tucsonsound
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So encouraged by the reviews here, I decided to pick-up a Zoom G3 instead of the Line 6 HD/M, Digitech GSP/RP, or Eleven Rack options I had been been perusing. I've been using it as a stomp modeler in front of my RM50, a preamp modeler into a stereo power amp/cabinets, and a full on modeler feeding monitors/phones.
I recently started using the audio interface functionality to try out some software modelers. With the global USB setting set to 100% DAW, it worked nicely as a front-end for Amplitube Free, and provided three extra stomp boxes in front of the software modeling. I liked it enough to splurge on 45 credits at their Custom Shop to add the Bassman, JCM900, and Soldano models as well.
This set-up has been pretty flexible;
G3 stomps>Amplitube stomps>Amplitube amps/cabinets>Amplitube rack
G3 stomp>G3 amp>G3 stomp>Amplitube stomps>Amplitube cabinets>Amplitube rack
You get the picture. It's pretty flexible considering it's just a three button box powered by a MacBook Pro over a USB cable. I started putting together some chains I was liking, but was a bit bummed I couldn't recall the software patches and G3 patches together.
I had heard Apple cut the price on Logic to $199 and moved it into the app store, but I didn't realize they'd made MainStage available separately for $30 there as well. I decided to give it a try as I thought it would be a cool way to incorporate AU plug-ins at the end of my chain in addition to the Amplitube fx rack. 20GB worth of downloads later, I had all the plug-ins, amp models, virtual instruments, and loops from Logic Pro available after the G3. Amplitube opens up as a plug-in within the channel strip, so each patch can utilize Amp Designer models or Amplitube models, as well as use their own cabinet models or IRs running in Space Designer. Pretty cool for $30.
Then I hit the next patch switch on the Zoom and MainStage changed to it's next patch. What!?? Nobody mentioned to me that the Zoom sends MIDI program change messages 1-100 as you step through the patches. Quickly backing up my presets to Zoom's Edit & Share, I created a new list that matched up to MainStage's patch order and there it was, the G3 and MainStage/Amplitube recalling their matching patches with one click.
Awesome little box. Had no idea how flexible this thing would end up being combined with less than $50 in software...
I recently started using the audio interface functionality to try out some software modelers. With the global USB setting set to 100% DAW, it worked nicely as a front-end for Amplitube Free, and provided three extra stomp boxes in front of the software modeling. I liked it enough to splurge on 45 credits at their Custom Shop to add the Bassman, JCM900, and Soldano models as well.
This set-up has been pretty flexible;
G3 stomps>Amplitube stomps>Amplitube amps/cabinets>Amplitube rack
G3 stomp>G3 amp>G3 stomp>Amplitube stomps>Amplitube cabinets>Amplitube rack
You get the picture. It's pretty flexible considering it's just a three button box powered by a MacBook Pro over a USB cable. I started putting together some chains I was liking, but was a bit bummed I couldn't recall the software patches and G3 patches together.
I had heard Apple cut the price on Logic to $199 and moved it into the app store, but I didn't realize they'd made MainStage available separately for $30 there as well. I decided to give it a try as I thought it would be a cool way to incorporate AU plug-ins at the end of my chain in addition to the Amplitube fx rack. 20GB worth of downloads later, I had all the plug-ins, amp models, virtual instruments, and loops from Logic Pro available after the G3. Amplitube opens up as a plug-in within the channel strip, so each patch can utilize Amp Designer models or Amplitube models, as well as use their own cabinet models or IRs running in Space Designer. Pretty cool for $30.
Then I hit the next patch switch on the Zoom and MainStage changed to it's next patch. What!?? Nobody mentioned to me that the Zoom sends MIDI program change messages 1-100 as you step through the patches. Quickly backing up my presets to Zoom's Edit & Share, I created a new list that matched up to MainStage's patch order and there it was, the G3 and MainStage/Amplitube recalling their matching patches with one click.
Awesome little box. Had no idea how flexible this thing would end up being combined with less than $50 in software...
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