Boss GT-10B

[Diggerfdf]

OD options in the GT-10B:

Booster
This not only functions as a booster, but also
produces a clean tone that has punch even
when used alone.
Natural
This is an overdrive sound that provides distortion
with a natural feeling.
Bass Driver
Models the TECH21 SANSAMP BASS DRIVER

Dear Eddy, I need some advice from you. I recently got back after almost 8 years without touching anything from bass guitar. I was in love with a Ibanez ATK back then (1994) and got crazy after I saw a brand new ATK. I bought the ATK, a HARTKE A35 to study, a Tascam 144 MKII, a pair of behringer MS40 and a BEHRINGER C3. I have an old And faithfull macbook and a iMac at my friend's house. I also was embarassed when Got audictioned to play on a band and sucked big time. Since I already got all the requirements I will start the path for the professional bass at Berklee online.

From the old days, I have a boss tuner TU12H, a boss bass chorus CEB-3, and Sansamp bass driver DI, wich I simply adore by the way. Reading your comment, you said that the GT10B has the bass driver option. I guess the hartke was unnecessary but is nice to plug and play. Acctualy I realized that I spend money on gadgets and I could have bought only the GT10B.

I always loved the bass guitar sound pure and clean and always wanted to play and experiment with a high end multieffects processor board. I am reading all the 900 posts about the GT10B and I have a few questions:

- How good is the Bass Driver from GT10b compared with the real thing that I Have?
- Can I sell my CEB-3, Sansamp and TU12H and use only the GT10B?
- If I keep the GT10b and the sansamp, Do I still need to get a kick ass cabinet?

Let me explain the last one. I always loved the sound from Ampeg and rickenbacker. But I don't want to have to sell a kidney to get the equipment. Since I really like these eletronic devices, could I mimic the Timbre of them with a high end top of the line GT10B and a less expensive gear? I will not play live any time so soon.

Sorry about the long post. But I am anxious for your answear. And could not find a way to send you a direct message.

 

[Eddy Flycatcher]

- How good is the Bass Driver from GT10b compared with the real thing that I Have?
- Can I sell my CEB-3, Sansamp and TU12H and use only the GT10B?
- If I keep the GT10b and the sansamp, Do I still need to get a kick ass cabinet?

Let me explain the last one. I always loved the sound from Ampeg and rickenbacker. But I don't want to have to sell a kidney to get the equipment. Since I really like these electronic devices, could I mimic the Timbre of them with a high end top of the line GT10B and a less expensive gear? I will not play live any time so soon.

Hi Digger,

To answer your questions:
-I have never used the Sansamp myself, but I don't think the sim in the GT-10B is as good as the real thing.
-The CEB3 can be replaced by one of the numerous Chorus options the GT-10B has, I would hang on to the TU12H, because the tuner in the GT-10B is good but not for intonating your bass, it's not as precise as the needle in the TU12H, I would not sell the Sansamp, since you love it you would regret selling it.
-I am someone who likes to use a high end amp & cab, since I don't think something like the GT-10B is able to create the sound I am searching for, but there are others who do without, but than you probably have to start using in-ear monitors and they cost a lot too.

Overall I think if you are happy with the sound you have with the equipment you now own, keep it and don't be tempted by GAS.

 

[djaxup]

The Sansamp Sim is ok at best, no comparison to the real thing. What makes the sansamp so great is its sensitivity, and the GT10 doenst covert that too well. The sound is ok though.

For those interested: The GT 10B is a cheap way for Tool Heads to get close to the sound and the myriad of effects Justin Chancellor uses. One of the most prominent, the Bass Whammy, is actually very good in the GT 10B.

The Effect is called Pedal Bend, and it is a completely scalable whammy effect. I can use it for any Tool cover. The easy ones like Schism and Lateralus are possible with the ME 50B, too. But Disposition with its 5th up/octave up, or Vicarious with the two signals can both be emulated by the GT 10B.
Just set the Pedal Bend to +7 / +12. So if you activate the expression Pedal it will automatically raise the input note by seven halftone steps, rocked back. If you rock the Pedal forward it will raise the note by a complete octave.
Vicarious can be done via the dual channeling feature.

With a little distortion and Delay set to 330ms, this is very close to the actual sound. I have sound files for those interested. Just Wal MK1 and GT10B directly recorded. No Mics, no other Effects oder processing.

I have a patch assigned for every Tool Song i play, and one for the Schism and Lateralus Distortion/Whammy Sections. I think it is a drawback of the GT10B that it only has one OD/Distortion possible for every Patch. To get the Toolish Bass Sound i need to include the Bassdriver Sim in the Signal Chain, and that is classified as a OD/Dist Sound. I would need a more radical Distortion to get the gritty "woooosh" of the Schism solo or the Lateralus ending... so i ended up using two different patches for this.

Overall, its a great Pedal. But i do bypass it via my Boss TU2 completely if i choose to not use it. Its build in bypass seems to thin the sound a tad. Its not much though.

 

[richtea]

Not really a volume war as we all wear in ears. We record all our practices and the lead guitarist especially has issues with his patch volumes and is forever adjusting them. Does the gt10b have the same issues?

I gig my GT10B a couple of times a week, and yes I experience level issues. We are a three piece and one of my go to sounds is a clean bass with octave up /overdrive, to fill in on choruses. Going from my clean sound to this patch the output levels don’t seem to stay the same gig to gig. This could be as a result of all kinds’ of variables. All I do is run the sound check on my clean sound, then quickly run through my patches and adjust the patch level to match. It only takes a minute or so. It used to irritate me but I'm over it now.

 

[Darknut]

I gig my GT10B a couple of times a week, and yes I experience level issues. We are a three piece and one of my go to sounds is a clean bass with octave up /overdrive, to fill in on choruses. Going from my clean sound to this patch the output levels don’t seem to stay the same gig to gig. This could be as a result of all kinds’ of variables. All I do is run the sound check on my clean sound, then quickly run through my patches and adjust the patch level to match. It only takes a minute or so. It used to irritate me but I'm over it now.

I also gig my GT10b 2 or 3 times a week.
The volume of my saved User patches never change from gig to gig.

I've accidentally bumped the master volume knob & thought something was wrong until I realized what was up.

I'm in a 3 piece as well & do a very similar things to fill it up ... 3 piece bands are the best IMHO ... rock on brother!

 

[richtea]

I think that my issues are based around the patch level "gap" my clean sound is maxed but the guitar/bass patch is sitting at around 5 or 10. so a minute adjustment in spl further down the chain shows up the signal strength diffrence issue, but that’s just a guess, I have given up trying to solve it, and just deal with it, I do it so quickly now that it really isn’t a pain, 30 seconds and I'm Happy.
I really need to spend more quality time with it but a day job and three giging bands dos'nt leave alot of it to go around though.
3 piece bands, one of the few places bass players are encouraged to over play, nothing wrong with that.

i have dragged a lead over my main volume and instantly turnd the mix to armaggedon enough times now that I have gaffer tape over it now.

 

[Diggerfdf]

Just did my first gig with the GT-10B. I normally perform with no effects and have done so for a very long time..

This thing killed. Very easy to set up, very easy to use. I'll need to organize my user patches and do the permanent marker mod for the lights (ridiculously bright), otherwise I couldn't have been happier. I used my Brubaker KXB-6 fretless and it was a perfect match. Not sure how many are using fretless with this but the freedom it allows was perfect for the synth patches (tracked flawlessly down to the low B) and everything else. And surprise... the fretless patches sound great with an actual fretless. And the fretless can still sound fretted if you play it that way. By varying my attack I varied how much many effects actually affected my sound, very touch sensitive. I took two basses but only used the fretless all night.

I'm still scratching the surface and I think this will become a permanent part of my gig setup. The unit seems to be extremely well thought out and very user and tweaker friendly. I ordered the bag tonight... it's a keeper.

I ran the fretless to the GT-10B to a tiny AER Basic Performer combo out to the FOH. The AER sounded great by itself, through it and the PA I had everyone grinning. Sounded great onstage.

Dude, THANKS A LOT!!! It's very funny and rewarding to read all the 900 posts. I decided to get my GT10B next week. I was thinking exactly about this experiment. What if I get a Fretless bass to try the GT10B defretter, synth etc... Your suggestion was the best along with the opinions from GUMTOWN, Flycatcher, Gastric, Secracon and his perfect imperfct english with his hate towards synth effects (you should try the fretless with synth and flatwound strings to test it!) It is a bless to read your opinions. I will get myself a 5 String Fretless and a GT10B.

I will go back to study Applescript and Objective C, I'm geting a evil idea to try to control and use the Gumtown software from a IPAD. Lets see where it goes, but Bass playing always First!!!

Thanks again.

 

[retardedpossum]

Hey Guys....I'm in need of help on an issue. I have a made a patch and in manual mode I'm trying to assign the pedal 1 as a boost volume pedal. I can assign it as such but it won't toggle on and off(light on and off) and I hear no volume boost. any help would be appreciated! thanks.

 

[suckmykiss]

This unit is A MONSTER. it really can do about ANYTHING you could imagine (as well as doing many things you probably never imagined and a few things you wish that no one had imagined). It is powerful, flexible and stunning. You will need to work on and off of your computer with it in order to efficiently arrange your library of sounds. The 'Librarian' utility (download at Roland) is easy and works perfectly. Just line any of these technical units, you will enjoy it more if you take the time to read the manual, push the buttons and pull the levers (ok, it doesn't have levers...WHATEVER). it comes LOADED with 200 editable presets. It is super easy to modify patches and parameters and to save hour changes. For me the 200 patches were WAY to much and I took some time combing through and making notes (5 hours) before pruning it down to about 80 that I am exploring and playing with. My band really likes it as I am easily able to bring various shadings to our sound as well as full freaking far out energy to olen spaces or solo work. Really fun. Rugged. Huge potential. I am compelled forward: I will bring it into line as an asset to my sound BUT for me it will be a journey: cool out of the box, requires clarity of intent to bring it on to your side.

 

[suckmykiss]

Consider backing up all the patches with Gumtown's floorboard editor or something, then doing a factory reset. Who knows what settings the previous user applied? Guitar friend bought a used GT-6 that was ALL messed up. Input gain +12, EXP switch would turn on/off if you barely bumped it which was a problem when you were trying to wah-wah, etc. Crazy master EQ settings. Was easier to factory reset and build from the ground up.

Good call

 

[Diggerfdf]

All right now. I got mine!!! I would like to thank you guys for the pristine service! You should request your sales comission to boss corp.!!!

The GT10B is simply stupid (we down here use stupid as a slang for something that excels all expectations) Thank goodness that it has some minor flaws, none of us mortals should deal with so much power and perfection.

I am reading the manual and I will experiment it in the next few weeks. I always loved the Ibanez ATK and I bought one as soon As I saw it. Love the way it sounds and you Really can get three different tones simply switching the lever. This is my first tip to all beginers and intermediate players: Don't forget to zero all your bass EQ and to switch your pickups option. I played with the factory presets and, sometimes, I got three diferent tones!

I had a very good time reading the 905 posts!

Guntown yor software is very awesome! I was using it to change patches. It is a top job programming, congratulations! My only suggestion is to change or give the option to us to change the color scheme of the interface. The dark colors is a little difficult to see. Otherwise, perfect software.

Thanks to you all. I never used effects. I have only my beloved and ancient sansamp bass driver DI and a CEB-3. this is my first multi effects unit adventure. Will sell the CEB-3 and will work with The GT10B.

Please just give me some time to understand how the procedures work. I will share my patches and insights for sure! Don't cut me out of our club yet!!!

Ah, by the way, the synth on mine was very, very, very poor. The effects fade away and the Volume level goes too low as if the cable has some kind of malfunction. It is probably because I havent tweeked my unit yet. But...

Gastric, you use a Octave OC-2 inside effects loop. I know that the ideal synth solution would be a GR55 but it is more expensive then the
GT10B, and I will have to wait until the next lot comes. Did you try to use the (SYB-3?) inside the effects loop? Getting the stomp box version of synth from any brand actually could improve this GT10B Achiles heel...

 

[Eddy Flycatcher]

I am still reading various comments on the synth section of the GT-10B, but though I think there's room for improvement, it isn't as bad as everybody seems to think. A couple of weeks ago I created a sound that is so incredible that most of my band mates commented "we've got another keyboard player in the band".
I think that a lot of GT-10B users forget to combine the synth effects with other effects....and my number 1 rule is "Be Creative" don't wait till somebody posts a synth sound that he/she created, or hang on to the preset synth sounds, there are numerous possibilities in the GT-10B, but it takes a lot of creative tweaking and time to find something, and if you did create something, just go back to that sound sometime later and see if you can improve it.
Good Luck!

 

[gumtown]

Try the EZ-Edit Synth tones, you can get some good sounds by tweaking the X-Y controls. The EZ Edit X-Y thingy changes many different parameters at the same time from a combination of effects, I have found some of the good synth tones don't actually use the Bass Synth effect.

 

[Eddy Flycatcher]

I have found some of the good synth tones don't actually use the Bass Synth effect.

I Agree, so have I, but after that I added some synth tones to that and that combined...yummy

 

[Diggerfdf]

Another question for Gumtown And Gastric.

I need to start recording my lessons and submit it to Berklee. Can you guys give me some advice?

I was able to Configure The Garageband Software for now. I will be using Logic Soon. But the signal to USB was very low. With the output level I changed The volume for the headphones but the USB OUTPUT continued Low. I manage to go to the system Output and maxed the USB level TO +20db. Got a good level inside garageband. Is this procedure correct? Is there any other way to perform this?

 

[Arlekiin]

Ok here goes: I got a GT10B today (for testing). I have played with it for a few hours and alltough I can get some very nice synths etc I am not very impressed with overdrives and distortions they seem kind of slow and lack "bite" now i realize its a block that needs weeks of research to open all of its doors and stashes but basically what I am asking is - does anyone know if there are any Metal/Stoner/Heavy Rock samples of GT10B somewhere? All I can find on youtube is either funk, slap or syth-orgies.

I am looking for something that can give me all I could want for all sorts of grit and occasionally more since I do not want to play with 1 tone all the time - alltough my analog chain sounds nice with my Aria Pro Avante 6.

I also have one VOX Tonelab ST here which is awesome with its valve circuit but since its a guitar block it lacks bottom.

Since I like the valve maybe I should look into Zoom B9.1UT since it has a valve and I do like valve tones.

Thanks for the help

Until now I have used "Russian Green PI" and whatever my "Markbass Little Rocker 500" can do.

 

[gastric]

Another question for Gumtown And Gastric.

I need to start recording my lessons and submit it to Berklee. Can you guys give me some advice?

I was able to Configure The Garageband Software for now. I will be using Logic Soon. But the signal to USB was very low. With the output level I changed The volume for the headphones but the USB OUTPUT continued Low. I manage to go to the system Output and maxed the USB level TO +20db. Got a good level inside garageband. Is this procedure correct? Is there any other way to perform this?

I haven't used my GT-10B in a while. But I never had USB level problems. My recollection is the Output knob does nothing for USB levels, that's all taken digitally from the unit. I believe it's based on Patch Volume and whatever volume the FX chain is putting out. Note you can move the USB in the signal chain. That's useful for sticking it in the BEGINNING of the chain, hearing your processed output, but actually recording your clean input. Then you can "reamp" via USB.

 

[gastric]

Ok here goes: I got a GT10B today (for testing). I have played with it for a few hours and alltough I can get some very nice synths etc I am not very impressed with overdrives and distortions they seem kind of slow and lack "bite" now i realize its a block that needs weeks of research to open all of its doors and stashes but basically what I am asking is - does anyone know if there are any Metal/Stoner/Heavy Rock samples of GT10B somewhere? All I can find on youtube is either funk, slap or syth-orgies.

I am looking for something that can give me all I could want for all sorts of grit and occasionally more since I do not want to play with 1 tone all the time - alltough my analog chain sounds nice with my Aria Pro Avante 6.

I also have one VOX Tonelab ST here which is awesome with its valve circuit but since its a guitar block it lacks bottom.

Since I like the valve maybe I should look into Zoom B9.1UT since it has a valve and I do like valve tones.

Thanks for the help

Until now I have used "Russian Green PI" and whatever my "Markbass Little Rocker 500" can do.

Between the drive effects available, the tone/dry blend/bottom blend, adding an EQ block, and adding an amp block (can be used as EQ and tone shaping even if you're using a real amp), you should have no problems getting a sound you can enjoy.

I recall the Bass Overdrive sounding very good. The Muff not so much, it was always too slanted towards the high end and not thick enough compared to the real thing in my opinion. I recall the Bass Distortion sounding pretty good, too, assuming you want distortion.

I can't recall what sound samples I have on my page, but check it out. There's a ton of GT-10B sound clips and patches there.

 

[Arlekiin]

Thank you for your input Gastric Found some soundz....

 

[DoobieBrother]

Hello all. Have been a GT-10B owner (and loving user) since the New Year (when I usually make my once a year "big" music purchase).
2010's big purchase was the GT-10B.
Holy crap and wow.
After 30 years of just playing my basses only through amps: I feel a little slow about getting into FX.
Though I had a Hate/Hate affair with a Digitech BP-1 almost 10 years ago.
Anyways, this year's purchase is going to be an Akai MPK61 MIDI controller to augment my powers to annoy people.
The last keyboard I had was in '95, so am stoked to tickle the ivories again.
Will be using the MPK61 for some music projects with online buddies (singer/bassist from Ontario and guitarist in SoCal. No drummer (yet), hence the purchase of the MPK61).
I will be looping from the computer's MIDI Out (M-audio "Delta Audiophile 2496") to the MPK61's MIDI In, then out from there to the MIDI In of the GT-10B and sending it back to the MIDI In on my sound card.
This will be my first foray onto MIDI "anything".
Mostly what I'm hoping for, as far using the MPK61 and my GT-10B together, is being able to change MIDI patches using spare switches on the GT-10B, or as "Start/Stop Recording" switches for hands-free recording control, and to use the Exp Pedal and other switches while playing keyboards/drumpads in Ableton Live, and for Ableton Live to change patches for me on the GT-10B during playback/recording of the bass part so I don't have to think about it.
For complex songs, I'm hoping to cut down on my need to use the Bank Up/Down switches while playing when switching between more than 4 patches in a song.
Or am I being too lazy about changing patches?
I'm also curious about the crossover use of MIDI sounds between the GT-10B and Ableton Live (awesome program!).
Will MIDI sounds made in Ableton Live work if imported into the GT-10B (and vice versa)?
I know they would be "different" than if played through the keyboard. Just curious if I'm mis-interpreting the GT-10B's use of MIDI files, or if there's a whole forest I'm missing because of the trees.