Best guitar router tone wise

[Shark Diver]

Wondering if anyone has an opinion on whether a guitar router such as the switchblade or CAE or RJM stuff sucks any tone? I am trying to build my rack and will need a router. Tone is much more important than features. Thanks, D.

 

[steve_k]

I can tell you for sure that neither the CAE 4x4 or Voodoo Labs GCX has any tonal issues as I own both. RJM or Switchblade I don't know anything about. You will have a hard time finding anything from CAE-Bradshaw. It has only 4 loops but is road worthy. The CAE RS10 Midi switcher is hands down better to me than the Ground Control Pro for programming. Again, good luck finding one.

Steve

 

[Bash_Man]

How many loops do you require? The Axess GRX-4 is an excellent choice if you need 4 loops only.

i had one when I was using a 2 pre-amp rack setup and it worked great. No tone suckage or problem.

 

[ttosh]

RJM RG16 works better to me than the GCX or the Patchmate. If you have an amp that needs the controller section it is a great choice and the buffer I believe is the same one Dave Friedman uses for systems he builds (don't quote me on that). The GCX buffer can also be modified by Dave as well. I am sure the Switchblade would be awesome as well as anything Bradshaw does but I have no experience with them...

 

[Shark Diver]

Thanks guys. Probably looking at 8 loops. Really depends on what I ultimately want to use and carry.

The switchblade has the most routing options, and says it is all analog. I still haven't rapped my brain around how it can decrease, or increase, volume/gain in an all analog environment. I have used them before, but with a keyboard system, so not sure what it will do to a guitar/amp signal. Would be my first choice just because of routing possibilities, but I wonder how these effect tone?

The RJM I have has had some ground loop issues. And I talked to a few other people using them and they told me the same thing. I really like the ease of programing with the RJM, but I just can't seem to get the loop problem solved. And if I take away the RJM the ground hum goes away. Hooking up a Surf Box into an SLO. If I just use those it's great, but add the RJM to switch the Surf Box out of the loop and hum city. Tried isolation boxes as well with the RJM, and no luck.

I had forgotten about the GXC. I had one I lent out that never came back. It's been a while so I can't remember how I liked it. I do remember not liking the buffer.

Is CAE still making stuff? I keep hearing you have to buy used. CAE would be my first choice simply based on reputation, but if you can't get it...
Also, really don't like using CC messages for switching, but I would if it sounded the best.

No experience with AXESS, but I will check them out.

Anything else out there? Any negative thoughts on these?

 

[steve_k]

I have been waiting for Mario at Axess to start making some rack equipment. I hear good things about his router and Midi switcher. Again, waiting for him is sometimes painful. I pushed the button several times only to get an email back that it will be 3 months. On the GCX, you can use the buffered input or the straight one. For off the shelf, it would be a good choice. Has 8 loops. The CAE kit I bought (4x4 router, RS10, line mixer) was used on eBay ($900). Hard to come across his stuff. The RS10 is so easy to program. But, wish it had some alpha-numeric readout on it.

Steve

 

[Shark Diver]

I have been waiting for Mario at Axess to start making some rack equipment. I hear good things about his router and Midi switcher. Again, waiting for him is sometimes painful. I pushed the button several times only to get an email back that it will be 3 months. On the GCX, you can use the buffered input or the straight one. For off the shelf, it would be a good choice. Has 8 loops. The CAE kit I bought (4x4 router, RS10, line mixer) was used on eBay ($900). Hard to come across his stuff. The RS10 is so easy to program. But, wish it had some alpha-numeric readout on it.

Steve

I emailed Mario tonight to see how long until the RS2 comes out. I will let you know what I hear.

 

[jimmypage1stfan]

Get the RJM Effects Gizmo! it comes out this month! it has 12 audio loops (4 stereo or all stereo)!

http://www.rjmmusic.com/effectgizmo.php

thats what im waiting to get for my rig!

 

[Shark Diver]

Get the RJM Effects Gizmo! it comes out this month! it has 12 audio loops (4 stereo or all stereo)!

http://www.rjmmusic.com/effectgizmo.php

thats what im waiting to get for my rig!

The RJM I have has had some ground loop issues. And I talked to a few other people using them and they told me the same thing. I really like the ease of programing with the RJM, but I just can't seem to get the loop problem solved. And if I take away the RJM the ground hum goes away. Hooking up a Surf Box into an SLO. If I just use those it's great, but add the RJM to switch the Surf Box out of the loop and hum city. Tried isolation boxes as well with the RJM, and no luck.

Would be interested to hear how it works out for you. I can't fix my issue, and I don't want to unground cables.

 

[jimmypage1stfan]

Get the RJM Effects Gizmo! it comes out this month! it has 12 audio loops (4 stereo or all stereo)!

http://www.rjmmusic.com/effectgizmo.php

thats what im waiting to get for my rig!

The RJM I have has had some ground loop issues. And I talked to a few other people using them and they told me the same thing. I really like the ease of programing with the RJM, but I just can't seem to get the loop problem solved. And if I take away the RJM the ground hum goes away. Hooking up a Surf Box into an SLO. If I just use those it's great, but add the RJM to switch the Surf Box out of the loop and hum city. Tried isolation boxes as well with the RJM, and no luck.

Would be interested to hear how it works out for you. I can't fix my issue, and I don't want to unground cables.

Contact RJM.. I have a friend who has a rjm 16 and it functions fine.. I would want further depth on this though because if your having grounding issues with it, i dont want to get the RJM anymore

 

[steve_k]

Was just on ebay. A guy has a couple 4x4 and an RS10mkII. Another RS10 on there too.

Steve

 

[Shark Diver]

From Mario:
Sorry not sure right now, but if you register with our website and select to receive news and updates you will be notified via email as soon as new info is available.


Pretty much means it's not really in the works.

 

[Little B]

Ive owned a gcx,a custom shop bradshaw 10 looper, and now the switchblade gl, and its leaps and bounds beyond the other 2, in terms of Everything!...but its a few grand too.It it I have a tc 2290, tc g force,eventide harmonizer,custom shop badcat preamp,soldano x88r,bogner fish,engl 570,and triaxis.It controls it all- no joke.Mario from axxess actually reccommened it to me!..he seems to be stalling on his interface.Bummer.Theres a learning curve to it,but so far theres nothing else quite like it out there...I also have a splitter running some dry preamp-outs,and I cant tell any tone difference w/ the gl engaged..

 

[dpeterson]

i think they are all pretty much the same.. all depends on if you buffer it. I run guitar -> axess bs2 -> first loop of old patchmate, and it sounds great. without the buffer and if you have a bunch of loops strung together it will suck high end as you are adding cable length. The gcx has a buffer built in, so it shouldnt be a problem.

Mario is restructuring his business right now so he can get products to market faster in the future, i guess it's tough being at the top of the foodchain sometimes.

dave

 

[boof]

Get the RJM Effects Gizmo! it comes out this month! it has 12 audio loops (4 stereo or all stereo)!

http://www.rjmmusic.com/effectgizmo.php

thats what im waiting to get for my rig!

The RJM I have has had some ground loop issues. And I talked to a few other people using them and they told me the same thing. I really like the ease of programing with the RJM, but I just can't seem to get the loop problem solved. And if I take away the RJM the ground hum goes away. Hooking up a Surf Box into an SLO. If I just use those it's great, but add the RJM to switch the Surf Box out of the loop and hum city. Tried isolation boxes as well with the RJM, and no luck.

Would be interested to hear how it works out for you. I can't fix my issue, and I don't want to unground cables.

a little off the main topic but did you contact Ron about it? I have an RG-16 that works fine but I did have a problem with it and Ron bent over backwards to help me and I got it fixed.

Boof

 

[Little B]

Loopers are not all created equal, for sure.(just open one up and have peek inside).Weve done a good many shootouts w/ them in a studio and found some varying results( all else equal in the testing)......I can run all kinds of gear thru the gl, and it never sucks tone..but we're always runnin a dry signal too.Dont skimp on cable quality and whatever you do, get the best poweramp you can afford without getting put in the doghouse!....I think if someone like Peter Diezel,Rhienhold Bogner,Badcat,Tworock,etc. could put out a great interface if they use the same highend parts they do to build thier amps with.

 

[rjmmusic]

Get the RJM Effects Gizmo! it comes out this month! it has 12 audio loops (4 stereo or all stereo)!

http://www.rjmmusic.com/effectgizmo.php

thats what im waiting to get for my rig!

The RJM I have has had some ground loop issues. And I talked to a few other people using them and they told me the same thing. I really like the ease of programing with the RJM, but I just can't seem to get the loop problem solved. And if I take away the RJM the ground hum goes away. Hooking up a Surf Box into an SLO. If I just use those it's great, but add the RJM to switch the Surf Box out of the loop and hum city. Tried isolation boxes as well with the RJM, and no luck.

Would be interested to hear how it works out for you. I can't fix my issue, and I don't want to unground cables.

If you have some time, I'd like to discuss this and see if we can find out what's going on. Have you tried flipping the ground lift switch in the RG-16, or using Humfrees on the Surf Box or RG-16?

 

[degenaro]

What is it you're actually trying to do with it...as it what gear is getting used with it and what control functions does it need to have.
From what I can see the T-Rex Max1 did all of what you were asking about.

The ground issue is unlikely an issue with the looper. I assume you're using a pre-amp or the line-out of an amp into it?
Chasing down ground loops are part and parcel of this...

 

[Shark Diver]

Hi Ed and Ron, I will have a fairly complex rig. But for starters I try and add a piece at a time. That way I can isolate problems much easier. The problem I have is this:
I started with just my SLO and Surf Box together. They worked great both with the Surf Box in front of, and in the loop of, the SLO. Because I will add a second and a third amp to the rig soon, I need to have the Surf Box in a looper so that any of the 3 amps can be run with it.

So, next step was to try and run the Surf Box and SLO with the RG16. Didn't matter how I ran it, and I used 2 different iso boxes (separately and at the same time in every configuration I could think of), just couldn't keep it from humming very loudly. Tried different cables, loop channels, and ground lifts - but not the ground on the RG. Didn't know it had one.

I am using a power regulator and a conditioner as well.

I will keep playing with it. Been gigging a lot so haven't had time to mess around with it. Cool thing about that is I have been playing without fx and it has taught me a lot. When I add them back in it will be much more judiciously. Also, makes me appreciate the AXE FX that much more. All in one, no ground issues.

 

[rjmmusic]

The RG-16's ground lift switch is a little internal slide switch (it will be moved to the rear panel in a rev later this year). A quick test is to unscrew the RG-16 from the rack and gently pull it out from the rack an inch or so - just enough that it's not touching the rack rails or the rack units above or below it. If the hum goes away, you have your answer - it'll be worth getting it opened up and flipping the ground lift switch.

When you give it a try, please let me know how it goes!

Hi Ed and Ron, I will have a fairly complex rig. But for starters I try and add a piece at a time. That way I can isolate problems much easier. The problem I have is this:
I started with just my SLO and Surf Box together. They worked great both with the Surf Box in front of, and in the loop of, the SLO. Because I will add a second and a third amp to the rig soon, I need to have the Surf Box in a looper so that any of the 3 amps can be run with it.

So, next step was to try and run the Surf Box and SLO with the RG16. Didn't matter how I ran it, and I used 2 different iso boxes (separately and at the same time in every configuration I could think of), just couldn't keep it from humming very loudly. Tried different cables, loop channels, and ground lifts - but not the ground on the RG. Didn't know it had one.

I am using a power regulator and a conditioner as well.

I will keep playing with it. Been gigging a lot so haven't had time to mess around with it. Cool thing about that is I have been playing without fx and it has taught me a lot. When I add them back in it will be much more judiciously. Also, makes me appreciate the AXE FX that much more. All in one, no ground issues.