Hypothetical Question/Discussion
First lemme say that I bought a GNX4 a little more than a week ago and I'm really diggin' it. I have been using an RP-1 for a long time. It was kind of an impulse purchase I just wanted to update my effects and didn't realize exactly what it was I was bringing home with me when I got the GNX. The OBR, the drum patterns, and all the other stuff... awesome.
On to the question though. I'm assuming that most people here use multi-effect/amp-modeling units and not so much individual pedals. I like using multi-effect pedals mainly because I like the idea of being able to completely change my sound with just the step of one switch. One of the things that I hear often on these forums is the idea that having all of the combinations of amps/cabinets/effects/etc that you can get with multi-effect/amp-modeling units would cost you a fortune.
So with that in mind, and if you had unlimited money, would you buy all of the amps and cabinets and effects that you like using in the multi units, or would you still want the all-in-one unit?
I'm not necessarily trying to start a stompboxes vs. multi-effects debate but, what I'm wondering about is if the multi/modeling units are ment to be substitutes for the \"real\" thing or if you think they are their own thing entirely?
Please share your thoughts and opinions about this.
On to the question though. I'm assuming that most people here use multi-effect/amp-modeling units and not so much individual pedals. I like using multi-effect pedals mainly because I like the idea of being able to completely change my sound with just the step of one switch. One of the things that I hear often on these forums is the idea that having all of the combinations of amps/cabinets/effects/etc that you can get with multi-effect/amp-modeling units would cost you a fortune.
So with that in mind, and if you had unlimited money, would you buy all of the amps and cabinets and effects that you like using in the multi units, or would you still want the all-in-one unit?
I'm not necessarily trying to start a stompboxes vs. multi-effects debate but, what I'm wondering about is if the multi/modeling units are ment to be substitutes for the \"real\" thing or if you think they are their own thing entirely?
Please share your thoughts and opinions about this.
Comments
Regardless, most have to realize that modeling is a different world and requires a different approach to traditional rigs. The advantages are great since the stereo usage can really fill the FOH compared to mono rigs. Having the options within the GNX4 can provide many extras in midi drums as well as accompaniment for other fillers.
For me, it's also a question of using the right tool at the right time. If money was not an issue, I can see myself buying some Line 6 distortion pedal/delay and modulation modeler/etc, plugging it into an AxeFX or something, and still running it out of PA speakers. With an DS-1 stompbox, into a Digitech X-Series reverb, and the front end of an Engl stack - sitting on the side. All wired through switchers and MIDI to use whatever is needed at a given moment.
But that takes us back to the first point - if I don't have sound people to set this up for me for gigs, I'll just grab a GNX...
Right now I'm running my GNX3K through a 1x12 Fender Champ25se (left side) and a Berhinger PA with a 1x15 bass cab (right side).
The combo amp has a good overall tone and the bass cab makes it FULL. And to think I was about to go back to regular stompboxes and an amp.
The only real negative thing about workstations is that if it breaks, there goes your wah, distortion, flange, delay, chorus, pitchshift, phase, yaya, synth talk.........
Alright so setting/venue seems to factor into things quite a bit with what you guys are saying.
So for the sake of debate, what if we remove that from the equation. If we're talking more purely about how things sound which way would you go? I'm not exactly sure what my opinion is on this so I'm curious about what others have to say. Would you prefer the modeler or the thing that it's modelling?
But to answer your question if money is not an issue I suppose I would have every amp, amp modeler and guitar made. Along with a 10,000 sqft room to keep it all in. Then and only then after using everything could I make a definative choice/answer IMHO
2 Eventide ultra harmonizers, a Ground control or Rocktron controller,
My Carvin power amp and my celestions. Add my Tube screamer, Vox wah, Roger Mayer Octavia and maybe a Bixonic Expandora. Of course also I would have to be in a position of being able to pay someone else to shlep it around for me. The main reason I got a GNX3000 was to have all the efx's I needed in one unit. I'm to old to drag a rack of gear up from my basement anymore by myself. As it turned out the Amp and Cabinet modeling worked out that I didn't need to take my preamp either. So it's just the 3k,power amp and speakers which are light enough and portable
enough to deal with when I go out and jam with my friends. I don't lock my brain into having to have this or that specific original efx to much. As long as I can decent sounds with what I'm using I'm good with that and sometimes it opens me up to other things that I wouldn't have found if I was only using this or that specific efx. And I have used my twin tube run into my 3k bypassing the amp modeling and using the cabinet modeling for recording a couple of things and it's an awesome combination. But I still prefer the connection of guitar cabs when I can. So again everyones mileage will vary. It doesn't matter how you get the sound as long as you get the sound.
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that you had utterly unlimited money. If you went the own-one-of-everything route, you'd need all that money, 'cuz you'd be paying some guy to walk around and keep 100 guitars in tune, keep fresh tubes in everything, restringing git'rs and replacing fuses and batteries.
Myself, I'd hire Shania, and pay her extra to do it in a slightly wet silk bikini. But then I'd never get around to playing the git'rs. :twisted:
Point being, if the point is to play and the music is the object, simplicity is going to facilitate more of it than all that stuff.
Sure...if you're Nigel Tuffnel and all your amps have to go to 11 and you need one of every guitar and amp and whatever ever made, so you'll always have the exact tone you want, then fine. But you'll also have to hire a guy to remember which amp and stompbox and preamp does what. :roll:
So...I vote K.I.S.S., and I'll continue to spend my money on phone calls to Shania. Which she STILL isn't returning. Heartless wench.
In my opinion--I'm sure there will be some feedback on this--even if you had the money for all the stuff inside GNX4, why would you want the headache of moving it, re-hooking everything, taking the chance that something didn't make in the loop, or hooked up wrong. I think that the EFX on the GNX4 sound very good, especially considering where its coming from. I haven't tried all the amp models and cabinet models, but the ones I have tried are very good. There is an old saying \"theres nothing like the real thing\" and maybe thats true, but GNX4 comes as close as your gonna get to it.
Alot of things in life are personal preference, for instance, I heard a salesperson in the music store last week telling a young kid that he thought the best guitar on the market right now was a Gibson Les Paul. I've always been partial to Les Pauls myself, but try to tell a Strat person that and you might have a fight on your hands.
I haven't played any large gigs in a long time, but I think that the GNX4 would be great for large or small gigs, and think it is great for studio. I also love the fact that I can completely be ready for a gig in less than 30 mins versus old days of over hour and a half.
So, there you go, My two cents.