Does The Boss GX-100 Get The Respect That It Deserves?

[@LonelyRocker]

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[@CinemaKev24]

The secret sauce is IR support. Run parallel amp models, each with a proper 3rd party IR and it's a significant improvement over the stock IRs.

[@LonelyRocker]

Great point!

[@davidmercado1814]

Lets just put it this way, the gx100 has no latency. This is the most instaneous and most playable modeller money can buy.

[@LonelyRocker]

Great value in this one for sure....

[@Studio22mix]

Bought one just when they came out last year, for the price it's perfect for me. It's got a load of effects and nice presets, I can easy put it in my backpack and have a nice fly-rig. For the price it has enough features to do what I want, smaller and much lighter than my pedalboard.

[@LonelyRocker]

Awesome! Glad you are enjoying it. It’s a fun device.

[@miked9000]

i am about 1 month in with this, and am not happy in the least. I play metal primarily, and have been thru all the big amps, and nowadays my favorite is the 5153. Owned a Kemper for 5 years and it was good, not great. Im in downsize mode now, and really trying to find a modeler that works for me. Been thru the Headrush Prime, Helix, GT1000, Katana Artist, and now this. I just cannot seem to coax any kind of metal tone out of any of these. 99.99% of every "review" has more post processing than Star Wars, so it is literally impossible to get a true representation of what all of these actually sound like. The GT in particular is just muddy sounding. Para, GEQ, just seems to replace the mud with shrill. I go direct out, into a pair of high quality JBL monitors, so it is not an outboard issue. Have tried every setting from the input sensitivity, boost-no boost, amp eq, mic and cab settings, different ir"s and am on the verge of sending it back, and just getting an EVH mini amp.

[@LonelyRocker]

Sorry it's not working for you. I'm an amp guy myself too but I don't have any interest for modelers to REPLACE my amps. I have specific uses for them. Convenience when I need them. But for me nothing replaces a real amp. Have you tried TONEX? I've covered that extensively on this channel....

[@CinemaKev24]

I bought a GX March 2023. Totally worth the time to get it dialed in. Users should understand how to use PEQ to filter unwanted frequencies. I'd like the Exp Pedal to be a little stiffer. Also, the Pitch Shifter adds a nasty warble when downtuning clean preamps a half step. Otherwise, the GX is a winner.

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks for your insight!

[@easilyoffended7772]

I’m having huge issues with the sound

[@ogmakefirefiregood]

I agree. I don't use the pitch shifter at all on the unit. However, the rest of the unit is just wonderful. I mean WONDERFUL. I absolutely love the "X Drive" in front of the amps. I also have an Eventide H90. It does everything the GX100 doesn't do well. I would put my two pedals against ANYTHING on the market.

[@allpdmusic]

After owning or trying almost every modeler out there I have come to this conclusion. While some may have more options, some may have more programability, some have better effects, amp models, etc. etc. One thing I think this pedal has over all of them is this ..LATENCY.! The feel of this pedal is instantaneous. I could tell the second I played the first note on this pedal. A while back I saw on another channel where someone actually measured the latency of all the popular models at ALL price points and the GX-100 was one of the best even over the big boys at 3 times the price. If you're just strumming G-C-D chords then don't worry about it but for more intricate playing it makes a world of difference.

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks for your insight. As I get my hands on more modelers I can agree. At this price point, the GX100 is a serious player and deserves more attention.

[@danieldemayo6209]

Good point. I think feel is the biggest problem with modeling and it’s not something you can experience in a demo.

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

Sorry Dan but it sounds like you have the cabs bypassed in your playing examples and the tones aren’t great because of it. :)

[@davidmercado1814]

THIS. One of my biggest deal breaker is latency! The exact reason I stayed away from Line 6 effects!

[@CinemaKev24]

I can tell you by experience, I've been using the GX AND a $40 Lekato wireless transmitter/receiver set. There is absolutely no latency.

[@Sallamista]

I bought 3 months ago ..it's a perfect machine, small but very simple and smart ...really a lot of options in a small cube 👌.. +perfect sound

[@LonelyRocker]

Awesome! Glad you are enjoying it!

[@davidbarlow431]

I bought one of these things a few months ago, and my only complaint is the presets were all bassy as hell. Bass controls seemed to be set at 85 on everything.

[@LonelyRocker]

Presets are tough because you just don't know what they were connected to when they made them...They are generally good starting points but best to tweak them for your system....

[@pads-zr9ln]

I really want a tonemaster pro, it looks amazing, however at a third of the price this one keeps my eye more than thr pod go

[@LonelyRocker]

It's early days...maybe the price will come down. But this Boss unit is great for the money....

[@DavidDennis68]

As a long-term owner of a Boss GT-8, I find that you can dial in some really good sounds if you think about and learn how to use the tone shaping and go beyond the presets. If you're going into an amp/preamp stage then turn the amp modelling off! If you're going in direct then use your ears to adjust the amp shaping. It can be awesome!

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks for your insight!

[@prodajie]

I've had this for about 3 months now. My only complaint is that I run out of processing power if I use it for modeling and effects at the same time. (In fairness, I'm asking a lot out of it, and it generally delivers).

[@LonelyRocker]

Don’t guitar players always want more? 😎🎸

[@Liam_Doherty_UK]

@@LonelyRockerNo, that’s wives… 😮

[@user-nu7xx7pc1d]

@@Liam_Doherty_UK😂😂😂😂😂

[@cmax4358]

Awww, I've wanted one for a while now, but it's a bit difficult to get it where i live(price wise) 😔😔😔.

[@jamesatkin9412]

I bought one of these for bass. It's a nice unit and easy enough to use, but I really didn't like any of the bass distortion I could get out of it. The pitch shifter was utterly awful and unusable for dropping down by a couple of tones, and the sound quality when streaming a backing track via Bluetooth was really bad. Sent it back. HX stomp is considerably better for my purposes in all areas (apart from number of footswitches and effect chain length)

[@LonelyRocker]

I never actually considered it for bass. I should have tried that when I had it here. Glad you found something that worked better for you.

[@stevenlobo2828]

Any tips on setting this up to sound good in 4cm? Standalone it’s a sick unit but I can’t seem to get a transparent sound when I connect it to a Victory v4 amp pedal, so just using it in the loop for mods at the moment. Thanks!

[@LonelyRocker]

I think the best way is to strip everything out. Add effects one by one and ease in on the amount and even play with placement. I don’t know what you consider “transparent” so they is to start with nothing and ease in very slowly until you find something you like. It may never deliver what you hear in your head. That’s also a possibility. But that’s what I’d do. Hope that helps!

[@petermichalowski]

Thanks for you review. I have owned one now for about a year now. This is my only preamp I use at home in my little studio. My only concern is that I've found the factory presets a bit bass heavy and most of them not that useful over any of my guitars so I'm glad you also enlighten people about this little issue, Of course room and monitors makes a difference how hear the sound. But when I first plugged it in I really loved preset 1 and basically most of my style is 80s rock so the funny thing is that just preset 1 was I fell in love with unit and most of my sounds I use for rock are tweaked based on that preset. Like many other units I find the modulation FXs a bit "digital" but then I'm too used to the more analog world over real amps and pedals.

[@LonelyRocker]

My pleasure! Even real amps need to be tweaked. So why not modelers. Glad that point was clear. Cheers!

[@McGarveymusic210]

The only thing I do not like about the expression pedal is that when I rock it for wah sounds it feel weird. So I would get this but I would still bring my wah to gigs. I tried it out in a store and I hope to buy one so I can do this. I love all my pedals but I do not want a chance of losing them so this would be a great alternative

[@LonelyRocker]

That's the thing about All-In-Ones. They are designed to be a bit of everything to offer convenience. But they can't be the best of everything. What's nice about this one at the price point is it has a lot of connectivity so you can easily incorporate other pedals and workflows. I probably should have covered that part a bit more...

[@graves7601]

Did you try gt 1000?

[@lqr824]

Hey @Lonely Rocker and anyone else that can help: I'm thinking of getting this to play into my JC-120 FX send inputs. Obviously I'll already get lots of tone color from the JC-120 speakers, so I do NOT want the FX unit to simulate speakers on top of that. Can I use the amp models but NOT the speaker models?

[@LonelyRocker]

Absolutely. With any modeler you can bypass the speaker sims if you would rather use a real speaker. You can bypass any of the blocks in a chain that you don’t want.

[@lqr824]

@@LonelyRocker just to confirm the speaker sims on the GX-100 are a separate "effect," NOT built in to the amp? Thanks for helping with this! Also looking at GT-1000 so same question there...

[@LonelyRocker]

No problem. Yes. Any modeler with a block system will share the same ability to turn off any feature of the signal chain.

[@TheBbtlegit]

it's definitely worth it. I have a Helix floor and I got this one as a backup.

[@LonelyRocker]

Nice! No shortage of modelers in your inventory :)

[@GuitarBailey]

If i wanted this could or should i run it into a tube amp or a different speaker im very interested in getting into digital multi effects board?

[@LonelyRocker]

The beauty of these is you could do both. Works great on its own, through an amp, direct to your computer. Very versatile.

[@brianscarvelli4650]

It’s like….my darling.

[@LonelyRocker]

I guess you like it 😂

[@mananakoa2412]

Thanks for the review! My GX-100 and Bluetooth are scheduled to deliver this Friday.

[@LonelyRocker]

Sweet! Enjoy it!!

[@ogmakefirefiregood]

I am blown away at how this pedal responds and the quality of the effects. Easy to assign switches to parameters/effects. The 4 knobs below the display are also assignable and push buttons. With a little tweaking, you can even use them as 4 extra switches! Unbeatable at $600!

[@LonelyRocker]

It really is a great value...totally surprised me!!

[@accentontheoff]

Greetings. Any thoughts on the Global EQ and where it fits into the scheme of things.

[@LonelyRocker]

I didn't get that far. I had it here on loan and sent it back. :)

[@jeroenhoefmans1933]

Which cab IR was used in the video, IR or stock? It sounded pretty good!

[@LonelyRocker]

I was just using a built in one. I wish I could remember which one! ;-)

[@1973asdf]

I dont know what BOSS is waiting for to release GX-1000 CORE…. Instant purchase

[@LonelyRocker]

Who knows! 😎🤟🏼🎸

[@davebops2478]

Thanks Dan - keep 'em coming!

[@LonelyRocker]

More to come! Thanks Dave!

[@JoshyyJay]

I was think about getting the boss gx100 or the laney loud pedal with my hx effects.

[@LonelyRocker]

It's an interesting option when you really dig into it...

[@MattJarz]

Great video. Really love this unit. Sold $900 of pedals after buying

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks! Have to admit, it really surprised me. Glad you are enjoying yours!

[@nekot9274]

I use one for bass, works great, sound great.

[@LonelyRocker]

Sweet!!

[@IsaacLausell]

I think it is really cool. While I have a Gt1000 core I feel this has all the switches you would need without needing external ones. I believe it has the same amps and effects with exception that there are limitations in the signal chain but in the other hand the screen in this is much better. Had it been available back when I bought mine I would have considered it. The amps are certainly enough. One suggestion I would make if you want to tame the high end fizz as well as the boominess try using the parametric eq after the preamp or global and cut the lows at 100hz and highs at 4k and definitely not more than at 5k.

[@LonelyRocker]

Good tips....this was a first impression but overall it's a great device....

[@MarkStearle]

Hi,on the fence between this or the Pod Go,which one do you prefer,thanks.

[@LonelyRocker]

I haven’t spent much time with the Pod Go but I have with the HX Stomp. I think it will come down to which of the tones you like better as their features are similar. I really can’t guide you but I recommend you test drive both to know for sure. Good luck!

[@MarkStearle]

@@LonelyRocker thank you for your advice

[@PainterDans]

Getting a good tone on a modeler is an art all its own.

[@LonelyRocker]

Agreed! See my latest video on a modeler with an external pedal to improve the tone.

[@Charvel4ever]

Got one coming tomorrow. I’m stoked

[@LonelyRocker]

Saweeeet!

[@rveurope]

Great review , i am happy with mine either running it into PA and headphones out into a center cabinet ( use a TVP 30 ) global EQ settings heights limited to 6,3 k , bass cut at around 300 hz i use often the last mic makes it warmer or choice b ) into a Marshall, Hughes and Kettner , Orange or Laney or Black Star Artist and a Celestion Heritage 12" 15/55 4 cable and 3 d effects via PA works great using the vol pot guitar only from clean to mean , my only pedal i use extra is a Guitar slinger ( Aiwa type booster) does everything! if you want studio and early saturation use a 6v6 , El 84 and a 10 inch Jensen cab instead

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks! Sounds like you've mastered it!

[@dryanbuchanan]

How well would it work in 4cm with a tube amp do you think? I use an orange or15 and been thinking of a modellers for some more versatility. I could use it for cleans and edge of breakup amps, effects and then leave my orange for mid to high gain stuff.

[@LonelyRocker]

I think it would work awesome with a tube amp and 4CM. I did a whole video on the 4CM with the ME90. It would be even better with this... kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4TWhpawhM5_gJo

[@ken3404]

try it before you buy it... It's not great with tube amps.

[@sixtyaffairs]

@@ken3404 Why ? I use it with 4 CM and it does a perfect job . And with the Amp Contr.out it's even switching my Amp Channels !

[@ken3404]

@@sixtyaffairs What amp are you using? Are you only using the amps preamp? I gave it an honest shot, actually probably too many chances because I'm stubborn. I tried it with 3 Marshalls, 2 50 w 1987x's with loops and a 100w 1959 with no loop, a mid 80's Carvin X100b and recently with a brand new EVH 5150. Forget going straight in front of the 100w... I tried straight in to one of the 50's and got a high pitched squeal, against my better judgement I lowered everything and tried straight in the 100.. My ears still hurt, I thought I blew up the amp. With the 2 other Marshalls and the Carvin it would sound ok (just ok) at low volume, but once the gx output was past 8 oclock, they all sounded solid state and got very fuzzy/dull rolling the guitar volume down with the neck p/u. The only thing that sounded good was the acoustic simulator. No help from BOSS, they sent me a link to the manual and the editor, there are more "parameters" and features left out of the manual than in it. I got more info from watching countless videos on KZbin than from boss, also after reading through forum replies. I did manage to get close with the 1987x I use everyday and bring it to a gig, It sounded fine in my studio, but completely killed my tone at "gig" volume and was slow responding stepping on effects.. I was told it needed to be updated, I did update it, but I don't think that was the issue, I think there was a fault in the electrical wiring. Before the end of the 1st set I hooked up the GT8 and had no issues. New tubes in that amp and I was back to square 1 with the gx again. I hooked it up to the 5150 and its ok with an external compressor and eq... but I might as well just use stompboxes instead.. now the usb port is broken.... can't update it, certainly not gonna pay to have it fixed,.. if I get around to taking it apart and fix the port, ill either sell it or trade it... at the moment it's a $500 door stop. I'm sure this unit works fine for certain uses, personally I think it's too much computer/ not enough "gear"... Too many bells and whistles... There's probably a way to make it work for me hidden inside the pages of settings in the unit that aren't in the manual.. But I play guitar, if I wanted to spend hours working on a computer I'd be an I.T. guy. Like I stated,, I'm sure it's great for certain things.. Just doesn't work for me.... If I would have tried it first in a store, I either would have left it there or returned it. One thing the gx100 did... I'm done with boss or any other company under Roland.. building an MXR pedal board Just wanted to ad that I appreciate all the guys who take the time to make videos like these, and all the suggestions in replies I recieved everywhere I asked questions,,,

[@sixtyaffairs]

@@ken3404 In our Videos I play with my GX100 direct into a FRFR Cabinet and direct into the mixing console. In case where I want to use my Valve Amp I use the 4 Cable Method as shown at the Boss site. Connect your guitar to the INPUT jack on the GX-100. Connect the SEND jack on the GX-100 to the INPUT jack on your amp. Connect the SEND jack on your amp to the RETURN jack on the GX-100. Connect the OUTPUT (L/MONO) jack on the GX-100 to the RETURN jack on your amp. In this case I am using the preamp of the amp ( no amp modelling in the GX100 ) . You must setup a SENT/RTN in your GX100. The Drive and Boost Effects in the GX 100 set BEFORE that SEND/RTN and your Modulation and Delays AFTER that. In case you want to go in Front of the Amp : No amp modelling in the GX100 and Output Setting set to -10 dbu

[@davidecortinovis1758]

Condolences.

[@LonelyRocker]

Thank you ❤️

[@g.e.a.2569]

The outputs are balanced. Use an adapter for XLR to mtr

[@Stefan-]

Are you really sure ? The manual, tech specs on the Boss site and connector panel on the pedal doesnt say either or, so its a bit unclear.

[@g.e.a.2569]

@@Stefan- use a direct box...

[@Stefan-]

@@g.e.a.2569 OK, then the outputs arent balanced after all, thanks for the fast answer !

[@andre77coelho]

Congratulations for the video, very instructive and enlightening. I've been using a GX-100 since December 2022 and I'm very satisfied with the multi-effects. My choice for Boss was very much on top of the effects and controllability. I already owned a GT-1 and I was blown away by the quality of the remarkable little one. The question of amplifiers is debatable, since we are in the age of modelers and we have amazing products on the market. But just like Zoom, Boss doesn't give up its sound personality. This may please some and not others. The fact is that tuning Mooer or Hotone amps (to name two brands I've owned) is much easier than Boss. Something that irritated me and still irritates me is having to use another software to insert impulse responses. And it has to be one file at a time!!! The bluetooth adapter is great, but it should come from the factory, as well as the USB cable! (do not come!!). The power supply is good, but for my personal use it was necessary to use the GX-100's external ground to reduce noise. I missed some specific effects, but overall it is a very well resolved product in this regard (the parallel signal chain opens up countless possibilities!). Overall it was a great purchase and I am very satisfied.

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks! And thank you for your insight. It’s ver valuable. Cheers!

[@Black-Viper75]

What IRs are you using and how do they sound? The GX-100's IR bug is making all my IRs sound weak and muffled

[@LonelyRocker]

@@Black-Viper75 I was just using the onboard IRs....Are you using 3rd Party IRs?

[@Black-Viper75]

@@LonelyRocker My bad. I was asking @André Coelho who made the comment and said he used third party IRs. I've tried IRs by ML Soundlabs, Borgen Digital, York Audio, Ownhammer and all suffer from the GX-100 IR bug.

[@LonelyRocker]

@@Black-Viper75 no worries. I was curious. I don’t have the unit here but I can ask my source about it.

[@10smdjbtk]

I love this equipment and find it to be excellent, if not the best in terms of sound quality, versatility, expandability, and ease of use. The fact that it is not overpriced for what it is, is phenomenal, and it is very user-friendly.

[@LonelyRocker]

It really is! Very under rated...

[@primalconcretesledge9226]

I hear MT-2-like high sand here on distortions. This is strange.

[@giuliodanelon6945]

Craap sounding. Mooer GE 200 and Ampero Hotone have better distortion tones.

[@LonelyRocker]

We all have different taste. I wouldn’t say it’s crap.

[@scooterfoust4361]

Thank you for the video. I have both the ME-90 and the GX-100. Wanting to dive in more to the GX-100, so this helped. Especially your guest's preference of cutting 8K and 16K, and the gain control levels of each amp.

[@LonelyRocker]

Glad it was helpful! And my pleasure. Happy New Year!!!

[@graves7601]

Did you try the gt 1000

[@scooterfoust4361]

@@graves7601 I've not tried the GT 1000.

[@graves7601]

@scooterfoust4361 I also got the gx 100 last month but b4 I purchased the gx100 I'm holding the gt core 1000 and thinking to buy a separate wah pedal. But it's expensive that's why I picked gx100

[@scooterfoust4361]

@@graves7601 Yes, I prefer a separate wah. I bought the Morley Bad Horse 20/20.

[@phuongthanhtruong8567]

Hop nay cua Taiwan hay cua china vay ......

[@LonelyRocker]

If I understand your question it is made in Malaysia...

[@rumy6871]

Sounds OK at best. Decent for the price. Expecting great things from a budget unit is unrealistic.

[@LonelyRocker]

That's kind of the point. There are many options today at different price points...so the question is it good value for the money?

[@honigdachs.]

Nonsense. It's as good as any other modeler, potentially better in some areas.

[@d4rk177ark]

I have this and was hoping it could replace my traditional board. Nope. Hate it. Sounds way too digital through live amps. It sounds great when using through a DAW and headphones, sounds like shit over live amps using it as a pedal board.

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks for your insight. Goes to show you really need to test out gear for your specific needs. My demo was in a Recording environment. That doesn’t apply for everyone. Cheers!

[@glennmichaelthompson4112]

Interesting to read your comment... I'm looking for more of a multi-effects to run stereo into 2 amplifiers. The GX-100 has way more effects choices than the new ME-90 and you can change the order of effects in the GX100... not so with the ME90. The search continues. Too much gear out there... I'm starting to get "choice paralysis"!

[@CrashExhibition]

I find using direct output, and turning off amp models sounds good if going through an amp.

[@kingfisher7960]

Nope, a color screen still leaves it below the gt1000 as far as specs go. Dont know why they did this in a 100 not 1000

[@LonelyRocker]

Keep in mind the GT1000 is twice the price.

[@iloveitall]

It is so annoying when influencers praise a unit and not have any word said on how flat and dead this unit sounds. No headroom, compressed, thin, not 3D. Just absolutely one dimensional flat tones.

[@LonelyRocker]

I'm sorry but your opinion is in the minority. This is a very popular unit. IF you know how to dial in tones you can get some great sounds with this modeler....

[@frafilipoart4082]

Have it at home, 100% agree it sounds dead and flat. OP nailed it

[@iloveitall]

Thank you, mate! It is hard these days to come up with some honest experience against marketing interests, but I still do want to prevent ppl from losing their money believing false promises. @@frafilipoart4082

[@easilyoffended7772]

So out of the box, I connected it to my katana MK’s, and it just sounds like shit

[@easilyoffended7772]

I just got it and plugged it in and it really just sounds like shit. I don’t know what I can do. I may take it back.

[@LonelyRocker]

Not sure why...How are you hooking it up?

[@easilyoffended7772]

@@LonelyRocker So I have it hooked up to the input.... I have all Amp knobs in the middle... all amp FX off and its on clean...idk this pedal is sounding bad... I got better ton out of just the amp... Then theres a zillion pedals on each effect ugh

[@LonelyRocker]

Go into the settings and look for Output Settings. You need to select the option that best suits your setup. Going into the input of an amp is like an amp into an amp but there is an output setting for that. Going into the loop of an amp is the best way....but cycle through the output settings and choose the one that sounds the best...