. \"ADD a Bank\" feature would be a nice option.
One thing we have to remember here guys is that these requests can seem reasonable, but the cost factors vs user practicality can get insane. There are owners that don't know what a warp is, let alone an LFO. My suggestion for this and all these \"full function\" capabilities is to come out with a Digietch GNX EXTREME!! ( sorry for that overkilled marketing name). This way you can market a product for musicians that require all of the features, yet are willing to pay for them. You could even do a rack mount version with a midi controller foot pedal. this way a person can isolate functionality on stage and assign whatever they want. I had no problem buying the JM150, J12, J212 when it came out. Others opted for a lesser design. Not all musicians can afford an Eventide either, but some can and use them.
Another innovation that Nobody in multieffects land offers...A FLIP UP DISPLAY VISOR/Shield for DAYTIME GIGS AND OVERLY LIT STAGES!!!
LASTLY....TRUE BYPASS!!! of the amp models only. So if someone wants this for just the efx and stompbox, their amp sound is untainted!!! This would bring many many many many many people to Digitech. NOBODY not Boss, not Line 6, Digitech, etc have a TRUE THRU BYPASS that allows efx processing by iteself. I know many guys that would want this, and is the primary reason they stay with floor stomp boxes exclusively.
I would think that a firmware revision could achieve that even now, but without knowing all the particulars for now, this one is my highest priority on the suggestion ballot that would bring many users of Digitech and other gear to your doorstep!!
G3456
This is what i would be prepared to buy, the rackmount idea (with changeable faceplates) is real good especially if it had a wireless MIDI controller, if that is possible as well as keeping the USB/MIDI and possible Firewire outputs. If it had tubes like the 2120's and that did well you would have everything you could possibly need for the rest of your guitar life. A GNXtreme sounds like a pretty brutal name, and just use all the things we want in this forum and bob is your auntie \\m/
Please
I am with Guitar 3456, I am happy to pay more for the right item, not really into another rack unit, I have too many now, I prefer a floor version but here nor there
Let make sure we have all the request above and more
Thanks
Zak
i do think the ins and outs of the pedals are what wins me over (steers me away from PODS and M-audio break out boxes and firewire interfaces etc,,) so S/PDIF would make the pedal very much more versatile!!
and i still think having sound fonts in the pedal is a good idea - then you could seel it as a MIDI module aswell!!! i dont this would be too expensive or difficult to achieve. the drums are on there - lets get some keyboard sounds in there too!.
Also, I'd like to be able to incorporate external effects into the effects chain. Maybe have several (3?) sends/returns for external effects with a configurable patch bay of sorts. I don't know if that's even practical, though.
Controller Assignments
* In any effect where tempo, cycle, speed, or anything like that is a parameter, there need to be the following parameter options: TAP, TAP/2, TAP/3, TAP/4, TAP/5, TAP/6, TAP/7, TAP/8. This will assign that particular effect to the period of Tap Tempo setting, or a fraction thereof.
* Controller footswitches need to be brought back. GNX4 got it right and there was no reason to take them out in GNX3k. This is an integral feature for many people who want flexibility with their patches instead of numerous banks of nearly-identical presets.
* EQ frequencies and levels must be assignable to a controller. This will aid with custom modeling to help determine the correct frequency to adjust and the amount of adjustment, while playing.
* Besides being able to turn LFOs on/off, there should be a controller assignment possibility that allows to (a) reset an LFO, (b) make the LFO step-wise, and (c) if at all possible be able to assign a mathematical formula for how the LFO behaves (in X-Edit or equivalent). But without getting into it too much, more a configurable LFO is desired. Also, we should be able to assign more than one parameter to each LFO.
* In BANK mode, allow additional functionality besides preset bounceback. This should be assignable to each individual patch. For example, pressing on a selected preset in bank mode would switch amp channel, turn modulation on/off, or any other controller assignment. Up to 3 maybe?
Expression Pedal
* Several years ago, a volume pedal with color LEDs came out that showed the exact position of the pedal. Use something like that for all expression pedal parameters showing the current position of the pedal.
* Allow to change V-Switch assignment, and allow up to 3 parameters for V-Switch mode.
* Allow each preset to have a global assignment for pedal position once V-Switch occurs. For example, if I’m using a Whammy, and I want to switch to Wah, I certainly don’t want a Wah two octaves above what I’m playing.
* How about a second expression pedal?
Effects and Amps
* A separate graphic equalizer should be added to the matrix. Amp EQ should not be changed to accommodate this.
* More synth sounds such as the older DigiTech guitar synth processors or some of the Boss ones. Maybe custom effects such as on AdrenaLinn (I'm way too obsessed with that box).
* Multi-voice chorus effect would be nice. Maybe surprise us with some other new modulations?
Inputs and Outputs
* Mixer outputs to be completely configurable! For example, guitar-fx from 1/4\" only, micrvb from XLR only, mute line. Any combination.
* Build on the GNX4 vu meters, make them larger. Perhaps two sets, one for pre and one for post? Something along those lines anyway.
* To agree with AA, S/PDIF was an essential GNX3 feature that I miss a whole bunch. Please bring it back.
(continued in next post)
Global/Other
* Besides what AA said regarding two amp channels, I would like to see the ability to crossfade between patches. Also, to be able to use the second channel instead to route mic or line to different effects.
* Bring back the block scheme of the 2101 series and those that came after. This will allow for pre/post amp placement, as well as multiple modulation effects and so forth.
* I agree with Arcturus regarding switching time. It is unacceptable even on GNX3000... I may be wrong, but it almost seems like it was better on GNX3. Especially when switching between two vastly different amp sounds, it's important to be able to instantaneously get from sound A to sound B. Also, see bullet regarding crossfading.
* CF card would be very handy, if not an 8-track recorder maybe just a stereo recorder... I never realized how dependent I am on recorder/looper until I started using GNX3000.
* I think Bypass should also enable the tuner. Then in bypass mode, be able to use expression pedal to turn the bypassed volume up or down.
* Add a panning feature to be assigned to a controller (not auto-pan). I'd like to be able to use that within a definable range instead of volume.
* Not sure about the \"glow in the dark\" idea, but definitely some way to see what lights up (for example I can't tell the V-Switch light from the USB light in a dark room).
Features that I think are unnecessary – PLEASE don’t get offended anyone, I’m just building discussion and I mean absolutely no affront:
* A tube power-amp simulation like Vox amps/processors. The new modeling on GNX3000 is good enough to not need the hassles of dealing with tubes.
* More Wah models or Wah Q setting – I think the ability to set min and max Wah position is enough using the three that are provided.
* Pickup models – I mentioned in another thread, too difficult to implement well, requires a lot of sampling of various pickups at various heights in various positions on various guitars. Too much of a cost driver.
* Mic placement, same thing. For most applications I can achieve the same effect with reverb.
Can we make this a sticky thread?
- Ilia
1) FX loop for external effects
2) Different signal paths for guitar and mic
3) 5 parameters assignable through control footswitches
I know other people mentioned this too, and I completely forgot. We should have at least one or two TRS insert jacks for external effects. If we get a block scheme, the external effect should be able to come out at any point and come back in at any other point - in the best-case scenario, anyway.
- Ilia
This is a very good point, and I think we should also make an effort to direct Digitech's user education efforts, not just product development. Sure, the \"Power User's\" guide is a great start, and guitarworkstation.com is very helpful for beginners. But, Digitech could, at a relatively low cost, launch advanced user information sections.
Most segments can be broken down into three phases:
1. Practical uses - for those who don't like reading or learning complex things and just want some basic amp models and effects. This would be a combination of what's already presented in existing material.
2. Musical and technological considerations - this can focus on aspects such as traditional effects, amps, and mixers. Diagrams such as what Craig Anderton laid out are a great start, but unfortunately many need clarification and addition to be useful to beginners who are interested in more advanced features.
3. Physical and mathematical considerations - for the 1% of the users who are interested in exploring the maximum potential of the workstations. This would cover wave forms, physics of modulation, and others. Also some information on algorithms and their particularities can go in this section. Understanding this will really empower the Digitech customer.
It is a real shame that people are unaware of such simple things as LFOs and warped models. Digitech can set itself apart by expanding their education efforts to all levels of users, not just beginners. Just like adding a phantom power mic preamp (\"just to show that we're serious\", as DT put it), thorough user support pushes the product out of the \"toy\" category and bumps it towards the \"pro\" level. There's no reason for users to not know all the ways in which their guitar workstation is configurable, if they want that information.
On that note, a more extensive MIDI implementation and documentation would aid in product differentiation efforts as well.
- Ilia
I have used the min and max points (I did it for a Vai patch), but for me it's not enough. I would like to modify the Q to get a good sounding wah with a particular patch. It would be a very good addition to the Wah section in addition to a level setting to match the overall loudness of the patch.
I agree on the tubes, I don't want any tubes on these things. The new algorithms in the GNX3000 really do have a nice sound and no tubes!
The same thing could be said of amp modeling and look what we have now!
They will never make that! In the business sense it's not good if that's the only product you will ever buy in your life! They need you to buy and buy new products to stay alive....
In situations where I want to use the whammy and the Volume pedal.
Right now I use a separate wah pedal, volume pedal and another DD3 for complete control. Carrying all the gear is a pain.
2. Target System has to be there.
3. Assignment of any parameter to any switch.
More and better distortion models.
Thats about it.
Having heard GNX3k, I'd actually say more clean models. I guess that depends on your style - I play a variety of things, from real acoustic to real heavy, and have a much easier time finding a good distorted sound than a clean sound. Not because the clean sounds are bad necessarily, simply because there are more distorted ones.
Perhaps DT could throw in modeling for multiple channels of a single amp? For example, the JCM2000 model on GNX3k is lead-channel; why not include multiple channels of the same model... that way we'd have both variety and consistency available to us.
- Ilia
the companies are out to make money - that is the goal.
the tonelab se has a built in tube for the poweramp simulation, but the preamp modelling is totally digital!
i havent been playing gigs for that long (been playing for 6 years, been in a band for 3 years - i'm only 16, but i have learnt heaps of recording and techinical knowledge off various people) and i have learnt that the audience that is listening, providing you play well, is pleased by the music, and not by what amp you are sounding like/playing through.
i reckon we need to stop being nostalgic and strive towards new sounds
- Ilia