New GCX User

Q & A for building and interfacing your rack gear with Ground Control Pro and GCX-based systems.
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Satch4u3
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 4:38 pm

New GCX User

Post by Satch4u3 »

Hi guys,

I purhcased and brand new GCX yesterday. Is it normal to expereince a some what, change in tone when plugged in to a GCX? . My setup is as follows:

Guitar > Guitar In > Feed Through > Loop 1 > Loop 2 > Mark V Input

When plugging into the GCX it feels and sounds a little different than it does when I am plugged staight in to my amp. It's almost like I can hear circutry. Maybe it's just me. Anyone else expereince this?

domct203
Posts: 157
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 11:07 am

Re: New GCX User

Post by domct203 »

What you are probably experiencing is the effect of a quality buffer on your guitar signal. I'm not sure what you mean by "hearing circuitry". Your signal should be crisper and clearer, with an improvement in high end response.

Can you better describe this change in sound?

Dom
Ground Control Pro | GCX | Control Switcher | PP2+ | Mesa Dual Rectifier Roadster | Mesa Mark V | Mesa Stiletto Deuce | (2) Mesa Rectifier 4X12's | '73 Gibson Les Paul Custom | '12 Gibson Les Paul Trad | '10 Carvin CT6M | TC G-Major

JohnClark
Posts: 7494
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 2:33 pm
Location: The Lab

Re: New GCX User

Post by JohnClark »

You can test for a problem by simply plugging your guitar into the front panel Feedthru... however this will introduce more loading on your pickups due to the additional, now non-buffered, cable.

A good comparison that keeps the load on the pickups the same would be to switch between running your guitar to the Guitar In as you mentioned above vs connecting your guitar directly to your amp using the same cable leading from the guitar in both cases.
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Legacy
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:29 pm

Re: New GCX User

Post by Legacy »

JohnClark wrote:You can test for a problem by simply plugging your guitar into the front panel Feedthru... however this will introduce more loading on your pickups due to the additional, now non-buffered, cable.

A good comparison that keeps the load on the pickups the same would be to switch between running your guitar to the Guitar In as you mentioned above vs connecting your guitar directly to your amp using the same cable leading from the guitar in both cases.
Hi John
i have question about buffer here.I have Line 3 wireless which is buffered(right?).
So would i plug it through Guitar In or Feed Through?

Thanks

Satch4u3
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 4:38 pm

Re: New GCX User

Post by Satch4u3 »

JohnClark wrote:You can test for a problem by simply plugging your guitar into the front panel Feedthru... however this will introduce more loading on your pickups due to the additional, now non-buffered, cable.

A good comparison that keeps the load on the pickups the same would be to switch between running your guitar to the Guitar In as you mentioned above vs connecting your guitar directly to your amp using the same cable leading from the guitar in both cases.

I can definetly hear the difference between Guitar in and Feed Thru. Guitar In sounds and feels better. But I most definetly hear a difference when plugged straight in. I can hear loss in bottom end "umpff" and what sounds like a little coloring of the tone, when i am plugged into the GCXs Guitar in. It still sounds good but different. Maybe I will need to re-EQ to get it back. Or maybe it is something I will have to get use to.

I have spent the last couple evenings getting use to the buffer

JohnClark
Posts: 7494
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 2:33 pm
Location: The Lab

Re: New GCX User

Post by JohnClark »

Legacy wrote:Hi John
i have question about buffer here.I have Line 3 wireless which is buffered(right?).
So would i plug it through Guitar In or Feed Through?

Thanks
Normally a wireless would connect directly to the In of the first GCX Loop used for any front end effects. This is because it is by default already a buffered signal coming from the receiver, and typically the output from a rack mounted receiver is on the back of the unit.

One trick that is also common is to run the output of the receiver to the rear panel Feedthru, then connect a short patch cable from the front panel Feedthru to the Guitar In. The Guitar Out would then go to wherever you were originally going to run the signal. the reason for this is that if for any reason you simply wanted to use a regular guitar cable, you could simply remove the patch cable feeding the Guitar In and connect the guitar cable all without having to even look at the back of the rack.

I hope that helps!

p.s. Line 3?
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