Ok, this so far seems to be a very decent solution for a long while to come:
View attachment 40978
Waiting for a new velcro delivery to fix the Amp Academy and "True Grit" (HB pseudo-clone of an OCD drive, fortunately *not* sounding exactly like it), the rest seems to be a done deal already. Yeah, the I/O section looks pretty bad, but it's in fact almost perfect this way. Thought about adding a Rockboard connection "bay" (which I even have around), but in fact, they're no good as you end up with plugs sticking out, so in case anyone stumbles across them, they will just break. No way for that to happen with this solution.
Goes like:
- Loop 1 of the GT has the True Grit and Amp Academy in and serves for all clean(-ish) sounds. The True Grit adds some nice, well, grit and with the right IR, the AA sounds pretty decent (might get a used Iridium one day, but it's defenitely quite nice as is already).
- Loop 2 has the entire upper row of pedals in it and serves as my dirt channel (the Amplifirebox is pretty much entirely clean by default but allows to be set for light breakup, I also have two patches prepared to choose from, one is slightly darker and a tad more mid-rangey).
- Pretty much all relevant blocks in the GT are set to "Stompbox" mode, so they're working globally.
- The most relevant parameters can be controlled from the encoders (DRV 1 gain and level, pre-dirt-lead-compressor output, post-dirt-lead-EQ output, main delay level, main reverb level).
- Some of the other global parameters are ready to be controlled via TouchOSC from a tablet, but I might not have to use that.
- All the 5 main patches are based on one master patch and using exactly the same routing (and the same global blocks, too). That way, there's reverb/delay spillover all throughout. Patch switching is gapless anyway (that's something Boss really knows to get right).
- 2 of the 4 FX blocks are resevered for the clean, 2 for the dirt "channel".
There's a bit of tricky programming involved, really took me a while to find a goldilocks organisation. For instance, as I usually want only reverb for clean leads (my typical rhythm patches are all bone dry) and a combination of delay and reverb for dirty leads, the reverb needed to be less (I'm fine using the same reverb type for both) on all dirt lead patches. But as I wanted the reverb to be global, programming the mix per patch wasn't an option. So I came up with a split path that has a 100% wet reverb (and a "helper" delay) on it, with the mixer switching from 100/100 to 100/50 once I switch "channels". Works a treat now and doesn't compromise anything.
As you may see, I'm completely skipping all of the GTs amp modeling (which is a bit of as pity because I was hoping for the internal amps to at least work as pedal platforms, but they're just no fun - serviceable but just no joy to deal with). Using the Boss as a "pedalboard brain" and MFX unit is defenitely worth keeping it as is, though. The FX, while certainly not the best in business anymore, are pretty much instant gratification. I'm not using too much FX anyway (apart from delays and reverb).
Even with the triple ADDA signal chain going on, overall latency is still well under 4ms, something other units don't manage to deliver without any loops active.
Already had it running like this at volume (on a rehearsal) and it's been a complete blast. Can't remember whether I ever had a setup that capable and as easy to operate. In fact, I haven't. Not even by a mile.