GCP/GCX with G-Major 2 and Mesa Mark V

Q & A for building and interfacing your rack gear with Ground Control Pro and GCX-based systems.
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Levenso
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:18 am

GCP/GCX with G-Major 2 and Mesa Mark V

Post by Levenso »

Hi everyone, I seek advice to connect my kit as efficiently as possible.

I use a GCP/GCX with a G-Major 2, a stompbox (TS-9) and a Mesa Mark V. I intent to use the 4 presets configuration. I would like to use the IA buttons to control my stompbox and different effects in my G-M2, such as flanger and delay. I would like to use GCX loop 6 & 7 to control channel switching and loop 8 to switch "solo" mode on my amp.

Question If I use loop 6-7-8 for channel switching, will I still be able to control effects in my G-Maj2 with IA buttons 6-7-8?

I know however I could always use the relays on the G-Maj2 for channel switching and use the "boost" function for my solo, as an alternative. But my first intent was to connect my G-Maj 2 on a loop on the GCX and not having it "on" all the time

Here's my plan
Presets
#1 clean sound (amp ch 1 with chorus and dynamic delay)
#2 slight crunch sound (amp ch 2 with amp reverb)
#3 Insane crunch sound (amp ch 3 with amp reverb)
#4 lead sound (amp ch 4 with TS-9 and delay)

IA buttons
#1 TS-9 stompbox
#2 Phaser (G-Maj 2)
#3 Chorus (G-Maj 2)
#4 Flanger (G-Maj 2)
#5 Mute/Tuner (G-Maj 2)
#6 Pitch shifter (G-Maj 2)
#7 Delay (G-Maj 2)
#8 Reverb or Boost/Solo (G-Maj 2 or amp switch)

GCX Loops
#1 Stompbox
#2 Not used or mute
#3-4 not used
#5 G-Maj 2
#6-7 Amp channel switching
#8 Amp "Solo" function

Any advice?
thanks

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

Re: GCP/GCX with G-Major 2 and Mesa Mark V

Post by nyteowl »

Answer: No.

IA buttons are limited to a single function, so Loops 6, 7, and 8 on your GCX can either switch channels on your Mesa or control effects on your GM-2, but they cannot do both.
For Sale: Original DMC GCX in Excellent Condition ($275) and a far more versatile SoundSculpture GL also in Excellent Condition ($1750). Free CONUS Shipping.

Levenso
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:18 am

Re: GCP/GCX with G-Major 2 and Mesa Mark V

Post by Levenso »

Then, my best option is probably to use 10 presets instead. That way I'll be able to create all the sounds I want, my G-Maj2 will only use one loop (if not directly plugged into my amp effects loop). With this settiing, I suppose I will be able to use loop 6 to 8 for my amp.

Or, I'll use G-Maj2 relays for channel switching and the boost option for my solos.

thanks

AllanWilliams
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Sep 07, 2013 11:12 pm

Re: GCP/GCX with G-Major 2 and Mesa Mark V

Post by AllanWilliams »

Hi Levenso.
My rig is very similar to use. GCX to some stompobox pedals. I use an eclispse where you've got a G-Maj. I also have a Mark V. The one difference in my rig to yours is that I have an RJM Mini Amp Gizmo which makes life much easier for controlling the amp and accessing all its switchable functions, but because you have room in your GCX, there is no issue with assigning your amp witching through that.
Similarly I've had to go through the same exercise you are. Took me a few adjustments to get my head around how to bring it all together best, but here's what I've ended up doing.

I have the GCPro in 4 presets mode. I then have a bank of 4 presets around a particular sound. For example if I have some songs that have a Chorus sound in and out of that type of song, I'll set up the 4 presets of one bank with say 1. clean and chorus, 2. clean and chorus and delay, 3. crunch, chorus, delay, 4. clean only. Another bank say around phaser. Or I'll use a particular bank for a particular song if it needs it. So my presets are combinations of eclipse sounds, stompboxes and amp settings.

Then there is the IA buttons. Because this can feel a bit limited what I did thanks to some good advice, was start using some of those preset sound setups and then take note of what I would change or want to be dynamic while I was playing. These functions became my IA button assignments. I've got 3 for channel 1, 2, 3 of the amp, 1 for reverb on/off on the amp, 1 for mute on/off on the amp, 1 for solo on the amp, 1 for tap tempo into the Eclipse, and 1 for switching in my BB Boost pedal (similar use to your TS9 most likely)

So that way I can pick a preset by bank and I've got other preset combinations within that same bank that are easy to go to, or I have the flexibilty of those IA buttons above to change any one of those elements. If I'm on Bank 1, preset 1, which is say the clean and chorus above, I could easily tap on the reverb, change to channel 2, kick in the solo boost. To go back to just the clean and chorus again instead of tapping three buttons, I can just retap the preset 1 button and I'm back to the clean and chorus without the changes I made on the fly.

Works ok for me. Maybe works for you too.
Cheers

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