M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

[faisal]

Hello friends!


I own a peavey 5150 halfstack, Marshall JMP1 Midi preamp and Peavey Rockmaster Tube Preamp.

I want to design a rig where i can have Comps, Drive and gate before my preamps and all mods, delays and verbs after the preamp and then out to the poweramp of my 5150.


Both the M13 and GSP1101 can do this via their send return loops, so my questions:


1. Which of these will preserve the tone of my guitar and amp better. meaning better A/D D/A conversion without Tone loss and coloration.

2. Which has better sound for the stomp box models, delays, mods etc. ( i will not be using any amp modelling.)

3. I think the GSP with the Control 2 might be better for MIDI switching, program changes etc. I will need an external loop switcher regardless as i have more than 1 preamp. Can the M13 act as a master foot controller as well ? To be able to send program change to the LoopSwitcher, Midi in of the JMP, and also allow instant access to the fx onboard.


Please help me decide.

Thanks


faisal

 

[Warheart]

Re: M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

1. Which of these will preserve the tone of my guitar and amp better. meaning better A/D D/A conversion without Tone loss and coloration.

Hard to say, the one in the M13 is supposed to be better than the DL4, but I'm not sure how it would match up with the GSP1101.
I'd say both are top of the line, but I have a natural preference to the GSP.

2. Which has better sound for the stomp box models, delays, mods etc. ( i will not be using any amp modelling.)

Again, this is very subjective. The M13 has a DL4 in it, its one of the best delay pedals out there. Digitech has different models. I would believe that the GSP has more processing power, but its too hard to find specs on the M13.

3. I think the GSP with the Control 2 might be better for MIDI switching, program changes etc. I will need an external loop switcher regardless as i have more than 1 preamp. Can the M13 act as a master foot controller as well ? To be able to send program change to the LoopSwitcher, Midi in of the JMP, and also allow instant access to the fx onboard.

You're talking about controlling 3 units with midi at the same time? Shouldn't be too hard. Its really only 2 since the Control 2 doesn't send commands to the GSP using midi.

Again, its pretty much an either or here. the M13 has full midi capability, It could act as your master foot controller, but you would have about 6 guitar cables running to and from it, plus a midi cable, thats not something I want on the front of the stage.
I would prefer the GSP, simply because there is less cable, and its more direct, you can have it in a rack unit with all your other rack preamps, and probably only run 10' of cable, as opposed to the M13.

One of the best features of the GSP is the Control 2 and its versatility!

 

[faisal]

Re: M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

Warheart, thanks for your reply. For months i have tried to find a GSP 1101 user at other forums but found none.

It is actually my first preference as it fits my needs entirely, rack unit, midi controller and loop for my head and preamps.
I played the M13 today and was considering it, but it doesn't completely full fill my needs.

I have a few GSp 1101 specific questions , i would really appreciate it if you would reply.

1. Does the Loop in the GSP really preserve your amp's tone ?
2. How do the stomp box drives and comps compare to analog individual units.
3. I read today that the tap tempo on the GSP only applies to the delays and not other mod fx, tremolo speed for example. This can be a deal breaker for me.
4. What about reliability, ease of use and overall tone of the unit.

Thanks Warheart, looking forward to your reply.
Faisal

 

[faisal]

Re: M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

....and over at the Boogie board i read that the 4 cable method adds too much noise when using the GSP with amp heads etc.
Warheart, do u get noise when using the 4CM with ur 5150 ??
Thanks

 

[Warheart]

Re: M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

1. Does the Loop in the GSP really preserve your amp's tone ?
2. How do the stomp box drives and comps compare to analog individual units.
3. I read today that the tap tempo on the GSP only applies to the delays and not other mod fx, tremolo speed for example. This can be a deal breaker for me.
4. What about reliability, ease of use and overall tone of the unit.

1. Well, I don't think it sucks any tone. I haven't noticed any, but then again, with this kind of unit, I never bypass it or switch it out. From what I can tell, Its pretty good.

2. The stomp box drives are good if you ask me, Although I'm not a pedal person, I've always used the gain in the amp more than using a boost. However, I did try out the 808 model boost in the GSP and it was comparable to the analog one. I wanted to use it to adjust the tone on my 5150 like I've heard a lot of people doing, not so much for boost, but as a tone shaper more so. Works good for me, but again, I have little to no experience with overdrive pedals.

3. Hmm not sure, I've only used the tap tempo with Delays. You could check the notes on www.mustbebeta.com, they have software upgrades for the GSP1101 that I HIGHLY recommend, Especially for the changes in the noise gate. It does have an LFO, but again, I don't use these kinds of effects.

4. In terms of reliability, I bought mine used on ebay, and it broke after a month I had it. It took me 6-8 months to get it back from sending it to Quebec for them to replace the main board. Since then it has worked perfectly, and upon getting it back, I told myself I wasn't going to trust it....but its too good. If it broke, I'd get another, and probably an extended warranty. Its just as important as my head to me at this point.

It is WAY too easy to use, I dialed up my 5 presets, and I don't use anything else. I like how it changes patches, the delays carry over for as long or as little as you want while you are playing on the next patch. The tone is completely adjustable, between the global EQ, and an EQ section, and then an EQ from a boost pedal, you're set. It can take what you have and make it sound ALOT better.

It terms of people getting noise from using the 4 cable method, they must be idiots or are using bad cables. Yes more cables can add potential for noise, but I've never had a problem with it. I have 3 10ft George L's nylon tied together, so setup and tear down is very easy, I can be ready to play in 2 mins.
Where you're going to be running 2 preamps, possibly 3(5150), you will have a lot of cable running around. Keep it short and away from Power cables and you'll be fine.

The other VERY IMPORTANT factor about the noise is the Noise Gate. After you update to the C48 software on www.mustbebeta.com, the Noise Gate acts like an ISP decimator. It is triggered off of guitar input, but the gate is actually in your effects loop. I still have my Hush Super C, but I have taken it out of my rack simply because the Noise Gate in the GSP1101 is better at C48.

My rack case for gigging is a 4 space rack with:
1. GSP1101
2. empty
3. Power Conditioner
4. Blank Rackcase grill so I can put cables in and they won't come to the front of the GSP.

There are a few issues with C48 however, and you can check them out on the bug reporting part of www.mustbebeta.com

 

[aleclee]

Re: M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

Warheart, thanks for your reply. For months i have tried to find a GSP 1101 user at other forums but found none.

You're probably not trying hard enough if you didn't find this.

 

[faisal]

Re: M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

Thanks for the details dude. Really helpful for me at this point.
Is there a gsp1101 dedicated forum ?
The mustbeta site is cool. i wish there was a forum there however.

Thanks a lot!!

 

[crguti]

Re: M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

Warheart, thanks for your reply. For months i have tried to find a GSP 1101 user at other forums but found none.

:haha: seriously... I typed 'GSP 1101 question' in google and the 1st link is the one that ALECLEE suggested (thread of 17 pages) plus hundred of users in another forums... sorry dude but i don't believe that you tried to find info for months.

 

[faisal]

Re: M13 vs Digitech GSP 1101 for Tone, 4CM and Midi Control.

Guilty as charged!
I exaggerated.
I did see that thread as well.
But Warheart's direct response was better.

The GSP not having tap tempo for its mod fx is a deal breaker for me unfortunately. I'm still researching and deciding nonetheless.

This is a great community, thanks guys.
Cheers
F