Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Q & A for building and interfacing your rack gear with Ground Control Pro and GCX-based systems.
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weblogik
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:38 pm

Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Post by weblogik »

I am looking to not break the bank, so im considering a used Original Ground Control. Other then less buttons / presets, what are the main feature differences? i need very basic operation and im not playing out live or anything.

Cant find any documentation about the old version... i found one for $150. Good price?

thanks!

nyteowl
Posts: 1389
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:53 am

Re: Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Post by nyteowl »

weblogik wrote:I am looking to not break the bank, so im considering a used Original Ground Control. Other then less buttons / presets, what are the main feature differences? i need very basic operation and im not playing out live or anything.

Cant find any documentation about the old version... i found one for $150. Good price?

thanks!
Here's a link where you can download a copy of the original DMC Ground Control manual...

...and here's a link to an eBay Auction for a DMC Ground Control. Personally, I don't think $150 is a good price, but that's just my opinion; I could be wrong.
For Sale: Original DMC GCX in Excellent Condition ($275) and a far more versatile SoundSculpture GL also in Excellent Condition ($1750). Free CONUS Shipping.

weblogik
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:38 pm

Re: Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Post by weblogik »

nyteowl wrote:
weblogik wrote:I am looking to not break the bank, so im considering a used Original Ground Control. Other then less buttons / presets, what are the main feature differences? i need very basic operation and im not playing out live or anything.

Cant find any documentation about the old version... i found one for $150. Good price?

thanks!
Here's a link where you can download a copy of the original DMC Ground Control manual...

...and here's a link to an eBay Auction for a DMC Ground Control. Personally, I don't think $150 is a good price, but that's just my opinion; I could be wrong.
Hi thanks for that link i appreciate it :)

You think its too much huh... I have access to a Groundcontrol pro for $275 including shipping... i just dont think i need all the features and its gigantic lol.

nyteowl
Posts: 1389
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:53 am

Re: Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Post by nyteowl »

weblogik wrote:You think its too much huh... I have access to a Groundcontrol pro for $275 including shipping... i just dont think i need all the features and its gigantic lol.
Yeah, the GCPro is a bit bigger, but it's only 17" wide whereas the DMC unit is 21" wide, although that might not matter since your rig is stationary. Still, for $275 it's a much better deal than a DMC Ground Control for $150. You may not need any of those extra GCPro features now, but you might farther on down the road. Whatever you end up with, will you be using it with a GCX or as a standalone unit?
For Sale: Original DMC GCX in Excellent Condition ($275) and a far more versatile SoundSculpture GL also in Excellent Condition ($1750). Free CONUS Shipping.

weblogik
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:38 pm

Re: Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Post by weblogik »

nyteowl wrote:
weblogik wrote:You think its too much huh... I have access to a Groundcontrol pro for $275 including shipping... i just dont think i need all the features and its gigantic lol.
Yeah, the GCPro is a bit bigger, but it's only 17" wide whereas the DMC unit is 21" wide, although that might not matter since your rig is stationary. Still, for $275 it's a much better deal than a DMC Ground Control for $150. You may not need any of those extra GCPro features now, but you might farther on down the road. Whatever you end up with, will you be using it with a GCX or as a standalone unit?
i have a GCX on its way will be here early next week...

Running a 3 effect racks (lexicon mpx1 , digitech s400 , digitech s100) for now, a dbx compressor rack, and switching between a Marshall Jcm2000 dsl401 combo and a Fender princeton reverb.

Im a real noob to guitar signal routing , the effect racks come from my synth setup that has since gone software...

ideally i'd like a midi pedal board to use as a stomp box kinda, do turn on / bypass the effects and switch channels. And id like to have a few presets like, Fender Clean Chorus Reverb , Marshall Distorted Delay... That kind of thing ;)

weblogik
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:38 pm

Re: Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Post by weblogik »

weblogik wrote:
nyteowl wrote:
weblogik wrote:You think its too much huh... I have access to a Groundcontrol pro for $275 including shipping... i just dont think i need all the features and its gigantic lol.
Yeah, the GCPro is a bit bigger, but it's only 17" wide whereas the DMC unit is 21" wide, although that might not matter since your rig is stationary. Still, for $275 it's a much better deal than a DMC Ground Control for $150. You may not need any of those extra GCPro features now, but you might farther on down the road. Whatever you end up with, will you be using it with a GCX or as a standalone unit?
i have a GCX on its way will be here early next week...

Running a 3 effect racks (lexicon mpx1 , digitech s400 , digitech s100) for now, a dbx compressor rack, and switching between a Marshall Jcm2000 dsl401 combo and a Fender princeton reverb.

Im a real noob to guitar signal routing , the effect racks come from my synth setup that has since gone software...

ideally i'd like a midi pedal board to use as a stomp box kinda, do turn on / bypass the effects and switch channels. And id like to have a few presets like, Fender Clean Chorus Reverb , Marshall Distorted Delay... That kind of thing ;)
bump if anyone wants to weigh in on ground control original vs ground control pro for my needs, i need to make a decision today or the pro is gonna be gone ... thx!!!

Fustman
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:44 pm

Re: Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Post by Fustman »

I've owner both. I currently have 2 original updated DMC Ground Controls (because I was on a tight budget and needed to have one as a backup as I do play my rig live).

I would personally go for the Pro - if you can afford it. I think $275 shipped is a better buy than $150 for DMC.

If you are wanting to turn on/off specific parameters (like a stompbox setup) definitely get the Pro. It has space for 8 IA switches as opposed to 6 for the DMC Ground Control - and you run out of spots quick...

Also, you need to have the updated firmware on the DMC Ground Control to make IA switches for sending CC messages to turns parameters on and off (you can only make presets with the older versions). The metal round switches on the Pro are better, and less likely to give you mechanical issue as well.

Hope that helps!

weblogik
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:38 pm

Re: Ground Control vs Ground Control Pro

Post by weblogik »

Thanks guys. I have decided to get the pro and its on the way :) Ill have many more noob questions for everyone next week, stay tuned!
:mrgreen:

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