GNX4 - Whole lotta machine
I found myself out of actively playing guitar, or doing anything music wise for a good 8 years. Recently I decided to get back into it, and to ?relearn? to play guitar. I purchased a Les Paul, and quickly found, playing guitar is not like riding a bike, you do forget. I was searching for a means to both supply my desire for a powerful multi effects system, and something that would actually help me ?relearn? quicker.
Enter the GNX4. I demo?d many multi effects systems at the local Guitar Center, but the GNX4 was the only system that presented me with everything I was looking for in one package. Outstanding effects, tons of models, bundled recording software, a drum machine, and a large online community to draw from.
The GNX4 is solidly built. And they layout is well designed. New users may find them selves having to bend down to adjust the drum patterns until they get used to switching through the modes and setting using the foot pedals. But this is a minor annoyance.
The unit itself is not overly ?clunky? and a new user (even one with no experience using a multi effects system) will find it?s very easy to navigate through the presets, and switch to the ?stompbox? mode for greater control of the effects of a particular preset/model. The X-Edit software makes building your own presets extremely easy, if you can use a mouse, you can build a preset
The 80 factory presets offer a wide range of sounds and styles, and will be more than adequate for most players. The unit has room for 80 User presets, and with a Flash card, a virtually unlimited library. Like many modern Multi effects systems, the unit sounds best either through a PA or similar speaker arrangement, or through the effects return of your amp. For amps without an effects return, the user may have to ?tweak? the setting on their amp?s clean channel to get the appropriate sound.
The drum machine is pretty robust. As a practicing tool, it is a godsend. You can quickly cycle through to a pattern that fits a tempo and style you like, and select a kit for the desired sound. For power users, you can edit your own MIDI patterns with the Pro Tracks software, and create your own patterns, and even full songs.
There isn?t much the unit can?t do. The only thing I could think of that could make the GNX4 better as an effects system, would be to include a vocoder effects system for use with the Mic input.
If you don?t have an Amp with an effects return, or a PA or a ?flat? speaker system, this unit may not be for you. You may need to upgrade your amp before considering this purchase (or any other multi effects system).
Reviewed by Jas on 10/4/2006 who plays Industrial, Metal.
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