OK brainiacs, I need your help

[mikhael47@gmail.com]

I have two amps, one has 4 channels (roadster) the other (tubemeister 18) has 2 channels + boost that I want to switch. I also have a GM2.

I want to A/B the amps with the GM2 switching over to the amp that is live.

I have loops 1-4 assigned to roadster ch 1-4
I have the guitar thru connected to loop 5 and I have a compressor in there. The output of Loop 5 goes to my amp.
I have loop 7 and 8 setup to switch the Tubemeister channel/boost.

This leaves me loop 6.

Is it possible to get the amps and efx loops to switch at the same time. Is it even advisable to try?

If I need two loops to do it, I can use the GM2 to switch the tubemeister, freeing up two loops (although I do have those assigned to the boost/reverb on the roadster but I never use them).

I plan on running both rigs while I am at home for various things. My main gig rig will be the tubemeister. Larger shows will take the roadster. I do not see a use for A/B'ing them live or having any real complicated switching setup.

[mikhael47@gmail.com]

Yes the 2x12 is home made, so is the empty 1x12 that is on top of the rack... LOL

[nyteowl]

One loop is enough to A/B your amps, but you'll need at least two more loops to get your GM2 into that mix. Rather than purchase a second GCX, you might want to consider a Control Switcher instead, which will give you 4 additional loops; your GCPro will recognize it as a second GCX.

If you want to A/B your amps you should connect the Loop 5 Out to the Loop 6 In, and then connect the Loop 6 Out to one amp and the Loop 6 Send to the other. That will let you A/B the amps, but you won't be able to run them simultaneously.

[mikhael47@gmail.com]

Thanks Nyteowl,

So if I get the GM2 relays to switch the tubemeister, and release loops 7 and 8, I can put the GM2's input and outputs in there and switch them between amps.

How would I wire that?

Thanks!

Mike

[nyteowl]

All depends. Do you want to run the GM2 in front of the amps or in the two amplifier's respective FX Loops?

[mikhael47@gmail.com]

In the loops, they don't sound that great out front.. not in my experience anyway. Out front would be easier, just gang up the inputs of each effect before the A/B loop.

[nyteowl]

Well, just to clarify, you'll be running the GM2 in Mono; freeing up Loops 7 and 8 won't be enough to run it in Stereo.

To run it out front, just insert it between Loops 5 and 6.

To run it in the FX Loops, make these connections:

Amp 1 FX Send -> Loop 7 In
Amp 2 FX Send -> Loop 7 Return
Loop 7 Out -> GM2 Mono In

GM2 Mono Out -> Loop 8 In
Loop 8 Send -> Amp 2 FX Return
Loop 8 Out -> Amp 1 FX Return

When Loops 7 and 8 are turned off the GM2 will be routed through Amp 1's FX Loop. When they are turned on the GM2 will be routed through Amp 2's FX Loop.

You can program the status of Loops 7 and 8 to reflect the status of Loop 6, so that when you change amps the active amp's FX Loop will be processing the GM2 signal.

[mikhael47@gmail.com]

Right on Nyteowl!! I am going to try that as soon as I can... that will make my rig very modular as well (only have to take one amp to make it all work).

I have to invest in a labelmaker!!

LOL

[mikhael47@gmail.com]

Thanks Nyteowl, this was REALLY good advice, I set this up today and it works GREAT. There is a slight bump when I move from amp to amp, but it works as expected. I have to remember to have the right combination of loops 6 7 and 8 or the routing gets sketchy.

So, you stated:

You can program the status of Loops 7 and 8 to reflect the status of Loop 6, so that when you change amps the active amp's FX Loop will be processing the GM2 signal.

How do I implement this? It would be very handy to only have to program one loop and have the other two follow.

[mikhael47@gmail.com]

This is very cool.

I can do the following with the tap of a preset

1) Select Amp
2) Select appropriate channel on that amp
3) select extra functions (i.e. boost)
4) Select proper Patch of G Major 2
5) flip the FX loop to the proper amp
6) select compressor

I am using loops 1-4 of my GCX to switch channels on the boogie. I am using loop 5 to feed a Xotic SP comp in and out of the front of the amp(s). I am using loop 6 to A/B between the amp, and loops 7 and 8 for switching the FX unit to the proper amp.

I use the relays of the GM2 to switch my Tubemeister channel/boost.

All this with a very minimal amount of noise. As long as I keep everything in order.