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New GK Plex Preamp

#961
King For A Day said:
I sent mine to GK for the update and whatever else they had to do. Once I got it back, I Tried to use the unit at 3 different venues, 2 studios, and my house. The noise is hideous.
Click to expand...

Well, there must be some out there that are working well... I effectively had three different pedals and they were all noisy, with the updated circuit board and without... (when sending it back, they have to physically take it apart and swap the main circuit board)

Both times I sent my PLEX in the GK staff was really top notch!! Great people, and they turned my pedals around very quickly...

When I received my updated one from GK (at this point, #3), the noise I was hearing, was definitely better, but still not up to my expectations. It sounded like they programed a "Noise Gate" into the DSP. The way mine was set, it would chop off the beginning of the first note I played. Like, if I had been silent for 5 seconds, the gate wouldn't open fast enough on the first transient... I didn't really listen for the other stuff I was hearing cause I was really disappointed and put it back in the box...

I kept the store from where I purchased it updated on the status of the pedal and ended up sending it back for a refund. It makes me sad... I really wanted it to work... Perfect pedal for church bass....

I'm out... I'll wait for PLEX2 or the PLEX2ch-RM, the two channel rack mount version!! ;)
 
#964
Ok, So i got mine. I have no issues with noise at all. However, as usual I am struggling a little with compressor settings. I am using it as an all in solution and just need the compressor to even out ( maybe fatten a little) the sound. Anyone have any suggestions for settings for a classic type sound?
 
#965
Willy Franklin said:
Well, there must be some out there that are working well... I effectively had three different pedals and they were all noisy, with the updated circuit board and without... (when sending it back, they have to physically take it apart and swap the main circuit board)

Both times I sent my PLEX in the GK staff was really top notch!! Great people, and they turned my pedals around very quickly...

When I received my updated one from GK (at this point, #3), the noise I was hearing, was definitely better, but still not up to my expectations. It sounded like they programed a "Noise Gate" into the DSP. The way mine was set, it would chop off the beginning of the first note I played. Like, if I had been silent for 5 seconds, the gate wouldn't open fast enough on the first transient... I didn't really listen for the other stuff I was hearing cause I was really disappointed and put it back in the box...

I kept the store from where I purchased it updated on the status of the pedal and ended up sending it back for a refund. It makes me sad... I really wanted it to work... Perfect pedal for church bass....

I'm out... I'll wait for PLEX2 or the PLEX2ch-RM, the two channel rack mount version!! ;)
Click to expand...


I have also experienced this 'noise gate' type effect after prolonged silence. I've tried it on all of the voicings, with and without the compressor and overdrive active and it makes no difference. Hoping this can be fixed in the next update?? (Rag- ?)

Also another dissapointing thing - my strymon ojai turned up today. Each output is rated 9v 500ma (same as the gk power pack) however when I plug the plex into it, the ojai output led dips off and back on again, and the plex turns on every led/knob indicator like a Xmas tree and puts out no noise. Plex still works fine with the supplied adaptor and ojai works great for every other pedal I've tried it on. Pretty dissapointing, I wanted this to be a sweet little practice/gig rig on a little board with a few other pedals. May have to try a different power supply, would rather have one that can cover my whole board than use wall warts :(

Outside of that I've found it fairly reliable and quiet, the sound is great and very versatile. Headphone output and aux in work great!
 
#970
Got my Plex today. No hiss to speak of unless I had the master dimed on both the Plex and my amp. Even then, only whisper loud/silent room noticeable. When I backed off to gig/stage volume (will confirm at rehearsal) it disappeared. No complaints here.

To my ears it sounds best set to 800RB, warm drive, light compression with the treble and bass set to 12:00, the high mid at 13:00 and the low mid at 14:00. No cut or boost options engaged. For added fun, toss a Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus into the effects loop. We'll see how that sounds in a band setting and tweak as necessary.
 
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#971
Is anybody else experiencing the weird 'gate' type transient on the first note that willy and I have spoken about?

I'm liking most of the other features of the preamp but if I can't solve this weird gate thing I might have to look elsewhere. It's (just) useable for home practice but I wouldn't want to gig or record with it as is :(
 
#972
Doug Parent said:
Thanks RAG for chiming in. Couple questions if you have time, are the frequency centers on the 4 band EQ section the same as the MB800? Also, the presence control in the manual states a boost @ 1khz. Is that correct? It sounds like it hits a little higher than that to my ear. Just curious. And is the 1/4" output balanced TRS or unbalanced? thanks.
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@rag
Any chance to get this informations?
 
#974
Ricky Caboverde said:
Quick question to all Plex users: is anybody powering this with a 1spot finding it more noisy compared to using the included PS?
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Yes I had more noise with a one spot. My experiences with power:
Supplied power pack - fine
Decibel 11 hot stone deluxe (note 400ma not 500ma) - appeared to be fine
One spot - powered on but more noise than the above options
Strymon ojai - plex wouldn't power on correctly (ojai gives 500ma!)
 
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#976
affro said:
Is anybody else experiencing the weird 'gate' type transient on the first note that willy and I have spoken about?

I'm liking most of the other features of the preamp but if I can't solve this weird gate thing I might have to look elsewhere. It's (just) useable for home practice but I wouldn't want to gig or record with it as is :(
Click to expand...
I started playing more with the compressor and think I know what you talking about. More extreme compressor settings seem to bring it on.
 
#979
disssa said:
@rag
Any chance to get this informations?
Click to expand...

1. The EQ points are the same as the 800RB.
2. The presence control will sound higher than 1kHz because it is a shelving configuration. It starts boosting at 1kHz.
3. The 1/4" output is balanced TRS designed to drive the MBP and any other balanced input.

Regarding the Noise gate:
The on time is longer than it should be, we are working on a fix for that now. There will not be any hesitation when we finish. The update will be downloadable from our web site.
Regards to all,
RAG
 
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#980
Thank you @rag ! If the gate issue can be fixed then I will be stoked with this pedal for both home practice and gigs, especially with the headphone option having small children sleeping at home at nighttime :)

I just sat down with it and played with it for another couple of hours, I really like the compressor (I'm not a huge comp guy, I like simple comps that are easy to tune and 'just work'). Loving the fusion 550 voicing as well.
 

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