Q about roadster w/ g-major

[Holy Diver]

Hi,

I'm considering getting a g-major for the loop of my roadster - will probably try to pick up the old model as i'm not too big into FX anyway. The question is - in addition to the g-major itself what else do i need to get as regards switching?

Thanks

 

[pokerrules47]

If you do get one, can you post a review here?? I am considering the g-major, or something higher.

 

[Silverwulf]

I have a buddy that used a G-Major V1 with his Roadster...worked and sounded great. How in-depth are you looking to go with the switching?

 

[domct203]

I run a G-Major in the loop of my Roadster. The Delays are top-notch, and the chorus is not bad at all. The parametric EQ is handy as well. I use the Roadster's reverb so I can not really comment on the G-Maj's reverb but others say it's on par with the delays.

If you want to switch patches 'live on the fly' you will need to learn some (very basic) MIDI and purchase a MIDI foot-controller. I use a Behringer FCB-1010. Great bang for the buck at $150 new. I use the relays in the G-Maj to control FX Loop & Solo Boost switching on the amp, and an Axess CFX-4 to control channels.

With one stomp I can go from Ch 1 Fat, sqeaky clean with chorus and delay from the FX Loop and the volume level matched using the Solo Boost on the amp, to Ch 4 Modern rhythm with the FX Loop (and Solo) switched out. Another stomp later I'm in Ch 3 Vintage with delay in the loop and Solo Boost if I need it.

If I needed to I could use one of the switching relays in the FCB-1010 to switch the reverb on the amp as well, but I just leave the reverb on all the time anyway.

Dom

 

[Holy Diver]

I run a G-Major in the loop of my Roadster. The Delays are top-notch, and the chorus is not bad at all. The parametric EQ is handy as well. I use the Roadster's reverb so I can not really comment on the G-Maj's reverb but others say it's on par with the delays.

If you want to switch patches 'live on the fly' you will need to learn some (very basic) MIDI and purchase a MIDI foot-controller. I use a Behringer FCB-1010. Great bang for the buck at $150 new. I use the relays in the G-Maj to control FX Loop & Solo Boost switching on the amp, and an Axess CFX-4 to control channels.

With one stomp I can go from Ch 1 Fat, sqeaky clean with chorus and delay from the FX Loop and the volume level matched using the Solo Boost on the amp, to Ch 4 Modern rhythm with the FX Loop (and Solo) switched out. Another stomp later I'm in Ch 3 Vintage with delay in the loop and Solo Boost if I need it.

If I needed to I could use one of the switching relays in the FCB-1010 to switch the reverb on the amp as well, but I just leave the reverb on all the time anyway.

Dom

This more or less exactly what i want to be able to do...

So this is fairly easy to achieve?

 

[domct203]

This more or less exactly what i want to be able to do...

So this is fairly easy to achieve?

Download the manuals for the G-Maj and Behringer FCB1010 and read up on the MIDI implementation.

You need to know how to setup basic MIDI stsyem info and understand the use of Control Change (CC) and Program Change (PC) messages. It's is quite easy to do once you understand the basics.

If you get a MIDI interface for your PC there are softwares out there to make editing the G-Major and FCB1010 much, much easier.

BTW- When I called Mesa about the external switching jacks on the Roadster they recommended a MIDI controll switcher with isolated relays for channel switching so you will also need something like the Axess CFX-4 or RJM Amp Gizmo. The relays in the G-Major and FCB1010 use a shared common ground, but that is OK for Reverb, Solo, and FX Loop switching.

Dom

 

[Holy Diver]

OK thanks, i will have a look into it. First things first, i will try to pick up a cheap g-major and take it from there....

 

[joe web]

domct203 nailed it down!

the g-major + fcb1010 is a great package with a lot of options.
you can even upgrade the firmware to the so called "UnO" software by changing the EPROM of the fcb1010.
so you can realize a real stompbox mode, like all the "pro" midicontrollers "FX-1" "GCP" or "All Access" have.

i use the g-major as well with my roadster and my dual recto. it´s a simple to use multieffect unit which sounds great.
the reverbs are nice, the delay is superb, chorus and flanger do it well, the noise gate works fine, detune brings you next to the modern EVH sound, the whammy is o.k. but i use Digitech IPS33B for the whammy sounds.
the compressor does a cool job on some of my clean and lead sounds.

over all the g-major is a great unit for less money.
i have two of them, one at home with my studio preamp and one in my main setup.

after four years using the fcb1010 i decided to upgrade to the rocktron all access, but only because i expanded my setup.
the roadster and dual recto switching is done by the RJM RG-16, where i loop both preamps for A/B selection, switch in/out my MXR effects and the IPS33B.