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New Boss GT-1B for bass

gumtown

gumtown

May 7, 2007
2,448
1,617
New Zealand
sourceforge.net
#1
Boss have just announced the new
GT-1B
BOSS - GT-1B | Bass Effects Processor

gt-1b_main.jpg


Flagship Bass Tone in an Ultra-Compact Package
The GT-1B gives bass players a massive range of pro tone-shaping power in a small and robust package. Backed by BOSS’s flagship sound engine, you have full access to a huge selection of bass-optimized amps and effects for stage and studio playing. The streamlined interface lets you dial in sounds fast, while the onboard control switch and expression pedal enable you to adjust multiple effects in real time. And by connecting to BOSS TONE CENTRAL, you can download new patches, editing software, and more. Compact, rugged, and battery powered, the GT-1B is the ultimate mobile tone companion for every bassist.


 
#3
This looks pretty awesome, I might have to get one to try. Been a long time since I've used an all in one digital effect unit. That was a zoom and despite all the hype I never really liked the thing except for traveling when I couldn't bring my pedal board. Previous units included Boss, Line6, and others. Much as I like the programmability they all fell short in some crucial way. Would be great if the tech has finally reached a point where I could be happy with the sounds.
 
#9
First impressions:

Advantage Boss
Overall sound is richer, more hifi
Richer palate of practical patches
Lighter
Battery operation
Universal looper
Eventual (Sept) full control of all effect parameters from computer
I'm guessing more effects & amp models

Advantage Zoom
Sturdier
Easier to footswitch between patches
 
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#10
Just to play devil's advocate (much of this is about preference, no doubt) ...

First impressions:

Advantage Boss
Overall sound is richer, more hifi - subjectively, of course. ;) FWIW, some will argue that "too hifi" is a bad thing...but...???
Richer palate of practical patches - again, subjective, and a lot of us are going to home brew regardless...may or may not be of value
Lighter - Q: if you're a lead-foot, do you want a lighter pedal, or something sturdier/heavier that feels like it can take abuse?
Battery operation - never a bad thing IMO
Universal looper - there seems to be some debate as to whether an assignable location or fixed is preferable...subjective.
Eventual (Sept) full control of all effect parameters from computer - this is great if you prefer to control/edit from a computer
I'm guessing more effects & amp models - always a good thing, though BOSS isn't known to do this frequently...yet.

Advantage Zoom
Sturdier - unless you don't really need something sturdy for home/studio desk top use. IMHO, sturdier always better.
Easier to footswitch between patches[/QUOTE] - I agree
- there have been, to date, two update additions to the B3n for amps/cabs and effects. Expecting this to continue
- faster/easier to do editing on the pedal itself when creating sounds or editing on the fly (at practices/gigs)
- for the "simpler is better" crowd, and those who don't like to menu-dive (or rely on computer/software), traditionalists

Just for the record, I'm a fan of processing toys, and I do the majority of my performing live at bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and outdoor venues. Naturally, this colors my preferences to a large degree. Though I have been very impressed with ZOOM's bass-specific products over the last 5+ years, please do not confuse this for blind zealotry (thank you!). I'm a fan of just about ALL gear regardless of manufacturer, generally speaking.

No idea whether I'll pick up a GT-1B or not, but my curiosity usually gets the best of me. All things aside, the over-arching thing for me is the ability to navigate patches and individual stomps live with relative ease, and without extra switches or gear, and road-worthiness. This is the stumbling block for me, but otherwise looks/sounds like a fun little bass pedal for $199.
 
#11
Jimfist, I'm a philosopher (epistemologist) by day, and I agree completely that my comments (and yours) are subjective as are all aesthetic comments.

That said, my second night with the Boss unit impresses me all the more. Maybe hifi wasn't the word. I meant organic. Simply way more sounds I'd use at a gig than the Zoom B3n.

If you're not a pedal monogamist, I encourage you (or anyone) to give this thing a shot. So far it's my favorite multi-effects unit ever and I've slept around with quite a few.
 
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#12
taowin said:
Jimfist, I'm a philosopher (epistemologist) by day, and I agree completely that my comments (and yours) are subjective as are all aesthetic comments.

That said, my second night with the Boss unit impresses me all the more. Maybe hifi wasn't the word. I meant organic. Simply way more sounds I'd use at a gig than the Zoom B3n.

If you're not a pedal monogamist, I encourage you (or anyone) to give this thing a shot. So far it's my favorite multi-effects unit ever and I've slept around with quite a few.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I probably will cave in and try it at some point. I tried a GT-10B long ago and disliked it. Was using Fractal Audio AxeFxII but decided to downsize. Tried the Atomic "Amplifire" (3 switch pedal), along with the Zoom B3, but couldn't get along with the limitations and tap-dancing that seems necessary with them. Now I'm using the Zoom G5n and B3n (for really minimalist gigs). I'm not Zoom zealot, but they beat BOSS to the punch and I prefer the switching, and I've already got too much gear! LOL.

The biggest issue I'd have using the GT-1B live is the switching. I generally rely on a minimum of 4 stomp pedals that I switch on and off in different combinations (fretless emulator, compressor, overdrive, and pitch shift/chorus). I'd rather not have to carry additional gear just to enhance switching.

Though none of the sounds I need are particularly earth shattering, sound-wise I'm as happy as I've ever been using the new version ZOOM stuff (and really disliked the switching and limitations of the B3, though I gigged with it for quite a while). That said, I'm quite particular about the sounds that I do use, thus I rarely (if ever) find a stock preset that I use, and much prefer to brew my own from scratch to my specific needs (which are almost never reflected in factory presets...at least for me).

If I were "set and forget" and only needed one or two sound changes over the course of a gig, then no worries....BUT...I'm not generally a "set and forget" player (for better or worse). Of course I do see the excellent value that the GT-1B represents, and could easily find a use for it in some way, shape or form. My needs would make it difficult to use as an all-in-one pedal for live use. JMHO, YMMV.
 
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#14
FWIW, I spend about 20 minutes messing around with one at GC. Granted it was a crappy bass plugged into the smallest Rumble but my Experience did make me want to rush to buy one. As so often the case with multi effects boxes, lot's of useless high gain patches with exaggerated chorus or flange or filter on them. Mostly it didn't seem very intuitive to me. I couldn't figure out how to get the tuner working and it wasn't obvious how to get to or build a simple patch like with an amp model or one effect like an octave. Will dig deeper into the MS60 B new patches for now.
 
#20
gumtown said:
things the GT-10B has the GT-1B does not..

dual/parallel channel paths,
more effects in separate blocks,
XLR outputs,
ability to select specific patches (GT-1B is only up/down) using bank up/down and 5 patch pedals,
5 pin midi in/out,
solid metal case.
Click to expand...
unwittingly, those are reasons I keep my GT-10B all these years despite owning some of the newer and more portable multi-effects. Even after a week of acquiring the latest one from Zoom, still not intrigued to sell the GT-10B...
 

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