Any TC Electronic G System users? Thoughts?

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I've been trying to decide on an effects system that can replace my pedalboard and stomp-boxes. I decided to go with the newest iB Modified TC G System after hearing Pete Thorn playing through his on a YouTube clip.

Anyone with any experience with the G/System - please chime-in.
 
I still have my red limited version, however am on the fence about keeping it. I use it 4CM with a Mesa Mark IV, and it does sound great and super versatile. It is easy to program, however I don't use it to nearly to its full potential as I don't use a lot of effects. For the record, I don't use any stomps or inserts besides the Boogie Mark. All channel switching is done via the G System switches, and I had a custom TRS > TRS snake cable built by Redco so there is only one line going from G System to Amp. I have no noise issues, no need to use the G System or any other gate, and no need for any line boosters as others have needed. That said, I recently picked up a Mesa Electra Dyne, and find that I am very pleased just using that and a TS 9 these days. The Mark IV and G System have been quiet as of late.
 
Thank you for your insight. I don't use a lot of effects, but I do like having them there nonetheless. I just want to have a simpler/cleaner floor-rig. I want to do as much as I can, with the least amount of gadgets as possible. I will see how it goes... If I don't like it, I can always send it back. I like the fact that it has 4 x loops on it! I picked-up a new Nova Drive for $180.00 off of ebay today! :)
 
had nothing but problems when i had mine. tried running it 4 cable method and it just wouldnt work right for me. i used the white paper, and threw tons of money at the thing with cables, buffers and nothing would work. had the red limited version. worst part is the effects blocks cant be switched around in the signal path. heck the tuner is located in the pitch block is post section. its a flawed system and for the money i'd recommend going a different route. just buy some rjm products, through your pedals in a small rack and be done.
 
Although I can't comment on the G system, I've never used a rack FX that doesn't "digitize" my sound.
 
I dig mine, purchased new in 2010 thanks to my experience with my Nova System. My G is used as my direct board, now with a Mesa Triaxis in the insert loop. I have the silver version with the updated input buffer from the red limited version.

getting it set-up can be challenging, the key IMO/IME is getting the input level set..then balancing the preset volumes and hotter signals from any pedals you are using. the next issue people have is noise. Laird's white paper covers this (worth a read or 3 before you get a G IMO).

Mine's a keeper.
 
This is all great information! :thumbsup: I'm going to see how it sounds using the 4 cable set-up - then direct. The digitizing thing has been an issue with me in the past... I was looking at the new RLM Rack Gizmo, which looks like it handles loops and switching in one box. I think the $799.00 price is a bit steep though. The cool thing about the G System is that it handles effects, loops, and switching - all in one package.
 
I love mine. I have 2 of them the original silver and a red limited. I leave the red one at home for gigging and the silver at rehearsal space. I run them in stereo with 2 5150 III 100 watt halfstacks in stereo. With some amps they don't work so well. Hear it has lots of issues with parallel fx loops. Some do not like not having the option to route the fx the way they want them. IE chorus and phaser in the front instead of in the loop. This doesn't really bother me. I prefer to use the detune as opposed to the chorus anyway. For phase and flange I use pedals in the G's loops along with the nova drive which is awesome. With the Y Midi cable it becomes an internal effect parameter inside the G. I used a G Major, GCX Loop Switcher along with a Ground Contol Pro before my current setup. I wanted to ditch the rack and have everything on the floor and the G-System was the perfect choice for me. I never experienced any need for buffers and hum eliminators with my amps. I've been using this setup now for about 3 years and it's been great. The G-System is built like a freakin tank. If you decide to try it get Laird Williams White Paper to help you with initial set up and check out GSystem videos on You Tube to help with dialing in some sounds and programming. Just make sure you get it from somewhere that will allow you to return it if you don't like it.
 
Good tips! Thanks! I was going to run it as a 4 x cable with loop 1 of a Cornford MK50H II, or just straight into my VOX AC30. The cool thing about the Cornford is that it has dual assignable loops, which means I should be able to switch the G System out of the circuit with the G System itself. I was going to use the G System in the clean channel loop with a Nova Drive for gain (and some other gain pedals) - then switch over to the MK50 drive channel for analog only high-gain tones. I should still be able to use the front-end loops of the G-System but none of the effects - right? If the loops, compressor, and wah are positioned before the GS output to the amps effects-loop input, then it seems like I should be able to use the front-end of the G System like I would using standard floor effects. Something doesn't seem right about that though...?

Cable #1. Guitar > GS (signal runs through GS modulation block + Loops) > GS output to amp Input. This would take care of my input signal.
Cable #2. Amp effects send > GS effects input.
Cable #3. GS effects output > amp effects return.
Cable #4. What is the #4 cable for?

So if I switch the MK loops via the GS/Amp Gizmo Interface to Amp Loop #2, the GS effects should be switched out of the circuit - thereby using only the loops and front-end modulation (wah/compressor) block of the GS?

I'm already getting a headache thinking about this... :doh:
 
I tried the G-System route but I'm back to pedals. 2 problems with the G-System are it sucks tone. I tried everything and read the white book up and down, tried better cables and there's a tone suck to it, you have to decide if you can live with it or not. You can get it in the ballpark but no matter what you do, when you unplug the G-System and go straight into your amp you'll hear the difference.

And the modulation block is post preamp which is a total waste for me, gotta have the before the preamp, although you can use the pedal loops it has but then you'll still be using some pedals.
 
Laird's white paper can be found in a sticky on the TC Electronic's g-system forum.

I agree with Danyeo, however you minimize it there is AD/DA in the G, so it will impact your tone compared to straight into the amp. The input buffer changes have been an attempt to address this.

Here is what I'm doing (still working through this) with my Triaxis that I purchased a few weeks ago...I have a user patch set to bypass all effects, everything is off (I have the global insert loop locked on = all presets will have the triaxis insert loop on); I set my input level for guitar, and now I'm dialing in my Triaxis presets in this configuration. That is, to sound good to me in the G's insert loop compensating for any tone impact as much as possible. Once I have a few presets to my liking, I may try them direct without the G-System just to see how I had to compensate...

I also have not had any noise issues; the Triaxis signal is very hot on the recording outs (I have a Two Notes Torpedo CAB on order that I plan to use with this rig). That said, I run an EBtech Hum Elimintator (2 channel) with short cables on the G outs (input in the EBtech), then XLR cables out of the EBtech into my FRFR rig.
 
I'm getting a bad feeling about this... :scared: Maybe I'll just sell my rig and buy a nice bass boat. :lol: :LOL:
 
rsm":3h0wgjk5 said:
Laird's white paper can be found in a sticky on the TC Electronic's g-system forum.

I agree with Danyeo, however you minimize it there is AD/DA in the G, so it will impact your tone compared to straight into the amp. The input buffer changes have been an attempt to address this.

Here is what I'm doing (still working through this) with my Triaxis that I purchased a few weeks ago...I have a user patch set to bypass all effects, everything is off (I have the global insert loop locked on = all presets will have the triaxis insert loop on); I set my input level for guitar, and now I'm dialing in my Triaxis presets in this configuration. That is, to sound good to me in the G's insert loop compensating for any tone impact as much as possible. Once I have a few presets to my liking, I may try them direct without the G-System just to see how I had to compensate...

I also have not had any noise issues; the Triaxis signal is very hot on the recording outs (I have a Two Notes Torpedo CAB on order that I plan to use with this rig). That said, I run an EBtech Hum Elimintator (2 channel) with short cables on the G outs (input in the EBtech), then XLR cables out of the EBtech into my FRFR rig.
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How does your G-System sound going into your VOX AC30?
 
SabbadiusUSA":2jf4ogsc said:
How does your G-System sound going into your VOX AC30?
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I don't use the G or Nova System with my Vox amps. I have a small board I use with my Vox amps:
Korg PitchBlack --> JangleBox (compressor) --> Boss AB (to switch between EF86 and Top Boost).

I use my Vox for pure Rickenbacker + Vox tonal goodness (at least to my ears) for Brit invasion jangle and chime. My Vox amps are for pure enjoyment of my favorite guitar sounds.

The G and NS rigs are for more versatile rigs. I ran a Tech 21 Liverpool character series in my G's insert loop after using a ToneLab. With the Liverpool it sounded good, but lacked versatility which the Triaxis has plenty...in fact I was using OD (TC Electronic VPD1), OD/Dist (TC Electronic Nova Drive) and Fuzz (EH BigMuffPi with Tone Wicker) pedals...with the Triaxis I only use the Fuzz though I may add the Nova Drive back so I can add dirt to clean presets.

Once you get the G-system set-up (this is a one time thing, unless you change amps) the rest is easy.

Be sure you dig the effects and can live with the order...I had a Nova System sold it for a Line 6 M9 which I used for about 9 months, sold it; got another Nova System and worked on learning it. Once I was convinced the NS was a keeper, I got my G. You may want to try a Nova System first...keep in mind it is close, but not the same, if you dig the NS in front or in the loop of your amp, you will probably like the G. If not, you are only investing a few hundred $ and it is more easily sold with no/minimal loss.

Another "trick" I use is to have input level settings for each of my guitars on a sticky note I keep in the case. If you have guitars with different pickups, I highly recommend this as it will sound off if you have the input level set for different guitars/pickups, worse case you will get digital clipping.

I am by no means a G expert, but IMO it is worth the effort in learning. It really is a versatile rig that lets you use your favorite pedals, preamps, amps etc. The learning curve doesn't have to be steep, start with getting your amp integrated then move on to pedals, G-effects, boost, etc. The white paper is a must read so you know what you may be in for; it is comprehensive, but I didn't need most of it as my stuff worked without trouble / issues. Just read about setting levels and integrating the amp, ignore the rest initially. If you have issues, then read the other sections of the white paper that cover the issue or search/post on the TCE forum.
 
And my Nova System? I run that into a clean Fender Deco Tone (all tube) amp...that I plan to sell, if my plan to try the NS in front of a new Engl rig I'm building works out: Engl E530 + E850/100 + two Pro 2x12 horizontal cabs
 
rsm":3g38efn4 said:
And my Nova System? I run that into a clean Fender Deco Tone (all tube) amp...that I plan to sell, if my plan to try the NS in front of a new Engl rig I'm building works out: Engl E530 + E850/100 + two Pro 2x12 horizontal cabs
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So you have 3 amp rigs. How many guitars do you own? If you don't mind me asking that is...
 
I have a few more amp rigs too. And bass rigs. ;)

8 (5 are Rics; 1 Steinberger, 1 Epiphone Casino, 1 BC Rich Stealth) guitars, 2 basses (1 Ric, 1 Steinberger) at present.
 
rsm":3bzj6di7 said:
I have a few more amp rigs too. And bass rigs. ;)

8 (5 are Rics; 1 Steinberger, 1 Epiphone Casino, 1 BC Rich Stealth) guitars, 2 basses (1 Ric, 1 Steinberger) at present.
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That's a lot of gear! Now I don't feel so guilty for spending $3K on a '68 LPC reissue. :)
 
Well, I'm one of the gear lightweights here, FWIW. There are a few (many?) here that could open their own gear shops with their private stock!
 
My new iB Modified G-System is now up and running. :) The sound quality of the new G-System is nothing short of amazing! The on-board wah is SO good that I'm putting my Fulltone Clyde Deluxe up for sale - along with rest of antiquated pedals. The delays (especially the simulated tape) are spot-on baby! :thumbsup: The dual effects loops on my MK50H II give me the ability (when using 4 cable method) to totally bypass the TC system, and use whatever other effects see fit to use. I still need to do the MIDI "Y" cable modification, as I have some MIDI clock noise coming through from the Nova Drive. Love the Nova Drive too!
 
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