running gcx with plexi and tweed deluxe

[jonaslondon]

Hi there,
I'm currently using my gcx with one amp but I'm thinking about the possibility of being able to kick an extra amp (without fx) in there
My chain at the moment is guitar into loop1 in then OD, loop 2 badcat preamp, loop 3 fuzz then goes into the guitar input (so the buffer is after the drives) loop 4 is my tuner, then into loop 7 for my eventide od factor then loop 8 eventide time factor and then out into my amp.
So how would I go about running my plexi on at all times with all loops and the tweed deluxe dry sometimes on sometimes off .
Thanks
Jonas

[JohnClark]

Do you want the extra amp completely dry, with only the unaffected guitar signal going to it?

[jonaslondon]

Yes, if possible.

[JohnClark]

In that case you will likely need to place the buffer in front of all your pedals in order to prevent the second amp from loading down your pickups. Some experimentation will be needed. However you decide to split your raw guitar signal, you will run one side of the split to your pedals and off to the current amplifier, the other side of the split will go to the In of an unused GCX loop and that loop's Send will run to the input of the second amplifier.

[jonaslondon]

I don't want to be running the amp at all times tho, I'd like to be able to have it on or off on a switch from the ground control, is that possible?

[JohnClark]

That is what the GCX loop that I describe above will do. Whenever that GCX Loop is on, signal will go to the amp, whenever that GCX loop is off it will mute the amp. I hope this helps.

[jonaslondon]

I think I know what u mean, will I need a signal splitter of some sort tho? To have in the loop where the "dry" amp. Is that the best to hook the amp in the loop?
Thanks for your time

[JohnClark]

I think I know what u mean, will I need a signal splitter of some sort tho? To have in the loop where the "dry" amp. Is that the best to hook the amp in the loop?
Thanks for your time

I order to split your dry signal, you will likely need a buffer before the split. The reason you need to split the signal at this point is because you want the second amplifier to not have any of the effects routed to it.
The GCX loop is needed because you want to turn the amp on and off.

You can try this routing out:

1. Connect your guitar to the Guitar In on the front panel of the GCX.
2. Connect the Guitar Out on the rear panel of the GCX to the In of GCX Loop 1 and route GCX Loops 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 in series before the front of your main amplifier. (This will place the buffer before the signal split, but it will also place it before the overdrive pedals.)
3. Connect the rear panel Feedthru to the input of GCX Loop 5.
4. Connect the Send of GCX Loop 5 to the In of the amplifier that is to be turned on and off.

Good Luck!

[jonaslondon]

Thanks! very helpful. one last thing. I'm a little confused how to go about using the VCA ? I was reading the manual but couldnt really work it out, do I need to leave loop 8 out to be able to use it ? is that right?
cheers

[JohnClark]

Enabling the VCA takes the eighth device location in the Device Name/Channel list, it does not affect the GCX loops in any way.
The VCA is a feature of the System Mix Plus, if you do not have a System Mix Plus then you will not be able to use the VCA settings in the Ground Control Pro.

I hope that helps!