Post by markfromhawaii on Oct 3, 2023 16:11:28 GMT -5
Been meaning to post this. I’m sitting at my wife’s doctors killing some time. I’ve been using a Boss GX-100 multi-FX/amp modeler pedal now for a few months. At first I just used the power amp input on my Boss Katana 100 but I recently got a Headrush FRFR-108 powered monitor. Together, they’re the perfect grab and go rig - at least for me.
The GX-100 is sort of a stripped down version of the GT-1000 if you’re familiar with that pedal. The GX is about 1/2 the price, and smaller in footprint. Even though the big selling point is the on-screen graphical drag n drop programming, I still prefer the Boss studio software to program it. Hardware-wise it has 4 preset buttons that double as effects/amp on-off, and a couple control buttons - I use C1 to change amp configs (low vs high gain), and change parameters (delay time and rotating speaker speed). I use C2 for the built-in tuner and to switch from preset to pedalboard mode. There’s an expression pedal for volume and wah or parameter changes. Overdrive and distortion pedal models are pretty good. Modulation, delay and reverb models are excellent, as expected from a Boss unit. Honestly, the amp models are good but they take a bunch of tweaking to get very close to the real amp, especially when factoring in mic models and speaker IRs. As with any modeler, you’ll probably notice a bit of feel and response lacking compared to your favorite tube amp. I noticed that just changing from a humbucker equipped guitar to single coils sometimes requires a bit of re-programming. Not a HUGE problem since there are several available patches. Key to using this pedal is setting the global input gain and EQ for various power amps or for direct recording.
Headrush FRFR-108: What drove me to this was weight. This supposed 2000 watt 🧐 “full range, flat response” powered speaker weighs in at under 20 lb. Are 2000 watts really pumped through its 8” speaker? Probably not but it is plenty loud with the GX-100 output set at noon and the FRFR set at 9 o’ clock. There’s a mid-boost switch and two channels with a direct out. It took some tweaking with the GX-100 global input control to get it sounding best to my ears. Couple gripes: The direct out level is controlled by channel output volume, so if you use it as a stage monitor, the signal you send to FOH is controlled by your stage volume. Takes a bit of coordination with FOH. Another thing us the placement of the combo (TRS and XLR) inputs, which are near the bottom. So if you turn it on its side or tilt it on the ground, your straight 1/4” cable jack hits the floor. No biggie, just annoying.
All in all this rig suits me. I can carry speaker in one hand and GX-100 in the other with my guitar on my back, and get close to all the sounds I want.
The GX-100 is sort of a stripped down version of the GT-1000 if you’re familiar with that pedal. The GX is about 1/2 the price, and smaller in footprint. Even though the big selling point is the on-screen graphical drag n drop programming, I still prefer the Boss studio software to program it. Hardware-wise it has 4 preset buttons that double as effects/amp on-off, and a couple control buttons - I use C1 to change amp configs (low vs high gain), and change parameters (delay time and rotating speaker speed). I use C2 for the built-in tuner and to switch from preset to pedalboard mode. There’s an expression pedal for volume and wah or parameter changes. Overdrive and distortion pedal models are pretty good. Modulation, delay and reverb models are excellent, as expected from a Boss unit. Honestly, the amp models are good but they take a bunch of tweaking to get very close to the real amp, especially when factoring in mic models and speaker IRs. As with any modeler, you’ll probably notice a bit of feel and response lacking compared to your favorite tube amp. I noticed that just changing from a humbucker equipped guitar to single coils sometimes requires a bit of re-programming. Not a HUGE problem since there are several available patches. Key to using this pedal is setting the global input gain and EQ for various power amps or for direct recording.
Headrush FRFR-108: What drove me to this was weight. This supposed 2000 watt 🧐 “full range, flat response” powered speaker weighs in at under 20 lb. Are 2000 watts really pumped through its 8” speaker? Probably not but it is plenty loud with the GX-100 output set at noon and the FRFR set at 9 o’ clock. There’s a mid-boost switch and two channels with a direct out. It took some tweaking with the GX-100 global input control to get it sounding best to my ears. Couple gripes: The direct out level is controlled by channel output volume, so if you use it as a stage monitor, the signal you send to FOH is controlled by your stage volume. Takes a bit of coordination with FOH. Another thing us the placement of the combo (TRS and XLR) inputs, which are near the bottom. So if you turn it on its side or tilt it on the ground, your straight 1/4” cable jack hits the floor. No biggie, just annoying.
All in all this rig suits me. I can carry speaker in one hand and GX-100 in the other with my guitar on my back, and get close to all the sounds I want.