Okay... A switching system is a MIDI programmable/controllable audio routing network (think of it as a MIDI programmable/controllable patchbay), and some are better than others and some have more features than others. They can allow you to route some stuff to the front of your amp (ex. pedals), switch amp channels and even simultaneously route other stuff to your amp's loop (Rack processors) or to an external power amp for a w/d or w/d/w setup, or to another amp (like what you were talking about doing).
Ok, I am assuming we're talking about the GCX here. I like the idea of having my pedals that I run in front of my amp on the floor so I can adjust them on the fly, so though I could technically run them to the GCX, I would still want to keep them on the floor and not in the rack itself. Some pedals I could see leaving in the rack. Thats why I wanted to opt for the pedal switcher, acting as a bypass to preserve my signal while keeping the pedals in front of me. I could always use long cables and run the stompboxes to the GCX and still have them infront of me, I definitely understand that. I just feel for the sake of keeping things simple that running 2 or 3 pedal switchers would be easier. I also do understand that the GCX is midi controllable. I have read the manual and some things make sense and some dont, so I'm just going to clarify what I do understand.
Imo, you aren't ready to decide that you want the GCP yet, as you aren't sure what level of control you need nor what gear you're going to have to control. The GCP is a well-built unit, but may not possess some features you may want/need when all is said and done.
I agree, trying to do my homework before I buy anything.
Imo, you first need to sort out your gear needs.
You said you wanted:
* 3 amps simultaneously (each through it's own speaker)
Definitely two at least. I want to run a tremoverb with its mesa cab, a jcm 2000 with its 1960a cab and possibly an orange rockerverb. No idea yet wether I want an orange cab or if I would just run the marshall and the orange stereo into the marshall cab. As of right now I am going to treat my setup as if I am try to operate two heads connected to two different speakers... whatever gear I get needs to have the option of being able to add a third head/cab
* Running your gear through each amps loop (imo, isn't the way to accomplish this)
Based on feedback here I am no longer going to try to run the same rack units through all the different amps. If anything, if I need to get the same rack FX on different amp heads I will simply buy another one of that FX unit. I am going to run an amp dry at all times, save maybe a wah or compressor, most likely the mesa tremoverb.
* And some pedals through the front of each amp.
Yes definitely. I was planning on going guitar-pedal switchers (connected to pedals)-amp switcher-different amps. The amp switcher wont be the voodoo labs one, I am considering the mesa rack piece if I can find it on ebay or someones selling. I imagine in that scenerio I would go guitar-pedal switchers- mesa rack input- and from the rack input that would connect to the inputs of the different amps.
* MIDI controlled (with presets adjusting your MIDI gear to the proper presets, and activating/deactivating whether or not given devices are in the signal path, and I am assuming-- selecting amp channel switching as well.
Absolutely, I most of the time run my amps on a particular dirty setting so channel switching would just be icing on the cake, I wouldnt need to use it so much though.... turning off and on particular FX for different parts in songs and even switching between amps is priority.
Is this correct? Did I leave anything out?
No man, you summed it up pretty great. I want to be able to control my stompboxes in front of the amp (while leaving them on the floor), control my rack FX (which now I realize each should only be going to one amp at a time), and have all of this able to go to multiple amps. I would also very much like to be able to switch between the amps, say if I just wanted to solo on one amp and not the other two for whatever reason. Keeping that in mind it would be cool if my amp switcher was midi controllable so perhaps the midi controller I choose can turn the amps on or off?
When designing a rig like this you have to figure out how many loops/control functions you will end up needing.
I recommend going to
http://www.customaudioelectronics.com/faq
And reading EVERYTHING there a few times, starting with "How do I determine what I need for a custom switching system".
TRUST me-- do this before spending any money at all.
It is a pay to play game, and YOU my friend have VERY expensive needs/requirements/desires.
