TC - G Major 2 - Distortion tones using Factory PS

[HellraiserJohnny]

I started with a TC M300 in my rack rig and I could not get the Program mapping working with the other units in my rig so I found a G Major 2 which has much easier MIDI program mapping. So I get the thing and I absolutely love the factory pre-sets on any of my clean tones.

Here's the rub, these gorgeous FX loose all that thick depth and tone and sound almost tinny when I change to the distorted patches on my pre-amp. Nothing changes in the signal path. I'm running it though a serial FX loop - single send - stereo return. My pre-amp has 3 FX loops all are independent so I'm not stacking the TC with any other processor. I just can't figure out how these lush chorus and delays loose so much just by adding some grit, doesn't make any sense. None of my other processors do this, it almost seems like it's a trait of the TC units.

I could use some help if anyone has overcome this by tweaking the patches so they still sound "Big" when you add distortion. I do have several other signal paths I can use ( full stereo-serial\Full Stereo-Parallel) but not sure if these would make a big difference.

 

[shredhead7]

I have one and I don't have that problem. I do feel a little underwhelmed after going from my clean channel to the distortion, but I chalk that up to having an Eric Johnson styled clean sound, or a Dream Theater "pull me under" wash of delay and reverb on my clean channels, to a very dry distortion. I run mine stereo, from my Atomica out to the TC, then split the returns between the Atomica and a Legacy out to two cabs.

I found a website that has an app for tweaking the Gmaj2 and a bunch of other users presets, so I started there. For me, the delays and reverbs are the only things that I am really using (I do use the compressor on my clean settings). I found the modulation effects were too digital and I have analog pedals in a loop switcher on my pedal board for those.

As a starting point, make sure that your EQ settings in the TC are not being used, turn off everything except your delay and reverbs as a starting point. For me, I love the dual delay, I modeled it Petrucci's settings, 1/4 on the left dotted 1/4 on the right, I'm spit-balling, but roughly 400 ms and 620ms. Adjust your levels to taste. I don't use a lot of reverb, so I have that very low as well. I have messed around with detune and chorus, I believe that I do have the chorus on my lead channel, but again, it's barely there.

On my rhythm channel, I have the delays dialed way back, 40ms and 300ms, really low in the mix (I'm just trying to thicken the sound, not have it noticeable). I also use the gate on that setting, but I have it set to cut the amp noise, more than doing djent stops.

Here is the link to the software: http://psicraft.com/press/archive/tc-el ... r-g-major2

 

[HellraiserJohnny]

I have one and I don't have that problem. I do feel a little underwhelmed after going from my clean channel to the distortion, but I chalk that up to having an Eric Johnson styled clean sound, or a Dream Theater "pull me under" wash of delay and reverb on my clean channels, to a very dry distortion. I run mine stereo, from my Atomica out to the TC, then split the returns between the Atomica and a Legacy out to two cabs.

I found a website that has an app for tweaking the Gmaj2 and a bunch of other users presets, so I started there. For me, the delays and reverbs are the only things that I am really using (I do use the compressor on my clean settings). I found the modulation effects were too digital and I have analog pedals in a loop switcher on my pedal board for those.

As a starting point, make sure that your EQ settings in the TC are not being used, turn off everything except your delay and reverbs as a starting point. For me, I love the dual delay, I modeled it Petrucci's settings, 1/4 on the left dotted 1/4 on the right, I'm spit-balling, but roughly 400 ms and 620ms. Adjust your levels to taste. I don't use a lot of reverb, so I have that very low as well. I have messed around with detune and chorus, I believe that I do have the chorus on my lead channel, but again, it's barely there.

On my rhythm channel, I have the delays dialed way back, 40ms and 300ms, really low in the mix (I'm just trying to thicken the sound, not have it noticeable). I also use the gate on that setting, but I have it set to cut the amp noise, more than doing djent stops.

Here is the link to the software: http://psicraft.com/press/archive/tc-el ... r-g-major2

Thanks for the tip, I never thought to look and see if the EQ section was on. That actually sounds like it could be (part) of the problem. I have other units and they do not do anything like the TC units do when switching so I am scratching my head. I do have a home based recording studio and since they do sound awesome with clean tones I can always pull it and use there. I just thought that this unit would help me update my rack. I'll try killing the EQ and see if that works and let you know. Many thanks.