GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

[ozzynotwood]

My rig is sucking a lot of tone. I have 6 pedals going into the head, and 5 pedals in the effects loop. There is four 6ft cables connecting it all together.

I may have a solution that will let me keep all my pedals, but I have no opportunity test my idea, no shop has the equipment, so I'd have to buy the gear from America and have it shipped to Australia (nobody here can match the american price), so here it is:

I'm researching the GCX Audio Switcher with matching foot controller:
http://www.voodoolab.com/gcx.htm

I've studied it's features, and if I get the GCX and rackmount the pedals, I will be able to down-size the 6ft cables, and the most amount of pedals that will be engaged will be 5. A 6th pedal will be used for solo's and occasional effects to enhance sections of music.

I know the GCX has 8 loops and I have 11 pedals, but 3 of the pedals will be in the last loop of the GCX (Noise Gate, Delay, Reverb).

After researching negative things about the GCX, the only bad thing that keeps coming up is the GCX has some high-end roll-off.

So finally here's the question.

Should the GCX rig sound a lot better than my current setup?
(even with it's reported high-end roll-off).

Its alot of money, so an in-depth discussion would be appreciated

 

[crguti]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

I don't use the GCX, but I use something similar, the Rocktron Patchmate Loop 8. It has 8 independent loops, meaning you can rewired them as you want, plus each loop can be used as a channel switcher as well (same as GCX). The big selling point was that you can activate/desactivate the loops by hand just pressing the front buttons. You cannot do that with the GCX, you need to program the pedalboard to do that. Furthermore, the Rocktron has 9-pins midi connector, meaning you can power your midi pedalboard using only the 9-pins midi cable (if you midi pedalboard is capable of that).
I have noticed some tone sucking using the active input, but using the passive input fix that problem.
Sorry if it doesn't help, but I would recommend the Rocktron Patchmate loop 8 in case the GCX doesn't work for you.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

Just for the record, before I even start, I'm not in a band, so my .02 would be focused as a "home" setting. That being said, I do try to dial live tones on my amps with a tad bit more bass to fill in the sound.

Voodoo labs make top shelf stuff IMO. Yeah, it's expensive. It's that way for a reason. It's built like a tank, works flawlessly, and their customer service is the best you'll find in the business.

The GCX and Ground Control Pro have graced more pro rigs than I care to think about. I know Andy Timmons uses them for his setup and he's running something like 5+ pedals and 3 heads in the demo I saw.....His tone is godly. Petrucci use to use them, at least he was using them last time I saw DT a few years ago. Metallica has used them for years. Joe Perry, etc...More often than not, if you see someone using a complex rig, you can almost bet there's a GCX and GCP in there somewhere. Hell, I think Vai even uses one.

My personal experience with them is limited and it's been awhile ago. I can say the 4 way amp switcher I have from them is pretty dam good and does what it's supposed to do.

High end roll off. Debatable subject here. My personal opinion, the more you load your signal up, the more high end you're going to "lose". I've seen a few complaints of high end roll off with these setups and these guys are running 10+ pedals, a couple rack units, etc...Once you get to that point, you're going to lose some high end. To top it off, crappy cables will take some high end out of your signal. I'd almost bet that a lot of these complainers about the roll off cheaped out on cables. If you're going to spend that much on a switching unit like that, you have to go all the way and get good cables.

If my setup gets too much bigger, I'm going to invest in these units just for the convenience at home.

 

[Stratman]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

I use the GCX and Ground Control Pro with 8 pedals and an ElevenRack

The high end roll off only comes into play with cheap cables.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

You might want to check out the gear page. I have seen a few go on there a bit cheaper than what they are listed on ebay for.

 

[cakire82]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

Not to sidetrack the thread or anything but as an alternative option you can also look into Fryette Valvulator but I admit your option is definitely more neat.

 

[pinto79]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

Hell, I think Vai even uses one.

Vai used to use Bradshaw equipment and now used the G-System.


Looks like solid stuff. ratherdashing's failed on him at a gig on Saturday tho...

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

Vai used to use Bradshaw equipment and now used the G-System.


Looks like solid stuff. ratherdashing's failed on him at a gig on Saturday tho...

Slight correction: it was the Ground Control that failed (didn't boot up properly), not the GCX itself. And it only failed at the gig, not any other time. I had a rehearsal the next day and the whole rig worked perfectly.

I originally suspected the problem was low voltage at the venue. My power conditioner was reading 112V. I e-mailed Voodoo Lab and got a response in under 24 hours. They suspect the MIDI cable may have an intermittent flaw, and said that 112V was good enough. I'll replace the cable (something I intended to do anyway because the one I have is ridiculously long) and try again.

Anyway, I now have the GCX + Ground Control Pro system for switching my rig. The GCX switches four pedals and two switches on my amp (channel and solo boost). I also have the MIDI from the Ground Control feeding thru to run my M13. Here are my brief comments:

- It's expensive (cost of the units plus all the cables, rack box, etc. you need will add up ... I got a good deal on a used GCX + GCP though).

- It's a LOT of work to get set up, definitely not for the impatient or mentally feeble. I have a computer science degree and plenty of free time, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

- If you're not using lots of effects (which I do) and gigging with your rig (which I am) it's a big waste of time and money.

- HOWEVER, if you are doing the above and you're tired of doing the pedal board tap dance AND you manage to get everything hooked up and programmed correctly, the Ground Control Pro + GCX system is unbeatable. Being able to turn pedals on and off, switch programs on your multifx or rack unit, and switch amp channels all with a single toe tap is bliss.

- I experienced absolutely no change in my tone from my old pedalboard-based rig.

- Overall quality of the Voodoo Lab gear is first rate. Aside from my MIDI cable problem (which is not their fault at all), my rig has performed flawlessly. Build quality is as good as it gets. For the one problem I did have, their customer support was prompt and helpful. It's pretty obvious why so many touring pros rely on a GCX + GCP rig.

Hope that helps!

/vanishes back into the ether

 

[ozzynotwood]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

Slight correction: it was the Ground Control that failed (didn't boot up properly), not the GCX itself. And it only failed at the gig, not any other time. I had a rehearsal the next day and the whole rig worked perfectly.

I originally suspected the problem was low voltage at the venue. My power conditioner was reading 112V. I e-mailed Voodoo Lab and got a response in under 24 hours. They suspect the MIDI cable may have an intermittent flaw, and said that 112V was good enough. I'll replace the cable (something I intended to do anyway because the one I have is ridiculously long) and try again.

Anyway, I now have the GCX + Ground Control Pro system for switching my rig. The GCX switches four pedals and two switches on my amp (channel and solo boost). I also have the MIDI from the Ground Control feeding thru to run my M13. Here are my brief comments:

- It's expensive (cost of the units plus all the cables, rack box, etc. you need will add up ... I got a good deal on a used GCX + GCP though).

- It's a LOT of work to get set up, definitely not for the impatient or mentally feeble. I have a computer science degree and plenty of free time, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

- If you're not using lots of effects (which I do) and gigging with your rig (which I am) it's a big waste of time and money.

- HOWEVER, if you are doing the above and you're tired of doing the pedal board tap dance AND you manage to get everything hooked up and programmed correctly, the Ground Control Pro + GCX system is unbeatable. Being able to turn pedals on and off, switch programs on your multifx or rack unit, and switch amp channels all with a single toe tap is bliss.

- I experienced absolutely no change in my tone from my old pedalboard-based rig.

- Overall quality of the Voodoo Lab gear is first rate. Aside from my MIDI cable problem (which is not their fault at all), my rig has performed flawlessly. Build quality is as good as it gets. For the one problem I did have, their customer support was prompt and helpful. It's pretty obvious why so many touring pros rely on a GCX + GCP rig.

Hope that helps!

/vanishes back into the ether

Wow, that was the best reply I've ever had on here! That was extremely helpful, I'm just finalizing my paypal account now and I am going to buy a GCX and GCP. I'm the 'computer guy' so the time and effort in programming doesnt bother me, i just need to find some reasonably priced rack drawers. Thanks again!

 

[pinto79]

Re: GCX Audio Switcher for rig re-build

Slight correction: it was the Ground Control that failed (didn't boot up properly), not the GCX itself. And it only failed at the gig, not any other time. I had a rehearsal the next day and the whole rig worked perfectly.

Good to hear it's working again. I'll have to come to a future gig and check it out.