Living with the Boss GT-1 - 5 years on. Review & evaluation / pros and cons

[@LIKEFUNK]

Great rant about the little bugger there mate, I agree with lot's of your rant and further advice too! the internal switchovers unto killing the crowd a tad possibly late are what I term internal latency of some sort with the little monkey, there are easy solutions to most things and I know a few of them, they aren't overly expensive and nail the drag if it's itching anyone. I loved your wholesome rant about the unit, very honest and straight down the middle style which is more helpful than digressing too much, ...I think it's at its best when used via a method of avoiding any conventional type guitar amp completely, it becomes an entirely different beast when given the chance to breathe as it can without such, I consider my personal use preference to be the replacement of conventional style guitar amp replacement, in my view its more usable when not restricted by whatever its being harnessed-in by so to speak....if they built it onto a 'proper cabinet' it would be for most all that's every needed for most likewise, I think most players naturally view and use it as some enhancement which is fine too, but it can shift gears to the point of murdering the chase via the almost never ending quest for the goal.

[@LIKEFUNK]

Here's a fun fact, -the GT-1 is capable of outputting tones that other units simple can't, -including other Boss units costing several times it's initial outlay -it can be used in 'chimp' mode or God mode depending on a few simple factors on any signal chain to final unto ears in any setting, there are some great units available via several brands including dedicated conventional guitar amps and even boutique rigs costing a small country...the fun bit is they can and are the weapon of choice for both pro player producer and complete beginner, in my opinion and consistent user experience they are one of two of the smartest products Roland/Boss have ever availed. -get one and get into it at any level. 🔥

[@robertmitchell2178]

I like all of your videos on the GT-01. One note about the compressor, I have used an old LAB Series amp for years with a built in compressor. The compressor is between the preamp and the power amp. So, I found by moving the GT-i compressor at the end of the effect chain it becomes much more useful , controllable, and musical.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Ah good call man, I understand tho cos first thing I did when I realised you could set it up like a stomp was to go into the chain and sort that shit out putting the comp right up front. The ultimate question is tho, does it go before or after your wah? 😉🤔

[@KeithMilner]

@@garyjohnstonemusic with digital, I think it's best to experiment. With analog, there are certain "rules" which apply due to the way the impedance and signals interact. For example: It's common to put an analogue fuzz, especially a germanium fuzz, at the front of the chain due to the way the fuzz circuitry interacts with the pickups. That interaction isn't the same when you have a digital chain, so I think all of those old analog-era maxims need to be ignored.

[@Sassari2930]

I've been using my GT1 for over a year now and I keep finding amazing (useable) new sounds. Personally, I find life easier when I edit it using Tone Studio, although it's certainly a good idea to know your way around the actual unit for live settings if thing go pear-shaped.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Absolutely! I wanted to focus the vids on using the unit standalone to show how to tweak in on the fly. Obviously we can sit and set for hours on the software but when you get to a gig and your amp is running hot and your drive ain't cutting, you need to know how to edit on site. Hope it's still working for you 👍

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

I got mine in 2018 & can’t believe how great it is. I use it to record with 99% of the time & my tone-snob friends all think I’m miking my amps. I’d buy it again.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

This is amazing! I love confusing the tone snobs with the GT1. Although I am a tone snob, so I continuously confuse myself with why I keep using it 🤷

[@ronyschouterden7686]

I have been using the GT-1 since 2017 in plus-minus 50 gigs (blues band and guitar duo) and numerous rehearsals. Besides the tones and ease of use, the unique selling point was the battery usage. I finally switched to the HX Stomp due to the fact that the GT-1 is missing the traditional stomp switches. The plastic switches were never my favourite. Nevertheless thumbs up for the Boss GT-1. The GT-1 is still in use by our singer who plays guitar during the gig on a few songs without the need for preset switching.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

@@ronyschouterden7686 Thanks for the comment. Great that your singer is getting use out of the GT1. If you want to use it as a box unit you can check out my other vids. Hope they're of use to you 🙏 👍

[@zefferan0]

I’ve heard you playing in Howlin’ Wolf (GLA) and was amazed with your superb sound. I was even more surprised when I saw you play through GT-1 straight into Blues Junior.. then I found your videos on YT and guess what.. I bought one and now I’m selling my old HD500x 🤣 What an amazing little piece of gear! Simple, well-built and sounds great. Thanks Gary!!! 💪

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Ha that's fucking mental that you actually saw us live in Glasgow. You shoulda came and had a chat. Most people just go "How come you didn't play oasis mate?" 😂😂

[@zefferan0]

@@garyjohnstonemusic ha ha now I know how to start the chat next time 😂

[@BedeLaplume]

​Nasa way back then when it started, didn't have a computer with a chip as powerful as the one on the GT1 pedal to send a man on the moon.. Especially since the last 2 years the technology has even improved a notch., with the GT1000, the OD200 for distortion (that is hybrid) and the MD200 for modulation.. Those multi effects come equipped with a 32 bit chip at a 96 kHz sampling rate .. The technology is so good now that you wonder if some folks seem to have super powers or dog ears, to tell the difference between an analog and a digital multi effect..

[@malcolmevans2437]

I think context is important. If you’re playing in a noisy pub, GT1 is ideal. Less so when tone is critical such as a recording studio. It seems better with cleaner tones. I like that you’ve been gigging it for years with no apparent problems. I’ve just bought one to try out.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

How you getting on with it Malcolm? I totally agree, it's not something Mayer or Bonamassa would use, but it's an amazing toolbox for regular live players. Or even people who want to figure out what some of these effects do or even are. I never knew what a ring mod was til I got this. Turns out it's pretty useless, but at least I know that now 😂

[@vibetone355]

Speaking as a 68 year old I’ve had tons os multi effects units over the last 30 odd years, l got the GT1 about 7 months ago, all can say about it, it’s a completely different beast than anything out there, clean amp sounds really good, l don’t really use distortion, reverb, delay or compressor on the unit l have my own pedals for that, preamps are well useable on the GT1 certainly can’t go wrong for the money especially second hand, no need to spend silly money these days it’s all a con in my opinion, if you can’t get a good sound out of this unit you’re in the wrong game, 🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@theyoungupstarts1243]

Thank you! Got one off of Craigslist last week and I’m loving it!

[@engpds]

Thanks for the good video Gary. I love my GT-1 too, just struggling with a couple points if you can give any hints: When I try to use a heavy lead tone for a strong riff where I need volume high, the signal coming out of the GT-1 is clipped before I can do anything on the mixer. The only way I can remediate this is to lower the patch level, effect level or gain, all of which compromises the volume I need. Am I missing something? Would connecting a DI box between the GT-1 and the mixer help? The other issue is: I could not find a way to turn on "trail" for the delay/reverb effects, resulting in rough transitions between patches in the middle of a song. I guess this is a limitation on this model? Thanks again.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Hello again sir! I haven't experienced any clipping tbh but I don't use big volume jumps. A rule of thumb I follow is master output level at 120 and every patch level at 100. If it's going into the red on your desk with the loudest sound I reckon you're best to decrease the input gain or trim on the desk then work backwards from that. The trail issue is as you said may be a limitation of this model, I'll have to check that out. Sorry I couldn't be more help on this one!

[@LIKEFUNK]

It took me around 3 months just to realise how it responds so incredibly uniquely to the particular guitar being used via it, then the tweaking really began then how to get it out and into the proper cab/s with the real power amp to set it free...it's so good it's borderline terrifying actually.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

You're right, the amp and drive Sims react so similarly to the real thing. There's only one way to figure that out and it's to use, tweak and compare for ages in studio and live. Even pro producers are amazed what sounds I can get by DI-ing this, but it only comes from years of tweaking 👍

[@BluesInSeattle]

The reason you BD feels "rounded" or compressed without the "immediacy" on the GT-1 is because it's DSP/digital. It's a piece of software that takes time to execute in order to get that modification to the tone signal. The analog pedal is immediate because it doesn't have to execute an algorithm. It's not taking microseconds before producing the sound.

[@marsellusbrel]

I'm not sure that's the exact reason, I notice barely any latency on it. It's just the way they're made, analog pedals have a very particular way of modifying frequencies, digital pedals try to simmulate it (as you said, throught software), but they are not up there, yet. They've got a lot better over the years, but they don't sound the same (yet).

[@LIKEFUNK]

I think these devices are so capable of sculpting 'personalised' tone, they are in their own right as good as a customised amp or boutique rig, theres no shortage of available obviously tweaked tones being demoed for sale only, I'm not much of a fan of the concept personally, but if there was some way I could freely avail my tones I might be interested in doing so, I think the newer capture units might be able to capture my tones and rig as I hear it slaying in any room or venue etc. I'm not willing to avail my actual tweaks per say but it might be fun to freely share perhaps my end results for them to also enjoy.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

What a great looking comment. We really wish you would avail your tweaks. Maybe one day 🤞

[@LIKEFUNK]

@@garyjohnstonemusic I'm using a custom rig to play my GT-1 via, the reason my tweaks themselves won't really replicate via even another GT-1 is I'm also in-chain with a couple of original Boss FA-1 magic boxes in for the speakers end result...yeah I know I'm a bit spoiled etc, but it really is the holy grail afterall.

[@LIKEFUNK]

@@garyjohnstonemusic I think it might be wiser for me to contact Boss/Roland and offer them the gift if they'd like to insert it into their newer I.R. 2 as maybe an update in the software?

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

@@LIKEFUNK Good idea. I have no idea what you're talking about 👍

[@LIKEFUNK]

@@garyjohnstonemusic In the latest products like Tonex etc etc, the amps and pedals and cabs etc are only digital recordings of the to drool over types, -they are A.I. audio snapshots is all.

[@jcsfx77]

Another useful chat on this doofer. Thanks Gary, good to get feedback from someone who is out on the frontline bustin out guitarness. I'm closer to buying one, but as I'm tighter than Simon Cowals forehead, I'm still looking for one in absolutely pristine condition for about £40 😂

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Ha good to know, did you get one in the end? Or something similar?

[@alichamas63]

I have one and its pretty versatile but you need to spend a bit of time trying to get your desired tone by combining the preamps, overdrive, compressor, amp and guitar modelling, but its got everything you'd need from clean, accoustic through to heavy overdrive and lead sounds. Overall a good pedal for the price and size and capabilities.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Correct, as I always say it takes a lot of tweaking and experimenting, but if someone dumped on your doorstep a pedalboard that contained everything this can do, I suspect it would take as long.

[@Scott__C]

I've had a bunch of these different modelers. The GT -1 punches WAY above its weight. I have HX stuff, never had Fractal or Kemper though. GT-1 is a great unit especially for the price point. Small and fits in a gig bag, can run on batteries, it's hard to go wrong. And a lot of features Boss has had for years that many don't know like Acoustic simulation, Hum to single imitation, Single to Hum imitation, it's pretty crazy. No hate from me.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Brilliant that you've had such a great experience with this unit Scott. I think some folk on this channel are forgetting I'm not selling anything. I just love this unit after years of looking for something just like it. Any Q's let me know but if you're used to HX this should be a walk in the park 👍

[@Scott__C]

@@garyjohnstonemusic Thanks, Gary. That's the one thing with Boss stuff, their interface could be a little better. The better part is there's so much great gear to play through these days.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

@@Scott__C ha I think the term for the GT1 is "what interface?" 😂 Can always plug into the software but gig wise it's about right for the price point imo. They focused on the sounds instead of the buttons and screens knowing that players who wanted it would get the right use out of it. I do miss my Helix tho.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Preach bro! I used to use that single to hum effect then I discovered Thomann does a double electric backpack gig bag for £40 (at least to UK) so now I can take a Strat and LP on my back in one trip! 😎

[@theyoungupstarts1243]

Dude wields it like a Light Saber, and totally appropriate for this tool. 🤙

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

😂💡🗡️

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Tool as in me obvs 😄

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

I like the ME-80 for ergo but the GT-1 for sound. It does od/ds/fz better than the ME-80. Modulation/time based fx are solid on both.

[@phatsmitty]

Gary, just found your channel. A bit off track, but I was looking for effects for a synthesizer.... mainly chorus, delay, reverb... My Nord Lead 2x synth is wonderful but sounds so dry with no effects. The GT-1 might be the way to go

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Sounds like a plan man. It's got all those and more. If you've got an FX loop that would be the best place for it. Let me know how you get on 👍

[@LIKEFUNK]

The only other two products that have given my ears get a stiffy recently are Boss's new GX-10 and the new Soldano X88-IR purple rack unit, as nice as both are for sure, I still prefer my GT-1 - I might get both just for my recording projects up the track eventually for further noodling about....the new little GX10 is a beast used in it's x-modded x2 with the IR OWNHAMMER 412 RECT ...bloody gorgeous!!!!! -here's an example of it around the 6:58 mark in a demo recently, I hope you don't mind Gary, it's worth an earful because i know you and your subs are fellow hunters for the grail tones like myself mate.. 🍺🔥 enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZvJnJKweL6oqpI

[@largeeng]

Another good GT1 video, although I have had mine about 18 months and still not using it anywhere near it's potential. Slowly figuring it out, got the extra footswitch recently. Was wondering if you ever use it straight into the PA using the preamp/amp and cab simulation, I am thinking that would be useful at some really small venues or as an emergency backup if my amp packed up. What are your thoughts on that?

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Hey thanks for the comment. Glad to hear you're enjoying the GT1. My first video on this was about this very method of using it - creating blues rock tones from scratch

[@persmultimediadesigntutori1293]

Thanx for sharing your thoughts and experiences with Boss GT1. I just wondered: why not put the Boss GT1 in the effects loop of your amp? There is a setting for this in the setup for connections with amps. I've used it, however I'm not an expert - but to me this seems to work ok. I use the Boss GT 1 in the FX-loop of my Orange Crush 35 RT. The reverb of this amp is somewhat weak, so the GT 1 is far better. An I don't have to mess around with 777 pedals in our flat. BTW I have used the GT1 for four or years or so,

[@KeithMilner]

You could probably get two GT-1s put one in the front for drives, etc. and one in the loop for modulations and delays, and still have change from £400, which is cheaper than many of the other multifx systems. Plus it would give you more footswitches and an extra expression pedal.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

@@KeithMilner Haha this is an interesting take. I'd love to hear how you get on with this if you go for it! 👍

[@anthonyglaser929]

so if you gig with the gt1 do bring an amp or run straight to a mixing board? which amp do your run with it?

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Either blues junior with a V30 or HK tubemeister. If I have to run it through the PA, the amp sims do the job for the types of gigs most working musicians do. Helix and Kemper are still the best amp SIM guys out there imo but I guarantee, to get 90% of the way there, and if you're happy to use your time instead of your money, the GT1 will get you there. Happy tinkering dude 😎

[@onlyusernameleft2]

I swore off anything digital for 20 years after the 505. I held on to my busted old green russian Big Muff like my life depended on it because of that dogshit Zoom pedal. Everyone tells me "just get a Quad Cortex, dude" or "did you lose your helix or something?" But I'd rather have 1 modest multi-effects pedal and save the rest of my money for individual pedals.

[@derekhandley3270]

Hi Gary I would like your advice . I have a Roland cube street ex , I have been looking at the gt1 and the new ME90 . Which one should I get . I’m a beginner never had a pedal . Secondly what’s the best way to connect to my cube . ? Thanks for your videos

[@msenecal]

I use the Boss GT-1 with a Roland Street Cube EX and like it very much.

[@derekhandley3270]

@@msenecal thanks for the reply , mine is due to be delivered in 1-2 weeks . How do you connect it , do you go through the aux input ?

[@msenecal]

@@derekhandley3270 I go through the regular guitar channel.

[@garyjohnstonemusic]

Hey man sorry I try to reply to everything but I do miss some. I've never used the ME90. @msenecal has got you right here, just use the usual jack out for any amp. Make sure you tell the GT1 that you're going into an amp, (probably combo) as opposed to line out to get the best EQ balance.

[@LIKEFUNK]

I don't mean to be rude, I just love it when fellow GT1 owners and users put up vids and how to's etc, I own a large range of amps and pedals I've had for quite a while and I've had a GT1 as my main go to for the only 3 main tones I use, there is no shortage of vids from owners who have not even come close to what it delivers if understood and set right for the 3 tones I revolve around, they are constantly either used to a conventional amp or 'in chain' with a conventional amp and I still laugh quietly, Boss know and knew most will get a half reasonable out of them even to any amp, but the entire universe goes off it's axis when you learn the proper way they are really meant to be used, I obviously know, because mine is under lock and key and I'm constantly being asked to reveal my tweaks and explain how I run it live and in the studio too. I wish I could avail my secret, but it's not for sale at any price because I know what it can do when allowed to breathe as intended.

[@thehelpdesk4051]

So, what was the point of that post?

[@MJMKW]

it's not the wand, it's the wizard. settle down there