DigiTech GNX3

I am using GNX3 v1.5 firmware. The later version of firmware came out-of-the-box, but there are options to update it if you buy an earlier version. It comes with 60 or so factory presets, many of which demonstrate the unit's numerous capabilities. Two demo tracks for the recorder are available out-of-the-box, or can be downloaded from DigiTech web site if you get an earlier model.

GNX3 provides a fairly easy interface, which is covered in sufficient detail in the manual. The interface is set up to edit one category of effect at a time, and each category operates like a regular stompbox - editing is likewise easy.

Amp warping is limited on the unit itself. When the warp feature is enabled, both the amp model and the cabinet image are warped together.

There are two utility menus - equivalents of "General Options" and "Recorder Options". This becomes confusing sometimes, because some "recorder options" need to be edited even when not using a recorder (for example, to route the mic input to main outputs).

The recorder is very easy to use, but limited insofar as rewinding and punching in. It's not possible to mark a specific time or measure except via playback. For me, the best usage for the recorder is to create loops. I use the optional foot controller to do this in stompbox or bank mode, but in recorder mode you can use the main pedals for this functionality.

The best way to edit presets on the GNX3 is using the MIDI interface with a PC, and the included GenEdit software. This allows to edit each patch while seeing all the settings simultaneously. Warping new amp/cabinet models is also improved vs. the floor unit (you can set the % warp of the amps separately from % warp of the cabs). Some effect parameters are available only via the GenEdit software (although you can technically assign the expression pedal to edit those as well).

I play primarily a Musicman SUB1 guitar (2 humbuckers, passive). I run the guitar to GNX3, then use the stereo outputs either to a stereo power amp or to two guitar and/or bass amps on either side. The best way to hear GNX3 is through a PA or a clean power amp; however, the unit includes compensation for various speaker types (1x12, 2x12, etc) if you're using actual amp(s) instead of running direct. For recording, I use the digital I/O (coaxial 24-bit PCM stereo) whenever possible/practical.

The noise produced by the unit is generally same as with any amp - by itself it's very quiet. When an amp model is overdriven, or a distortion pedal model is enabled, normal noise is generated (I was especially impressed with how accurately the stompboxes are modeled). The amp models follow volume control on guitar pretty accurately, in terms of response vs. the real thing. Direct box modeling produces zero audible noise, which I'd imagine is great for effect loops (I don't use them so I can't be sure).

All the effects provided on the GNX3 are very tweakable, unlike many of those on most comparable units. While certain sophisticated controls are not available (such as multi-voice chorus, multi-band compression, etc) those that are provided allow each effect to be suited to any particular song or musical situation. I can safely say that with GNX3 I can recreate just about any guitar sound, as well as many keyboard/synth sounds and even a few bass sounds - past or present.

In general, the effects are what I would call "studio quality". There is no noise or unwanted artifacts except with a few controller changes (changing volume via expression pedal too slowly causes some clicking noise, etc). The 3-band parametric EQ is tied into amp EQ controls - that's another thing I wish were separate and more adjustable. Also, the bandwidth control for middle EQ parameter is not adjustable.

So far the unit has been fail-free for me. The construction is very rugged, except for a few knobs that look like they might break off (instrument and mic input volume switches on the back panel). The unit is powered by a DigiTech adapter (comes with the unit), which eliminates possible dead battery problems at the root.

Because of the flexibility of the unit, I can be sure that having my guitar, the GNX, at least one amp, and at least two instrument cables (possibly a direct box or two in case of a PA situation) will get me through just about any gig.

I've sent messages to DigiTech via their web site. They've responded, somewhat briefly, to most of my questions (all questions pertaining to operation of the unit were answered). The FAQ section of the web site is handy also. There's a sound community available through the DigiTech web site that allows users to share their custom presets, and provides user-to-user support capability. I wish DigiTech provided more "technical" technical support, but usually their suggestions are sufficient to figure out what to do.

I've been playing guitar for 5 years, but I've played piano/keyboards since I was 4 years old. I grew up in the 90s, but with the spirit of 70s/80s. I play many styles of music, in bands and by myself, and consider my style eclectic: sometimes I'll play rock/metal, folk, funk, jazz/fusion, or even "neoclassical". For my needs, GNX is perfectly suitable for any of those situations - in the practice room, the studio, or on stage of any size.

To me, the GNX workstation concept is the wave of the future. The integration of 8-track recording bundled with multi-effects processing makes this a great practice and composing stand-alone unit. Additionally, GNX3 provides a 9-second long (short) looper memory, that allows to slow down up to 9 seconds of music down to 1/4 of original tempo.

GNX3 effects are very adjustable. Some of my favorite examples of tweakability include:

* preset mode! - even though this is now common-place on the market, I love this feature. I have an individual preset for each song that I play, all I have to do is arrange them in order of the set list for a particular gig. Within that preset, I have on the floor:
- a wah "model" with three available types (accessible via the V-Switch, see comment below)
- a stompbox (can be used as a mute also)
- two amp models (green/red or clean/distort channel) and an optional real-time warped model of the two, so up to 3 switchable channels
- a modulation effect (chorus, flanger, envelope, synth, auto-wah, etc) most of which are "stereo" effects
- a delay model up to 2000ms (2 seconds) - mono, stereo, or dual mono; analog or digital.
- a reverb of several types, again in stereo.
Additional effects/modules include:
- an optional pickup model, single->humbucker or humbucker->single
- noise reduction of two types, allowing potentially for Ebow-like violin sounds. It is also tweakable enough to get a sweet organ-like sound without the noise of plucked strings coming through.
- single-band compression, with the common controls (3 "knees", ratio of 1:1 through INF:1, attack and release)
- pitch shifter or whammy effect
Each effect/module is unique to the preset, but can be copied into another preset to be edited. I find the 60 user-editable presets enough for my purposes.

Some of my other favorite GNX3 features include:
* two LFOs, which run independently of other LFOs (such as for chorus, auto-wah, etc) - this allows for everything from crazy pitch-shifting effects and arpeggiation, to simple things like slowly panning reverb or modulation (my favorite). Any effect parameter or other controller can be assigned to the LFOs, with definable range. The speed varies from 1/20th Hz to 10 Hz. Shape can be adjusted for toggle changes (square), smooth gradual change (sine), or in-between (triangle).

* ability to assign up to 3 controllers to footswitch #5 (in stompbox mode) - for example, turn off modulation + switch amp + turn down compression, all on one button. Same can be done with the expression pedal, except on a continuous basis. Here's an example:
1. Assign Expr1 control to flanger panning, in the range of -99 to 0.
2. Assign Expr2 to modulation on/off (in this case it'll be flanger) - when the pedal gets past the halfway point, the flanger will turn on (when the panning is at about -50).
3. Assign Expr3 to another control, such as volume (maybe in the range of 75-100) or delay on/off.
Now I can use the expression pedal for an effective lead-in to a solo - as I depress the expression pedal, the flanger will pan in from the left as the volume is increasing or as delay is turned on. Rocking the pedal back will turn off the flanger, and bring the volume back or turn the delay back off. I sometimes wish the controller ranges were more programmable, but that can be achieved fairly easily with a separate MIDI controller.
Another drawback of the expression pedal is that when th

First off, I have a problem with getting to the point and tend to stray off the topic of things, so bare with me :p

I figured out how to get different sounds out of it within about 5 minutes at the store, but i still have yet figure out some of the recorder panel and the and the many things (or so it seems) that you can do by linking the expression pedal to effects. Manual is pretty good, I mean, it's not terribly in depth and its not very thick at all or anything but it does explain to you how to use the unit and what all of it's functions are, how to use them, what the stompboxes are modeled after, etc. I was getting great sounds out of this unit within an hour of plugging it in.

I'm using a Fender Jap Strat w/ a kahler locking tremolo and a 30W Peavey Rage 158 amp. (I play for self entertainment.)

This thing really shed new light on my amp. I've been playing for five years with no effects at all, except the distortion of my amp. The GNX3 really met and exceeded my expectations (with a few acceptions, of course) as far as sound quality and sound verstaility go. Every sound I've tried to get so far, I've gotten. These are the first effects i've ever heard and I'm sure there are better ones that are individual pedals, but the prices on them are usually $80+. You figure a distortion, reverb, delay, noise gate, and a compressor/sustainer and you're looking at around $300-500, and you get loads more than that with this unit for $400. To make things a bit simpler, I'll list the major effects and state my opinion on them.

Distortion- I've read that some people do not like these distortions or think they sound "weak" and "digital" or whatever. I can't say I agree with them. Over my amp and with my guitar, I think the distortions sound great. There are all the amp models (some with distortion) and cabinets which are fully tweakable and there are the stompboxes which are an effect on the unit, that are also fully tweakable with the same options that the real ones have. For example, you can blend two amp models and two cabinets together and get one sound, then add ANY of the distortions to it. That equals an endless list of sounds. It's not like if you cant get the distortion you want in 10 minutes, the equpiment sucks. It takes time to get the sound you want usually, and overall the distortions are great.

Mod': Chorus, Flange, Phaser, Tremolo, etc.- I think they all sound excellent and are very versatile. Bad thing about it is, you can't use two things in this category at once. Meaning no panner and tremolo together and stuff like that. The biggest flaw of this unit it is, but here's a hint: If you want to get a chorus sound with one of the other Mod sounds, just use the Detune feature for a chorus, as they sound nearly the same to me. After all, chorus is just detuning the signal and playing it back through the speaker(s) anyway. Nifty if you want to use "chorus" and flange at the same time ala The Wall.

Reverb- Sometimes I think that they lack a bit of warmth, but overall they're awesome. Many choices and settings.

Delay- One thing I wish I could do with this: Choose how much the delayed signal is distorted, or muffled (Vocals on natural science, by Rush). Other than that, no complaints at all.

Whammy, Pitch Shifter, Talker- Here's lies another slight downfall of the unit. I haven't really tried anything here besides the pitch shifter (Can't try the talkers because i don't have a mic). This was a bit of a letdown on this unit, say, to imitate a bass you make the pitch -12 and set it to where the modified signal is all that's heard. There are pips and jumps in the sound when this is done, and also when the pitch shifted sound is the one that's heard the most. Playing 'Fire' and some other hendrix songs doesn't sound bad at all, but it does when the pitch shifter is louder than the original signal. Not sure if it still does it when it's not dominate or not...

Wah- Overall: Pretty good. It could be a lot better, but it sounds ok for most songs. I could not, however, get voodoo child out of it. Oh well, i can't play it anyway ;)

Also there are AMAZING AMOUNTS of quality amp models and speaker cabs, which can be customized to no end. Recorder is excellent so far. Takes smartmedia, but i have a digicam that uses smartmedia so I guess I'm lucky :)

I love the sound quality of it.

I've never had any problems with it, besides i loosened the expression pedal bolt a bit with a ratchet. If I gigged (and I would if i could. Small town, no bands.) I wouldn't have backup, mainly because i can't afford it. If i could, I still wouldn't This thing seems pretty durable. Metal construction and all...

Oh yeah, I don't stomp the shit out of the pedals like an irresponsible tard. Helps, you know.

Never had to deal with them

I play progressive, alternative and rock music. Some (actually, many) of my favorite bands and artists are Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, The Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. I've been playing for 5 years and I am 14. I also own a Fender DG-9NS 6 String and a Takamine EG523SC-12 12-String.

I compared this product, *Effects WITH recorder* to a Boss BR864 ($400) *Recorder WITH effects* and chose this one because i decided i wanted more effects and easier access to them than i wanted a better recorder. I also looked at the Boss ME-10 and Vox Tonelab SE (the one with two pedals) and decided i wanted this because i wanted some kind of recorder without spending loads more money.
If it were stolen, I wouldn't buy it again because I don't have any money :p, but if i were given the option to have it replaced compared to having one of it's competitors, I would take it.

I wish it had (in order):
1. A better pitch shifter
2. A better wah
3. The ability to use different mod effects at once

I like very much:
-. The plethora of sounds. This unit has virtually no limits if you're willing to spend time with it.
-. The quality of the sounds, which are exquisite through my amp.
-. The ability to record.

Notes: Manual can be found at http://digitech.com/literature.htm

I really enjoy using it, and i can mess with it for hours getting all kinds of sounds. Of course, you don't get the sound you want right off. You may become discouraged at first, but keep trying and you'll most likely get very close to or exactly what you're looking for.
Is it worth $400? Yes, very much so.
Is the sound and build quality gig worthy? I would use it for gigs, yes.
I'm glad of my decision to buy this piece of equipment that's really made me enjoy playing guitar more.

If you've read all this, you're more patient than I am and I hope it's benefited you, being a view from an amateur home musician's eyes. You can email me if you'd like if you have any questions about it.

I first became familiar with the GNX3 borrowing it from a friend. He never used it much (had a full Line-6 setup, so didn't a second set of fx) and didn't know it very well.

I downloaded the manual and skimmed through it while testing everything on the board at the same time. After a couple hours of tinkering I had it down--and it really is pretty easy to remember.

I'm just getting into guitar, and have maybe 6 months of playing time under my belt. I'm still playing on a $150 Dean that was the cheapest in the store, but the GNX cleans it up, gives it great tone, and makes it sound like a screamer.

My only beef is that I can't seem to get a very bright tone... either it's a low distorted sound or a high-pitch scream--when I'm looking for a warm tone that lets the high notes sing and the low notes roll. In any event I haven't really gotten into amp modeling, which is most certainly part of the problem--and I'm sure my el-cheapo guitar isn't helping either.

When my friend first brought the GNX3 up it had a problem where it would basically lock up whenever you tried to record on the 8-track. He thought he had deleted part of the program, but I got it working by erasing all the recorded songs. Since then I've never had a problem with it.

Never had to talk with Digitech, but rumor is they're awesome for customer-service

I'd give this processor a 9 out of 10. The only real annoyances I can think of are the V-switch for the wah-pedal (The sensitivity can be adjusted, but it seems no matter what I set it on it's either far too sensitive and switches when I don't want it to, or it's near impossible to make work and I have to put all my weight on it to make it go).

Beyond that I'm sad that there's no ability to have multiple stompboxes running in parallel, and the built-in drum synth is quite poor--it just loops some pretty plain beats with no switchups, and the beats don't sound like their titles (Blues just plain sucks).

SAME!

SAME!

UPDATE!
This is an update from my previous review just a few days ago. I have discovered the problem with the power outages. There is a short in the AC adapter. As I said bellow, I have used this thing allot. With that said it's amazing that the AC adapter lasted as long as it did. So chalk one up for Digitech. The only other problem that I haven't even noticed for a long time now was low sensitive pedal. Great product very dependable! :-)

UPDATE!
I was simply amazed at the super quick response I got after leaving my last review here on HC. Digitech is obviously very concerned with the reviews we leave here. If you read my last review, I mention my dissatisfaction with the trend effects processor companies have with utilizing smart media cards as apposed to SD (or even XD for that matter) technologies. Anyway, a guy from Digitech contacted me via email, like the day after I left the review, with a link that explained a way of using SD or XD cards or something like that. I honestly haven't even had time to read the article yet and I don't have a link to it right now. But I'll read it soon and post one more review with the link, so that you guys can all check it out. But the point is, Digitech has better customer support than I had originally rated them for. So I feel obligated to retract my original opinion. :-)

UPDATE!
You should buy one of these, especially since they're down to $399 now. :-)

Well, I've had this thing for a few years now. And I still don't know half of all it's capible of. I guess I just get a sound I like and then I stay with that for a while. I find it easy to get lots of great and useful tones out of this thing. Although I must say that I am really not using the amp modeling much at all these days, not that they're bad, I just have found better ways of getting cool amp tone. One of the ways of course is to just use a real amp. This is great when you have lots of head room (i.e. big room of people or outside), otherwise I use a Gi100 4 speaker cab simulater with a BD-2 and OD-3 for my drive. Anyway, the effects built into this GNX3 are really nice. And there are sooo many! ;-) I would give it a five because frankly this machine is very powerful and complecated. Which is really a good thing! But, I would have to give it a nine for real time use. Because once you have it set up the way you want it, it's really easy to use on stage! :-) So I give it a seven.

Great! Not excelent! But great! If you have the money to buy lots of expensive pedals to experiment around with and you don't mind carrying them all with you when you gig and seting them all up and making sure that they all have sufficient power, then maybe you need to do just that. Otherwise, the GNX is a great choice, allowing you to experiment with very close representations of those real pedals. The subtleties are what make guitar tone cool. And the gnx is great at that. But it is also wonderful at taking you to extremes. One thing I wish these multi-effects pedals would offer is mixing mutiple modulation effects (like a flange into a phaser) or a tremelo into a chorus, etc... And that's probably the biggest draw back when compairing to multiple pedals. But, for most usages, this pedal is quite useful. And the quality of sound is just GREAT! :-)

Every once in a while, I the unit seems to act like it has no power. This is very rare and it has never caused me not to be able to perform with it. I'm not sure what the problem is. But I seem to always get it running again when this does happen. Just as a note of how infrequent this happens, as I said before, I have owned this for several years now. And I've used it probably ninety-five percent of the time I play anywhere. And I've only had it cut out on me like two to three times, and never at a crucial time. But it is something to be aware of. I also have not kept up with the upgrades which is my fault. But since the thing works so well, I just don't see the need I guess. Also, one of the pedals when I first got the thing seemed a little insensitive and I would have to press it a little hard or a couple of times to get it to function. But, It seems to have gotton better of the years. :-)

The box and CDs that this thing originally came with were in a fire. So I called Digitech and they sent me the replacement CDs. I wouldn't say they are up to Dell standards, but not bad.

I've been playing regularly since March of 1992. I feel I am an adequate player with reasonable experience with effects. I like to do my own music and style. But I'm open to most anything. Right now I'm using an Ibanez "something". It has HB bridge, SC middle, HB neck, and a coil tap that controls both humbuckers. It's pretty nice. My effects are set up like this... BD-2 into GNX3 left out into mini mixer, right out into old Korg AX1-G into mini mixer, then out of mini mixer into OD-1 into Fender 59' Bassman RI. One thing I didn't mention is the built in eight-track recorder. I really haven't used it that much. But one thing I would deffinately prefer. And that is the implementation of SD-cards instead of smart media. What where they thinking? And the funny thing is I still keep seeing smart media being used in other devices. and so the following message is for all digital effects manufactuers... Please stop using the inferior technology! SD-cards are MUCH better! And don't teel me they're not fast enough. I have a digital camara that records audio and video in REAL time onto an SD-card. Anyway, if my GNX was stolen, I would be pissed. But I might try a Boss ME-50, or that new Vox pedal, only because I like to experiment so much. But I know I would really miss the GNX. It is very useful.

Not too bad to learn how to use. It offers so many things that you'll need to read about some of them. Overall, it's not that hard to learn.

I'm using a Charvel Model 2 and an 80's USA BC Rich Gunslinger, both with Seymour Duncan pickups and Floyd Rose bridges. I have ran it through different amps, but the one I play it through mostly for my practice purposes is a Crate GLX 15. For just learning and creating songs in the bedroom, you don't need a monster loud amp. It actually sounds good through this. When you're ready to play out somewhere, then break out the monster stuff! The factory presets are pretty much a good starting block. Not many sound that great, but go to the Digitech website and click on sound community. Go to the GNX3 section and bring up patches and settings. GNX3 owners have made up and tweaked hundreds of patches that you can download or print off and put them in manually. Then you can get great sounds out of this thing!! For what it is made for, a practice/ learning tool, it is hard to beat. It is very convenient to have a drum machine, bass, looper, 8 track recorder, learn a lick, jam along plug in for cassette / cd player and many other options all in one unit. No more bundled up cords and having to bring all of the above named things from room to room and spend alot of time hooking it all up. With the GNX3, just plug in and start playing!! Spend a little time tweaking and putting in patches from the website and it turns out to be a very enjoyable unit!

Two years and it hasn't laid down on me yet. Very rugged metal chassis. Well built!!

Digitech has always been very prompt in helping me answer any questions about problems that I have, (most of which are operator error!!)

I've played for 18 years and have gone through tons of stuff. Mostly 80's metal and some blues. I've had tube amps and solid state so I've got to hear alot of good tones. The GNX3 for what it is, is a great unit. Alot of people on here have talked about how it doesn't sound warm like a tube amp, or the effect don't sound like all of the high end effects. Look at the unit and it SHOULD be obvious as to why that is.....IT'S NOT A TUBE AMP!!!! NOR IS IT EQUIPPED WITH COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLAR HIGH END PEDALS!!! C'mon people, if something doesn't sound like your favorite amp or effect, it's probably because that it's not that amp or pedal. Overall this thing is alot of fun. It's quick and easy to record and learn with and you can take it with you just about anywhere.

ok first off this is NOT an easy pedal to get the sound that you want out of it. it takes ALOT of playing around with to get what you want. now thats not to say you cant get what you want. the sound configurations that you can get out of it are endless. you can get almost ANY sound you want you just have to know how to get it. the distortion seems to be the hardest to get perfect.

im running a peavey XXX head and 4x12 slant cab(you cant get better for the price) and my guitar of choice is my washburn X-50. the pedal itself is extremely quiet, youll get alitle hiss with the distortion but the noise gate will take care of that. the effects are quite clean and are most likely the best ive heard from stomp boxes and pedal bords. the distortion you can get out of it is endless.

this is a good sounding pedal but it must be used with a pre amp. if you run directly into a power amp it looses all of its power.

METAL. not plastic. the casing is quite solid. nothing feels loose in it and the pedals are all heavey duty. i havent had a problem with it yet.

i have played meny gigs with it and no backup.
and i will continue to do so

the unit is rock solid just like any digitech unit.
i havent had to deal with Customer Support yet.

i play metal. the distortion is more than enough and the cleans you can get out of it are as good as it gets. its the only pedal for me.
ive been playing for about 5 years now and i own a peavey XXX head and 4x12 slant cab, a yorkville 4x12 slant cab, peavey bandit 112(with celestion loudspeaker), yorkville bassmaster xm200, washburn X-50(my personal fav)and a B.C. Rich warlock bodyart collection 2003 june edition(also very nice). the only thing i dont like about the pedal is it takes a long time to get the sound you want, once you have it its happy hour. the recording portion helps me wright backing riffs and harmonies that would usually require another guitarest to play.
this is the best pedal ive ever used.

- How easy is it to get a good sound out of it?

For me, nearly impossible but I am very picky about what a good sound is to me.

- How about editing patched?

About the same as any other digital modeling preamp out there. The GNX series is easier in some ways, harder in others.

- How is the manual for it?

So-so, but at least it is in English. Honestly, I think technical writing in the hi-tech world is now and has always been abysmal though. As a computer programmer I understand why though.


- Do you know the firmware revision number? Has your unit been upgraded?

Mine is version 1.5, which is the latest they are admitting to.

- What setup (i.e. what guitars and amps) are you using this with?

I us a stereo pair of Tech 21 Power Engine 60's which for those unfamiliar are simply power amplifiers that lack a preamp of their own and have a full range 12" speaker. For guitars, I use Strats and Teles, all American made and with Fender Custom Shop PUPs in them. The main guitar I use is an American Deluxe 50th Anniversay Strat with Samarium Cobalt Noiseless PUPs in it.

-Is it noisy? On what settings?

The GNX3 is a quiet unit from a noise level perspective. On higher gain based patches it can get noisy, but there is a pretty good gate included which solves the problem I think.

-Are the effects weak or do they always sound great?

The effects (Chorus, Flange, etc. are the strongest point on this unit. Taken by themselves, I would rate this unit much higher. The stompbox distortions are just "OK" though and the amp modeling reminds me of a wasp in a jar sound. I have tried for nearly three months to get a good tube-like sound out of this box and I must now admit defeat. For the record, I am not big on really high gain sounds, favoring classic Fender clean tone above all else. I also use a Marshall style tone to good effect on a few things and less frequently I like a Mesa style rectified sound. My rating is based on these needs.

- What amp are you using it with?

As I said, a pair of Tech 21 Power Engines

- Can you get the sound of your favorite artists? Who are they?

Well my favorite artists are blues artists (too numerous to name here) as well as classic rock/blues artists, primarily Clapton, Beck and so on. There is no way I can seem to get this unit to sound like any of that! Most of what I play is my own compositions and it is not meeting my needs there either. I guess it depends on what a person likes to getr a bead on this rating. SOme people actually like the sound of a wasp in a jar.

- Can you depend on it?

This is a strong point for Digitech. This unit is built very solidly and will take a high level of gigging induced abuse I think. I'll never know because it'll never see a stage in my life.

- Would you use it on a gig without a backup?

This is a moot point, but IF I did gig with it, it would be trustworthy in the reliability department AFAIK.

- If you've dealt with the company, how helpful/friendly were they?

I did call Digitech to ask a few questions and they tried to be helpful. But when your product design is out of your hands you are stuck "giving the company line" a lot of times and so their answers were predictable. AT least they didn't run down the Power Engines which is fortunate. I have used these with Korg products with excellect results; as digital goes anyway. At least they tried which is more than many companies do these days.

- Ever get an upgrade, or try and get it repaired?

No upgrades yet, none anticipated.

- What style of music do you play? Is this a good match?
Covered above mostly, but to recap I play classic rock and blues styles when I do cover work and original compositions more often than not. This unit is not a good match for me and I only regret having it take 3+ months to find that out.

- How long have you been playing? What other gear do you own?

Been strumming guitars since 1970 I reckon. Great hobby and there are a lot more choices now than back in the day. I own almost exclusively all Fender gear including 4 Strats and a Tele plus two Fender tube amps. These just get it done for me. I bought this unit to practice with and save wear and tear on the tube amps for daily mundane parctice sessions. It is good enough for that I suppose, but my inspiration isn't the greatest using it despite it's many creature comforts such as a great looper and (ahem) drum machine.

- If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else?

Honestly getting this stolen wouldn't be the end of my world and I would not replace it.

- What do you love about it?

The looper is cool and being able to lay down a rythym track to practice against is a super feature and in fact attracted me strongly to begin with.

- What do you hate?

The tone, or lack thereof.

- What is your favorite feature?

The looper/recorder features.

- Did you compare it to other products? Which ones? Why did you choose this one?

I compared it with everything out there at the time (POD, ToneLab, Behringer, Korg, Boss) and I did so with headphones only. I knew that this unit was bass heavy, but I though I could just turn down the bass on the power engines to compensate. Wrongo. The PE60s are very good units and other modelers really sound pretty good through them but not the GNX series. Can't lose the mudiness no matter what I do.

- Anything you wish it had?

Tone.

- Does it help you make music, or does it get in the way?

When I overlook its' shortcomings, it is a useful practice tool. The problem is that the tone is so bad I lose inspiration or worse, I spend valuable time tweaking instead of practicing/playing. Many have said in these reviews as well as the other GNX units that good sounds are attainable with moderate to heavy tweaking and that the factory presets suck. I don't want to spend the rest of my life tweaking this thing personally -- others might though. So for me itis about a 50/50 split between being helpful and hindering.

It's easy to use if you read the manual or Don't. Not big deal.

Digitech has always had this Sci-fi/Synthetic Sound, you can also find good quality effects, better than on the cheap units for sure (Not Superb, Remember this is not a T.C. Electronics), the Recording feature is not the best if you already record on your computer, it's more like a portable recorder to lay down ideas. The Whammy is Great, better than i though, the wha is awefull, sorry, but all other effects worth the money you pay, i haven't tried the Talker :(
I would only add some "vintage" Sounds to it. that's all.

Metal... i think is pretty resistant. Not the AC adapter, it's cheap and the cable is to thin so if u pull it hard u could damage it.

Never dealed with a problem.

I think it's a pretty nice multiEffects Unit to have. Not the best for computer recording, but for versatile live Playing it should be.

Wasn't hard to program after I read the manual. You will have to spend some time with it to get the full benefit from it. It can be plug and play if you like the presets that come with it but I didn't.
Get the midi cable hook up and download sounds directly from the internet.
Manual is decent, but should be more exhaustive, most help available from forum at Digitech.
Upgraded to version 1.5. must have midi cables to do so, I use UNO 1x1
USB MIDI Interface.

I use 1988 Les Paul Custom and Ibanez AS73 (335 copy)
Very quiet, effects are quite good, I use a power amp and 2x12 cabinet and it also sounds good through a keyboard amplifier.
I play oldies and classic rock.
In my opinion the Factory settings suck, but I use them as a starting point, warp amps together and develop my own patches. I usually blend a dirty amp with a clean amp through the warp feature. If you like it you can save it as a custom amp and even warp it again.
About as versatile as you can get.
I really like the Whammy, I have it set up on dive bomb but I have it limited to a couple steps, this lets me have a bigsby style tremelo for those Ventures songs without actually having one. Neither of my guitars have tremelos, I gave that up in the 80's.

No problems.
I gig without backup.

I bought it used one year ago and Digitech gave me a password to the software that came with it. Very nice.

I've been playing 20 years, I love the old tube amps but the ones that are built like they should be are out of my range.
This things does good simulations of what I like.
The little 8 track recorder is nice when you get inspired, so you won't forget the lick you came up with.
Learn a lick helps alot as well.
Most likely I will be going ampless in the future, with PA the way it is and the way this thing sounds I don't see the point in spending better than a grand on decent built tube amp.