Boss GT-1000CORE dirt pedals, preamps and what am I doing wrong?

[YnJ]

I got a deal on a GT-1000CORE, apparently identical to the GT-1000 pedal board when it comes to amp models and effects, and got it for the effects

As the amphead I am, of course the first thing I did was checking out the amp models instead of the effects. I'm not a fan of digital amp modelling, the GT-1000 has some models not based on actual amps though, which if you have to do digital amps is the way to go in my opinion

Anyway, nice headroom and very good response for a digital amp, the sound was not great though. I have disconnected the cab sim, and the manual recommends using it as a preamp plugged into the effect return on an amp, or with a power amp as I did. I shouldn't have to EQ the crap out of it to make it sound less cheap though, even the 1996 GX-700 cheesy amp models sounds better without any EQ. I must be doing something wrong

All the overdrive models and all the distortion models sounds the same, most of the difference seems to be the gain and EQ, which is surprising as the overdrive and distortion models on the 2001 GT-6 pedal board have at least their own distinctive character

I'm keeping it anyway, as I got it for the effects, and the effects are really good. It's basically most of the 200 series in a single unit and then some. It wont really matter what the amp and dirt pedal models sound like, as I wouldn't use them much anyway. Would be nice to figure out what I'm doing wrong though

[Dirk Diggler]

I've found that pedal board preamps usually require some extra help.
So yes if you're just going straight in, you will need to do some more.
I'd suggest taking that signal and using speaker emulations like impulse responses to simulate real speakers. They also can provide the amp section. I used Scuffham Sgear for this.

Think of it how a real amp works, preamp, fx loop, power amp, speakers.

The preamp pedals are never meant for direct sounds on their own without major EQ.
Here's to success in your tone hunt, and it's worth the effort.

[Magic Russ]

Anyway, nice headroom and very good response for a digital amp, the sound was not great though. I have disconnected the cab sim, and the manual recommends using it as a preamp plugged into the effect return on an amp, or with a power amp as I did. I shouldn't have to EQ the crap out of it to make it sound less cheap though, even the 1996 GX-700 cheesy amp models sounds better without any EQ. I must be doing something wrong

All the overdrive models and all the distortion models sounds the same, most of the difference seems to be the gain and EQ, which is surprising as the overdrive and distortion models on the 2001 GT-6 pedal board have at least their own distinctive character

At the risk of being obvious, have you tried adjusting the output select parameter in the global settings?

[Uncle E]

IME, the distortions are quite digital sounding and I'm not surprised that the analog distortions in your GX-700 sound better. Can't speak to your particular issue, though, since I didn't own the GT-1000 long enough to get intimately familiar with it.

[YnJ]

I've found that pedal board preamps usually require some extra help.
So yes if you're just going straight in, you will need to do some more.
I'd suggest taking that signal and using speaker emulations like impulse responses to simulate real speakers

Think of it how a real amp works, preamp, fx loop, power amp, speakers

I have it going to a stereo tube power amp which goes to a quite decent stereo 4x12 cab. Works very well with every other preamp I have, this is the set up recommended by the manual

At the risk of being obvious, have you tried adjusting the output select parameter in the global settings?

I have set it to line out, and have also tried to set it to recording, as apparently you had to do this on older units. The cab sim is turned off either way, so this have been fixed I guess. All the other settings are cab sims, which only changes the voicing, not how cheap it sounds

[YnJ]

IME, the distortions are quite digital sounding and I'm not surprised that the analog distortions in your GX-700 sound better. Can't speak to your particular issue, though, since I didn't own the GT-1000 long enough to get intimately familiar with it.

I think you misread me, I wasn't comparing the dirt pedals to the GX-700, I was comparing them to the GT-6. These are COSM digital models from 2001, and while I wouldn't call them good, at least each of them have their own distinct character though

[Uncle E]

Got it. Yeah, should be at least the same level as that.

[tapper mike]

IME, the distortions are quite digital sounding and I'm not surprised that the analog distortions in your GX-700 sound better. Can't speak to your particular issue, though, since I didn't own the GT-1000 long enough to get intimately familiar with it.

I think you misread me, I wasn't comparing the dirt pedals to the GX-700, I was comparing them to the GT-6. These are COSM digital models from 2001, and while I wouldn't call them good, at least each of them have their own distinct character though

I've got a roland cube with cosm circuitry circa 2004 and all I can say is good luck. The clean stuff was okay esp the JC the rest was... considerably better when you ran it clean at low volumes.

[YnJ]

It's supposedly much better technology in the GT-1000. They use something called AIRD now, and the cleans did at least sound a lot more realistic than the old COSM. Anyway, I decided to return it. I have just purchased a Mesa Boogie MK VII Rack Head, and that thing was pretty expensive, so I have to stop falling for every nice sounding deal I get for a while. I'm not using much effects anyway, and already have plenty I can use which are good enough

[Winstontaneous]

I the overdrive and distortion models on the 2001 GT-6 pedal board have at least their own distinctive character

I have a Boss GT-3, not sure if the GT-6 is the same, but the OD/Distortion/Fuzz on the GT-3 is actual Boss analog circuits.

[Uncle E]

Only GT-3 and GT-5 have analog drives. Now you've got me looking for one!

[Magic Russ]

Only GT-3 and GT-5 have analog drives. Now you've got me looking for one!

I can't speak for the GT-5, but the GT-3 had some issues with the analog drives. A lot of times I would be holding a note and all of the treble would suddenly cut out from the sound. This happened all of the time with the Fuzz but would occasionally be an issue with other drives.

[Uncle E]

Here's the one I've got my eye on now:

[Magic Russ]

Seems odd they put the noise suppressor after the delay.

[Uncle E]

True! Fortunately, these older circuit boards are easy to mod.