GEAR CHAT: Voodoo Lab GCX and Ground Control Pro Rig

[espltdguitarlover]

Brown what the hell happened to you? did ya fall off the face of the earth? I used to watch "gear chat" and then you stopped. hope you start the gear chat again soon..

[grufiog]

Can someone explain what you use the Tube Screamer for?? He says is good for metal tone ,so how do you use it? Thanks!

[brownhog72]

@grufiog A tube screamer is an overdrive pedal. You play it in front of your amp when the amp is saturated (or on distortion) to compress or sharpen the tone of your amp.

[JohnLaTessa]

Love this video and appreciate all the good info. Question though, as I'm about to build one of these rigs for the first time. I'm curious how when you're using the wireless are you actually running cable to your Wah? I'm trying to keep the cable runs to a minimum, and I'd appreciate any guidance you might have. My needs are pretty simplistic as well. Thanks much!

[Duster5000]

Nice set up!

[Bflatest]

I know this is weird but your voice sounds like mine did for 5 years I had a throat tumor it was not cancer but it made my voice sound like that. You may not hear it I didnt until after I had surgery and I heard old recordings of my self MAYBE you dont have a tumor but if you can hear old recordings and you now sound like your nose is stopped up then go get a scan dude on your throat.

[blueheadphoneguy]

got a little quiestion here...can i also use a vodoo lab commander in front of the GCX? cause i already got one and i want move on to a gcx but i dont want to use that monstrous ground control thing...

[elchalewa]

Distortion I meant...

[elchalewa]

And also you run the distance and the tube screamer through the front input??? Than D.

[elchalewa]

How would you rate this compared to a bradshaw switching system???

[elchalewa]

Interesting video bud!!

[bartstar69]

Great vid! Be aware to never use metal connector ends! If one must then wrap them in electrical tape or just use rubber, vinyl ends. I fried my Mesa DR's board twice doing this. To hook up a Mesa DR or TR simply plug a cable from the N/O or out jack into the appropriate external switching jack.

[gibsonplayer81]

Can you show us how to set-up the gcx with a mesa recto, please?

[bossgtdiez10]

Good vid. Getting ready to put a girly rack and was wondering what case are you useung. a were did you get it and did it come with the drawer?if not were you get the drawer.

[mxr2000]

Hello where you can get those rack stomp box sliders? need one for my pedals?

[bballgod237]

I finally got the GCX/GCP for xmas/college grad present. Its so fucking confusing to set up. The manuals suck balls and are confusing and there are no video tutorials on how to set it up. :-(

[bcomiskey23]

Question. I have the mesa trip recto as well. parallel FX loop does not like stomp box delay/ reverbs/ time base FX. There is a drop out/ tone suck/ phase issue. Does the audio switcher fix that problem?

[espltd202]

How do u control ur boogie channels using this system?

[jaredmkl]

can it run things like over dive in the front of the amp but run chorus and verb and such in the effects loop (at the same time)?

[Glencse]

how do u connect the korg rack tuner to tune silently? do u just plug it in to input 1, then into the output(without sound)?

[thacrackfox]

You sound just like Danny McBride.

[spencerrr321]

@brownhog72 what type of power conditioner is that?

[MetalMan1023]

how do i connect my mesa dual recto to my gcx

[SteveBrownOfficial]

Nice set up. So you didn't fance the RJM RG16?

[bulletproofprs]

hey how much does the GCX run?

[matabaldia]

HI man, how do you make the amps channel switching work? I mean how do you transform midi to a regular foot switch plug?

[getoffofmylawn666]

what kind of wireless is that?

[FlankinspanK]

So are you using all your pedals (tube screamer, delay, decimater, verb) through your effects loop of your Mesa? And so you go from your guitar->wah->tuner-> amp input?  Interesting... I've never heard of using a overdrive pedal through the effects loop before. Am I understanding all this right?

[brownusmc4life24]

All of the pedals in his rack along with the Mesa are plugged into the audio switcher via a numbered effects loop that corresponds with a number on the ground control.  Keeping the pedals on at all times, the way he has it set up, you just hit the switch on the ground control and the amp will then "see" the signal from the effect plugged into the numbered loop on the GCX.

[Cagliari1234]

overkill!!!! cool though!!!! where you nervous when u made the video? couldnt understand anything u were saying...hehehehe next time subs.....cool rig.

[lastnightsdinner]

Great job

[GCXVooDoo]

Hey dude, can you tell me what the depth is of the rack case in this video and witch type and brand it is? I'm building a rack rig but when I look to mobile rack cases, I see that the depth is to much to set it up on my head or cabinet.

[lowceilingrecording]

nice gear! I thought I was watching an episode of Knight Rider when you turned the strobe light on. What is the pedal in the back of the drawer? Check out my gear tour.

[blowoffsorrow]

Cool rig! How long did you have to make your patch cables for your pedals?

Cheers

[AzaelVI]

Really nice set-up. The strobe lights are very cool! Is that a Krog DTR 1000 youre using?

[Cronac66]

hi... ¿It is possible to control the GCX Guitar Audio Switcher with other devices? like a zoom g9.2tt

[dallasphill]

The same way you connect everything else in the world that requires power!!!

[xlMooCowlx]

Just plug in the fucking connector. . . . . . god.

[freakishlymetalhead]

does the GCX have to go into the effects loop cuz i have a jcm 800 kerry king and it doesnt have an effects loop

[MetalMan1023]

Do u have to use the gcx to control channels can u just use the ground control pro

[wykleg]

is the wah plugged in front of you amp or is it controlled by the gcx?

[anjeru182]

dude... teach me!

[KG739]

how much did all that cost under the mesa and the ground control? not including the amp or pedals

[gibsongod15]

How do you connect your amp to the GCX. I want it to control my amps 3 channels and about 10 effects. I will have to buy 2 GCX Switching Systems but can someone help me on how to program it and everything.

[canadaboy23]

You would plug ur guitar into the Guitar input on GCX 1 and then have it come out the back into loop 1, then 2,3,4 etc. Once u get to loop 8, u plug the Loop 8 out jack into the GCX 2 Guitar input and then into GCX's 2 loop 1 then 2. Then, u plug Loop 2's out jack into the input on your amp. For ch switching, depends what amp u have, but if it has ext switching jacks on the back, then u plug each one of those jacks into the Out jacks of loops 6,7,8 of GCX 2.

[gibsongod15]

No it doesnt. It has a midi cable to a footswitch. Its is a Fender EVH 5150 III. It has 3 channels with an effects loop on off switch.

[canadaboy23]

I looked at the amp, and the only way I can see u switching chs is with the ftsw it comes with. There is a Midi in on the GCP, but im not sure how it would work with ur amp. Sorry

[craigferrari28]

Hi i have a mesa dual rec and i want to controll the amp head with my GCX and ground controll with midi where do i have to plug the midi cabal into thanks

[canadaboy23]

You can just use the ext control jacks on ur Dual Rec to control the channels, solo, fx, whatever u want. U dont need MIDI to control it.

[Superapeaholic]

Hey Mizike! I have a question. With the GCX and Ground Control, are the pedals automatically engaged..or are they engaged when you step on a certain preset... for example..if i have a some true bypass pedals that pop...will it still pop ...or are they already on? I hope this makes sense

[Superapeaholic]

Let me try to simplify my question just in case.. do you hear the pop from the stomp boxes or are they already on?

[canadaboy23]

With this system, u would leave all ur pedals on all the time. So when u have whatever pedals u have on a preset, ur signal will then go thru those pedals. There shouldnt be any popping because the pedals will always be on. Hope that helped.

[Superapeaholic]

Your the bomb canada..thats exaclty what i was asking!!!!!

[canadaboy23]

Your welcome. Glad I could help

[chopshop777]

Hey man, how u doing ? really enjoy your videos, great instructions, quick question, with the voodoo lab ground control pro, if you have the Fractal audio Axe Fx, you don't need the GCX audio switcher anymore, correct ? cheers

Ed

[jimijimmi]

Hi dude......can the ground control/GCX set up be used to make presets for switching amp heads and head combinations. like adding a 2nd head to an existing head to boost with??then ..also can u change channels on any amp?..i see the mesa has external channel switching inputs on the head...what if u dont have these?

cheers

[brownhog72]

Yes it sure can. If you don't have those, you can use the footswitch jack. If you have midi you can use that.

[quinnafer]

Hey man which brand is the pedal drawer/where site did you order it from?

[brownhog72]

musicians friend. Look for the reverseable drawer...

[helrazr84]

VERY VERY nice video and set up.

[Rendell05]

Very cool setup, I dont play metal at all, but Im still going to model my guitar rig off of this now. Everything is just very logical and efficient about how you set this up. Possibly the first really sensible rig Ive seen on youtube. 5 Stars.

[OnlyByFishStandards]

i gotsa deer skull on my amp. glad to see im not the only one with various head ornaments......

[canadaboy23]

hey, is this the same rack case that u have in ur current rig or did u get a different one.

[brownhog72]

Same case...

[canadaboy23]

ok so you just put the case in the foam around it in the road case on the shelf? and then the trip rec in the foam underneath?

[brownhog72]

I dunno, it is manufactured that way...

[canadaboy23]

the road case came with the foam and shelf like that?

[brownhog72]

Yeah, all you have to add is equipment

[canadaboy23]

ok, so what kind of road case is it because I can't find any that come like that.

[brownhog72]

I don't know. I bought it off craig's list. i don't know who made it and there are no markings on the case.

[brownhog72]

Actally, this is a 6 space SKB rack in this video. Sorry, I thought you were talking about my old road case.

[canadaboy23]

Ok so the rack in ur new vids is different. If so, what one?

[brownhog72]

The SKB rack is the one in this vid...the other is a raod case.

[canadaboy23]

ok thanks, could I just put a SKB rack into a road case like yours?

[brownhog72]

no...

[canadaboy23]

crap, ok well im looking for a case right now so hopefully Ill find on like ur current one. u have hotmail so I can ask u questions easier?

[brownhog72]

Sure, send me an e-mail on youtube and I will give it to you.

[jakitar]

Sorry dude! I know the answer is in here somewhere but the list of pages is nutz! About the most important piece in your rig. What is? and where did? you get that crazy flyin saucer mezmorizin mushroom cloud layin mutha ****** mutha ******. I mean that crazy light thingy. Is it a tuner?

Tanx in advance

Keep on keepin on!

[brownhog72]

Crazy light thing...yes sir, it is a Korg Tuner DTR2000is the model. I love it.

[jakitar]

Ah cool thanks. I love it for nothin more than I cant stop lookin at it lol.

Love Gear Chat! Watchin every one ya make dude!

[George656]

How much did the wireless system cost when you bought it? Can it handle large arena and stadium size gigs? How big are the shows that you play?

[brownhog72]

I bought my wireless when I lived in Japan. It cost me around 600 dollars or so...medium sized clubs to crack houses are the size of the venues. It can do any arena...you don't move that far from the rig you know...

[George656]

How do you use the wireless system live? What does it do? Do you put the cable through the guitar strap when you play live like most guitarists do?

[brownhog72]

The transmitter sends the signal to the wireless and cable runs from the wireless receiver to the first stomp box. Yes, I pull the cable through the strap...prevents embarrasing things from happening like pulling your cord out while you play.

[OnlyByFishStandards]

hey man, u have an amazing set up, and im so glad to see an african american playing(: barley ever see that(: im strongly anti-predjudice. and anothe thing, if u haven't, u should ck out the guitarist, tom morello. he's amazing. him, adamm jones, and bucketheadare my favs, u might like them

[brownhog72]

I know of all the guitarists quiet well sir...seem everyone of them live numerous times.

[OnlyByFishStandards]

wow.......that's awesome.......and thanks for your help man(: i enjoy watching your videos(:

[OnlyByFishStandards]

i also recomend the bugera 6260 head. very heavy, super cheap, bright, clean sound......until u turn on distortion :D

[aj199508]

how does the gcx actually work do you have to pair it with a ground control or is there a way that i dont know

[brownhog72]

The GCX is an audio switcher just as I explained. The GCP is a midi controller.

[elmo696]

Hi, i wanted to know, how much space is your pedal drawer, 1 or 2 space on the rack?

[brownhog72]

one space...

[elmo696]

Thanks man.

[brownhog72]

Your amp will have a footswitch jack that you would plug into the out jack of the loops...you control it that way.

[craigferrari28]

do you need the amp head to be in midi to work with the gcx and the ground control pro thanks

all so i love your videos.

[brownhog72]

no. the amp does not have to be midi...and thank you!!!

[Linde0Being]

Instead of George L's, U think Planet Waves Patch Cable Kit will do good?

[u2be27]

Do you know if I can control different devices from a line6 FBV besides the POD`s? I mean If I have a different effect processors can I control all of them with the FBV? Or do I have to buy a different controller like the rocktron all access or the Voodo Ground Control to do that? . Thanx.

[brownhog72]

You only need one midi controller...either one will control your stuff...

[superjesus117]

the FBV is not MIDI last I checked, so it will not control MIDI stuff

[brownhog72]

tube screamer -- decimator -- amp

[8x26x08]

ive been saving up for a gcx, and a nady 401x quad wireless, how do i hook both of em up to my amp head?

the gcx says i need to have it hook to the amp head, but how do i connect the nady as well?

[brownhog72]

Your guitar signal into the wireless system. Wireless system into the GCX. GCX input to loops and then what ever loop you want to send to your head will be the one you go with.

[8x26x08]

and, when hooking up my pedals to the gcx, do i use couplers, and do i still couple the pedals, and stompboxes all together?

[iHaRMoNiiKz]

I LOVE YOU

[brownhog72]

No, the only way you can do thatis if your delay pedal has midi control with a tap tempo setting

[Krysonomous]

Nice expandable rig. But being minimalistic, do you really need the GCX if you only ave two pedals connected to it? You can buy an effects loop switcher and it's good to go for $70.Just putting in my two cents. =)

[brownhog72]

I need my GCX to control two amplifiers that I use. Also, I don't like to "tap dance" when I need to utilize mutliple effects that are in front of the amp (overdrive, noise supression) and inside the effects loop (reverb and delay) at any given time. Everything is one touch. Many tones at the touch of one button, plus only one wire coming out to the GCX to my board. So to answer your original question, yes I really need it. An effects loop switcher would not meed my needs alone.

[Krysonomous]

Cool. Actually, I am planning on getting the G-System and an Amp Gizmo for my Mesa Roadster and Mark V. I guess it will be cheaper in the long run to share the effects between them.

[brownhog72]

I will go back to using the Axess CFX4 to switch my recto and I will control the Mark V with my GCX loops. The CFX4 is pretty much the same as the amp gizmo.

[saintsinner82]

do0d..i hate you..hahaha nah seriously siiiick setup bro..i love bare bones set ups..i dont have alotta gear but what i do have i made sure i looked into before i dropped the hard earned cash on..only pedals i have are deanmarley tuner,ns2 noisegate,ts808 tubescreamer,and a bbe sonic max rack unit..and for what it is and what i paid im pretty happy with my tone,next on my list is a sick cab..MESA RECTO CAB!?haha

[brownhog72]

Thanks, I have been scaling back recently. The guitar rig ain't changed much though!!!

[saintsinner82]

no prob do0d..that whole floor controller thing is frikkin awesome too..KEEP MAKIN THESE VIDS...very informative

[superjesus117]

I personally would say a Basson cab is better than a Mesa cab, I find they don't sound as boomy as some Mesa cabs.

That and Mesa cabs are easily 2-300 bucks more than Basson cabs..

[saintsinner82]

really? thanks for the heads up bro..it salways kool to get other opinions when it comes to gear,really helps,with time and money..

[superjesus117]

I would say try em all out. Basson, Marshall, Mesa, Diezel, Bogner, Randall and Krank all make really great cabinets

Though you could build/have a cabinet built for pretty cheap and drop in some speakers of your own choice

[petedogg369]

If you are looking for the ultimate cab check out Mills Acoustics. It is going to be my next and last cab I buy. Truely oversized! You can probably fit a standard Marshall 1960 cab inside of this monster.

[mhd9890]

Hey can i use the ground control pro to store patches from a voo doo lab pedal switcher?

[brownhog72]

I'm not sure why you would want a GCP and a pedal switcher when the GCP can do the switching with a GCX...

[mhd9890]

Cause the pedal switcher is smaller :P

I want 2 fit everything on my pedalboard

[brownhog72]

You are mixing up the ground control pro with the audio switcher. I am not sure if it can.

[superjesus117]

I don't think he is, look on the voodoo labs website, they have the Pedal Switcher, it has four loops, and MIDI I/O.

It is compatible with the GCP

[mhd9890]

not really. Its okay man. I checked their manual and the pedal switcher IS compatible with the GCP. Sorry for bothering.

[brownhog72]

Awesome, reading the manual always helps...

[mhd9890]

Specifically, ONLINE manuals. Haha :P

[brownhog72]

WORD! Those are the best kind.

[Linde0Being]

am i able to hook up distortion stomp boxes to the GCX and Ground Control Pro?

[brownhog72]

Yes, you can hook your stomp boxes to the GCX.

[hauntedheaven123]

could you please do a review on your digital delay pedal.

cheers!

[paulmckeown]

what pedal do you use for reverb?

your reviews are great btw

[brownhog72]

Boss RV5 and thank you!!!

[snapascrew]

Mike (i think that's your name) you should get the line 6 wireless! no tone loss.

[brownhog72]

I'm good with the Rexer...thanks bro!

[snapascrew]

right on.

[brownhog72]

The Rexer is Japanese...it smokes brother.

[tiny515515]

the guy is right try them out

[Powerslavery]

Cool tone, simple set up.

Love it !

That Voodoo Lab stuff seems really cool.

[tsmith01220]

clean, crisp, clear tone = Mesa Boogie and Tube Screamer?

[brownhog72]

Affirmative

[samgam69]

lol

[f2kflyer]

WHY use a TS in front of a Recto head?? Not enough gain for ya? :)

[brownhog72]

Because i like to drive the tubes in front of my amps. I run a TS in front of my Nomad as well as my Recto. I like what it does for the tone. Just my preference.

[PhillipRuthardt]

OK Thanks for the information : )

[PhillipRuthardt]

Why do you juse 2 Tuners? Is it difficult to program the GCX and Ground Control?

[brownhog72]

I don't use two tuners anymore. I was using one so I can tune silently, but I only use the korg now.

[superjesus117]

Do you not tune quietly anymore, or do you have a volume pedal?

Thats what i do Kort + Volume Pedal (though i use the volume pedal a lot, not just muting...)

[brownhog72]

No, I keep the tuner on all the time so I can tune at anytime. if I am between songs I just turn the volume down a little bit and switch to the clean channel.

[PhillipRuthardt]

And the GCX and Ground Control?

[brownhog72]

What about them?

[PhillipRuthardt]

Is it difficult to program them?

[brownhog72]

No, it is very simple to program/set it up

[apapasprang]

Hi dude! Nice vid, really helped me alot in configuring my rig. I have a dual rectifier roadster and I was just wondering, how do you hook up the GCX to control the channels on your Mesa Head?

[brownhog72]

The external switching jacks on the back of your head will give you the ability to use your GCX to control the amp.

[superjesus117]

Or an use an Axess CFX4

Then you can switch anything you need, and not take up loops in a GCX (I foolishly used to do it this way, had one hole GCX for switching, now I use an Axess and the seconds GCX is for amp selecting)

[multibuypie]

do you plug your pedals into your furman conditioner

[brownhog72]

yes.

[WakingMrHyde]

Im selling my GCX and Ground Control Pro...Check my videos section

[torturesofthedamned]

excellent review man, ive been contemplating a gcx system, the whole true bypass thing is sweet.

[rockboy8812]

thank you a lot men

[davidrundmc]

thanks thanks thanks

[Mikev010]

Monster rig man! id be in heaven if that was my rig. is that a mesa 2 12 cab?

[brownhog72]

I have a 2x12 cab, but not in this video.

[davidrundmc]

hola! I can not control the pod pro, do I have to assign a specific MIDI channel? connects like a normal pedal? preset of the pod pro change!!, even that save, banks up and down :( you could help me? please please please please please thanks!

[brownhog72]

have you read the manual yet? There is a preset that you set to run PODs. After you read the manual...let me know if you still have a problem.

[Guitarman777]

So do you run the Daul Recto into the GCX audio Switcher.

[brownhog72]

No, the GCX controls audio signals and it feeds the signal to the rectifier.

[rockboy8812]

thanks! finally i understand! one last question, i have a marshall jmp 1 power pre amps and i want to buy a gcx audio switcher and the midi ground controll,do you think i can plug the pre amp to the audio switcher to use it like an optional effect?? because i play with a carvin legacy head and i love the sound

[brownhog72]

Once again, I need you to clarify what you are asking...you're not making sense.

[superjesus117]

I think he is asking about amp switching...

[brownhog72]

I guess so...I'm waiting to help him, but i need a clear question.

Just hook up 2 sends, from 2 GCX loops (lets say loopX and LoopY) to the ins on your amps, one to the Marshall, one to the Carvin.

LoopX on = Marshall on, LoopY on, Carbin, both, they blend