comparison G-Major 2 and Xpression for VH4

[jswevers]

Dear all,

I would like to appreciate feedback of your experience with eighter G-Major 2 (not the
first version) and Xpression for use in VH4 effects loop:
- noise/hum problems?
- quality of effects: which effects are excellent/good/mediocre/bad in either system
- influence on the sound/neutrality wrt. tone
- series/parallel loop issues? Are there things to watch out for in either system
- pros/cons of either system

There is already much information about that on this forum, but most of them is about
the G Major (1) and not the 2, and very contradictory. I planning to buy either system
(I do not want to buy a more expensive system) ....

Thanks

Jan

 

[slyvren]

I know you've read a lot about the gmajor 1 and not the 2. Here's my beef though. I own a g-major 1. It's not transparent. I don't care who says it is.. It's simply not. I highly doubt the gmajor 2 will be transparent either. I took the time to set everything up with levels properly. I have an ear for detail and when you want to bypass the unit's effects... You're going to want to bypass the entire unit for the best quality sound. I don't care how much better A/D/A has gotten since gmajor 1. You lose some definition. I can tell most on high gain. Channel 3 rhythms for example. The harmonics and richness just isn't the same. The effects are great. I don't mind throwing the unit in the loop when I need it's effects. I'd honestly get the 2 over the 1 unless you can find a steal like I did. The 2 has better pitch shifting and a few other features that make it definitely worth the extra money. Gmajors are made to run series... I run mine that way. Parallel takes away from some of the features of the unit. Although, you could bypass the unit if it's in your parallel loop pretty easily on the vh4.

Anyways sorry to be so wordy. I have no experience with xpression. I'm recommending the gmajor because the effects are amazing, but I'd highly think about a midi switcher to take it out of your signal path when not in use.

good luck!

 

[Me]

I have a v1 and herbert, but for what its worth; I use my v1 in the parallel loop, but I only really use it for verb and delay. Then use analogue for serial fx. I'm not convinced any serial digital fx unit will be totally transparent. It's LOADS better serial than my old digitech 2120, and a lot of digital guitar fx though. Never had that much of an issue with it serial. Using the noise gate will spoil you attack though, but noise gates are for girls anyway!

Equally, when it's run to FOH and through all their junk no one in the audience will really tell! (whereas they would wiu quite a lot of processors).

 

[jswevers]

Gmajors are made to run series... I run mine that way. Parallel takes away from some of the features of the unit. Although, you could bypass the unit if it's in your parallel loop pretty easily on the vh4.


good luck!

But you can always use the Gmajor in the parallel loop (which is switchable) and turn the mix
control such that all the signal passes through the effect yielding the same as a seriel loop but
then it is switchable ... or am I wrong there in this reasoning?

 

[slyvren]

Wrong, some of the dry will always bleed through which results in phasing issues.

Gmajors are made to run series... I run mine that way. Parallel takes away from some of the features of the unit. Although, you could bypass the unit if it's in your parallel loop pretty easily on the vh4.


good luck!

But you can always use the Gmajor in the parallel loop (which is switchable) and turn the mix
control such that all the signal passes through the effect yielding the same as a seriel loop but
then it is switchable ... or am I wrong there in this reasoning?

 

[petereanima]

I use the Rocktron Xpression with the Herbert, the Xpression is NOT transparent at all. Even if set on bypass you can hear that the signal is converted.

I used to only use it with the switchable loop, so not beeing transparent didnt bother me - but now i wanted to try to make my whole rig a bit smaller, and therefor use the noisegate (and the compressor) of the Xpression constantly...simply not possible because it colours too much.

 

[jswevers]

Wrong, some of the dry will always bleed through which results in phasing issues.

But Duesentrieb once wrote on this forum:
Switch the parallel instead and crank the mix to full (=serial).

 

[slyvren]

Wrong, some of the dry will always bleed through which results in phasing issues.

But Duesentrieb once wrote on this forum:
Switch the parallel instead and crank the mix to full (=serial).

Not on vh4. There is no 100% wet. The volume only adjusts effects return volume. It is not a mix knob. Don't believe me? Try it. Put a tuner that mutes in parallel loop crank loop up all the way... Now try to mute... There is still dry. Now do the same in serial loop.

 

[jswevers]

Don't believe me?

There is no reason why I should not believe you ... just was confused by the quote of Olaf.