Pros & Cons of Rack Effects

[Lt_Core]

I play in a rock cover band and have found that I'm pedal dancing for almost every song. I've never used rack gear but I have a lead on a great deal for a G-Major, Behringer FCB1010, Furman Plus II conditioner and a SKB 6-space rack at an insane price.

Many Mesa F-50 users use the G-Major because it can handle channel switching on the amp. I would love to go for a clean, chorused sound, with a touch of reverb or delay to a massive crunch with compression, etc. at the touch of a button.

I've read that the quality of the G-Major effects are pretty decent. Please list your pros & cons, if you can. We play a variety of rock, old and new, so keep that in mind. Thanks!

[DreamTheaterRules]

Jeff, if you learn to program all that (ha, you learn to program! ) you should be able to do a ton(e) with it.

I'm assuming it would take a good bit of time to program it to do every "preset" you'd want, but that question is best left to someone who has used it.

So, you are pedal dancing, huh? I thought that in all those pics I've seen you were doing the Chuch Berry strut!

[Lt_Core]

Originally Posted by DreamTheaterRules

Jeff, if you learn to program all that (ha, you learn to program! ) you should be able to do a ton(e) with it.

I'm assuming it would take a good bit of time to program it to do every "preset" you'd want, but that question is best left to someone who has used it.

So, you are pedal dancing, huh? I thought that in all those pics I've seen you were doing the Chuch Berry strut!

Hey Howie,

Well, I am a web/database developer so I'm used to programming

After checking some Harmony Central reviews, it sounds like the G-Major locks up here and there. Not good if it happens live. Still debating...

[GuitarDude]

i was looking into goin rack effects a few years ago. i just dont like the fact that switching effects sounds on the fly is a little more difficult than just twisting some knobs. that was my deciding factor really.

[DreamTheaterRules]

that's something to remember too, for a gigging musician like Jeff.

Presets are great, once you get them set. Jeff, in your situation though, where your main rig is usually not at your house, it might even be a pain just to get all the presets done. You can't do them on band practice time. And, you'd have to have the whole rig to properly set them up.

I didn't know there where issues with the Gmajor. That's too bad. Should be a cool unit.

[rob2001]

I had a TC M300 I used for awhile but latency issues made it kinda tough to stay with. There was a large gap between patches. Before choosing a unit, check into that. And as for modulation effects, your kinda stuck with whats there. It's not like you can just change out the chorus section.
Also keep in mind that it's still possible to do some tap dancing scrolling between patches.

[twangbanger]

i've got the G-major and have had zero issues w/ it. how old is the unit? preset patches are great ,the only drawback for me is if your into tweaking things on the fly.prepare to spend some time though to get the most out of the G-major.i love the dynamic delay and pitch control! good luck.

[RPK]

I have a rack setup and to be honest it is great!!!

People complain about lugging racks around etc however im quite a big fit guy and its not a problem for me.

Its awesome having flexibility and ridiculous complex presets with a touch of one button.

I wouldnt worry to much of the programming side - to me that is half the fun, once dialled in that is it forever anyhow.

I think a lot of it also depends on what music you play, I mean if you are in a GNR/ACDC kind of band its pretty pointless!!

My rack consists of:

A few comps and ODs/Fuzz on a rack draw
Furman Power Conditioner
TC2290
Eventide H3000
Korg SDD
POD XT Pro
Dynacord CLS222 Leslie
Sound Sculpture GL (16 loop switcher/amp switcher/line mixer)
Skrydstrup Interface (Guitar, 2 amps and my MIDI controller plugs into the front of this for a 30sec stage setup - hence dont read to much into the "take ages to setup bull")

Skydstrup SC1 MIDI controller - which allows me to make presets via my PC and gives me instant access to all my effects and amps in any order I want. I can also load 3 diff setlists into this.

Its cool to have a pedalboard etc but once you start dabbling with TC2290s and other rack gear delays its never the same again.

On the other hand I have a small pedalboard also!

[Hamer95USA]

Hey Lt_Core,

I use a small 4 space shock mounted rack w/ a Furman PL Plus power conditioner & Rocktron Replifex effects processor via MIDI w/ either a Marshall 6101 1x12 combo amp or a Rocktron Vendetta amp head & 4x12 cab. I can get any of the sounds I need for my cover band gigs with minimal tap dancing. I use a DMC Ground Control v2.4, an Area 51 wah pedal, an Xotic AC Booster and Korg DT-10 pedal tuner on my pedalboard. Very small, easy to set up and very versatile. I'm aware that the TC Electronics G-Major has reliability issues with locking up during gigs.

Guitar George

[Ray Gianelli]

I have both the Rocktron Replifex and the G Major. My G Major went back to TC for repair and hasn't locked up since (I think they just replace the front section, it was around $100). IMHO the Replifex just sounds better. All the effects that interest me, such as reverb, rotary speaker and delay sound warmer to my ears. The G Major has a lot more parameters if that's your thing. The only effect that the G Major is better at is pitch bending. With an expression pedal it does excellent whammy effects, and even with the pitch bending set to 100% wet it doesn't sound glitchy.

[matt5150]

Had a G Major for about 3 years and MANY gigs. Never had an issue.

IMHO, there is nothing more versatile than a rack setup for a cover band situation.

I use a combination of rack gear, a pedal shelf and pedals on the floor to get all the tones I need.

Matt

[akivisuals]

Rack gear can sound great if used correctly. I have a little rack with a Mesa 20/20, Egnater M4, pedal tray and a TC Electronic G-system. It kills. But... if your main goal is to stop tap dancing and you like your pedals then get a little looper like the MusicomLab switcher. 8 loops for your pedals that are programmable. 5 patches available at once. Instant access mode is a bit clunky but somewhat functional. Step on one button for any combination of the 8 loops. It'll also send a midi signal if you need it.

[Lt_Core]

Originally Posted by matt5150

Had a G Major for about 3 years and MANY gigs. Never had an issue.

IMHO, there is nothing more versatile than a rack setup for a cover band situation.

I use a combination of rack gear, a pedal shelf and pedals on the floor to get all the tones I need.

Matt

Hi Matt, the G-Major doesn't allow you to add pedals into presets if they're on a pedal shelf, right? Just checking. Thanks!

[Lt_Core]

Originally Posted by akivisuals

Rack gear can sound great if used correctly. I have a little rack with a Mesa 20/20, Egnater M4, pedal tray and a TC Electronic G-system. It kills. But... if your main goal is to stop tap dancing and you like your pedals then get a little looper like the MusicomLab switcher. 8 loops for your pedals that are programmable. 5 patches available at once. Instant access mode is a bit clunky but somewhat functional. Step on one button for any combination of the 8 loops. It'll also send a midi signal if you need it.

Thanks for the tip. Not much if on the Musicom Lab switcher. Their website says the MKII is coming soon but not much info, etc.

http://www.musicomlab.co.kr/