Customer Reviews

DigiTech GNX3 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal and Multitrack Recorder

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Where to begin? I got GNX3 at the time when GNX4 was first coming out; I decided to go for the "bargain" unit rather than getting the latest and the greatest. I love this unit to death; for me, it beats out the competition in the price range.

GNX3 can be used in several ways. For one, it has a "novice" mode (a.k.a. bank mode). In this mode, the user selects a 'set' of simultaneous effects, either factory preset or user-defined (60 of each is available). When a bank is selected, the 5 control switches are used to go between presets in that bank. Each preset has an amp model (or direct box model), customizable Wah, pick-up modeling (single or humbucker), compression, pitch shifter/harmonizer, distortion pedals (actual models of actual stompboxes), 3-band parametric EQ, noise gate, chorus (or any other available effect, for example flange or synth), delay, reverb, and two real-time LFOs.

For a more advanced user, GNX3 has the preset mode. In this mode, the 5 controller buttons become controls for the different parameters. For example, button-1 turns stompbox on or off; button-2 switches between amp channels (up to 2, plus the 'warp'), button-3 turns chorus on or off; button-4 will toggle delay, or allow tap of delay time; button-5 is user assigned (most presets default to reverb).

Amp models, based on actual high-end guitar/bass amps, sound great to my ears - I'm 100% behind the AudioDNA technology and GeNetX (over COSM and others on the market). Additionally, user can take any two amps at a given setting and "warp" them together, digitally combining their tonal characteristics. Sometimes this comes in handy when you know exactly what sound you're going for. The same "warping" can be done with cab emulations. Stompbox models are also amazingly accurate - the TS-9 model functions exactly like a Tube Screamer, the MT model emulates Boss's Metalzone.

GNX3 allows stereo operation. At first I didn't think much of this, but take my word for it: once you hear your guitar in stereo, you can't go back. The stereo operation works for both the analog (two unbalanced 1/4") and digital (coax S/PDIF @ 24bit). Stereo delay models are available; chorus and reverb have balance controls.

GNX3 also has a fully-functional recorder/looper, which records CD quality (16bit@44.1kHz) mono or stereo.

To give you an idea of the power of this workstation, let me outline my mode of operation in a live setting:
- plug the two analog outputs into an active stereo direct box to go to the soundboard (LFOs, in many of my presets, slowly shift the balance of reverb and chorus from left to right for a more dramatic stereo effect; I generally use a stereo delay model as well)
- attach the optional footswitch for using the recorder feature for loops and overdubs in real-time
- keep the processor in preset mode; each "preset" for me is taylored to a specific song, but within that song i can turn effects on/off, use stompbox to boost solos, etc.
- attach any MIDI controller, and assign more controls to it; in the studio a MIDI track can be used in Cakewalk or similar to change programs and controls in real-time
- if you're doing solo guitar/voice, a dynamic mic can be run through the GNX3, either dry, through the reverb, or through everything.

Then later, when I get home, I can plug in my PC into the CD input and play along with a midi sequencer (Finale, Sibelius, etc) to practice the compositions in the works (CD input and guitar become mixed to main outputs) - or play along with MP3s, taking advantage of the 9-second Jam-a-Long looper to learn more difficult parts. All these features and more are ready to use out of the box, and it takes little to no expertise to master them.

GNX3 comes with software that allows to edit patches and create new amp models on the computer screen, via the MIDI hook-up.

Some drawbacks of GNX3 are:
- programmable controls (button-5 and expression pedal) only take 3 parameters max; not always possible to get away without using a separate MIDI controller if you want one button to change more than 3 setting.
- unlike the new GNX4, there are no line-ins (CD-in is a 1/8" TRS), and no low-Z outputs; it's not possible to take advantage of all the internal mixer's capabilities by the end-user
- SmartMedia memory card allows maximum 128MBs (optional, comes with 16MB internal memory), which is not much for uncompressed PCM stereo; good for loops, but not necessarily for composing
- headphone output shuts off the analog ouputs - quite inconvenient in the studio (does not affect S/PDIF) - this was fixed in GNX4
- the pitch shifter sounds average at best, and has a rather high latency tracking - ok for live tricks, but not always useable for recording.

Bottom line: this is one great unit. The GNX4 sounds are no different (though there are more factory presets). Another GNX4 drawback for me is that it replaces S/PDIF with USB 1.1; my hardware recorder takes real-time S/PDIF, but not USB. Therefore if you don't need the additional features, this is a good buy.

The GNX3 is an awesome companion to playing live. I've used it with my acoustic guitar going out straight into a direct box. I've also used it in conjunction with my Marshall head going through my 4x12 cabinets. This unit has in it everything I used to have in my rack setup and so much more. The tones are extrememly diverse, and very customizable. The presets cover a really broad range, and if there's anything you want to add, you can. I set the pedals to the range of songs I will most likely play in a set so I can easily change between effects without having to do excessive scrolling. I just have to hit the pedal I've set to move from effect to effect. The built-in tuner adds value to the unit since a tuner that mutes when you're tuning is essential when playing live. I haven't used the built-in recorder or used it for recording as of yet, but I don't see any reason why it would not deliver for either. Value is great, features are great. I only wish I had this thing when I was in my prime.

I received this product the very next day and its capabilities are far greater than my talents. Reading the manual is highly recommended. A very solid and well made product.