New-ish to rack effects with a decision to make.

[dethyr]

So I recently decided to wave the white flag and get rid of my problematic temperamental G major 2. I bought the G major 2 to replace a jungle of pedals. I just wanted to get away from having so much to lug around. I bought the G major 2 on the advice of a few friends and between having ghosts in the machine and the complexity of programming the GM2 itself as well as the difficulty I had making the FCB1010 work with it, I gave up.

So.. here I am looking for a new pair. I have the digitech GSP1101 + the Control 2 and the Rocktron Xpression + the rocktron midimate so far as options.

I would love feedback on the units abouve but if there's something else I should check out, I am looking for something with decent quality effects, something easy to program and a foot controller that won't be a pain to program with the unit.

Also if someone has something to sell me as far as a rack effects unit and foot switch goes, hit me up!

Please excuse the fact that I am newer to rack effects, I know a bit but apparently not enough and I don't want to jump into another bag over the head situation. Thanks in advance.

 

[neilli]

I have a midimate - it got a little temperamental when it was about 14 months old, but seems OK now. I took it apart to see if there was anything obviously wrong, couldn't find anything and it's been 99% since then.

 

[dethyr]

How's the build quality, the buttons look like plastic, it seems a lil wimpy by pics but I have never seen one in person.

 

[dethyr]

I should also note that I am willing to look at semi-older units as well.

 

[dethyr]

Going to give this Xpression processor a shot. I was set on the GSP 1101 but I dont need a lot of the junk in that one so rocktron it is. Now... to find a midi controller.

 

[neilli]

How's the build quality, the buttons look like plastic, it seems a lil wimpy by pics but I have never seen one in person.

It's fine in that way. I've just used it at home though, so not sure how it'd stand up to gigging. I talked to Rocktron support and they reckon that the switches under the buttons are good for more cycles than the mechanical ones on their more expensive units..

 

[stratjacket]

I have the GCP2 and it is definitely solid, well built. Pretty easy to program too. I use it to control my Axe-FX II. I used to have a Rocktron Xpression, but sold it. The effects were fine and it was an OK unit, especially for the price. It was one of those gas moments that came and went.

 

[dethyr]

I have the GCP2 and it is definitely solid, well built. Pretty easy to program too. I use it to control my Axe-FX II. I used to have a Rocktron Xpression, but sold it. The effects were fine and it was an OK unit, especially for the price. It was one of those gas moments that came and went.

I don't have the money for a ground control unit. I don't want more than a few buttons really. I would be ok with even something as simplistic as a rocktron midi xchange etc.. but I think I am going to buy the PEAK FCB4N2. It's small, compact and easy to program.

 

[stratjacket]

Ahh, maybe I mis-read, I thought you were looking at a GCP2/GSP1101 or the the Xpression/midimate

 

[dethyr]

Oh sorry I misread yours,,

Yes I was looking at the digitech+control2 unit. It looks cool and seems like it sounds great but I don't need any of the amp modeling stuff in it and I found a better deal with the Xpression anyways. I also don't really want an expression pedal. The Peak midi unit is pretty cheap and seems like its built well.

I just want something fairly simple that can give depth/life to solos and create textures behind stuff. Hopefully this does it.

 

[Mizati20]

Check out the Tech21 MIDI Moose... built like fucking TANKS and can be found used for decent prices... great unit if you just want a couple buttons... but it still offers tons of patches because you can page up and down...

Honestly the Gmajor II is SUPER easy to program... the FCB1010 and Rocktron MIDI Mate units are by far in my opinion on the more difficult side of things when it comes to pedalboards... they can be a complete bitch...

No help with the multi effects unit... I absolutely love my Gmajor II...

 

[dethyr]

As I said before. I LOVED the effects but the spooky ghosts in the machine made me want to Office space it with a bat and bare fists.

The midi moose looks cool and I do love me some tech 21 because you said it, their shit is built to live forever. The midi mouse might also be an option. How easy are they to program? If you see one around for $150 ish.. let me know.

 

[jlbaxe]

look at ART X-15 pedals. Midi and under $100. some have 2 expression pedals some don't.

I have one that I modified use to have my 2 mesa switches in it from my mk III pedals. and I took off the expression pedals. IIRC it has a few 1/4 inch jacks on it also.

 

[geetarmikey]

A GSP 1101 has a pretty much unbeatable amps/effects/handy features to price ratio, so if you hook a Behringer FCB 1010 up to it to control the patch changes, you're laughing! They can be a bit fiddly to program though, but there's a few guides for setting up the 1010 to do what you want to be found online, can't remember the site I used though, sorry!

That's what I use anyway; hook it up to a decent power amp and you're good to go.