Boss GX 10 ..... Floor EFX Unit Anyone ?

[BenIfin]

Killer form factor. Even the built-in EXP. Boss digital effects are killer as well. Other than their bland scratchy ass drives. This is sacrilege but I think LT gets some of his best tones in his Boss videos

You're not wrong J.T ... even his facial expressions couldn't hide his pleasure :)

 

[Frankencat]

Bugger the "backup" part ..... this pedal and a Tonex [full] Pedal in the Loop would be an amazing "main" gigging rig :)

I have used the Tonex in the loop of my GX-100, and it’s cool, but I ended up not using it because the tones I get from the unit are just as good. You can believe it or not but I have spent a ton of time a/b’ing sounds between the GX-100, Tonex, and FM3. Overall the Fractal gets the win for pure quality and tweakability, but the Boss gets the win for usability and just plain fun.

 

[Will Onyx]

This looks pretty cool, but I’ll probably wait for the Waza Craft version to come out so I can spend twice as much on it. Mojo don’t come for free.

 

[BenIfin]

I love the GX-100 and use it all the time. I have been wanting a backup for it and this may be it, although would be more inclined to insta-buy at $299.

$299 !?!?!?!?! I literally cant believe its only $399 for everything you get

https://www.boss.info/us/products/gx-10/support/

Reference manual and parameter guide are up now.

Time to get browsing. £350 is a pretty good deal over here in the UK.

Hmm. No MIDI. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

No Midi ..

This is potentially a big issue .... all the Midi is done via the USB Port and the Manual is very unclear if the USB Port is also (a) a "USB Host" and (b) if it is, can it Send and Receive Midi PC and CC.

You must have both a + b to use an external Midi FSW Controller to send and receive Midi PC and CC ..... however, even if it only receives Midi PC and CC that will take care of +%99.99 of situations / users ..... more research to be done :)

The new Ampero II beats this.

I've spent quite a bit of time messing with the Ampero 2 Stomp.

Hard to compare the Amps because one aims for "copies" ... the others high point is it Originals and X-Series .... personally I think the Boss Originals and X-Series Amps are as good as anything out there ..... you just need to use your ear to dial them in .... "standard" settings don't work ..... and ..... micro-adjustments go a long way as they all have a massive amount of range and juice on tap in their Gain and EQ stages.

But Amps %100 aside .... every effect I used/tried on the A2S sounded very "basic" for want of a better word .... Boss pretty much single handledly created the whole guitar EFX world ... and it shows ... the EFX in the GT / GX and now this "10" unit are stellar ... the SDE in the GT / GX / 10 alone would cover almost all your delay needs ..... unless of course you want/need the more boutique-exotic delays and verbs of the Strymon / VP4 world.

Hence why it is a stupid no brainer buy even if you never even load up or use any of the Amps.

My 2c as always though.

 

[BenIfin]

I've emailed " Roland Backstage " Support to ask specifically if the USB Port is (a) a "USB Host" and (b) can it Send and Receive both Midi PC and CC messages.

They are normally fairly quick in responding so I'll report back when I get a response.

 

[Cactusprick]

yeap the new size had me intrigued for a second, watched videos that reminded me of why i had sold GX-100.
AIRD doesn't work for me.

 

[2112]

The BOSS original amps are really forgiving to play. Sure they may not sound or behave exactly like a given reference amp but if you're chasing "distorted tone that makes playing easier" they're pretty fantastic.

@JiveTurkey the detune algo is pretty interesting - it sounds like there's some extra modulation and filtering going on. Instant bigness.

 

[ragingplatypi]

The BOSS original amps are really forgiving to play. Sure they may not sound or behave exactly like a given reference amp but if you're chasing "distorted tone that makes playing easier" they're pretty fantastic.

@JiveTurkey the detune algo is pretty interesting - it sounds like there's some extra modulation and filtering going on. Instant bigness.

Loved your video! Throwing in some CCR after all the heavy riffing made my day :)

 

[JiveTurkey]

The BOSS original amps are really forgiving to play. Sure they may not sound or behave exactly like a given reference amp but if you're chasing "distorted tone that makes playing easier" they're pretty fantastic.

@JiveTurkey the detune algo is pretty interesting - it sounds like there's some extra modulation and filtering going on. Instant bigness.

Yeah I was nowhere near as excited about the MicroPitch pedal after trying it when I was used to the Boss Dual Detune stuff. Whether it's the same or not; that's the sound I want when going for that 90s EVH style tone. Sounds great whatever it is!

 

[BenIfin]

NO MIDI FOOTSWITCH CAPABILITY FOR GX 10

Question asked to Roland-Backstage Official Support:-

I want to connect an external Midi Footswitch to it to change Patches and Specific EFX Settings .... and I know this must be connected via the USB Port. I have read both the Manual and the Parameter Guides and cant find an answer. As such, can you please confirm, one way or the other

(a) is the Boss GX 10 USB Port a USB Host ?
(b) if I connect a Midi Footswitch Controller to the USB Port, can the GX 10 Send and Receive both Midi PC and Midi CC messages ?

Official Roland-Boss Response from Roland-Backstage Support:-

The GX10 USB is designed for Computer usage... with a driver. It won't itself be a USB Host for a Foot Controller. Otherwise, for more footswitch's, you can use the CTL inputs for Footswitches.

I.m.h.o, this is a significant restriction if you need more than a total of 5 x FSW's .... 3 onboard plus 2 via Ctrl FSW 2 and 3 Jack on the back.

 

[Piing]

NO MIDI FOOTSWITCH CAPABILITY FOR GX 10

Question asked to Roland-Backstage Official Support:-

I want to connect an external Midi Footswitch to it to change Patches and Specific EFX Settings .... and I know this must be connected via the USB Port. I have read both the Manual and the Parameter Guides and cant find an answer. As such, can you please confirm, one way or the other

(a) is the Boss GX 10 USB Port a USB Host ?
(b) if I connect a Midi Footswitch Controller to the USB Port, can the GX 10 Send and Receive both Midi PC and Midi CC messages ?

Official Roland-Boss Response from Roland-Backstage Support:-

The GX10 USB is designed for Computer usage... with a driver. It won't itself be a USB Host for a Foot Controller. Otherwise, for more footswitch's, you can use the CTL inputs for Footswitches.

I.m.h.o, this is a significant restriction if you need more than a total of 5 x FSW's .... 3 onboard plus 2 via Ctrl FSW 2 and 3 Jack on the back.

That is a serious restriction. Like they did with the GP-10

There is a workaround, though. You can use Raspberry Pi as a converter (it simulates the computer host and transfers the MIDI data to/from 5-pin DIN connectors). You can DIY, or buy a Primova Sound MIDX-10

Primova Sound - Roland/Boss GK and MIDI products

DIY details here:

Boss GP-10 - How to implement 5 pin MIDI I/O with Raspberry Pi

Boss GP-10 - How to implement 5 pin MIDI I/O with Raspberry Pi

www.vguitarforums.com

RASPBERRY PI AS USB/BLUETOOTH MIDI HOST

Here are some instructions for setting up a Raspberry Pi 3B or a Raspberry Pi 4B as a MIDI host for USB or Bluetooth musical equipment. The purpose is to build an as-simple-as-possible device with no user interface that can be switched on and off by simply connecting/disconnecting to/

neuma.studio

 

[BenIfin]

That is a serious restriction. Like they did with the GP-10

There is a workaround, though. You can use Raspberry Pi as a converter (it simulates the computer host and transfers the MIDI data to/from 5-pin DIN connectors). You can DIY, or buy a Primova Sound MIDX-10

Primova Sound - Roland/Boss GK and MIDI products

DIY details here:

Boss GP-10 - How to implement 5 pin MIDI I/O with Raspberry Pi

Boss GP-10 - How to implement 5 pin MIDI I/O with Raspberry Pi

www.vguitarforums.com

RASPBERRY PI AS USB/BLUETOOTH MIDI HOST

Here are some instructions for setting up a Raspberry Pi 3B or a Raspberry Pi 4B as a MIDI host for USB or Bluetooth musical equipment. The purpose is to build an as-simple-as-possible device with no user interface that can be switched on and off by simply connecting/disconnecting to/

neuma.studio

View attachment 31726

Or this for US $60 USB Host to Midi

I've got one and used it no worries on a few pedals that had a USB Port that wasn't also a Host.

Unknown / unclear Issue though still is (?) does the GX 10 receive (?) Midi PC and Midi CC or can it only send Midi PC and Midi CC (?)

Given it already has some internal "midi spec" going in, even just including a Midi In Din would have done the trick .... and I'm guessing would have eaten into their profit margin by $2 or $3 if that

I can see the meeting discussion playing out ..... "we have to give people some reason to buy the larger GX 100 instead of the GX 10 if they can afford it or if they need to add a Midi FSW".

The really crazy thing is ...... you dont need an external Midi FSW on the GX as it already has 8 FSW you can freely assign ... whereas on a 3 x FSW Button unit like the GX 10, a Midi FSW is pretty much a %99 necessity unless you can get by with just the 3 FSW's onboard and the added 2 FSW's via say something like an FS6.

To para-quote Michael Corleone ..... " just when I thought it had all the features I needed, they stiffed me again " :)

 

[BenIfin]

NO MIDI FOOTSWITCH CAPABILITY FOR GX 10

Question asked to Roland-Backstage Official Support:-

I want to connect an external Midi Footswitch to it to change Patches and Specific EFX Settings .... and I know this must be connected via the USB Port. I have read both the Manual and the Parameter Guides and cant find an answer. As such, can you please confirm, one way or the other

(a) is the Boss GX 10 USB Port a USB Host ?
(b) if I connect a Midi Footswitch Controller to the USB Port, can the GX 10 Send and Receive both Midi PC and Midi CC messages ?

Official Roland-Boss Response from Roland-Backstage Support:-

The GX10 USB is designed for Computer usage... with a driver. It won't itself be a USB Host for a Foot Controller. Otherwise, for more footswitch's, you can use the CTL inputs for Footswitches.

I.m.h.o, this is a significant restriction if you need more than a total of 5 x FSW's .... 3 onboard plus 2 via Ctrl FSW 2 and 3 Jack on the back.

I sent Roland-Backstage Official a follow-up 2nd email to their 1st response to confirm what they written and their 2nd response was:-

" I haven't personally tested it... but from all the documentation I have available, and the specs listed for the GX10, this wouldn't be possible via the USB Port. You can use a FS1WL for a few extra CTL buttons... but the USB Port is for Audio/Midi connected to a computer running the GX10 Driver " .

Go figure !

 

[Frankencat]

NO MIDI FOOTSWITCH CAPABILITY FOR GX 10

Question asked to Roland-Backstage Official Support:-

I want to connect an external Midi Footswitch to it to change Patches and Specific EFX Settings .... and I know this must be connected via the USB Port. I have read both the Manual and the Parameter Guides and cant find an answer. As such, can you please confirm, one way or the other

(a) is the Boss GX 10 USB Port a USB Host ?
(b) if I connect a Midi Footswitch Controller to the USB Port, can the GX 10 Send and Receive both Midi PC and Midi CC messages ?

Official Roland-Boss Response from Roland-Backstage Support:-

The GX10 USB is designed for Computer usage... with a driver. It won't itself be a USB Host for a Foot Controller. Otherwise, for more footswitch's, you can use the CTL inputs for Footswitches.

I.m.h.o, this is a significant restriction if you need more than a total of 5 x FSW's .... 3 onboard plus 2 via Ctrl FSW 2 and 3 Jack on the back.

Just by the full sized GX-100 then no?

 

[BenIfin]

Just by the full sized GX-100 then no?

If you need or want to use Midi Foot Controller [like the Morningstar MC6] ... yes ... the GX100 seems to have the full Midi Spec and it also includes a dedicated 5 Pin Din Midi In and a 5 Pin Din Midi Out on its rear.

If you can live with the 3 onboard FSW's plus 2 Extra Switch's via the 1/4" Ctrl 2 and 3 Jack on its rear ..... being 5 x FSW in total ..... the GX 10 is fine.

If you need or want to use a Midi Foot Controller [like the Morningstar MC6] with the GX 10 ...... looking like its a %100 no-go.

 

[BenIfin]

I have used the Tonex in the loop of my GX-100, and it’s cool, but I ended up not using it because the tones I get from the unit are just as good. You can believe it or not but I have spent a ton of time a/b’ing sounds between the GX-100, Tonex, and FM3. Overall the Fractal gets the win for pure quality and tweakability, but the Boss gets the win for usability and just plain fun.

No need to convince me .... the Boss Originals and X-Series are their own thing but are as good as anything out there !

 

[timbuck3]

No

bummer

 

[Someoldqueenorother]

To para-quote Michael Corleone ..... " just when I thought it had all the features I needed, they stiffed me again " :)

Which is the story of Boss multieffects over the last few years.

I buy an HX Stomp and use HX Edit. I know exactly what I can do in stereo, I can set signal chains with ease, and I know that the delays and reverbs across the whole Helix range will be the same in terms of models, tweakability etc. Woooo, regular updates.

I buy a GT-1000 and use the Boss Tone Studio. I encouter the horrible UI, there's no obvious indicator whether the effect is M, M-S, S etc, the delays and reverbs are not fully featured like the 500 series. Updates come around like Halley's comet. Now we have something new that has less MIDI capability than the GT-3. 5 minutes into the Brett Kingman demo video and he's pulling out the fucking sitar.

 

[Jarick]

Honestly that's why the cheaper stuff seems more appealing from Boss. It's easier to swallow the dumb design decisions in a $400 unit compared to a $1000 unit. I had a lot of the same complaints and gave up on using it in stereo. I'm intrigued from a pure effects standpoint but then again I also have a QC sitting on top of an Axe 3 right now lol.

Also, listening to Leon's video I was hearing a lot of that fizzy top end. I have been fighting that the last couple days probably because I hooked my Genelec monitors back up and those are so revealing. Of course you can do the high cuts and EQ's but it's a big turn off.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Honestly that's why the cheaper stuff seems more appealing from Boss. It's easier to swallow the dumb design decisions in a $400 unit compared to a $1000 unit. I had a lot of the same complaints and gave up on using it in stereo. I'm intrigued from a pure effects standpoint but then again I also have a QC sitting on top of an Axe 3 right now lol.

Also, listening to Leon's video I was hearing a lot of that fizzy top end. I have been fighting that the last couple days probably because I hooked my Genelec monitors back up and those are so revealing. Of course you can do the high cuts and EQ's but it's a big turn off.

The aliasing and high end I hear in Boss stuff is somehow appealing to me while the squirrels/disembodied distortion and whatever associated/not associated remainders in the HX is the polar opposite of that.