Alcatrax
Hi
I recently bought a used Boss GX-700 to simplify my live setup and replace my Roland VG-88 which has served me well but restricts me to using just one guitar which has the GK2A pickup installed. I have a few nice instruments that I would also like to play occasionally.
Everything I have read about it indicates I need to tweak it for a couple of days to get the best out of it. The overdrive sounds are not known for being the best, but even so, I am struggling to get a good crunch or smooth high gain lead sound. The best I can manage is an angry wasp in a jam tin.
I know that Alan has spoken highly of this unit so it must be possible. Does anybody have any tips or maybe some patches backed up on midifiles I could try? Any help would be appreciated.
TIA
Peter G
AlanRatcliffe
Generally the GX-700 is a good unit (especially for the prices you can find them for these days). The effects are quite good (especially the delays and reverbs), but the amp modelling doesn't compare to more modern modelled amp sounds like those in the VG-88 or GT-8/10.
Sadly I do not keep patches or anything else when I sell a piece of equipment. ☹ But let's see how much I remember from my own tweaking...
Firstly, under "Utility" make sure that you have the output type specified as "line" and the speaker simulator set to "Patch". That'll make sure you are getting the full benefit of the speaker sims.
Work with amp and speaker sims first without using any other effects - get them as good sounding as possible before adding anything else. This applies to any amp modelling unit.
The better tones are to be had from lower gain settings - the higher gain settings tend to get fizzy fairly quickly. Overall I found the "Matched Drive" amp (Matchless) the best for grit and drive - the "Stacks" (Marshall), Soldano and "High Gain" (Peavy 5150) amps were more than a little harsh on the upper midrange. The "Clean Twin" can actually get a decent crunch when driven hard too. Most of the amps seemed (to me anyway) to sound better when cranking the "low" or "medium" gain level settings to get drive, rather than turning down gain on the the "High" setting.
The presence control on most of the amps seems to be perfectly tuned to bring out the harshness, so try turning it down to zero and rather boosting the treble if you need more cut. On the Matched Drive, the presence works as a presence cut, like on a VOX, as you turn it up it cuts rather than boosts.
Spend time with the speaker sims, ignore what they are supposed to be and use your ears to find which works best for the sound you are after (I often found the "Built-In" sims worked better than the specific speaker sims). The higher settings of "Mic Setting" (2 or 3) smooth out the tone a bit as well, simulating moving a mic from the centre of the cone to the edge of the speaker. Do not add in any direct sound to the mic - instant fizz.
Effects, sometimes a short delay (1-15ms) can be the final trick to fatten up the sound, but can just as easily notch out the nice frequencies, leaving you with a thin or nasal tone, so approach with ears akimbo.
That's all I can think of now...
AlanRatcliffe
YMMV - I tried a POD Pro in the loop of the GX-700 and it degraded the quality of the sound. I always meant to try a Sansamp in the loop, but never got around to it (after the GX-700 was relegated to piezos there was no need).
