Thinking of buying a GNX3...

  • Thread starter Thread starter DMBean83
  • Start date Start date
D

DMBean83

New member
So I was lookng for a loop-recorder type of deal so I could jam with myself, and I came across the Digitech GNX3. Of course I then found that it also includes a built-in 8-track recorder and that it has the whole effects=processing thing going for it.
Since I have also been looking at 4-tracks and 8-tracks, or really any means of recording myself, and (to a lesser extent) POD-type effects processors, I thought to myself "hey I should by that. I mean it has all the different stuff I am looking for all in one unit and at a relatively low price."

so why shouldn't I buy it? I mean, why not? Sure I could just buy a Boss loop station, but that is only $200 less and lacks the other features that I want. Don't tell me to buy a POD, because the main things I want are a loop-recorder to jam with and soemthing to record myself with. someone educate me.
 
Honestly, this seems like the greatest contraption ever concieved by mankind.
Tell me where I'm wrong.
 
Buy it. Then give us all a review. It looks pretty cool, especially for the price.
 
Doesn't anyone around here have one? or has anyone even used one? I'm sure someone has.
 
I've never seen it, much less used it... but the DigiTech gear I have seen/tried sucked pretty badly...............

The Traynor of the new millenium.......! (no... actually, that award goes to Peavey!)
 
Yeah, I forgot to tell you I'm not a guitar player.:rolleyes:

I just thought it looked cool.:cool:

Sorry:p
 
Some kid in the guitar forum had the same question... then he bought one and regreted it... but he was looking for the holy grail of multi-tasking processors. Maybe do a search in that forum. If you're just looking to jam with yourself, I think it's an ok buy. Personally, I think it's kinda pricey... basically getting a jack of all trades. For the same money, you get into some used or close-out gear and do the same thing with better options and maybe better quality.
 
The Traynor of the new millenium.......! (no... actually, that award goes to Peavey!)
Click to expand...

Blue.... You Must not have ever Crate???

F.S.
 
Why don't ya buy a Zoom MRS-4 (4 track recorder) for like $229 and a Digitech Genesis 3 for like $300... Saves you money and it's more portable... And you'll have your own DESKTOP homestudio instead of a half useless guitar multiFX floorboard + 8 track recorder...
 
I would tend to agree with Speeddemon. I will also offer up my expieriance (sp?). I bought a RP12 (Digitech) a few years back. Oh it was cool, It had everything I could ever want. I played on it for a while but then..... I found I could not use it live because it had a dead spot every time I wanted to switch effects. After all of the novilty of the (IMHO) useless effects went away I realized I still didn't have a good amp. The straw that broke the camels back was when I bought a PRS and I found that the processor killed the natural sound of the guitar. So you can guess the end of the story. I sold it at a huge loss.

Get the boss 4trak or something like it and get a good used amp.
Buy a delay pedal if you like also.

Just my opinion

F.S.
 
Traynor............haven't heard that name in a long time. Verrry Verrry bad memories of smelly electrical things burning, filling the air, sparks flying. Very sad.
 
but the loop sampling guys. the loop sampling. what can I do about the loop sampling?
 
well, most newer digital recorders feature auto punch in/out, and most of them can set that to loop.
I dunno what the current US price is for the GNX3, but in the Netherlands it sits around $800! And a $300 Genesis 3 (with basically the same sounds and effects) + a $229 Zoom MRS-4 will only run ya $529....
 
Trust me....:) The loop sampler on the digitech is nothing great unless they have made drastic improvements. You will get board of playing along with the same 10 seconds of guitar over and over. And that's if you can manage to stomp the pedal in just the right place so it doesn't end up sounding like a broken record when it plays back.

Wouldn't you rather just record a 5 minute rythem trak and play next to it. Then you would also have the ability to record some multi trak stuff. Plus you can put in a key change if you want. soloing in the same key forever gets boring to. If you want to loop, then loop it like Speeddemon said. You would want a machine that (as part of the record function) alows you to loop a trak while you record another trak until you get it right. They will not call this function a sampler or a looper. It will be like Speeddemon said, an auto punch function with looping ability.
It may also just have a auto loop mode as well, but it wont be in big yellow words on the box so you'll have to do some research. I am sure someone here could help you if you post a new thread asking just that.


F.S.
 
DMBean83,

It all depends on what kind of recording you want to do. If your looking for multiple tracks with drums, bass and guitar then I say no. The AD convertors cannot be all that good in such a device.

If you simply want multiple guitar tracks to allow you to solo against or build layered sounds then yeah maybe it might be worth the leap. My 2 cents.

Eventually though you would want to get those sounds out of the unit and into a recording device.

I had the RP7 from Digitech and after the newness wore off I realized the unit was trying to accomplish too many things and was not all that great except for a few basic sounds. Also, the 1 second delay between going from one sound to the next does not cut it for live playing when you need to go from rythmn to lead fast. If you are a player that keeps the same sound on each song then these are OK but most guitar players today tend to have 2-3 sounds per song they jump around in.

Live I still prefer multiple effects boxes which can pop in and out with a simple footstomp and according to my mood. With the multi unit effects you have to constantly go through a mental excerise of, "Where was that Jimi Henrix Wah sound? Let's see, tap the mode button, switch banks, punch in wah, go to pedal". Too many steps unless you are quadbidextrious. (not sure if that is a word)

I view these devices as studio only or quiet rehearsel i.e. headphones, type of devices. IMHO
 
So why would the digital 8-track in this device be inferior to any other 4 track or 8track (that costs only a few hundred $)?

And while it may be complicated to get to the effects, how else can I get so many at such a low price?

And why would the loop-sampling of this particular machine not be good for live performance?

and a GNX3 here is $500.
 
So why would the digital 8-track in this device be inferior to any other 4 track or 8track (that costs only a few hundred $)?
Click to expand...

Well It's the law of the universe, Any on machine that tries to do it all will be mediocre at all:) well who knows it may work fine I can not say but I can say I doubt you will be able to trigger the playback from stomping a pedal (as far as the recorder goes).



And while it may be complicated to get to the effects, how else can I get so many at such a low price?
Click to expand...

You won't. Theres a reason.

And why would the loop-sampling of this particular machine not be good for live performance?
Click to expand...

well going back to my days with the rp12, which was the top of the line unit just like this one. Really it looks like mine was nicer, plus it cost me $800.00. if you use the actual loop function, not the recorder. you had to do it then and there and when you unpluged it or let your foot off it was gone. and as far as a live performance, what do you plan to pipe it threw? Have you got a decent amp?

Hey this thing is more than likely the greatest thing since sliced bread. I didn't listen to anyone (including my brain) when I got my first five amps or my rp12 or the two amps after that. All I can tell you is that if had all the money I have spent on amps and the like I could have two or three marshall stacks, and that is no shit. So if you don't have a good amp and a good guitar just consider what I am saying. Hell for the price of my rp12 alone I could have got a nice marshall half stack. Oh the humanity!!!!

If you buy one just make sure you get it with a good no questions return policy. And then make sure you use it just like you plan to (live?) right away.

Good luck man.

Oh, rest easy knowing in your place I would do the same thing $@%%$%$#%!!!!! (cussing my self out for all the money I have waisted).

F.S.

PS: I don't mean to rant I've just have been there, done that. And everyone is different. this may work fine for you.
 
DMBean83

Only your ears can tell the difference between the various recorders. I would imagine that the answer to your question lies in the quality of the A/D converts in the Digitech. If they are marginal then you will hear the difference. If you like what you hear over the others then go with it.

If you are playing live then you will also enjoy the sounds. But you will see right away that you have to do a lot of programming to get prepared to use it live first. Then there is that transition delay between effects. These all in one units are fun to play with but my experience led me to sell mine and I went back to pedals.

Now if home recording is your interest and you still want the sounds, go with your inexpensive recorder and get the Digitech Genesis 3. You will end up spending a little less, have most of the same sounds, and be set up for a broader capability for recording.

If you have a Guitar Center nearby I would suggest playing with all of this gear prior to buying. Let your ears be your guide.
 
DMBean83 said:
And while it may be complicated to get to the effects, how else can I get so many at such a low price?
Click to expand...
Digitech Genesis 3. Didn't you read a WORD I said? :confused:
I bet that although my suggestion will cost ya $30 more, it WILL have better ad/da converters, and the recorder (=Zoom MRS-4)has probably more options. Not to mention it has faders!
There are some even smaller palmtop recorders around (from Korg, Tascam and Zoom (PS-03) for less than $200...
Don't say we DIDN'T point out to you the existence of the thread where a guy thought the GNX3 was the best thing ever, and regretted his buy afterwards...
Decent PAYABLE multi-fx is still in its infancy, but IMO Digitech DID make a good step with the GNX series/AudioDNA... I tried the GNX1 once, and it sounded much more real than my old Boss GT-3.
Don't buy a unit with 18 or 20bit AD/DA converters though. (like the Line6 POD...) You'll need the 24bit to capture your guitar's dynamics and response...
 
HAHA so I bought it anyway. If it isn't everything I've hoped and dreamed, I'm taking it back. Gotta love guitar center.
I'm still trying to find out about using a 4-track as a delay-looper type of thing, but I haven't heard anything useful yet.

I tried it out. The 8-track doesn't seem to be working. I record something, but when I play it back, no sound comes out. I have the output running into my amp input, and it makes plenty of sound when I just play my guitar through it, so why won't the playback make sound? WHY?!? why cruel world? anyone know?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top