Boss GX-700

I know there are probably more review for the GX-700 than for any other effect but I had to weigh in. Ease of use? 6 for beginners. Now that I have had them (I own two) I would say 9. I don't ever use the presets. I turn everything off and go down the chain one effect at a time.

I use a Mex Strat with a Tom Anderson humbucker (HN2+). At home I use two Peavey Blazers in stereo. At church I use a Roland GC-408 combo. I always run the unit into the front of the amp. I like my clean clean and my gain supersaturated with searing harmonics.
While I think this processor is nothing short of amazing, it has very much to do with your amp/poweramp. The unit sounded bad through (or maybe I should say that the GX-700 couldn't save) a Sovtek MiG-60, Peavey Envoy, and Peavey Classic 50/50. Sounds excellent through the Roland, Peavey Blazer, Peavey Classic 30, and Mosvalve.
I have read others claim the distortion is poor. I don't agree. Here's what I do: choose an amp, set the preamp volume on 100, the gain switch on HIGH, the master wherever. Then I turn on the OD/DST making sure the drive is 0 but the volume is at 100 just like you would do with a Tube Screamer in front of, say, your Marshall. Then scroll through the pedal choices until you find the one that textures your amp setting to the sound you like. DON'T prejudge. The best lead sound for my current live situation uses the METAL distortion, no gain and all volume, into a totally gained out Clean Twin. (Go figure?) I mean this is searing, over the top, speaker crunching heaven.
HINT: Play around with your Output Type selection in the Tuner/Utility section. This can make ALL the difference in the world. On my Peaveys, "Guitar Stack" works best. On the GC-408, "Power Amp Stack" works best. Also, sometimes the speaker sim is better on and sometimes better off. If on, play with the mic setting.
I'll repeat what I said in my GC-408 review: the amps in the Boss sound like the real thing going through the right amp. In fact, I prefer my Boss + GC-408 over the Triple Rectifier. No joke.
As for the rest of the sounds? They're in there. In my opinion, the chorus sounds better than that found in the JC-120. I tried it the other day and really didn't notice the JC's chorus that much when playing clean. Yes there is alot of stuff in here I wouldn't use but alot that I do. For example, the Limiter is great for cleaning up a hot pickup, the Compressor added some needed sustain in my amp, the noise suppressor works very well, too. Reverb stinks but I am no fan of it anyway. Cool delay.
Honestly, I am extremely fond of this unit. That's why I bought two.

Never broke. As for firmware quirks. One of the two did destroy my presets upon powering up once. Never happened again. Never had a problem with the other.

Talked to Roland twice, once to find the GC-408 and once to discuss their TubeLogic. I guess I would say professional at least.

I play clean chorusy stuff to downright brutal. This unit does it all. I like this unit so much that I found myself finding amps to match it rather then the other way around. I figured if the GX-700 can't make it sound good, nothing can. My only complaint? I wish you could divide gain modifying stuff from the time-based effects. In other words, I would like to run my guitar into the unit and after the preamp back into the main in. Then I would like to run the rest of the effects through the amp's signal loop.

I know most users consider it easy to make patches with it, but I don't agree very much on this. That's why I built a little patch editor for it. It's a 16 bit Visual Basic APP (1993 compiler!) but it's usefull, little and fast to load. Download it at: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Hub/4693/

Sounds great if you waste enough time tunning it. Only the chorus disappoint me a little.

Good, they supplied me the MIDI implementation for free via mail in 4 days.

I think it is a good effects processor, I use it with synths too, I don't consider it just a guitar effects box.

Very easy to program. Would give a 9 but the display is a bit hard to read from a high angle. The manual is good.

Hard to fault. Very versatile. Good for D.I. recording or live use. The factory sounds were 'patchy' (sorry), but I made some of my own - it is very simple to edit. I also got a MIDI librarian called GXL700 which came with 600 patches - by the time I'd checked them all out I realised that there isn't much the box can't do. I happen to like prog rock lead sounds (I use a Strat) - although the factory presets don't cover that area very well, I have some great sounds now.
I use a foot controller - to be really picky I find the wah can be a bit 'notchy' on very fast pedal movement, but only noticeable if you listen very carefully - its still useable.
Others have criticised the distortion effect, but perhaps that is based on using mostly the presets - I think the combination of distortion, COSM amp simulation, EQ and speaker simulator is very flexible.

I have firmware 1.08 - no problems with it so far.

Definitely recommended - amazing VFM, wish I'd checked it out sooner.

Very easy to program. Only needed the manual for the more intricate details and that was very easy to read.

Superb. It gets a lot of critisism for it`s distortion sounds. But you don`t need them. Using the pre amp gain and the many different preamps you can make just about any diatorted sound. I use it straight into a desk and it has replaced a; sansamp psa1,gp8,and a virtualizer. It now sounds better than any sound I could ever get out off my Marshall. The only reason it dosn`t get a 10 is the reverb could be slightly better.

I`ve got vers 1.09. No problems yet and I use it live 2-3 nights a week.

Not needed yet.

Fantastic. And I would buy it again in a shot.

This unit is incredibly easy to use. You can just choose an effect & directly edit it's paramaters without going into a bunch of confusing sub-menus. Manual is typical - it gives basic instructions on how to make selections & edit patches. I have version 1.09 (finally!!!! - read below), and there hasn't been any problems with it.

Great delays & compressor. I really don't even use the distortion. I'm using the unit through the effects loop of my Carvin Quad X-Amp, into the Carvin 100 watt power amp, and into a Marshall 4x10.

Yes. Until it started crashing on me & I lost my presets. I then got firmware version 1.09 (more below!) and have had no software problems since. HOWEVER, I also just had a problem with the power supply. Seems it blew a couple of the resistors and other components internally. Still haven't gotten a new one. It's only been 3 months, what do you expect???

Let's get something straight - ROLAND tech support is USELESS!!! I brought my unit in to get the firmware upgrade. 4 months later, it finally came in. What the hell takes so long? Then, the power supply blew. I've read a couple of other accounts of this happening to other users too. Seems Roland has had a problem with these.
Well, I'm on my third month waiting for a power supply to be shipped from Japan. I find it impossible to believe that there isn't a goddamm power supply in all of the United States that can work with this thing. I got the unit back fine, and am using a friends power supply until mine comes in. So I finally got pissed off enough and called Roland. They said they're really sorry, but the power supply is on back order. It should be in soon. They're sending me a t-shirt though. That should tide me over. Sorry, but that t-shirt isn't going to help me out when I have shows.

The unit itself is great - when it works. But then again I really wouldn't know. I've had the unit for exactly 1 year, and it's been in the repair shop for about 7 months of that time. The effects are great, but if the thing never works what good is it?? I also own the Roland GR-30, and am wondering if something happens to that, what's going to happen??

really easy to use, no problems with sound programing and storage.

i use the gx-700 along with a sansamp psa-1 with the send/return jacks, you get great sound if you combine it thru the LOOP option, althoe there is a problem i havn't been able to mark out, when you use a preamp as a distortion you get a high volume *clinch* for less than a second before you get the actual sound, but i'm looking for an option to strike that problem out. overall sound is great if used properly.

i'd use the gx-700 on a gig (and i did) without backup any day of the week, it's dependable and reliable!!!.i've been carrying it it a hard 4U case and banging it from time to time (not on purpuse) and had no problems with it so far.

overall, it's a very good sound processor, works well with other sound racks, if you're into computer recordings, this here is the one for you, with it's speaker simulator you don't even need an amp. it's a good buy if i ever saw one!!!.

Quick and easy, with no secret pages or multiple button punching. The dedicated fx on/off buttons should be manditory on any multifx box. I have modified sounds in real time during performances, hitting the edit during (sometime very short) pauses, and saving the tweaks when the song finishes!

The presets suck, but this seems to be required of all gtr fx boxes. A few are salvagable with minor-to-major tweaking, but real joy comes from starting from scratch. It's easy to tell which patches I built/tweaked as they howl compared to the bland demo patches. I run Fender (Strats), Hamer (Diablo), Carvin (DC200), and Yamaha (APX-10) guitars thru the GX-700 and direct to the board (for recording) or to a JC-120 (set to clean; let the GX do it's job!) for live. Noise is not an issue. This beauty is no more noisy than most amps if you tweak carefully. I can get Steve Howe sweet & clean tones to Bill Nelson gorgeous tone to John Petrucci metalloid mutations easily, and can switch between them with a simple patch change. Amazing! I have to agree the Humanizer is pointless and the Ring Mod is mostly useless (but it appears no more useless than any ring mod for guitar). I have had good luck with the Harmonizer: While certainly not an Eventide, it does a passable octavizer and I use a couple of one-note chord patches live doing a grand synth-like (orchestral?) pad. The reverb is adequate for non-critical live or in-the-mix studio playing, but I have used outboard or SW reverbs for more critical settings, bypassing the GX-700 reverbs. I agree with others here that the EQ section is weak - needs more bands, more control - but have had fun with real-time midi control (semi-wah & synth filter fx). The distortions are somewhat lacking, and the EQ was too broad to tweak them adequately. I have gotten passable distortions, but have had to patch a few units (some custom) into the FX Loop to get the right crunch/howl/scream (no tube bias here!).This may be due to the distortions are all Boss/Roland types, and, like-'em-or-hate-'em, can be rather samey sounding. Patching in even a lowley Rat or Memphis distortion pedal can breathe new life into a patch! (I'm using an old Ibanez EPP midi-controllable analog patch bay to switch various commercial and home-made distorto boxes & pedals in and out.)
One key trick here for all users is to be very judicious with the various fx level - sometimes cutting back (sometimes significantly) on an fx level can clean, define, or open up the sound beautifully!

It pulled the write-over-all-user-patches-upon-power-up routine on me (thank god for sysex backups), and I learned from others comments on this page about the OS version issue. Roland upgraded me from 1.06 to 1.09 (for free!), and it has been rock solid since. I'll give it a 7 for even pulling this once. Roland should know better than to release a product with this immature an OS (not to mention the even earlier version!), but have established a solid reputation/history of doing just that.

I've butted heads with Roland's customer (non-)support group before over synths, so I was expecting the worst. However, the quick, free, and apparently reliable OS upgrade was most excellent and surprising. Their keyboard division should take a few cues from their cousins over in gtr fx!

I play everything from prog rock to techno to acoustic to pop, and this golden box has been able to replace a rack of other gear & a floorful of pedals! The sounds have been inspirational, particularly as I build a patch and a riff or line organically develops with the patch! If it vanished, I would probably go for the floor unit version (GP-5) rather than the rack as this would remove the need for a separate midi foot board. Except for the premature OS screw-up, Roland hit a home run here!

Quite easy and intuitive. There's always room for improvement, but hey what do you expect for that price? (Anyhow, what would you rather spend your $$ on: An extra knob that makes it slightly easier to program, or better sound quality?)

I won't go into details here, as there are already many elaborate reports given by others. Generlly speaking this is a great sounding box! Yet, there are two points that, I feel, should be mentioned: 1. Be prepared to do some heavy tweaking. The presets are pretty much worthless, so one cannot judge the box based on these. (IMHO thd best way to go is to start from scratch and build up. Once you get the hang of it, this box starts singing!) 2. This unit really preservs the characteristics of your axe, a trait that I consider a GREAT advantage. Consequently, if what you have in mind is to precisely replicate a specific sound (of some gear very remote from what you have, e.g. expecting your 25W solid-state to sound like a Triple-Recto) and considered relying on this box to do the job, you might be disappointed. The only way to FULLY replicate a specific sound is by using the same gear used to create it. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a great fx box, probably the best value for money on the market, then go ahead and get one!

Don't have it long enough to be able to tell. I heard that there were some lockout problems with earlier firmware versions (that effectively result in a loss of all stored patches), but so far what I have(ver 1.09) behaves. The moral of the story is: Play it safe, take advantage of the MIDI capabilities of the GX700 and backup your patches. (To those of you who think that this is both expensive and messy, please note: You'd probably spend less on a used computer w/ a MIDI capable sound card, wiring, and a user-friendly program that will let you do MIDI transfers, than on the box.)

This box is no longer manufactured. Still, IMHO it's the best bang for the buck on the mkt, for under $500! So, if you're looking for a versatile, great sounding, multi-fx box and willing to put in the required "tweak effort" go and get one! Some shops may still stock them, or get a 2nd hand unit (Make shure that you get firmware 1.08 or 1.09)

This has got to be the easiest unit to use and program. The owners manual was simple to understand (exact opposite from Digitech manuals which you need a PHD to understand them!) but I didn't even read it for a couple of days after plugging it in and using it. The majority of the presets are good, some are really good, some are a waste (like with any processor, no matter what the price). The ability to edit the presets or make up your own are simple. Let's say you wanted a preset with distortion, chorus, and delay. You just press the OD button, Chorus button and Delay button and you are there. Of course, each separate effect is completely tweakable, as if you had that particular Boss pedal in your hand. The nice thing about this unit which many others don't offer is the ability to put the effects in any order in the chain that you choose. It is very simple to do this as well On firmware, I have Version 1.06. The latest version is 1.09. Read below for more.

I am currently using the GX-700 with my Epiphone Les Paul Standard, Fender U.S Strat Plus, Marshall VS65R combo amp (Valvestate, 65W, 12" spkr) and Dunlop Original Crybaby. Since it has noise suppressor as one of the effects, noise can be easily eliminated. Some of the presets are a little buzzy, even with my Strat which was gold lace sensor pickups (very quiet single coil pickups) but sometimes buzz is good, and when it isn't, kick in the noise suppressor feature. I think all of the main effects are very strong and very good. It's like having 20+ Boss stomp boxes without the mess of pedals or the need for power for each one. As I said before, each main effect can be turned on and off separately and are fully programmable. For example, when you press the OD/DIST button, you can choose from Vintage OD, Turbo OD, Blues, Distortion, Turbo Distortion, Metal and Fuzz and each one can be tweaked as if you had the pedal in front of you. The amp simulators are kind of wild, give a little different sound to my Marshall. The Soldano and 5150 amp simulators are nice. The humanizer effect really isn't my cup of tea and the auto wah is weak (as with all processors but who cares, I have a wah anyway). The speaker cabinet simulations are great when playing in conjunction with the amp simulators on my headphones (yes there is a headphone jack). Also has Compressor/Sustainer, Flanger, Phaser, PitchShifter, Chorus, Delays, Panning, Tremolo, Harmonizer, Humanizer, Ring Modulator and Reverb. It also has an FX loop which is what I run my Crybay through. As I said above, the effects can be put anywhere in the chain, including the loop. I can have my wah before distortion, after distortion, etc. The possibilities for sounds is endless. I give this a nine only because there is always something a little better out there, depends on your ear (not to my ear, but I'm sure others hold a different opinion).

It looks like it could survive a nuclear fallout but the most gigging I do with it is in my den so...I can thoroughly depend on it for what I use it for, as far as gigging without a backup, again I don't play out (yet) but it appears it would be a safe move.

So far I've dealt with Roland once. Since I knew when I bought the unit that it didn't have the latest version in firmware (1.06 vs. 1.09), I decided to call Roland and ask about upgradeability. When I called, I told them what I had and what I wanted and they told me that the upgrade was free, here's the list of authorized Boss service centers in your area. Quick and friendly, that's what I like. I then called the service center, they verified what Roland had told me, they ordered the upgrade, and have it sitting in their shop waiting to be installed in my GX-700, all in a week!! Can't wait to bring it. I give Roland only a 9 because I haven't had to deal with them yet on warranty work (hope I never have to).

I've been playing for almost a year now and have come a long way. I play (try to play!!) a wide variety of music from classic rock to alternative to heavy metal and this unit more than suits my needs. I've played with almost every Boss pedal on the market now and again in various guitar stores and feel that this unit incorporates them very nicely. I've also owned four Boss pedals (Compressor/Sustainer, Flanger, Super Chorus and Heavy Metal) and it's like I have them back without the 9V battery power struggle! I compared the GX-700 with the Boss ME-30 and the Digitech RP-7. It really wasn't a fair fight due to the price. The ME-30 was $259 and the RP-7 was $339. The ME-30 was okay, the presets were pretty good and was easy to use but did not compare to the GX-700. The RP-7 had to some good sounds, since it incorporated a 12AX7 tube but it's ease of use was out the window, eve n with the owners manual so the choice was clear. It would've been a real struggle in the decision making if the GX-700 was $500 like I've normally seen it. I probably wouldn't even had tried it at that price and I didn't as I tell a little story (this will incorporate my other items I own). When I first started out, I felt that the only distortion I need was what my Marshall had to offer. It was tweakable and sounded really great and was the main reason I bought it. So naturally, I wanted an effects processor with everything BUT distortion. Chorus, delay, flanger etc but I wanted one unit, not a bunch of pedals. Enter the Alesis Midiverb IV. I got the Alesis and used it for quite a while but was beginning to slowly learn from my own findings and other people's opinions that this unit was not exactly the best choice for guitar use. Recording studio for synthesized music, yes, but for guitar, effects were unrealistic, so I rarely even used it. I still had my Marshall overdrive though. Until one day a friend had brought over his little Fender Frontman with an 8" speaker and distortion channel (it cost $80) and his amp produced this dirty, metally sound that my amp could just not produce. Ahhh, the eternal quest for tone begins. Enter the Zoom 510 Power Driver. Had a multitude of distortions, was small and cost $90. The distortions were good and it had an amplified headphone jack for portable private practice. I decided to give my Alesis another shot with programming in conjunction with the Zoom and my Marshall. Well, as you can see, the chance I gave it didn't last for long. I'm selling the Midiverb IV. I'm keeping the Zoom for its portability characterisitics. And I couldn't be happier with my GX-700. If it were lost or stolen, I would definetely buy it again. The only sad and ironic thing is since I got the GX-700 at an unbelievably low price, if I ever wanted the Roland Midi foot controller for it, it would cost as much if not more than what I paid for the GX-700!! I guess I'll just stick with my Boss momentary footswitch for now!!!

The first thing I noticed right off was the ease of programming the GX700. I have owned a few programmable units in recent years, and in the last few months tried out several more models. The Boss GX700 was extremely easy to maneuver through and make changes to. I really liked the sounds coming straight out of the unit from the factory, and it did not take more than a half an hour before I was comfortable with tailoring patches to suit my tastes, and making sounds I only wished my Peavey TransFex would make. When I got my unit home, the manual made the simple process of programming even more user-friendly. This is one manual that is actually informative and easy to read. My GX700 is a v1.9, the latest firmware version.

I play in a hard rock/heavy metal band, so good distortion is my first concern. I gave it a nine due to the fact that the distortions are not 'pristine' like from a Mesa Dual Recto Solo head or a VHT Ultra Lead, but unlike most distortion units, the Metal Distortion effect is actually quite warm, tone-wise, and did not produce annoying screechy-ness on the higher frets. I am using the GX700 in to a mid-80's Randall RG100 head in to a Sheffield loaded Peavey 4X12 cab. Guitars used are two Jackson Professional series Dinky Reverse 5's. The sound live has been most satisfactory, especially needing about 8 different sounds overall. (I am controlling the unit with an ART X-15 midi board) I have never really been in to copping someone else's sound, so I don't know about cloning other artists' sounds, but I find I am getting pretty darned close to the sounds I want. I also like the Soldano pre amp COSM model besides the Metal Dist., and the Vintage Twin is a great warm sound. If you want modern sequencer-like effects, the square wave tremolo effect will give you pretty much what you want. I don't use a whole lot of effects with distortion, but the Vintage twin pre amp with a nice medium chorus sounds REALLY good. As with most effects processors, there are some patches that just seem plain useless, but there are an awful lot that lay the groundwork for sounds I want. You like the Chorus, Reverb, and Delay of patch 14, but the distortion from patch 6? Fine. Scroll through the appropriate menu, and you can copy THAT distortion from patch 6 TO patch 14. Extremely useful. No more lost settings due to a bad memory while tweaking. The versatility of the GX700 is a definite strong suit.

So far no problems. Several practices with the GX700, and one gig to date. I have always had great reliability from previous Boss products while gigging, so I am expecting similar results. But, I will not rate this category thus far.

NEVER had to deal with Boss' customer support.

The GX700 makes great Metal sounds, period. The clean amp models are great as well. I have been playing for 14 years, but with a major gap in the middle of no gigging. I got rid of my TransFex not long after getting the GX700, and its only back up I have are a Boss Metal Zone, Super Chorus, and GE-7 that can be used with the Randall in case of emergency. If it were stolen, I would definitely get another one. I considered the DigiTech RP series, the GSP2112, the ART SGX, and the Zoom 3030. The GX700 was the winner hands down for its combination of sound quality, price, versatility, and ease of use.

takes all of about 5 minutes to figure out how to use... if you have any experience with any other effects processors & you're familiar with the parameters of the effects it couldnt be easier... my only gripe is if you dont have a foot controller it takes forever turning that dial to get to the next desired effect

plain and simple... the tone is awesome... to be totally honest though... unlike allot of the other entries... im not impressed with allot of the distortions that this unit has... im running it through a carvin sx200d and 99.9% of the time im using the overdrive/distortion on the amp... one note... the ring modulator seems useless... it sounds downright bad

this is kind of a touchy area... i got a good deal considering i bought the floor model... since the day i bought the unit i think its moved once... never been banged or dropped... every so often the unit will cut out on me... it has something to do with the input & outputs on the back of the unit.. im running it through the effects loop in my carvin... you have to play with the cords a little to get it going again... a major downer... i couldnt say if i'd gig with it considering it was a floor model & i cant tell if its a factory defect

havent called

i considered both the gx700 and the digitech gsp 2101... in my opinion the effect on the boss are a hell of allot cleaner & have a much brighter tone... my only gripes are the problems ive had & the fact that the roland foot controller costs about as much as the gx700 itself!!! ... all in all i definitely recommend it... but learn from my mistakes... spend a few xtra bucks... get it new in the box

Very simple to use. I read the manual, which is short and explicit, for 15 minutes and the rest was easy. Sometimes I use the MIDI interface and SYSEX to make backups and dump patches in it. The display is mounted too deep, you can see it only in limited angles. Where did they forgot the volume knob of the headphones? The unit has a firmware of 1.09.

It sounds very good with my JEM. I use it mainly connected direct on board. My MusicMan 212 sixtyfive is collecting dust in the corner. I've also done some "hard disk" recordings with Cakewalk software. The GX-700 really serves it's purpose in this area. The presets aren't very convincing so have you spare some time to adjust the thing. The usual overdrive lead/rhytm sounds were easy to find but for example the SRV and Deep Puple "Lazy" tones needed time and nerves. Fortunately the unit has a great amount of options. It can get a bit noisy if you use strong compression and overdrive simultaniously. Most of the effects are good enough but I haven't found any use for the ring modulator or humanizer. The best parts of this unit are the preamp section and the cabinet simulations.

No serious problems. Loose knob once in a while.

I play mainly rhytm'n blues, hardrock etc. The unit has more characteristics I'll ever need, but the patches I've been able to create are great. Before I bought it, I tried out some other effect processors, but after reading an article of some guitar magazine which stated that GX-700 sounded as good as the top line models of Digitech and Rocktron (despite the lack of tubes and ridiculously low price), I decided to buy one. Also the user comments I read about the Boss GX-700, GT-5 and Roland GP-100 convinced me. I've been using the unit for six months now and, comparing the sound and the price payed, it's a bargain.

The reason I originally bought this unit is because I refused to use my ADA MP-1 for rhythm tracks in the studio, I used a Boss MetalZone and I had heard that this had one in a rack, so after comparing it to my ADA, a Rocktron Chamelon, and a rocktron Voodoo Valve, I decided to go with this because basically THE DISTORTION CRUSHES. Editing patches was a breeze and I had been making up my own way before I took the unit home. The manual is pretty cool, and while I kinda wished it had a bit more detail (i.e. what is resonance), it's a million times easier than say the Roland xp-50 (which I also own). My unit's still kinda new so it's yet to be upgraded.

I'm running my gx-700 through a peavey power amp straight into a bass cabinet (love the speaker sims). The onboard pedals are noisy but that what the noise suppressors for isn't. The only major complaint I have is with the reverb(it's not very bright,maybe it's the speaker sims), and I find hard to get a good clean sound but that may be more my fault than the unit's. I bought the unit for it's distortion and it doesn't disappoint, if you need a MetalZone w/midi this is the answer.

As of this writing I have only gigged with it once, and while I haven't experienced any my friend Kirk owns one, and is currrently experiencing intermittent problems w/ his phone jack. I loop mine to something solid before inputting (loop my cable around the handle of my power amp) so hopefully I can avoiod this. I'd feel a lot safer though if it was reinforced with a nut though.

Never dealt with them.

I play in a Damnedbient metal band called Chapelblaque(gothic thrash). This piece is perfect for what I do, it's just me so the harmonizer really comes in handy. I've been playing for 12 years, I've owned a Carvin x100b, an ADA MP-1, an Ibanez rg-550, and an Alesis quadverb, this one rack has replaced like a lot of the gear I used to run though (I don't even use the Quad any more). I would probably buy it again if I lost it, or maybe upgrade to a GT-5. I love the distortion sounds and ease of programming, I just wish it had a 7-pin midi out so I could phantom power my MIDI controlller (a MAJOR selling point with the ADA mp-X). Definitely compares to the Rocktron preamps. Reverb could be better, the chorus it the weakest part about the unit (although it still good, just not to par with the other features). The input jack worries me, I find myself babying it (although no pronblems yet) . Can you rearrange the order of effects? (example LOOP before COMPRESSION, or, EQ before PREAMP?

I must agree with everyone here, that yes, this unit is extrememly easy to program. Just choose the effect, arrow through the parameters, adjusting as you go. Nice layout.

I used to use this unit through a very clean power amp into 2 4x12s. The reverbs were terrible. The noise gate was terrible. The flanger lacks good control. My ultimate displeasure arrived Satruday after purchasing a Mesa/Boogie Triaxis. The GX-700 simply cannot be used with this unit. Even on *standby*, the tone is really effected for the worse. It may have to do with the fact that the GX-700 cannot handle any signal above -10db.

I am not searching to replace the GX-700 in my rig. So is the other guitarist in my band. Last year, in the middle of a showcase, this GX-700 started howling and screaming the loudest feedback you've ever heard at full gain. The unit simply started throwing the worst tantrum I've ever heard an effect unit have. It turned out that the front input jack (which is soldered directly to the circuit board... lame) had malfunctioned causing the unit to wildly flail in agony. The solution was to use the rear input jack (until that started to go). I began experiencing the same type of problems. After a costly repair bill for the two of us, we are not beginning to experience many of the same symptoms... including powering up just to have your GX-700 scream uncontrollable rage right back at you. This unit is poorly made. We housed them in Mesa Shock Racks, and (especially after their costly repair) treated them with care. The are obviously meant for the "home" or "bedroom" user. Not to be used on the big stage.

The people at Roland in The City of Commerce, were the poorest excuses for tech support I've ever seen, anywhere. "Bill", if your out there.. yes, I'm talking about you. Rude, Incompetent, Arrogant, Obnoxious are words that come to mind. These units were within the standard warranty. We received a call from "Bill", stating that since there were traces of loose solder around the input jacks, that we had severely "abused" the units, and that under any circumstances we should not have "abused" the units in that fashion, and would charge us $60 to repair each unit, and that we'd have to wait three weeks. What a joke! Three weeks?

Our band is an alternative, post-gothic mix of music. Effects are important. This unit is unable to "behave" with other pieces of professional gear in my rack. If it were lost or stolen, I would claim the full insurance value and buy something else. Sorry for being so negative, as there are so many others here who are singing it's praises... I suppose it all depends on the application. It may be fine for the "bedroom" player, but not ready to play with the big boys.

After struggling with RP-1, SE-50, Quadraverb, Zoom and other processors it is great to be able to program this box without the many keypresses I was used to. Every effect has it's button and the tuner is the best, using the light in the effects buttons. I can tune from the other end of the stage now. Very logical front layout.

I really bought the GX-700 to do home recording. I quit the band, got another baby (!) and it was time to do some serious headphone rocking. The direct recording sound is the best I have heard ever. I can do brown half-overdriven rythm chords and smooth leads. Mind you though that you have to experiment a little. There are some awful, buzzy overdrive sounds too. The key to success is to use the many overdrives and preamps right. There are many overdrive/distortions, I think they put in the best of the stomp boxes, and there are many great preamps. I like the Twin for clarity, the Match Drive for crunch rhythm or blues, the Boogie for lead and the Soldano is great and real smooth for both soft and hard overdriven sounds. And imagine what you can do with combinations of effect and preamps! I'm just starting out now.
Well after playing with it for a week I played a gig with it. I played it through a MusicMan tube combo and it sounded real good. No digital overdrive sounds here, the overdrive was warm and great. I used to play with a Chandler Tube driver (real tube inside) and a Boss Blues driver. The GX-700 is as good as the Blues driver and close to the Tube driver in warmth.
I am not a great user of pitch shift, harmonizer and all those weird effects, and I don't like the pitch shifter. It tracks too slowly and sounds very artificial to my ears. I can't see why I should want to use it anyway.
The compressor does a good job (must be CS-3 circuit), the EQ is good and easy to use., the speaker simulator is just great, good delay, the chorus could be better (I like Ibanez CS-10 digital chorus better, they are wider and more spacious, more like a modulation delay), the tremolo/pan is very good, I have to find a song to put it in!, the reverb is good enough for guitar but not at all in the Quadraverb category. Dump all the pitch shift effects and give me a better reverb instead.

Works fine, I have to put it in a rack or I will destroy it! It will fall of the top of the amp one day

I bought it used and have never talked to Roland/Boss.

At last a processor with good overdrive sounds. I play blues and coverrock and I like to be able to switch sounds a lot faster and more radical than I could ever do with stomp boxes without compromising (too much) on the sound quality. One of the earlier reviews put it right: The audience would not notice the difference...
I believe Roland has done a really great job. Apart from the great sounds, they have really understood all the practical needs of the guitar player. You can attach two simple switches and program them to do anything (if you like me is too poor to buy the FC-200 controller. You can set the tuner to any pitch and even use Eb or D tuning. The input jack is on BOTH the front and the back. You have input volume and output volume to match both preamps and poweramps.

This unit is a joy to use. The learning curve is quite small compared to many of todays multi-efx units. The manual is good and informative without being intimidating. Even the presets are good for the most part. They provide great places to start creating your own sounds.

I have used only used it as a line-in direct sound source. It is very quiet, especially on the patches that use the noise reduction algorhythm. The distortions are analog and are typical Boss sounds which to my ear is a good thing. The preamp simulations and speaker cabinet simulations are simply great and add a great amount of versatility to this unit. The Fender Twin simulation is right on the money. The modulations, delays and reverbs are also top of the class with very musical parameters for editing. The tremelo is a bit weak, but the humanizer and harmonizer are really interesting and work well.

I have found Boss units to be top of the class for reliability. This feels quite solid and has worked just fine for the month I've had it.

Their website has virtually no tech support and no way to email the company and that stinks. On the other hand the manual is quite good and readible.

I'm a pop-rock pro musician from the old school (since 1969) and this unit makes me very happy. I've only scratched the surface and I haven't wanted something I couldn't get and quickly. I could tell right away that this was a very musical effects module. I would replace it with another one right away if it was stolen. My Zoom 505 and 9000 are gathering dust and my vintage Fender Concert amp is quite jealous. I'm really impressed with this piece and I'd recommend it to any guitarist looking to find their own voice and to emulate their favorite others.

After reading all the glowing reviews about the GX-700, I finally went out and bought one. Just as well I did, the shop was having a discount on it. Got it for S$530 (approx. US$330). Its version 1.09. I spent about 5mins reading the manual before I jumped right into fiddling with it, only occasionally going back to the manual to find out more details about specifics. The manuals pretty comprehensive but I think more details about what certain effects or settings do exactly would improve it. But this is minor since the unit itself is laid out pretty intuitively and such details might just bore some of us. Patches are extremely easy to edit and store. And it doesnt take much effort to tweak some decent sounds out of it. But there is a tendency (for me anyway) to over use all the effects just because there'll there and its so easy to edit them. So this box is definately one of the easiest rack units to edit.

I play mostly rock and blues style music. And I must say this box does it for me. Everything I need is there and they sound good. I'm using a Fender tube combp (Super 112) with a Strat and Gibson. Both guitars still retain they're character through the GX700. A strat still sounds like a strat, Gibson a Gibson. With the noise suppressor in the right place, the unit is dead quiet.
The individual effects all sound pretty good, esp the chorus and delay. But the setting the delay takes a little getting used to because of the different stereo channels and the percentage thing. One thing I have yet to find any useful purpose for is the ring modulator, it seems pretty useless to me; more of a gimmick.
I think the key to getting really killer tone out of this box is moderation and learning not to overdo all the effects.

I've only had it for a few days.. so far no problems yet. So I'm staying off rating this section.

No probs yet... didn't have to deal with anyone.

I've previously used rack mount effects (mainly a Rocktron PRO GAP, Alesis Quadreverb amongst other stuff) but I gave up rack mount after about 2 years. Its just too much trouble to edit. And I only end up using 10 patches out of like a thousand possibilities. The GX700 made me go back to a rack unit again. Great sounds, easy editing, versatile, and best of all it doesnt cost a bomb. A bunch of peddles would cost more. So I'd definately give it a 10 - FANTASTIC VALUE!

Dead easy to edit/create patches, especially with the Midi SysEx system, although I haven't yet found an editor that works! Very easy to instantly see what patch you're using & what effects are being used on each patch through big red lights!

Sounds great through my Fender Strat & Ibanez, into a Carlsboro 85W amplifier. Sounds even more amazing through my Aiwa Dolby pro-logic hi-fi!!! I tried the unit out in my local guitar shop going through a Marshall pre-amp and two cabinets in stereo and it was unbelievable. All effects sounds great to me, although the reverb seems a bit "not there".

I've only had one glitch with it - the power adapter died after one day! It took the shop I bought it from 5 weeks to get another one, and that had an American plug on the end, which ain't much use for us Brits! I presume it was just a one-off faulty unit. One point to note here - I was using a 12v adapter as a substitute whilst I was waiting for the new one. The proper adapter sends out 14v. This 2v loss in power & probably current as well made the GX-700 very quiet, and nothing at all came out of the headphone socket. Everything else worked OK, though.

Never had to deal with them yet!

I play all music, and this unit covers them all. I'd buy it again without hesitation. I didn't need to compare it to anything else - the first time I heard it, that was enough for me!

The main reason I am posting this is to make people aware of one thing. The Boss GX-700 cannot handle input levels over -10db. This ruined my extreme pleasure with this unit. This is the best-sounding f/x box in it's price range, but the fact that it cannot handle +4db is a ridiculous oversight. I wanted a unit to run in the f/x loop of my Boogie Mark IV (I have submited a review of this as well). The Boss would completely crap out, unless I wired it in a rather bizzare way suggested by Roland's tech support. They claimed that the Boss was never meant to be used in the way I was using it. I find this just plain silly. From what I gather, the GP-100 can handle +4db, but I don't see why putting a simple pad for +4db operation is such a hassle. Otherwise, all the sounds on this unit are great, and the preamp models are a great alternative to the usual distortion patches on other boxes. Just wanted to let people know. If you're going to use this as a dedicated preamp, or pre-amplifier, then go for it. Otherwise, you might want to keep looking.

Like any effects unit, if you don't know what your doing or your just randomly pressing buttons and turning nobs you caan get some pretty bad sounds. But if even the smallest amount of effort is used oyu can find the sound(s) thats perfect for U! Editing patches couldn't be easier or more self explanitory. The manual is very good but leaves out certian things, for instance nowhere in the manual does it say how to record CD's (well 4 seconds at a time) into your GX then how to slow it down as much as you need to figure out the riff, but U can. Also it neglects how to check what version you GX is. Simply hold SP SIM and PREAMP as you turn on the power, it will immediatly display the version #. WARNING by doing this you enter a TEST MODE and can really screw things up, so after it displays the version # simply press PLAY to exit the test mode. ( If you have version 1.08 or higher then all is good)!!!!

I find almost all the pre-set sounds are worthless, designed for old people who lack a desire for real power! A lot of people on this database have said they love everything about this unit except the distortion. To all these people I say, you're just not trying. Just push all the effects buttons untill untill all the lights are off and start from scratch... you will NOT be dissapointed! To the people in the world with small amps and small speakers be carefull, this unit can put uot FAR more than small speakers can handle! My favorite artist is DIME BAG DARRELL of PANTERA and with a little perseverance you can get AWESOME DISTORTION just like he has!

If you have version 1.08 of higher have no fear this version is virtually flawless!

Never Needed It!!!!!!!

I love sweet acoustic sounds and heavy powerful distortions and I get It all right here, Any style of music you play the GX is wonderful. My only complaint is the EQ should be more extensive (although I am a button/nob freak) Do yourself a favor and buy a FC-200 or somthing similar!!

I still have to pinch myself. This is a real live top-end processor for the price of a mid to low level unit! Moving effects around in the chain really produces some awesome results. I have moved my distortion to after my pre-amp on some sets and like the results. I am using a clean pre-amp after my distortion on other and have some huge distortions with that configuration also. I am a former GSP2101 user so my expectations for sound are the highest. Yet, the GX700 does the equivalent sounds without the huge programming hassle.

10,000,000 permutations and combinations because of the completely configurable chain. If you can't find your sound here, you just haven't tried hard enough. The factory presets have nothing to do with the capabilities of this unit. Nothing.

Yes. Boss's reputation here carry's the day. I liked the user survey information on the one web site. This was tangible evidence for reliability. ONLY 1 user out of 43 with a minor problem!

Not very clear who you call?

Yes, I did buy it again. I returned one last year that I paid 535.00 for, I don't think any processor is worth that. The guys at Musician's Friend did a price match, 45 day returns policy with a price like this! Need I say more.

Very easy, however it might take some time to program a full set of patches for your own use - The most of the pre-programmed seems quite useless to me. I recommand that you link it with your computer.

I think most of the modulation effects is quite good. Good chorus, tremelo, flanger, delay and a little weaker reverb. I think the pitch shifter is better that you would expect in this price level and I especially like the harmonist. Also the digital preamp and speaker simulater seems to be very good. At first I missed some more possibilities but I guess that's just a matter of eq. and fine adjustment. The week side is the distortion and OD unless your in to some kind of hordcore metal. The only decent one is the Vintage OD. I recommmand you loop your personal OD-pedal.

Don't know only had it for a month.

Never had to contact anyone

Well, after reading numerous glowing reviews here and speaking with several members of the online community, I finally decided on this unit to purchase for my be-all, end-all rack unit (at least until I can afford an Eventide!). To put it quite simply, this is the simplest unit to program that I have yet to find. Patches are easily selected via the control knob, and tweaking parameters are a breeze. Each effect has its own LED indicator, so it's easy to see what's on and what's not. The manual was longer than I expected, though it certainly didn't go in-depth at explaining what each effect parameter IS, merely how to adjust them. I'd reccomend getting a third-party book on multieffects if you're not familiar with all the terms. It came with the latest firmware, and has all the connections I need for now (no XLR connections, but I won't be hooking up to a PA for a while). Effects are easily relocatable in the chain, and each patch can store its own sequence independent of the others (all patch parameters are independent of other patches).
The display is very readable, but I agree it's poorly designed for viewing from an angle. I give it an 8, with a 10 being equivalent to an on/off stompbox. ;-)

When I demoed this in the store, I was quite fearful of all the buzz I was getting. It turns out my fears were groundless, as the noise was likely EMF from fluorescent lighting in the store (whoever picked that room for demoing rack effects was nuts). Very clean, recording direct is a dream, even with the heaviest metal distortion and amp simulator at full gain. Don't be afraid to tweak the noise surpressor... it's very intuitive. I've not owned all the amps that it can simulate, but I know it sounds light years better than direct boxes used to. You can mix the direct/"miked" sound to blend how you please. As mentioned, effects transition smoothly from one to another with no annoying signal drop; delay/reverb carries into the next patch. You can adjust input/output levels, and what setup you are using (combo/stack/line, guitar input or effects loop).

As everyone says, "It's a BOSS." Very rugged, yet lightweight for easy transport. I'm not in the financial situation to have a backup unit, but I don't anticipate any problems. It has an external AC adapter, but it's mid-cord-- no wall-wart (yay!), but an annoying "wart" halfway down the power cable.

No idea yet... they took some time getting it to my dealer, but stock might have been short. I'm filling out the warranty card tomorrow (yeah, right! That's the problem with dependable gear, you never remember the warranty until it's needed...).

I play mainly progressive metal (Queensryche, Dream Theater, Alice in Chains) and heavy death metal (early Metallica, Testament). This unit does an awesome job there, especially direct. However, I also play blues-rock, and some alternative, and could get a great sound for that as well. For example, I got a great Temple of the Dog or Mad Season sound. It probably won't fool a tube-head, but this unit is as close as it gets.
The price was phenomenal... I got a lead on the web from an online associate (thanks Donpaul!), and my local dealer matched it. Can't seem to find the URL again, but perhaps some other kind soul will post it. Another local dealer was trying to sell it for over $600 (the same place with the fluorescent lights). Because of this price, I'd jack the overall rating up to 10, for such great value. If you wind up paying list (+/- $500 or so), then I'd say it's still an 8 or 9.
This is a good unit. If anyone has any patches besides those on the existing sites, please get in touch.

Very easy to use , I didn't need the manual for instance. It was very easy to get good sounds out of it everything sound I wished for I can get out of it easily. I owned ( still own) a Roland GP-16 and the sounds i got out of that unit were almost the same as I have now, but it took me a few months to make them. and this unit (gx-700) was like a dream come true Tones from heaven/hell and back in a fly!! I have a firmware number 1.09

I use the unit with several guitars and the guitars all keep their character. a Les Paul sounds like a Les Paul and a strat sounds like a Strat. I use this unit with my old faithful Fender amp and it sounds great even when I hook the unit direct to my tapedeck!! All the sounds I ever wished for (Landau,SRV,SATCh,lukather and of course the BROWN SOUND) are all in it. I can go from Mike stern's jazz-chorus to Texas chainsaw sounds and beyond !! All the effects are great, but I couln't do anything useful with the ring-modulator.

I don't know just bought it a few months ago and haven't gigged with it yet.

Roland Benelux have always helped me great!!! when I owned the Me-5 they were great, when I had the GP-16 they were great and now that I have the gx they are stilll great!! I would say thumbs up for Roland benelux's support!!!!!

I would definetely buy it again . I play all kinds of music and the flexibility of the unit is so amazing!!. The only thing that it could use is a Master output level-knob

IT'S FAIRLY EASY TO GET A GOOD SOUND. IF YOU ARE WILLING TO SPEND SOME MORE TIME PROGRAMING YOU CAN GET SOME EXCELLENT TONES. THE MANUAL IS GOOD. I BELIEVE I HAVE THE LATEST VERSION OF THE SOFTWARE (ROLAND TOLD ME THEY UPGRADED IT AFTER I HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT LOCKING UP ON ME).

THE SOUND QUALITY OF THIS UNIT IS AMONG THE BEST IVE HEARD IN IT'S CLASS.(I HAD TRIED OUT SEVERAL OF THE COMPETITION BEFORE BUYING THIS UNIT). THE UNIT IS FAIRLY QUIET. THE EFFECTS ARE PRETTY MUCH ALL GREAT (THE RING MODULATOR IS PHATT). THE SIMULATIONS ARE PRETTY GOOD (IVE EITHER OWNED OR USED MOST OF THE AMPS THE UNIT SIMULATES.) I'VE MOSTLY BEEN USING IT FOR DIRECT RECORDING BUT HAVE ALSO HOOKED IT UP TO SEVERAL TUBE AND SOLID STATE AMPS.

AFTER THE UPGRADE THE UNIT HASN'T GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS. I COULD NOT HAVE FAITH ON ANY UNIT AT AGIG WITHOUT SOME BACKUP.

I THINK I COULD HAVE BEEN TREATED BETTER BY THE COMPANY. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE LABOR ON THE UPGRADE AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE IT AT NO CHARGE. (GIVEN THE PROBLEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD WITH THE EARLY SOFTWARE.) I REFUSED TO PAY AND AFTER MUCH ARGUING THEY DROPPED THE CHARGE. (ACTUALLY MY PROBLEMS WERE WITH ONE PERSON AT ROLAND.)

THIS UNIT IS VERY VERSATILE I PLAY SEVERAL STYLES OF MUSIC AND IT COMES THROUGH FINE. IT COULD USE SOME BETTER NOISE REDUCTION AND A STEREO EFFECTS LOOP. I PROBABLY WOULD BUY IT AGAIN I BOUGHT IT RIGHT WHEN IT CAME OUT IN 1996. I HAVE NOT TRIED ANY OF THE PROCESORS THAT HAVE COME OUT SINCE THEN BUT THIS UNIT DOES THE TRICK NICELY.