2 GCX / 2 Amps / 1 FX Loop

Q & A for building and interfacing your rack gear with Ground Control Pro and GCX-based systems.
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txdean
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:31 am
Location: Switzerland

2 GCX / 2 Amps / 1 FX Loop

Post by txdean »

Hi again,

Unlike the last time (http://voodoolab.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4173) I decided to run the whole system on 2 GCX units. It allows me to buy & upgrade more pedals for my rig and yet shall give me the comforts of having everything controlled thru the GCP!

Now here comes the tricky question: can anyone please take a closer look at the FX loop section on the GCX#2 config?

I'd like to have the FX loop on or off all the time for both amps (the amp switching is on loop#2.1 and loop#2.2). My main concern is the returning point on loop#2.5, on which I want to send the signal back to each fx return thru a y-cable. Does this work? Or do you have any other ideas?

Thank you guys very much for your support!

Best,
Dennis
Attachments
VoodooLab GCX Setup - Dual Config.png

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

Re: 2 GCX / 2 Amps / 1 FX Loop

Post by nyteowl »

Back again, eh? Small diagrams are difficult enough to read and get even more so when enlarged, but I'll give this another shot.

Let's deal with the FX Sends first. Although the red arrows indicate signals running in the wrong direction, you show the HiWatt FX Send feeding the In of Loop 2.3 (which is okay) and the Vox FX Send feeding the Send of Loop 2.3, which is not okay. It should be feeding the Loop 2.3 Return, but even connected correctly this will not work the way you wish it to because only the In or the Return jack of any loop can be active, not both simultaneously, so only one of your FX Loops will be active.

Second, I would strongly advise against connecting two independent FX Loop Returns via a Y-cable because by doing so you'll be cross-connecting the two amp's respective pre-amp sections and sending their respective signals back to both amplifier power sections. Not a good idea.

I would suggest doing one of these two things:

1. Run the Viper in the FX Loop of one amp and the Carbon Copy in the FX Loop of the other amp, as follows:


Amp FX Send to GCX Loop In -> GCX Send/Return to pedal -> GCX Loop Out to Amp FX Return.

This way you only use two loops and you can program them so they are On or Off separately or together.

2. If you absolutely insist on processing both amp's signals thru the Viper and Carbon Copy at the same time, consider adding a small mixer and run these effects in Parallel as opposed to Series.
For Sale: Original DMC GCX in Excellent Condition ($275) and a far more versatile SoundSculpture GL also in Excellent Condition ($1750). Free CONUS Shipping.

txdean
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:31 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: 2 GCX / 2 Amps / 1 FX Loop

Post by txdean »

Woo-hoo!! nyteowl! Yesss, back on the track! Thank you so much (again) for your wise words! ;)

Hm. OK, I see what you are saying about the conflicts with the signal routing and the chances of damaging the amplifier (and to put it that way, I learn a lot as well! :oops: ). So, with other words the only option I had to run an independent switchable effect chain simultaneously on both amps thru the FX path would be using stereo units as shown in the examples from voodoolab (http://voodoolab.com/gcxdiagrams/08-Dual_GCX_(2of2).pdf)? Well, then I prefer your first suggestion!

Again, I sure appreciate this a lot! Thank you for taking a close look on my drawing and being so patient and precise with your explanations.

Take good care,
Dennis

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

Re: 2 GCX / 2 Amps / 1 FX Loop

Post by nyteowl »

I think Option 1 is at least worth trying, Dennis, because you can make these connections right away and get to hear what the rig sounds like before buying anything else.

On the other hand, don't discount Option 2. Running your FX in parallel gives you both a dry and a wet signal, which a lot of people (including myself) find preferable to running everything in series.

As always, keep us posted on your progress...

For Sale: Original DMC GCX in Excellent Condition ($275) and a far more versatile SoundSculpture GL also in Excellent Condition ($1750). Free CONUS Shipping.

txdean
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:31 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: 2 GCX / 2 Amps / 1 FX Loop

Post by txdean »

Will do so, Sir! :)

Yes, good point! ... "before buying anything else."!!! The usual madness...!

Option 2? Well, OK, let's face it: the more I think about it, the more confused I get... Would you mind telling me more about it?

And also, just to have asked you before I go out there and find/buy all the unnecessaries, but nothing really useful: do you have any recommendations for small mixers? Roadworthy and reasonable? I still got a Behringer Eurorack UB1002 (http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UB1002.aspx) - would this do the job?

I am deeply grateful for your help... can I send you some Swiss chocholate to show you my appreciation? ;)

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