GCX Stuff
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:56 am
I thought I would throw in a post on some things I see asked about. I am now only a practice room player, and my rig is fairly complex simply because it can be.
7 different heads (in any configuration or all at once)
channel switching for each head
VL GCP
3 GCX
2 VL amp switchers
2 processors (1 in front, 1 sharing two loops)
Tube Driver
wah
I got massive help from this board on how to hook up everything, and it really is simple to work through once you get used to what the VL stuff will and wont do.
Now to get started
1.The GCX arent designed to switch between and combine a bunch of different amps, hence the amp selectors..used in conjunction tho..the sky is the limit.
2.your cords matter..and can and will go bad..and will cause you to scream wondering where the noise is coming from. I make my short ones..they are fairly cheap..when you are plugging and unplugging from the back..if it is humming, popping and static..try a different cord
3. some pedals HUM LOUDLY when using a AC adapter. Nothing will stop it..but on batterypower, it is fine..but then as long as cable is plugged in, you are draining the battery..I fought this with an Ibanez weeping demon..to the point i was going to get rid of it..but I made a simple battery bypass switch on the pedal..now I turn the switch off and on in between sessions..long battery life..I dont have to remember to unplug cable every time ( I can turn bybass on and off with foot)
4. keep your guitar cables as far away from those transformers and power cords as possible. You hear this loud annoying hum..you are checking everything and cursing Voodoo..then you move the cables and it goes away..organize as much as possible and keep the guitar signal path away from power cords..can be tough sometimes.
5. multiple amp hum..this can drive you bonkers..the amp switchers have ground lifts, but I am running two and a couple of my amps have to be on totally separate units ..also see #4 here as well..trust me..it matters all 7 heads on at once (which I dont do, but have) and pretty quiet..well as much as 7 tube heads can be.
If I think of any more, I will chime in. Check some of these before you flip out and think all is lost. I hope this maybe will help some as they hook things up in the quest for their dream rig.
7 different heads (in any configuration or all at once)
channel switching for each head
VL GCP
3 GCX
2 VL amp switchers
2 processors (1 in front, 1 sharing two loops)
Tube Driver
wah
I got massive help from this board on how to hook up everything, and it really is simple to work through once you get used to what the VL stuff will and wont do.
Now to get started
1.The GCX arent designed to switch between and combine a bunch of different amps, hence the amp selectors..used in conjunction tho..the sky is the limit.
2.your cords matter..and can and will go bad..and will cause you to scream wondering where the noise is coming from. I make my short ones..they are fairly cheap..when you are plugging and unplugging from the back..if it is humming, popping and static..try a different cord
3. some pedals HUM LOUDLY when using a AC adapter. Nothing will stop it..but on batterypower, it is fine..but then as long as cable is plugged in, you are draining the battery..I fought this with an Ibanez weeping demon..to the point i was going to get rid of it..but I made a simple battery bypass switch on the pedal..now I turn the switch off and on in between sessions..long battery life..I dont have to remember to unplug cable every time ( I can turn bybass on and off with foot)
4. keep your guitar cables as far away from those transformers and power cords as possible. You hear this loud annoying hum..you are checking everything and cursing Voodoo..then you move the cables and it goes away..organize as much as possible and keep the guitar signal path away from power cords..can be tough sometimes.
5. multiple amp hum..this can drive you bonkers..the amp switchers have ground lifts, but I am running two and a couple of my amps have to be on totally separate units ..also see #4 here as well..trust me..it matters all 7 heads on at once (which I dont do, but have) and pretty quiet..well as much as 7 tube heads can be.
If I think of any more, I will chime in. Check some of these before you flip out and think all is lost. I hope this maybe will help some as they hook things up in the quest for their dream rig.