4 amps, multiple effects with GCX

[GibsonJ1975]

New to forum, y’all. Go easy on me....

Looking to use my (new to me) ground control pro with a GCX or 2 to run my semi complex set up.
I have 4 amps, 2 rack effects and 14 total analog pedals and an echoplex EP-3.
I’d really love to be able to control on/off/combinations with one ground control pro.

Is this even possible?

Thanks in advance

[wizard_23]

Sounds like an awesome rig.

Maybe start mapping out the order you want and put together a plan and then others can critique it?

I've got a similarish rig almost completed. Started out with 2 x GCXs but along the way a Switchblade GL came up for sale so now I'm running that with a single GCX.

It basically goes through the GCX and Switchblade for different combinations of FX and then the last 4 outs on the Switchblade go to my amps.

Things you will need to consider if you haven't already are polarity/phase inversion and ground loops. But for starters, let us know what sweet gear you're looking to connect!

[PFDarkside]

Do you want to run Mono, Stereo, Wet/Dry, Wet/Dry/Wet, etc.?

Are your amps all individually available or do you flip flop from A/B? (if A and B are never used together you save a loop). Do they have any channel switching or functions you want to access?

I’m counting 21 items to switch, fewer if you want the rack units to only be MIDI controlled and if you have flip/flopping amps, more if you are going to switch amp channels, Reverb, etc.

The stock GCP is able to control up to 4 GCX and 8(?) MIDI devices. So depending on how you choose your loops you may need 2 or 3 GCX units. The GCP can control these along with the MIDI Rack Units.

You can select two modes:
-10 Presets per bank:
Each Bank has 10 presets, each preset has the status of every item “memorized” so you can select Bank 1 Patch 1 and it is Amp 1, Effect loops 1 & 2 and specific MIDI patches on your processors. Bank 1 Patch 2 can be Amp 2, Effect Loops 3 & 4 and specific MIDI patches on your processors, etc. You can setup all your presets like this and you can use Up/Down to cycle through them as well.

-4 Presets per bank with 10 Instant Access:
Presets are the same as above, in addition you get 8 switches that will manually bring in/out effects, amp channels/functions/MIDI Messages, etc. Unfortunately these are fixed across all banks/presets so you have to choose your 8 IA, and keep them.

If you are looking to be able to manually control all the loops individually it’s above what the GCP can currently do. If you are looking for either scenario above, the GCP with multiple GCX will work well.

[Chese311]

Nice!! As mentioned above it really all depends on your end goal. My particular Over-The-Top rig is utilizing 8 amps, 5 cabs, a butt-load of pedals Etc Etc. I’m gonna need a 2nd GCP ultimately. But for the most part one press of a footswitch on the GCP can conjure up any combination of anything I want in my rig. Pretty cool. Especially when I’m finally done with it. Close. 🤏. So, so close

[GibsonJ1975]

Thanks for the input, guys...I’m a noob with midi.
I guess what I THOUGHT the GCX and ground control could do, it cannot.

I want the ability to run ANY combo of stomp box, rack effect, and amp. I’m not interested in wet/dry/wet setups as each amp is dialed for its “sweet spot” and left alone. Currently use Radial switchers for the amps. It works but my pedal board is huge. Currently each amp has dedicated effects. Mostly some reverb and a smidge of delay. 2 of my amps are “pre effects loop era” so delays and verb go right in the front. Not sure if there even is a product that can do what I have in my head...lol

So, I’m gonna use my ground control to run my rack effects to one amp...leave the other 3 all analog.

[Chese311]

Kinda tough to picture what you’re wanting to do. The GCP and a GCX can do a * load of things. Worst case maybe you’d need 2 or 3 of something. I’m ultimately gonna need 2 GCP’s for my ridiculous over the top rig

[Marlboro05]

Hi there,
You would need 2 GC Pros, with the beta firmware. One in preset mode or 4 preset, 8 instant access and the other in instant access mode. You would probably also need up to 3 GCX depending on amps pedals etc. I’d also go for a mixer such as a Rane SM82S, this can be you insert for your effects that can run parallel and your multi effects units as well as the amps to be levelled if running multiple together.
Tell us exactly what you have and we may be able to help you more.

Cheers