Anybody try the new & improved TC Electronics G System Ltd?

  • Thread starter Thread starter King Guitar
  • Start date Start date
Well, I had about two hours to play with it last night (I had Laird's document in hand). I plan on making a day of it on Sunday to work out the loop and complete the setup properly. I have no experience with the original G and I'm not using a M4. However, my initial impressions are good. I mainly went through the document a few times and tried to balance levels. I didn't dig into editing the effects much.

The front end is good, very good. Using the insert out, I went back and forth between the G input, direct into the Mod50 and through a GCX. I could not hear any difference in the sound quality between plugging in direct or through the G System. Initially, the BB had an audible click when its loop was engaged. But, a re-read of the input gain setup and shutting down the boost function cleared that up. I like the compressor alot. I didn't get into the filter to much. I think I want to dedicate it to the whammy effect and keep my dunlop. But the G's wah worked well and was clean and responsive to my movements. My verdict on the front end is that I think it can replace the GCX, voodoo power, Keeley comp and maybe the Dunlop Wah for me.

I've read all over the forums and web regarding the serial loop in the Mod 50. The hardest thing for me to get past is the channel masters, because I feel like they add so much depth to the sound of my amp when they are cranked up (probably the same for the M4). I am also very partial to the MPX1 that I use in the parallel loop. However, I really want to make the G work properly because it really simplifies the setup and removes alot of weight and bulk to my rig. Out of the box, the G sounds bad in the loop (so did the gmajor2). However, towards the end of my session, it started to make more sense how to setup the gain structure properly. With short balanced cables, there was no hum outside of my guitar pickups and his document helped get most of the tone back that I felt I lost when I turned down the preamp gain. I just have to get over the fear of cranking the master volume of the Mod50 to 7 or 8 in low power mode to make of the volume. I read his document twice today and feel like I have a real game-plan for Sunday. So, I'll reserve judgment until then.

Three things I didn't like... The presets are wet and fairly uninspiring... But, YMMV and obviously, we are all going to tweak the effects to high heaven anyway. Unlike something like an Axe, you can't send different effects to the different parts of the unit. So, if you want to use a tremolo, it can't be out front (for example. This is the same as the silver G and according to the white paper, it's like that because the unit's effect blocks are hardwired, not programmed. The tuner only mutes the outputs, not the insert. So, if you are using the 4 cable method and you want silent tuning, you are forced to use it serial. Perhaps the killdry takes care of this for parallel loops. But it wasn't something I tested.

My plan for Sunday is to setup the presets to switch channels on the amp via midi, properly setup the channel masters with a voltmeter and the white paper, introduce a line level shifter if need-be and go back and forth between the 4 cable method and the 2 cable method for modulation, while keeping the mpx1 in the parallel loop for reverb/delay.

Just my .02. Hope it helps
 
Just ordered one :rock:

The one I have now was used by Warren Fitzgerald, of The Vandals, on the '08 Gwen Stafani tour. Set list presets are actually nicely programmed. Have several pedals to use in the loops as well as a pair of GCX switchers. Switch between and combine four amps.
 
Any more reviews/info? Very Curious! The old one was good but if they have improved the input even better! That was definitely a weak link.

Thanks!
 
I posted my take on the G Sys forum. I think the input is better on this one, at least I have had good luck matching up the front end with the G to sound very close to cable straight into amp. The killdry is nice if you want to use the parallel loop in the bogner, but I still prefer serial for most of the effects in the loop and the bogner has little loop bleed so this works well also.

The Univibe they added is very very cool and the new editor is even better than the last, things are very easy to edit and not buggy at all so far.

If you want to read my full review it is here http://forum.tcelectronic.com/viewtopic.php?id=5105
 
I've had major issues clipping the front end w/ my Mod50. And this is w/ the channel masters at 9-10 oclock..and having the input gain settings at their lowest levels.

Unfortunately, I'm gonna return mine. Luckily I hadn't sold my Lexicon MPXG2s. Going back to the "tried and true" way for me. I don't think I'm ever gonna get rid of those.

Pete Thorn:

If you read this...do you know if TC is looking to come out w/ a Nova that has the 4CM, at least for the analog drive sections at Winter NAMM?

Eric
 
Configured mine with the help of Mark Day and programmed it this morning. Sounds great into my PT100 and I am sure will sound the same into a 20th SHiva I have coming. Very quiet, remember one of the keys is to use a TRS Snake with balanced ends.
 
aeroic":3ni7www3 said:
I've had major issues clipping the front end w/ my Mod50. And this is w/ the channel masters at 9-10 oclock..and having the input gain settings at their lowest levels.

Unfortunately, I'm gonna return mine. Luckily I hadn't sold my Lexicon MPXG2s. Going back to the "tried and true" way for me. I don't think I'm ever gonna get rid of those.

Pete Thorn:

If you read this...do you know if TC is looking to come out w/ a Nova that has the 4CM, at least for the analog drive sections at Winter NAMM?

Eric
Hey Eric
it took me a while also to get mine setup. It is easier using a laptop to change settings. The best setup for me is with my M4. To hook it up to the mod50 I used what I think ws a 4 cable method. I had to mess with it a lot.

I still prefer the Line6 m13 but I'm still setting up a pedal board with the G sys. And the 2 together sound great. :D my 2cents
 
What are you guys using as a expression pedal for this? I ordered a BOSS FV500L, can this be used as both volume and expression? Can I just get 2 FV500L's? 1 to use as a express and one as a volume, or is there a way to use that 1 pedal for both?
 
Fwiw, I just updated my silver g-sys to 4.02 and am pleasantly surprised with the univibes so far. Keeping in mind that they're running in my fx loop, though. Will wait to see how they sound at band levels.
 
'63-Strat":20xsj7ik said:
Fwiw, I just updated my silver g-sys to 4.02 and am pleasantly surprised with the univibes so far. Keeping in mind that they're running in my fx loop, though. Will wait to see how they sound at band levels.
Cool the new update is out or is it beta version?
 
it sounds cool but as a current gsystem user i dont know if theres enough new features in it to make us jump ship and buy the new version. if i didnt have one then of course i would go for this one.
 
jlbaxe":2ey13w8t said:
'63-Strat":2ey13w8t said:
Fwiw, I just updated my silver g-sys to 4.02 and am pleasantly surprised with the univibes so far. Keeping in mind that they're running in my fx loop, though. Will wait to see how they sound at band levels.
Cool the new update is out or is it beta version?

Its a beta, but its been out for a little while now and no real complaints from the users I've seen yet other than some expression pedal levels had to be reset for some (I don't currently use any, I'm a big volume knob rider though).
 
Stratboy151":33wx0bte said:
it sounds cool but as a current gsystem user i dont know if theres enough new features in it to make us jump ship and buy the new version. if i didnt have one then of course i would go for this one.

Once you update to 4.02 there is *zero* diff between the silver and red g sys besides the updated input circuit which they won't release what type,if any changes were actually made. If you're not having input issues than there's no point other than the red finish. That said, if you don't already have one, it makes sense to get the red one, obviously. I like red ;)

Aren't you using a microvibe in one of your loops? The lack of univibe was really the only thing I missed before and I'd say they handled it pretty well, other than it being in the mod section which is in the loop but I knew they wouldn't be able to get it to run in the filter block.

This thing still makes me shake my head in disbelief at how well it works and sounds, fwiw. My setup has never been faster/easier and the amp switching/pedal loops makes things so much easier. I would be bummed to go back to my old pedal setup/amp's footswitch.
 
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