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New to the GNX series

Hey guys,
im looking for a bit of help here with regard the GNX series.
obviously, im a guitarist, and im looking to invest into some multi effects and my eye has been on the GNX series since my old teacher showed me his one.(this is years old at this stage). until now iv only been using single effects, i.e.boss mt2, whammy etc.
basically i would like to know which series is the better, and by better i guess i mean the one with most features, user friendly, and good for live performances. i play hard rock and metal, and with regardls lead tone id be looking towards 80s sound, and also like Vai (yup cliché but just for covers etc). in saying that it might seem im just into heavy stuff, however i do use alot of clean sounds when i play.
from experience which series have you guys found the best (not particularily for you but for musicians in general i suppose)?
the effects are versatlile and easy to use? also does each series have seamless delay? (this is a must coz if it dont have this i wont buy one,lol) the delays can be set by tapping in? the whammy effect is same as the red digitech whammy? there are many delay settings etc?
is there any pitfalls with the GNX that stick out?
also can somebody inform me of how 'patches' work? like what they are and what they offer.

i know there is alot there, but really i just want an honest opinion about the GNX series from you guys, and cost doesnt really effect me.

if you wana know, i use a Ibanez Rg2620 prestige series incase that should play any role in the sound the GNX will offer me. thanks alot

ps. i have read the info on the GNX, but you know theres lots of jargon!! :D

Comments

  • edited June 2006
    Welcome! Have you seen this? http://www.gnx4.org/archive/comparing-gnx-units/
    \graeme\ wrote:
    im looking for a bit of help here with regard the GNX series. obviously, im a guitarist, and im looking to invest into some multi effects and my eye has been on the GNX series since my old teacher showed me his one.(this is years old at this stage). until now iv only been using single effects, i.e.boss mt2, whammy etc. basically i would like to know which series is the better, and by better i guess i mean the one with most features, user friendly, and good for live performances.
    Right off the bat, I'd say GNX4 is a good option. It's the most programmable of the series, and has the most features for both live and studio usage.
    \graeme\ wrote:
    i play hard rock and metal, and with regardls lead tone id be looking towards 80s sound, and also like Vai (yup cliché but just for covers etc). in saying that it might seem im just into heavy stuff, however i do use alot of clean sounds when i play.
    All GNX units are very versatile as far as tones go. You'll be able to dial in whatever setting you like. GNX3000 has considerably more \"built-in\" amp models, and, arguably, better ones than its predecessors - for example, you can choose a Vai Legacy as your amp model and go from there. You can make your own amp models, which works great on GNX4 and its predecessors.
    \graeme\ wrote:
    from experience which series have you guys found the best (not particularily for you but for musicians in general i suppose)?
    Again, GNX4 wins out on features by a comfortable margin. GNX4 offers very useful CompactFlash card functionality, which lets you store patches, record songs, or save mp3 backing tracks - great stuff! Nonetheless, I've seen a lot of musicians who have GNX3000 do just fine with it, they love the tones and the features are sufficient for their needs. In fact, patch controller programmability is perhaps the only other major shortcoming of GNX3000 vs GNX4.
    \graeme\ wrote:
    the effects are versatlile and easy to use?
    Depends on what you mean by versatile. Also, your level of expertise and willingness to learn will dictate the relative ease of use.

    The effects are versatile insofar as there are several different ones, they offer most if not all crucial settings, and sound great for a $300-400 floor unit. They are not versatile as compared to something like Boss GT-8, which lets you rearrange the order of effects - GNX does not.
    \graeme\ wrote:
    also does each series have seamless delay? (this is a must coz if it dont have this i wont buy one,lol) the delays can be set by tapping in? there are many delay settings etc?
    There are five types of delay: Analog mono, digital mono, analog ping-pong, digital ping-pong, and spread. Each has the following parameters:
    * Time, up to 2 seconds
    * Feedback amount - how much it repeats
    * Ducker threshold - new signal lowers delay volume
    * Ducker attenuation - amount by which new signal lowers delay volume
    * Pan position (or Spread time)
    * Mix level

    There is a dedicated tap-tempo footswitch on GNX4 and GNX3000; the delay on/off switch on GNX3 doubles for tap tempo. Prior GNX units do not have this capability.

    One thing that you can't do with this delay is control the amount of dry signal in each channel; in other words, you can't have just the delayed signal in Left and just the dry signal in Right.

    With ping-pong delay, you cannot set individual time for each tap.

    With analog delay - which is obviously emulated - you cannot set the rolloff frequencies or amounts.

    Feedback amount can be assigned to expression pedal, which lets you use it for infinite repeats - almost like a poor-man's looper.
    \graeme\ wrote:
    the whammy effect is same as the red digitech whammy?
    Yes, all the same settings are available.
  • edited June 2006
    \graeme\ wrote:
    is there any pitfalls with the GNX that stick out?
    GNX is a pain in the neck (literally, cause you have to bend down ;) ) to configure with a real amp, since there's no hard bypass option. You cannot rearrange order of effects, as I mentioned before. I'm sure other folks will think of more.
    \graeme\ wrote:
    also can somebody inform me of how 'patches' work? like what they are and what they offer.
    Each patch has the boasted \"11 effects at one time\" in it, as well as controller assignments. Each can optionally contain up to two custom amp/cabinet models. The settings saved in each patch: pickup sim, wah, compression, distortion stompbox, pitch effect, two amp model settings (stock or custom), noise gate, modulation effect, delay, and reverb. All GNX units have an assignable expression pedal and two assignable LFO controllers, which are per-patch setting. GNX4 has 3 assignable footswitches, again per patch. GNX3 has one assignable footswitch. GNX4 and GNX3000 offer a master \"patch volume\" setting.
    \graeme\ wrote:
    i have read the info on the GNX, but you know theres lots of jargon!! :D
    Good luck in making your decision.
  • Really great posting iliace! I learn so much from you, and seem to look for your posts first ...whenever I drop by. Just wanna say nicely done. 8)

    I'm very new myself with the GNX and have a thousand questions. I'm pacing myself now.... :lol:
    Maybe in a couple more days...I can take the bandages off my head...if the swelling goes down. :?
  • Do you plan on using a GNX unit with your current amp setup as an effects unit or for amp modelling?

    If you are strictly thinking effects, The GNX is probably not what you want.
    If you want this unit for the almost limitless amount of amp tones to compliment your current amp set up, then this is a great piece of equipment!
    The effects are excellent, and you will not be disappointed
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