OT - Rack Effects

[thindave]

Hey all, I'm looking into the possibility of putting together a rack based/midi effects setup and I was hoping to steal some brain bits from you all...

I currently have a Boogie MkIV amp - three channels - and I'd like to put together a system which allows me to change effects patches on the rack device as well as change amp channels from a single footswitch. I plan on using the amp's channels for OD & distortion, so I'm really just looking for something which does nice delay/mod/noise stuff.

I've come across the TC Electronics G-Major which actually seems to do pretty much all of the above but I'm not sure of it's sound/quality yet (haven't heard it - except for the web demos). Also, it's been out for a few years so I'm not sure if there's something newer/more betterer available.

Any help is greatly appreciated...

Dave

 

[Bungo]

Hi thindave

(Strange, I could be known as fatdave theoretically!)

I've used such a setup for many years which suits me fine as it minimises thinking on stage.

I've just changed from a Rocktron Intellifex to a TC G Force.

The Intellifex was fine but had a fairly limited range of actual effects. The G Force is mega! I'm sure I've barely scratched it's surface yet but there seems to be little it won't do.

Sound quality is very, very good. Can definitely tell which guitar is which through it.

I think the G Major is quite similar but with fewer programming options? I would imagine sound quality would be v.good as TC electronic would be unlikely to put out a duffer?

I'm sure you saw that their latest offering is the G system which would certainly do what you want regarding amp switching and adding on loverly effects as well! This has the brain unit which can be rack or floor mounted, and a rather sexy pedalboard which can control effects and amp channels I believe.

Happy hunting!

Hope this is useful!

 

[thindave]

Ahhh, I didn't see the relay functions in the G-System - nice! I need to take a closer look at it now - thanks Dave!

Wow, AND you had a old black Music Master - my first guitar! Wait, who the hell are you???

 

[Bungo]

It was my first guitar as well! That's really why I still have it.

I had it from new in '79 and played it continuously for about 10 years.

It now looks like King of the Relics!!!

 

[thindave]

I wish I still did... But hey, thanks again for the info!

 

[beej]

The G-Major can do amp channel switching, so you should be ok there. If you're cool with just loop effects (time-based effects, filters, etc.) and nothing in front of the amp, it sounds like an ideal processor. Otherwise the G-System should be in the running. I also hear good things about the Rocktron Intellifex, Replifex, etc. and they can usually be had for cheap.

Either way, you'll still need a MIDI footswitch of some sort to change patches.

 

[thindave]

Yeah, I think it's down to the two TC products at this point - even though the G-Major is a lot less coin, the G-System allows you to loop in your favorite pedals (I luuuvvvv my Tweak Fuzz) and I wouldn't have to add a midi controller, so I think it'll be the G-System.

So, time to thin the herd - anyone looking for the following:

Pod XT Live (with two extra model packs)
Visual Sound Jeckyl & Hyde
Visual Sound H2O
Barber Tone Press (missing one chicken head)
Korg DT-10 Pedal tuner

If you are and want to save me the trouble of putting it all on eBay, IM me...

 

[beej]

Yeah- it does look pretty sweet. Have to say I've thought about it too! But still like the pedals I'm working with.

Let us know what you think when she's all done!

 

[brentrocks]

What is everybody's opinion on the Boss VF-1 multi effect unit??

i just picked one up on ebay yesterday for $220. I'm excited to get it home and hook it up to the 5150 combo!!

 

[thindave]

Hey Brent, I hadn't heard about that one so I checked out the Boss site - it's an older model (they list it under "Legacy"!) but it sounds like it should be pretty good - have fun with it!

 

[slukather]

The G-System looks great, i used to use a G major, with a midi controller, and my 5150ii, it was a great little setup, but, l found, the more you have in your rid the more that can go wrong, at the start of one gig, my midi control crapped out, so had to play the whole did on the dirty channel, and you my volume to try to clean up the sound when l needed a clean channel. So now l just use no effects, just my amp, guitar, amp selector and tuner and l haven't had any problems, so far, and l've got less to cart around. But l might go back to using midi one day.

Scott.