Particular favourites include the various 'Plexi' models, which have a tightness and presence without sounding brittle or over-trebly, and the 'Brit 15'- a lovely brown sound based on the Vox AC15 which is a delight to use. DigiTech is pushing its new 'Component-Based Modelling' technology in its promo literature - the description (that every single aspect of the signal chain is analysed and modelled) sounds suspiciously like what Roland and Line 6 have been doing for 10 years, but maybe there's something in it.
Our initial impressions were along the lines of 'yep, another good solid set of amp models', but as we explored, isolating the amp/speaker models and then adding effects, we began to hear the quality more easily. Luckily, those clever DigiTech programmers have included a whole set (Factory 2) of patches designed simply to show off specific amp or stompbox models, and what a set of sounds they are. However, such sounds are usually tweaked specifically to sound good in a demo situation and are generally too laden with effects for practical recording and gigging use. Similarly, the XLR outputs lack the ground lift and speaker compensation switches there's probably a limited market for such details and they'd have an impact on price, so it makes sense not to include them on every product in a range.Īs with all versatile multi-FX units, the factory presets give a good impression of what the GNX3000 can do. The mic input no longer has a phantom power switch as this is always powered up however, there's no -20dB pad switch on the GNX3000, so you'll need to set the input level knob carefully. Round the back, the range of connections is pretty much the same as on the GNX4, but with a few differences. What's slightly confusing is that the GeNetX row has also had to be used for selecting amp models for the two main amp channels it's an obvious space-saving necessity, but it does slightly detract from an otherwise intuitive layout. The larger, lower part covers all the familiar effects modules, while the four-row upper section selects between standard amp controls, more complex settings for each of the two amp channels and the unique GeNetX 'Warp' settings. On the GNX3000, this display is in two sections. In Rec/Drum mode, the five main footswitches control a number of recording operations, while the other two are used for selecting the drum machine pattern.Ĭreating and editing patches involves a familiar 'Matrix' interface. In this mode the up/down switches are used to scroll through the presets in linear fashion. You have an amp channel switch, a tap tempo switch and on/off switches for three selected effects modules (stompbox, chorus/mod and delay). In Stompbox mode, the main footswitches are used like a traditional pedalboard. Bank mode will be familiar to most multi-effects users scroll through the banks with the up/down switches and use the five main switches to select the presets within each bank. The exact function of all the footswitches depends on the main operational mode (selected by pressing footswitches 4/5 simultaneously). Set-up and operation is as simple as we've come to expect from recent DigiTech products, with just a few extra choices as a result of the unit's versatility.
DIGITECH GNX3 PATCHES PORTABLE
On the other hand, the built-in recorder was useful as a portable audio sketchpad, so perhaps there'd be a market for a GNX unit with a rudimentary single-track digital recorder for that purpose? Rather than clutter the clear, intuitive control panel with more features, DigiTech has given us the choice: if you want to record, grab a USB cable and connect the GNX3000 to your computer. Computer-based recording is becoming more accessible all the time, so the built-in recorder is less of a selling point.
DIGITECH GNX3 PATCHES PRO
This makes sense like its predecessor, the GNX3000 can be used (in conjunction with a PC) as a comprehensive footswitch-operated recording and signal routing tool and comes with free Pro Tracks Plus recording software. Most immediately apparent is the disappearance of the built-in eight-track recorder - which featured on both the GNX3 and GNX4. While there are plenty of new and improved models and effects, the unit seems more streamlined and focused than the 'kitchen sink included' GNX4. The latest addition to the family is the GNX3000 that features some interesting developments. This new-found confidence really kicked in with the GNX and Genesis range of modelling units, which took over from the higher end of the RP range as the company's flagship models.DigiTech has been steadily updating the GNX range with an ever-bewildering range of new features.