View Full Version : Boss GT-6 - Taking drastic measures
Well I finally decided to take the plunge and put away all the pedals and try and figure out the GT-6 considering I've had it since December last year.
As I couldn't get it to run thru my amp the way I wanted to doing the 4 cable method (as I wanted to use just the fx part of it) so I decided to plug it straight into the PA system and try it that way. The PA is an old Yorkville AP320.
It actually sounds really good using the GT-6's preamp models, it's taking me ages to fiddle with it to get the sounds I like but it's really cool. I love also being able to use it in stereo mode http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif - putting away the pedals has forced me to work on getting some good sounds.
It's been great for setting up patches for songs. I can set up 2 or 3 (or even 4) patches in one bank for a specific song and move between them at will - problems I've had before with pedals is that sometimes I need to turn off 2 pedals while turning on another one at the same time, an impossible tap dance and the main reason why I looked into the GT-6.
I've set the Ctrl for some of the patches to be a tuner/mute which I really use as a mute switch so I can just get the piezo coming thru.
The only problem is that before when I used to play thru the amp, and have the piezo running to the PA, I used to get a cool sonic sort of stereo effect when both were running at the same time (piezo and mags), but now with it all coming thru' the PA it gets lost in the mix.
The thing I'm not looking forward to is having to tweak it when I change guitars (so far I've only been using the Archtop thru' it and it sounds awesome).
But...... I really like it. I'm glad I held on to it and forced myself to use it. You certainly need to give yourself time to get used to it. It's taken me over 2 months to get this far.
Now.... my poor amp isn't being used :(
Jo, I am sooooo with you on the tap dancing, but nothing sounds/feels like my amp, so, it's separate pedals for me. The stuff I do now doesn't require much FX, I prolly could get away with guitar and amp.
Congrats on getting this far, I know you have to spend a while on that unit, that unit beat both myself and mightypudge.
Dan Desy
02-26-2004, 04:11 PM
I don't know much about the GT6, but what's the Easy Tone feature? What does it do, how does it work?
vangit
02-26-2004, 08:00 PM
I play my GT-6 mostly through headphones and love it! To amplify it, I currently run through a keyboard amp that is really just a poweramp and speaker. It sounds pretty good. When I have the funds, I would be very interested in getting a rackmount tube poweramp and a good cab (2x12 or 4x12) and use the GT-6 as the preamp and effects. None of my friends gig, so no one I know has the poweramp and cab for me to borrow. Have you tried running it that way Jo?
Brian D
02-26-2004, 08:37 PM
You're inspiring me to mess with mine a bit more Jo. We've all heard it said that the GT-6 takes a lot of tweaking to get the most from it, and I agree 100%. Many people don't want to take the time to mess with various settings and combinations to get a sound they like, and I don't blame them. But I bought mine for the overall potential of the unit, and so far I don't regret it. You can actually get some practical experience with settings that can translate to studio gear and recording as well.
I've been lazy about tweaking lately though, I really need to put more time into it...
I don't know much about the GT6, but what's the Easy Tone feature? What does it do, how does it work?Dan the Easy Tone feature is a button which has a few 'basic' preset sounds which are a jumping off point for tweaking. You have things like a a few cleans, crunches and lead sounds. So you pick one in the ballpark that you're looking for, then you tweak, tweak, tweak. Did you get a GT-6?
Vangit, I haven't tried running it thru' the power amp and cab (only thru my amp Mesa Boogie F-50) and through the PA. Thru the PA definitely sounds good tho'.
Dan Desy
02-27-2004, 06:14 AM
No, I didn't get one. I was just curious about that easy tone thing.
But it's cool that you're getting along with your GT6! I'm quite hapy (for the moment) with my setup, which is a great amp and a bunch of pedals/rack units.
No, I didn't get one. I was just curious about that easy tone thing.
But it's cool that you're getting along with your GT6! I'm quite hapy (for the moment) with my setup, which is a great amp and a bunch of pedals/rack units.Dan, how come your links in your sig don't work :(
Dan Desy
02-27-2004, 07:44 AM
Dan, how come your links in your sig don't work :(
You know what? I have no idea!!!
I'll fix them ASAP. Thanks for letting me know!
Dan Desy
02-27-2004, 08:09 AM
Links in my sig should work now. Thanks again!
Links in my sig should work now. Thanks again!Aye, that they do now, young man. I thank ye'. ;)
data187
03-03-2004, 08:33 AM
i just picked up a gt6 last week and i run it straight into a mesa nomad 45.
i really like the way it sounds and the versatillity that it provides.
since i only use my amp to amplify the gt6's sound, i was thinking about selling my amp for a keyboard amp or a tech 21 power engine or someting.
anyway, i'm having trouble with the pitch shifter.
i heard you can tune your guitar down with the pitch shifter without tuning your guitar physically.
anyone here try this?
vangit
03-03-2004, 11:52 AM
i just picked up a gt6 last week and i run it straight into a mesa nomad 45.
i really like the way it sounds and the versatillity that it provides.
since i only use my amp to amplify the gt6's sound, i was thinking about selling my amp for a keyboard amp or a tech 21 power engine or someting.
Hey Data
I run my GT-6 through a Roland KC-100 keyboard amp. I love the way the GT sounds through headphones, but I don't think the keyboard amp transfers the sound all that well. It's OK, but not great. The lows get muddy and you don't fell that "punch". It sounds a little flat. Maybe an upgraded speaker would make a big difference, I don't know?
I don't know much about mesa's, but I assum it is tube? If so, that may be why you dig it. I've been in search of a tube power amp speaker set up as well without a preamp. Seems that the tech 21 is not tube. The only thing I can think of is to get a rack tube power amp and a 2x12 cab. Do you know of any tube poweramp speaker combo's??
Data, I know some folk who've gone the powered monitors route, they just plug straight into those from the GT-6 and swear by it.
I'm really enjoying the sounds of mine straight thru' a PA... you may want to look into that as an option. Some powered monitors could be pretty cheap and you could probably keep your amp too. I have some Fosted PM-1 monitors, I may try mine thru' that later today.
Brian D
03-03-2004, 10:41 PM
I ran mine direct into the board at school (via patchbay) and was able to get some decent recorded sounds. If I had put some time into it I'm sure I could have made them even better. It sounded pretty good coming out through the monitors too.
As far as the de-tune option, I haven't messed with it much. Basically I've only used the pre-sets that have it, and not very often. But yes, I believe you should be able to de-tune your guitar digitally, although it won't sound quite the same as doing it for real on your guitar I'm sure.
data187
03-04-2004, 08:39 AM
where do you guys download patches?
i tried the patches at the bossgtcentral forum but most of them are mediocre.
i've been stealing settings that guitar world mag prints for the pod and transfering them over to my gt6. but other than that, i'm still looking for more tone ideas.
Brian D
03-04-2004, 11:08 AM
I've never downloaded any patches myself Data but I have a few links you can try here:
http://www.ravivo.nl/
http://www.hickoryshomepage.com/gt6_patches.htm
As I said, and as a disclaimer I suppose, I have never downloaded or used any of these patches so I can't guarantee that they will work or that they won't explode your GT-6 or whatever. The patchbay that I refer to in my last post is the studio patchbay at my recording school, which is just a way to plug directly into the audio board. I have a few other GT-6 links for info here too:
http://www.breakingtaboo.com/?/gear/boss_gt-x/boss_gt-x.htm
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/GT-6/
The links on the little calendar section on the bottom of that second page go to discussion boards that have some interesting info. Good luck and let me know if you find any cool sounds.
lespaulreedsmith
03-10-2004, 10:19 AM
Well I finally decided to take the plunge and put away all the pedals and try and figure out the GT-6 considering I've had it since December last year.
As I couldn't get it to run thru my amp the way I wanted to doing the 4 cable method (as I wanted to use just the fx part of it) so I decided to plug it straight into the PA system and try it that way. The PA is an old Yorkville AP320.
It actually sounds really good using the GT-6's preamp models, it's taking me ages to fiddle with it to get the sounds I like but it's really cool. I love also being able to use it in stereo mode http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif - putting away the pedals has forced me to work on getting some good sounds.
It's been great for setting up patches for songs. I can set up 2 or 3 (or even 4) patches in one bank for a specific song and move between them at will - problems I've had before with pedals is that sometimes I need to turn off 2 pedals while turning on another one at the same time, an impossible tap dance and the main reason why I looked into the GT-6.
I've set the Ctrl for some of the patches to be a tuner/mute which I really use as a mute switch so I can just get the piezo coming thru.
The only problem is that before when I used to play thru the amp, and have the piezo running to the PA, I used to get a cool sonic sort of stereo effect when both were running at the same time (piezo and mags), but now with it all coming thru' the PA it gets lost in the mix.
The thing I'm not looking forward to is having to tweak it when I change guitars (so far I've only been using the Archtop thru' it and it sounds awesome).
But...... I really like it. I'm glad I held on to it and forced myself to use it. You certainly need to give yourself time to get used to it. It's taken me over 2 months to get this far.
Now.... my poor amp isn't being used :(
Hi Jo,
I own a GT5 and the GT6 both, and use the GT6 on a biweekly gig basis (it's my job). If you own either of these and run directly to the PA (I do) you owe it to yourself to check out a ADA Microcab cabinet simulator which I put between my GT6 and the snake. This item will make the GT6 sound huge (at least mine does). The no longer manufactured ADA Microcabs can be had on eBay for around $100 or so and to me are worth twice that for what it makes the GT6 sound like. Without it I can hardly stand the GT6 direct but with it the GT6 takes on a whole new 'amp' chunk, thump, fullness you have to hear to believe. Honest. And if you buy a Microcab and don't like it, I might take it off your hands just so I can have a spare! highly recommended. Check it out.:dude:
Fat Dog Lee
03-11-2004, 05:58 PM
I have been using a GT-6 for awhile now and have good luck. Sure beats totin' around all them amps and pedals.:cool:
Hi Jo,
I own a GT5 and the GT6 both, and use the GT6 on a biweekly gig basis (it's my job). If you own either of these and run directly to the PA (I do) you owe it to yourself to check out a ADA Microcab cabinet simulator which I put between my GT6 and the snake. Thanks I'll check it out. BTW, what's the "snake"?
Dan Desy
03-15-2004, 07:56 AM
Thanks I'll check it out. BTW, what's the "snake"?
Jo,
A "snake" is the big cable with connector box that runs between the stage (mic, amps, di's) to the PA console.
Hope you're not too disappointed ;)
lespaulreedsmith
03-15-2004, 02:11 PM
Jo,
A "snake" is the big cable with connector box that runs between the stage (mic, amps, di's) to the PA console.
Hope you're not too disappointed ;)
May the 'thwapping' commence...!!!
Dan Desy
03-15-2004, 02:13 PM
May the 'thwapping' commence...!!!A big Woo-hoo on that! :D
http://www.kites.org/jo/prs/gifs/whip.gif Ok, so who's gonna be first.
(BTW, how do you like my snake?):D
lespaulreedsmith
03-15-2004, 02:16 PM
http://www.kites.org/jo/prs/gifs/whip.gif Ok, so who's gonna be first.
(BTW, how do you like my snake?):D
make me write bad checks...
http://www.kites.org/jo/prs/gifs/whip2.gif
Who's been a baaaaad boy then?
Dan Desy
03-15-2004, 02:36 PM
http://www.kites.org/jo/prs/gifs/whip2.gif
Who's been a baaaaad boy then?
I'm always at your service, Miss Jo ;)
Hi Jo,
I own a GT5 and the GT6 both, and use the GT6 on a biweekly gig basis (it's my job). If you own either of these and run directly to the PA (I do) you owe it to yourself to check out a ADA Microcab cabinet simulator which I put between my GT6 and the snake.
A quick question on the ADA Microcab cab simulator.... does have stereo inputs so you don't lose the stereo from the FX on the GT-6?
lespaulreedsmith
03-19-2004, 09:52 AM
A quick question on the ADA Microcab cab simulator.... does have stereo inputs so you don't lose the stereo from the FX on the GT-6?Hi Jo,
Yes, It does have stereo ins and outs (xlr and 1/4" both) but the controls on the front of the unit are combined. In other words one knob on the front turns up both of the outs at the same time equally.
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