[Sentient]

Lookin’ for some good advice & info, before I throw some money at something I shouldn’t…

Currently playing metal (just at home; not in a band) through an old Korg Toneworks AX1000G, running that into the clean channels of a couple of old small Peavey practice amps for stereo. Plenty of volume & power for my needs, with some really decent tones, but I think I can now afford something substantially better than the AX1000G. But I’m a bit overwhelmed with all of the options out there now for guitar processors & multi-effects.

I’m looking at stuff on Ebay, like a used Boss GT-8, or POD XT Live, etc. I've seen some items by Digitech (GNX3) that look cool and also include the ability to record, which sounds like a super great feature to me (but I don't know how great it is in reality). I'm especially hopeful of getting a unit that doesn't have any damn lag of silence when switching between programs. (That pisses me off and really sounds bad in the middle of a song). You guys know this stuff much better than I do, and I just wanna know what would be great to get, and what I should just stay away from.

If you were me, and had $300 to spend, what would YOU get? I'm open for suggestions, just wanting to make a good purchase.

Thanks,

Burke

[courtney2018]

I have a GNX4 and I'm extremely happy with it. The onboard 8 track recorder is really great quality. It's not a HD recorder by any means, but it does really high quality recordings. Everything on my myspace page was recorded on the GNX4 except one song. I'm still learning mixing so my songs don't sound consistant from song to song. Two good ones that came out well is Arpeggio Puppy Dreamland and Crossing Egypt. Those were recorded on the GNX4 if you want to check them out.

I don't really have anything negative to say about the unit other than I wish there were more than just 8 tracks. I bought a 32 track recorder late last year so I've been using that instead lately.

The effects are great and easily modified. I've got several really good patches that I've been tweaking on so if you end up going with a GNX4 I can give you my patches. The GNX3 should use the same files for patches.

The GNX has a pretty powerful amp in it too....for it's size. I've yet to get it past half way up and it's loud enough to make my house shake.

I bought my GNX4 used off the bay for around $350. If you're going to get a GNX you might as well get a GNX4.

[Sentient]

Thanks for the reply and the info. I'll check out your myspace page later at home (can't access myspace from here at work).

Originally Posted by courtney2018

I bought my GNX4 used off the bay for around $350. If you're going to get a GNX you might as well get a GNX4.

Good point, and I now see that a used GNX4 is affordable to me as well. Lots of searching and reading of older ss.org threads has shown me that lots of people actually prefer the GNX3000 to the GNX4. Thus, the more I research, the more torn I become.

Am I correct in understanding that I can connect the GNX3000 to my computer via USB cable, and the included Pro Tracks software will allow me to record up to 4 tracks? I was leaning towards the GNX4 for it's built in recorder, but if I can record at least 4 tracks with the GNX3000, then I'm inclined to lean that way, as others have commented on prefering it's tone(s). Plus it seems to have lots more amp & cabinet models, which appeals to me, too.

Hell, I don't know. This is hard.

[courtney2018]

I overlooked the 3000 because it didn't have a built in recorder. I don't want to have to connect to the computer to record. I might be traveling or something and not have my desktop with me to record an idea, so the 3000 was out for me. If you have a laptop then it most likely wouldn't be an issue.

I've heard people complain about the 3000 having latency issues and other problems live. Some were lag times between programs. I have absolutely no lag between switching programs.

The 4 has lots of amp and cabinet models, but there's probably only going to be a few that you're going to want to mess with. That's the case with me. Plus you're not stuck with using the amp or cabinet models soley. You can tweak the EQ and other settings for the amps, and presence and some other things for the cabinet. You can take the preset models from one extreme to another.

I'll be honest with you, I don't know one thing about Pro Tracks. It comes with the 4 as well. You can have like 4 or 6 (seems like it was an even number) tracks streaming back on the USB while you record. Again, I don't use the USB at all for that. I take the flash card out after I record and stick it into a card reader and transfer the files that way. I don't even use the built-in recorder anymore. Otherwise it would be another cord drapped across the floor and I have limited space. But yea, I believe the 3000 will connect to a computer using USB. The 4 definitely does. Right now I'm connected to my 32 multitrack recorder - Korg D3200. The GNX4 does what it does best - models and effects, and the Korg does what it does best - record audio.

I bought the Korg because the built-in 8 tracks on the GNX4 just weren't enough. I'd go thru 8 tracks doing layers of guitar, bass and keyboards and have to copy some of them to another "song" to continue recording the other layers. That's why I bought the Korg. Otherwise the built-in recorder is excellent.

The only thing that I've used the USB for is to save my presets that I've created and messed around with warping amps and cabinets, which can be EXTREMELY fun.

If you're stuck between a 3000 or 4 then I'd say go to the store and demo them. I'm not worried about what might or might not be in a 3000 that I don't have. I can get anything you want out of a 4.

Prejudices aside, I think you'll be completely happy with either. I don't think the 3000's files are the same as the 4's, but I could be wrong. If they aren't the same I won't be able to give you my presets. However, if you go to Digitech's Workstation forum you can download all the presets you want form other users. You can also buy the SuperModels that some guy has created. Just do a net search for Digitech GNX Supermodels. I believe he's got a set for the 3000. They are pricey, like a couple hundred dollars, but I understand that they are pretty awesome presets.

I don't know...I'm extremely pleased with what I've come up with.

What you'll hear on my myspace page is a result of direct recording. I did not mic my speakers when recording, so what you'll hear won't be as big and in your face as if you were to hear it from the speakers. Still, I've been told that my tone in my songs I did was awesome.

Feel free to ask more questions if you have them.

[ohio_eric]

If you can find a Boss GT-8 for that price they're worth every penny.

Boss GT-8

[courtney2018]

Originally Posted by courtney2018

You can also buy the SuperModels that some guy has created. Just do a net search for Digitech GNX Supermodels. I believe he's got a set for the 3000. They are pricey, like a couple hundred dollars, but I understand that they are pretty awesome presets.

Looks like he's selling it for $115. Not too bad for all the you get with it I guess.

[Sentient]

Originally Posted by courtney2018

(gobs of great info)

Dude, thanks for the great reply. E-rep for you.

I had indeed thought about just trying to do a comparison of a GNX4 & a GNX3000 in a local store... But honestly, I know me, and I know I will surely love each of them in such a short-term demo situation. The true opinion will likely come after some in-depth useage with a unit over a couple weeks time at home. I just need to choose.

The supermodels disc(s) does look very appealing. Part of me thinks, "Damn, that's a whole lot of money to give another guy just for turning the same knobs that I should be able to turn..." But then the other part of me doesn't doubt that it's most likely well worth it. Saw this old thread that was really singing it's praises: Digitech GNX Guys... MFX Supermodels =

...however, that thread also really fuels the gas for the GNX3000.

I may be able to snag a used GNX4, all accessories, AND a 1 gig flash card and reader, for $325 shipped. That's sounding like a good deal to me at the moment.... But then again, I'm still kinda on the fence about the 3000...

Originally Posted by ohio_eric

If you can find a Boss GT-8 for that price they're worth every penny.

That was really my first intention, as the price (used) is certainly right, and the features look enormous. But I now seem to be leaning more towards a GNX product at the moment.

[loktide]

For recording metal, i couldn't be happier with my podXT. The metal shop model pack is essential, though.

I think that for modern aggressive metal tones, the pod outperforms the GNX and the boss GT.

[TemjinStrife]

PODXT. Definitely, especially with the Metal Pack.

The POD 2.0 is actually a bit better sounding in headphones, but the XT makes for better recordings and live tone.

[courtney2018]

Originally Posted by Sentient

Dude, thanks for the great reply. E-rep for you.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Sentient

The supermodels disc(s) does look very appealing. Part of me thinks, "Damn, that's a whole lot of money to give another guy just for turning the same knobs that I should be able to turn..." But then the other part of me doesn't doubt that it's most likely well worth it. Saw this old thread that was really singing it's praises: Digitech GNX Guys... MFX Supermodels =

I think that the GNX can be overwhelming to some people. There are really alot of knobs you can turn to dial in your tone. But if you make it a point to learn the machine, learn what makes certain amps and cabinets sound a certain way, then you can pretty easily create any amp and cab you want. And when you do you can save that amp and cabinet that you created and use it to create presets for yourself...or warp them with something else. It's really almost endless as to what you can do.

That makes it sound like I'm saying your wasting your money if you buy the Supermodels. I'm not. I'm sure they're worth the money, but for me I wanted to figure out the machine and how to get as close as I could to a tube sound. And if you end up going with the 4 I can give you my presets. That'll keep you busy for alittle bit.

I'm sure the 3000 is made the same way. I just don't know much about it.

But like I said, which ever you end up going with I'm sure you're going to be more than happy.