Mutliple amps effects loops, one pedalboard.

[rp108]

Hi,

I have been trying to figure this out and not sure if it's possible. I have multiple amps with effects loops and I want to be able to switch which amp loop is going through my pedalboard.

Is this at all possible with the GCX?

Thanks.

[nyteowl]

Please define multiple amps, as in exactly how many amps are you talking about? Also, if you would, please tell us what effects you want to run in the FX Loops and how you plan to control those effects.

Without knowing all the details, it's rather difficult to answer your question properly.

[rp108]

Sorry about that. As of now it's three amps but could be more in the future. The effects will not be controlled by the GCX. I want my pedalboard to be a central hub for the effects, all control will be done on the board. Basically, choose which amp sends the signal to the pedalboard and return that signal back to the amp. I want the GCX to switch between which amp effects loop sends the signal to the pedalboard and return that signal back to the amps effects loop.

I have it figured out for running the pedalboard in front of multiple amps, I am just not sure how to use one pedalboard for multiple amp effects loops.

I should mention I plan on only running one amp at a time.

The approach I took on running the pedalboard in front of multiple amps is like this.

Guitar -> L1 IN -> L1 SND -> Pedalboard SND
Pedalboard RTN -> L1 RTN -> L1 OUT -> L2 IN
L2 SND -> AMP 1 IN
L2 OUT -> L3 IN
L3 SND -> AMP 2 IN
L3 OUT -> L4 IN
L4 SND -> AMP 3 IN

This seems straight forward. I can't figure out an approach to do this for each amps effects loop to the pedalboard.

[nyteowl]

Okay, so the GCX will only be controlling which amp's FX loop is active, and at the moment you're only using three amps. I've done this before with two amps, but will need some time to sort out the routing for 3 amps.

What are you using to control the GCX?

[rp108]

Most likely a GCP.

[nyteowl]

Okay. Do you already have a GCX?

[rp108]

No I do not. I used to have one (actually two) when I ran a rack setup and thought it was really good. The GCP was awesome as well. I downsized to a pedalboard for live use but for my home studio, I have multiple rigs and want to be able to easily switch between them. I figured the GCX would be a good place to start but can't seem to grasp the routing that I already mentioned. If it can be done, then the GCX is what I will be using.

[nyteowl]

I asked because a GCX, while a very powerful unit in its own right, might not be the optimal solution for what you want to do, especially since you may want to add additional amps and FX loops in the future. Let me see what I can come up with.

[nyteowl]

One last question...while using this multi-amp rig in your studio, will you be changing amps on the fly (e.g., in the middle of whatever song you're playing/recording) and wanting the effects chain to move with you each time you switch amps, or will you just be playing/recording one amp at a time?

[rp108]

I would like to be able to do that. I would like to switch between them with the guitar and effects switching to each amp.