DigiTech GNX4

Visually the layout looks great, but I had a hard time navigating around. Others might find it easy, but I can say I've used easir matrixes. Certain items cannot be used simultaneously on the same row
which is a bummer. Fx cannot be rearranged. This ia bummer for something like a wah pedal. No fx loop either

Abilty to switch from stomp box to program mode is nice but I don't like the situations where hit two foot pedals at the same time is required to change modes. Maybe not a big deal to some.

Amp modesl sound pretty good - once you starting adding stomp boxes, changing cabinets and such I got frustrated, but again others may not.

Manual is detailed on info, but not so much on application. There is Power user guide available. This is suppose to help quite a bit.

The unit seems buggy to me. Little quirps (noise, loop cutting out, volume cutting out, recalibrating expresssion pedal) that aren't fatal but kind of annoying. That is my concern with all in one units that all is done, but nothing done great.

I'm giving this a 7 because while I think the sounds are unuseable , but the effects are what really hurt this. I think the amp modesls/cabinets get high marks but the effects pull it down to a 7. The artist presets are extremely superficial and not what I would call inspriational.

I like changing things on the fly and like to tweak a lot and it seems
like it takes a fair learning curve to do that. There is software to edit parameters on a computer, but I find that tweaking with the unit at an event is more important.

Again it seems buggy. I wouldn't use this for a gig, only for home use or perhaps a situation where you're not toting it around a lot.

I have had Digitech RP units in the past and the GNX4 uses the same stomp pedals they did then, which I still don't like now - the mechanism underneath seems to get warn. It's metal, but it doesn't look like it's built like a tank to me.

Does not appear to be super responsive.

If you want an all in one unit - fx/modeling/drums/recording at a price point of approximately $500-550 (adding 50 for a CF card) you can't beat it because there is nothing else out there like it. For higher quality fx/modeling/drums/recording you will need to buy higher end gear.

This is a very powerful piece of hardware with capabilities some people will never comprehend. You have to be committed to learn how to get the most out of it. Dumbasses and sluggards should probably look elsewhere.

For versatility, it's just about the best you can get. If you just want one particular sound, it may be better to get equipment that is specialized at delivering that particular sound.

For live sound, amp and cab selection is critical. This is true with any modeling processor.

I have had no problems, and judging by the GNX4 forum on Digitech's website (http://www.digitech.com/soundcomm/guitar_product_start.asp?productid=199), reliability seems pretty good. I don't have long-term first-hand experience with it, so I won't rate it.

Again, no first-hand experience, but from what I've seen, Digitech seems better than average.

With this unit, you can produce any range of outstanding live sound, for many different styles, but you have to use the right equipment. You can't just plug it in to the front of any amp. The pedal board allows for very powerful control of your sound, and you can access different effects and presets quickly and efficiently.

For practice and composition, the onboard recorder is priceless.

The back of the box has a vast array of connectivity options.

With the GNX4, the supplied software, and a decent computer, you can make CD's that most listeners could not differentiate from a pro studio product. 'Nuff said.

I can't believe I actually thought buying this thing would be a good idea. This thing sounds absolutely HORRIBLE!!! I figured out how to use it pretty quickly, but what I figured out first was that ALL 80 factory presets were GARBAGE. I liked the BASS guitar emulator and the drum machine but that was it. I didn't buy it just for the BASS emulation and Drums. I bought it because I fell for all of these reviews on here that claim this thing is the next best thing since Birth Control Pills. As for the Low Ratings, these reviewers know exactly what I'm talking about. A CASIO KEYBOARD does sound better as one reviewer stated. I tried to read the manual and many of the terms they use are for Tech Geeks. A beginner wouldn't have a chance with this manual. I've played for 18 years and I didn't understand it. Editing Patches? That's a joke, the edits only make them worse. Buy a POD and you'll get every penny of your money's worth.

I used it with a Peavey Heritage VTX 2X12 and a Mexicastor, an Ibanez RG270DX and an old Charvel Strat. It wasn't noisy, but the way this thing sounds in general, the noise would sound better! The effects? What effects? They all SUCK! I liked using my regular 6 string to make BASS groves because I don't own a BASS guitar and the Drum machine sounded good. It is supposedly made for a guitarist, it seems to be more of a BASS and DRUM backing device. For $500 you could easily buy an old Drum Machine and a BASS guitar and then save up for a good analog 8-Track and you'll have what you need for semi-professional solo recording. The Artist Presets are absolutely DISRESPECTFUL to the Artists. Stevie Ray and Jimi would come back from the dead just to kick the crap out of Digitech if they could hear how there sounds are portrayed. Digitech should be ashamed for producing such a travesty, let alone charge over $500 for it. I wouldn't pay $50 for this thing!

Can you depend on it? Maybe if you're 5 years old with your Kindergarten Band at the Elementary School Talent Play!

I cannot imagine anyone would be retarded enough to GIG with this thing!

They answer your questions as if you are a TECH GEEK! When asked what certain statements in the manual mean, they answer with more TECH GEEK statements. If this thing is so FOOL-PROOF and Beginner Friendly, why don't they tell people precisely what they need to know rather than beating around the bush and asking questions in reply to a question. THEY DON'T ANSWER QUESTIONS!!!

Here's the Deal. I play ALL styles and create my own styles when it comes to guitaring. I've played for 18 years and I favor BLUES music. I own Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, Charvel and B.C. Rich Guitars and Peavey, Crate and Fender Amps. I also own a Crate PA System with two massive 15 inch Speakers and a LINE 6 POD 2.0. The POD and the PA system are all I need when it comes to gigging. If a theif stole this thing, he would return it! I like the fact the it has everything together all-in-one. That's a Great Idea, but as far as the sound quality and ease of use... Well, let's just say you're better off buying a peice of crap Synsonics Sears Guitar and a Gorilla amp. WHOEVER GAVE THIS THING A HIGH RATING AND PRAISE THIS THING MUST EITHER WORK FOR DIGITECH OR STILL HAVE ACCESS TO QUALUDES!!!

To eveyone who rates this low..... learn about tone and tweaking. This thing is fantastic. Play a good guitar through it, and run into the effects return of a good amp and you cant go wrong. It's that easy

Great sound. Like I said you need to tweak it and either learn about tone or learn how to play. The ones who rate it low dont know a thing about tone. Get with it!

No problems after a year and two kids. Have gigged without a backup

Very good and helpful

Been playing for 26 years. Rock, Metal, jazz, Guitar tech at Musicman for 12 years. This is the best thing I have ever found as far as a tone generator. I own Marshalls ,Boogies, 5150's, and triple xxx. I use this thing more than I use them. People really need to learn about tone and tweaking before knocking this thing. As for the people who rate it high, hats off to you, you know whats up and are true guitarists and tone miesters. Here's a trick for all of you tone deaf people, This is a killer metal setting: Patch 26 "Rectify" Gain:99 Bass:8 Mid:4 Treble:10 Level: 80 Stompbox: on Dod 250 gain: 15 or higher if you like. Reverb: on Hall , level: 60. Delay on, Ping pong, 460 milliseconds of delay,level 35, Chorus on, Noise gate on. Run 1/4 left and right outputs to the effects returns on two good amps tube or solid state. Have fun. Fell fre to get back to me on this. Whatever you say will not hurt because I have the ear and the experience to know better. Cheers

This is no guitar toy, it is one of the most hardest things to get to use i have used it at a shows hasnt failed me yet but im just wating for the time wen i will do somthing and not know how to restart it

Im not using top quality setup just an ep sg and a peice of crap traynor amp, the amp is only 5 watts, but i pluged the gnx4 into a line 6 spider 100 watt and it sounded wayy better than plugging it into a marshall jcm2000, if your goin to use this pedal use a P.A system or just buy a digital amp.

This unit is very reliable as long as u know what your doin liek ive said i plug it into a p.a. system and then through a mixing board, and it sounds great but i know there will a time when i need to restart it

havnt had to deal with n e errors yet with customer support

overall i give it a 9 but u gotta know your sound to know how toget the precise sounds and to get an awsome tone. If you know nothing about sound then learn befor buying this

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the stock patches and overall sound, especially after reading the "1" ratings in other reviews here. (You guys crack me up.)

I haven't done too much patch editing yet, but the "matrix" of knobs and buttons is very well thought out.

I found the manual to be quite adequate. There isn't anything I haven't been able to find in it to answer questions that I've had.

There are some on-line Flash tutorials at http://www.guitarworkstation.com by Craig Anderton which are also informative. Also, there are several user forums (not controlled by Digitech) at http://www.gnx4.org

Firmware is v1.3.

I am playing the unit through an old TOA 4-channel rack mixer, through an Alesis RA100 power amp. I'm using a Peavey Impulse III speaker/subwoofer setup (this product was discontinued by Peavey years ago). The guitar is an Eggle Berlin Pro - similar to a PRS custom 22, with SD Custom-Custom and Alnico Pro II pickups.

Regarding noise - I do have some hum on high-gain patches, but my basement has some wiring issues (reversed ground and neutral) and also there are a lot of fluorescent lights down there, so it's not a very friendly place to do audio stuff in. That said, the three short demo "songs" I've recorded with the built-in 8-track sound fine. I will need to mess with the noise gate feature of the GNX4 and crank up the gating factor for some patches when I get a chance. (And get my wiring fixed!)

Sounds: There are five or six patches that I keep gravitating to; I'm confident that I'll be able to roll some of my own in short order. But, I've been having too much fun jamming with what's there to get serious about this yet.

The unit features some "celebrity" patches - overall they seem fairly authentic, but I'd want to fine tune some of them if I was going after a particular artist's sound (which I'm not).

I haven't had it long enough to opine about reliability. The build quality/fit 'n finish are fine; the unit seems rugged although I'm sure you could kick the knobs off if you tried.

I would probably have a backup guitar amp if I was gigging seriously - I would play the unit through a PA of some sort as a rule, and the guitar amp could cover either the PA *or* the GNX4 developing a problem.

I have no experience with the support so far. I will soon, as I can't get the GenEdit software to work with my Win2000 laptop.

My playing style is pretty varied, but as examples I am a big fan of Neal Schon (esp. his post-Journey jazz-rock stuff), Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, and Dave Gilmour. Oh, and SRV of course. I can find stock patches for all of the stuff I've been playing through the box that work for me.

I have been playing for about 30 years, and have lost count of all of the musical gadgets that I've bought in that time. The GNX4 has been a very pleasant surprise - I was originally shopping for an 8-track DAW but was attracted by the "stupid-simple" user interface of the GNX's built in recorder, combined with some new sounds to play with. And indeed it is *very* easy to use (although getting the drums sync'd up and playing with the recorder took some reading of the manual).

The built-in drum patterns sound very "human" to me - not nearly as much like a drum machine as I was expecting.

The ability to play MP3 "backing tracks" files to play against is really cool.

I have grown a bit bored with my previous rack guitar processor - I've been playing through it for probably ten years - and the guitar sounds of the GNX are a nice change. I have barely scratched the surface of this part of the box so far - I'm looking forward to creating some Warped sounds.

Going into the audio in/out and signal routing capabilities of this unit would double the length of this "review" so I won't do that. But suffice it to say that I'm pretty amazed by those things. Before I bought it I had no idea how cool the USB audio stuff would be.

When I saw the brochure for the GNX4 at the store a couple weeks ago, I laughed to myself about the "Guitar Workstation" name. I now realize that that name is spot-on accurate. An owner that spends some time with the manual and on-line resources will be rewarded with some pretty amazing sounds and capabilities.

As others have touched upon, the people that have posted "1" ratings (a) didn't spend adequate time to learn how to use it, and/or (b) had it hooked up or configured incorrectly (e.g. the speaker emulation switches on the back are CRITICAL things to have set properly depending on what the unit is being played through), and/or (c) have a bone to pick with Digitech for some reason, and/or (d) don't have a life and enjoy seeing their ranting in print on the web.

I'm giving this category a "9" because I don't recall ever being so pleased and excited about a new musical toy/tool after using it for a little while. (I wanted to give it a 10 but I've only had it a week.) A caveat is that I haven't really been paying attention to the latest and greatest guitar effects for a few years, until recently - I went through a "boutique amplifier" phase for a while and didn't really use effects.

I'll close by saying that in several years of reading reviews on HC, I don't think I've ever posted a review of my own - these things are just too subjective. However, I was compelled to in this case, just to provide some balance!

right out of the box and a few twist of the knob it works,but tweaking is a whole other thing the master,using the software that can supplied it crashed my computer twice,tried to call but could not get through to customer assistance.with a piece like this digitech needs to supply a dvd owners manuel,the text manuel is very difficult to follow.next I tried to reroute effects but you cannot they run a perpetual chain of effects....bummer.and as far as downloading presets go,I downloaded them but could not get to file save on the gnx4,I was so frustrated at that point I just gave up.

I ran the gnx4 through my deizel herbert head and my aria pro2 knight warrior and a custom made mexican strat,an awsome guitar.I first plugged through the front of the amp so I could use my other effects and it sounded god awful,nothing but thinned out treble and feedback.So then I tried the effects loop,but the problem is you cant loop through parralell with this unit so I just ran it out on the return,better but I could not use my other channels because now my board was diatonically shut down through the effects loop return.now this is just my opinion but I have heard better sound through a pocket amp,absoulutly awful.The tone is very thin and transparrent even with hours and hours of tweaking I could not get any half way decent tone what-so-ever,very dissapointed since I owned one of the original pods and this piece has gone backard not forward in tone evolution.The effects are even worse,the wah is a joke,the chorus has no shimmer,and the flanger and phaser are dry and thin,and I guess that is the best way I can describe the overall sound is THIN.This thing is an engineering travesty.

solid metal case and foot control but very thin cheap plastic knobs that feel like they will break in no time with moderate to heavy use.this thing has not only crashed my computer twice but it has also crashed on itself numerous times,I am very dissapointed I bought this.

could not get through when I tried to call,but there website is ok.

After reading reviews on harmony central it was clear people either love this thing or hate it,so I bought it from store that has a return policy,thank god because otherwise I would be out 500 bucks.This thing has alot of features but does none of them well,you truely do get what you paid for.Those interested in good sound will be mortified in the quality of this unit,beginners will probably live with it and find it a good piece for just starting out and putting ideas down.Anyway this is just my opinion but with so many other good quality units out there I would look elsewhere.

like anything else fairly easy if you take time

as a previous owner of digitech preamps and effects they have always been ok for people on a budget and deliver ok sound,this one is no different in that it gives you quantity but not quality.To all the people out there who gives this thing a 9 or 10...what are you smoking?it has all the effects like a phaser,flange,chorus,digital amp reproductions,but the quality sucks!!the amp mods sound all the same or pretty close,the phasers and flage have absolutly no personality or bite and the deley gives you 2 dry sounding options.sure it has alot and is a great "value" if you want to look at it that way,but we are not rating value here we are rating sound quality and this unit is not very good comparred its competition in other brands,the distortions are veeerrrrrrryyy dry and lifeless comparred to the pod live or even the new vox,you think that a company like digitech would have done a better job on their sound emulation considering what elese is on the market.This unit has a lot of features but if your looking for tone run dont walk away from this thing.

nothing has broken yet

never dealt with them

Again,this unit is a great value but very weak in tone and effects.the recorder is nice to capture ideas but that is about it,the drum machine has a lot of different patterns but you cant program in changes it just keeps playing the same beat over a nd over again,and also i found out if you program in over 3 tracks it gets real muddy and distorts when turned up.good "value",bad engineering.

This is not a toy. It is a serious device for serious players, and thus it is one of the more complicated devices to learn to use. However, once you have learned how to use it, it is then very simple. That is not a contradiction; it just means that this is not something you can simply plug in, turn a knob or two, and have great sound. You must work with it, and be patient. The manual is good, but not great. Trial and error will get you where you want to be. Work with it for weeks on end, and you'll be very pleased with the end result. Again, this is not something you can simply start using right out of the box. Be prepared for that, and you'll do fine.

As someone wrote in these reviews before, the sound of a great tube amp cranked up and pushing hard is pretty much as good as it gets. Tone monsters and tweakers will always know the difference. However, most audiences--particularly with your band going full blare behind you--will not. You can get fantastic sounds out of the GNX4--fantastic. You have to work with it, but the beauty of the GNX 4 is that you can use the "warp" setting to design your own tone. In fact, I would say that the ability to design your own tone is one of the major selling points of this machine. I play this through the clean channel of a Roland Cube 60, and it sounds great. The effects and stompbox simulations are adequate to good. Effects are good. The compressor is okay. All together, it sounds great. Each effect considered on its own--well, you can find amps and pedals that produce better chorus, distortion, or overdrive--but it is the "all in one" feature of the GNX4 that makes up for any weakness you will find in the individual pedals. It is also very, very quiet--even with the compressor running. I love it.

I never gig without a backup--anyone who gets money for performing knows that. The pedal has proved thus far to be very solid. So far so good.

I haven't dealt with them yet, so I wouldn't know what I'm talking about in this catagory.

TO ALL YOU SERIOUS SEARCHERS WHO COME TO HARMONY CENTRAL TO LEARN ABOUT A PRODUCT--PLEASE DISREGARD ALL THE REVIEWS SCORING THIS PRODUCT A "1". Anyone who rates the GNX4 a "1" is not providing you a serious review. That is the primary reason I wrote this assessment. The "1" voters out there are unfairly sand-bagging the overall ratings for this product. Just like one "0" can destroy your grade-point average, a "1" distorts the true value of the GNX4. Please throw all of those grades out and read the serious reviews that remain. You will then have a more accurate assessment.
With the GNX4 you get guitar and bass amp modeling, a drum machine, an 8-track recorder, and multiple in and outputs. I bought this device as a recording and practice enhancer, but now I use it live. That should tell you something about how pleased I am with the GNX4. It is true that it may not be a "10" on sound, but as noted above, you can get really, really close to some fantastic sounds--and the convience of the device makes up for all the rest.
I have been playing for 36 years, but only seriously (money-making) again for the last 3. I am old and can afford lots of primeo gear. I play a ES-335, Clapton Strat, modified American Telecaster, Les Paul Plus, and a Yamaha Bass.
With the GNX, I can practice leads easier, I can write songs (play all the instruments and do the vocal), I can tweak amp settings to get my own sound, I can run two amps simultaneously AND still run through the PA board, and I can program the whole evenings worth of settings through all the foot switches and run the box all evening--hands off. I can play some recorded stuff during our performance. This box does it all and more; it far exceeded the simple reason I bought it. I was going to get the PoD XT Live (I have friends that use the PoDs and love them, so I'm not anti-PoD), but for 100 dollars more I was able to get the recording, drumming, and looping capability I wanted for practice. I am very, very pleased.
The 8-track recording feature is my favorite feature. It allows writing, but also extensive home-practice on leads you might be struggling with. That way, I can go to practice or a gig in fine form.
For the negatives, the presets aren't so great. Thank God you can warp them into something you really like. Also, the manual could be better--but it isn't bad. I also wish they included a Flash Card with it so you wouldn't have to go buy one. I also wish it was dual-power for easier use in Europe. There is nothing thus far that I "hate" about this product If it were stolen, I would immediately replace it with the same exact pedal. It is a tremendous help to making music because it allows better practice and makes writing songs very, very easy.
I am giving it a 10 overall because it far exceeded the limitied objectives for which I bought it. The "all in one" nature of this pedal has made it both my live and practice primary device. It's a winner all the way around.
I play in a cover band and I write some of our songs. This device is perfect for both.
The last thing I would add is to repeat what I said earlier for all of you who use Harmony Central as a true unbiased viewpoint necessary in helping you form an opinion about your next purchase: THROW OUT THE "1" RATINGS. They are not helping you, but are instead clouding the truth. They're probably just the end result of a temper-tantrum thrown because of how complicated this pedal can be. It is not a toy nor a device you can simply plug in and turn up. You must work with it, and it is worth it in the end.

I have read some of the bad reviews on this site and I think either it's the competion leaving them or people that do not actually own the devise! Very ease to use, providing you are working on more than 1 brain cell!

You can create any sound your imagination can conceive and the quality is all in the amp you choose to delivery your creation!

The unit guts are housed in a metal chase!
Question posed by site- would you use it on a gig without a backup?
Answer ? No! You always have a back-up plan!

The user forum is great and the inhouse tech support is fast and free!

I play just about everything and the GNX4 services my needs and way-way beyond! It will be teaching you for may years to come. Check out the user forum at Digitech to get the word from the professional users!!