Einstein + G-Force...controlling levels/tone

[Neuro]

Hi guys,

I was playing around with my G-Force today and noticed that I could actually crank my Diezel up and use the output of the G-Force to control the volume (great for controlling stage volume). As long as my input level is correct, should this affect my tone that much? I couldn't tell a difference to be honest. However, read on:

With that said, here's my next question. I'm having trouble getting the right tone with the G-Force in general. Obviously I get better tone plugged straight in to the amp without the G-Force in the loop, but I'm wondering how you guys usually set your input level on your G-Force, because I bought this unit because of the rave reviews about it "not affecting much tone." In reference to the G-Force's output/input knobs, I've matched levels with what the Diezel would be without the G-Force, and I'm keeping my input meter from going to red (clipping). However, when I switch to clean, my input meter goes crazy and sometimes it actually distorts my clean channel!!!

I'm using my 2 master volumes to keep the levels right for every channel/mode I select, but I just can't get it to similar enough to the dynamics/tone I had when I have nothing in the loop.

Aside from the G-Force issues, I'm thinking that this Einstein is getting to be more trouble than its worth with having to constantly try to match my levels with the gain on the channels, etc. I've done quite well with all of this so far on the road (bought it 2 years ago), but I just am tired of spending SO MUCH time tweaking my gear to get that tone that's in my head. If it wasn't so dang expensive I'd keep it and get another head to complement/blend, but I'm thinking of going the Joe Bonamassa route and getting a Marshall Jubilee and a Carol-Ann and mixing those marshall/dumble tones. But then my versatility goes out the window! Ahhhh the agony


HELP.

Any suggestions?

 

[Sam Laming]

I'd be interested how others set up their input/output on the G-Force but I think your description of the Einstein is a bit... well, off? More trouble than what it's worth? Do you think it's more down to the Diezel some how?/what's your justification for doing so if you do?

 

[mentoneman]

You sound hip enough to understand setting levels for the input and output of the G

Start with the clean channel that is too hot for the gforce input

keep the g on bypass
Back down that channel and make that your ceiling for the gforce input and then turn up the dirty channel to match input levels, with the herbie global master low

you gotta get the input on the g right of else the tone will suffer

after the amp/g interconnects are proper, you can get into affecting overall volumes quite a bit internally

Killdry the g if you are parallel loop, killydry off if series loop.

I preferred the herbie's series loop tone and I find it easier to get levels balanced running the dry signal on in the gforce versus killdry---in fact most all of my patches have a dry path pipe on in the internal digital mixer for minimal patch change glitching
I sorta went through this Herbert level thing when I set a friend's up to run a send out to a replex delay to a wet amp
But we eventually had a hotplate to control levels better

 

[Neuro]

I just typed a buttload of stuff in response, but my browser lost what I typed. So I'll keep it short.

Sam Leming:

It's all good man, I should've clarified myself better in my original post. Essentially, my issue with the Einstein is the loss of versatility and usibility I need for live use. This is also aside from the whole G-Force issue I'm having. I'm refering to the modes in channel 1. Originally, the Einstein matched perfectly with what I was doing level and gain-wise. For the modes in channel 1, I would keep the gain knob at 12 o'clock or so and all my tones AND levels would be dead on for live use. Now I greatly prefer different settings, such as wanting to keep the gain on my clean tone (mode 1) cranked. Of course this makes Mode 3 sound like mud and over-saturates everything, so I'd have to lower the gain to use that. And I greatly prefer for the gain knob in Mode 2 to be in between what I would have for the other two modes (between 12 o'clock and 4 o'clock), so yeah.

So the levels aren't a problem, since they can be adjusted via the G-Force. And I know the Einstein isn't meant to be used as a "4-channel" amp, and maybe I just have to accept that. It just sucks that I can't get my favorite Diezel tones, since I prefer the voicing of the Einstein. Otherwise, I'd have a Herbert or VH4.

All I'm saying is that the Einstein can be kinda tricky/limiting for live use. Oh well, we can never have the perfect amp! Hope that clarifies your question.

mentoneman:

Thanks for the great advice man, I will try that out whenever I get back in town. I've tried sort of a half-ass version of what you said about matching my clean channel with the input level of the G-Force a while back...I just need to have more patience with it. In reference to controlling the levels internally, would that work well if I say...wanted to crank the amp? Obviously I wouldn't be really "pushing" the speakers or moving more air, but I assume I would be pushing the amp more, kind of like an attenuator? Don't know if that makes sense...

Also, I might experiment with the Parallel Loop since I usually use just delay. I also use reverb (which is gorgeous w/ the G-Force), but that would probably sound better in the serial loop...correct? Thanks!