New GK Plex Preamp

[Ricky Caboverde]

We use a converter to generate plus and minus 8V supplies from the incoming 9V supply. This allows us to handle large input signals and to put out equally large output levels to drive +4dBu professional devices. Then the signal goes through the following path.

1. Low noise input stage/pre.
2. Low noise A/D converter (108dB S/N)
2. Compressor.
4. EQ and Voicing.
5. Overdrive.
6. Low noise D/A converter.
7. FX loop.
8. Aux input.
9. Post
10. Master
11. Output Buffer and Headphone amp.

Coming soon:
In addition to improvements to the noise gate response time we are currently working on updates to add more flexibility to the unit. First we will be able to store individual user voice settings along with the stock voices available, and we also will be able to move the EQ to be pre (as it is now) or post the overdrive.

Regards,
Bob

...my big issue with it is the compressor being set after EQ, affecting my sound too much - i can't seem to make it work as i want it to.
so if i ever need something light, i take the Plex and my compression pedal and chain them as wanted.

Not at all trying to downplay your issue with the Plex, but the compressor is actually first in the chain right after A/D conversion, as stated by @rag

While I don't know your exact issue, I will say that in my experience, you have to rely more on your ears rather than the meter to dial in the threshold.

 

[Trilobita]

Playing with it at home was a disappointment. From the tuner not tracking well, the compressor being not great, the input clipping for no apparent reason (A/B'ing with ot

That really does put things into perspective. I was hoping to buy one mostly to be able to have an all-in-one interface + EQ + comp + tuner unit...

 

[The Rage]

tuner not tracking well, the compressor being not great, the input clipping for no apparent reason

My "issue" (though not a real one) with the tuner is just the double tap to engage it. Mine tracks well. The only time it seems to behave strangely was when I haven't done my bass setup.

Compressor don't seems bad at all. Maybe not extremely subtle but (after having spent some time with it) it sounds great to me, but every person has different taste, so...

Don't understand about the input clipping. It flashes with the trimpot at zero?

I have a Quilter BB800 too. I'm not using it as much as I would have thought, but when it happens I use it with the Plex as preamp Different strokes for different folks.


It seems to me that with the Plex is love or hate affair...

 

[Trilobita]

It seems to me that with the Plex is love or hate affair...

Well I can understand that. I bought a Joyo Pipebomb compressor some time ago because of some very good reviews I had read. When I got the little package I was all agog to try it. I plugged it in, turned it on and couldn't believe my ears -- to me it sounded just awful, too clanky and *way* too emphatic on the mids for my taste. I keep telling myself that I need to try it again (it's still sitting in my closet), but I never do it because I completely and totally hated it the first time I heard it. Strangely enough, I only found one single review in which someone else complained about the exaggerated mids.

 

[The Rage]

Yeah. Buying without trying can led to bad purchases (but I must say I've always been really lucky)

 

[Mo'Phat]

My "issue" (though not a real one) with the tuner is just the double tap to engage it. Mine tracks well. The only time it seems to behave strangely was when I haven't done my bass setup.

I forgot about that - I didn't like that either.

Don't understand about the input clipping. It flashes with the trimpot at zero?

Well, maybe not at zero - but that's essentially the input gain, isn't it? That little bugger of a knob has an affect on the eq, amp sim, overdrive, compressor...and tuner. It flashed anywhere at or above about 9 o'clock with active and passive basses. I play with a heavy to extreme attack, so it could be me. Maybe my other DI's were clipping as well, but just don't have the visual red warning beacon of inevitable destruction.

Oh, and I really disliked the form factor - having the XLR come out of the top - I just hate how that loop of XLR cable looks...and no house sound has right angle xlr's.

 

[The Rage]

Sounds strange. I use Spector with EMG pups, tonepump pre (which is notoriusly high output), and use the tonepump eq.
Depending on the configuration (HH, P/J, eq boosted or not) I run the trimpot between 9-12 o' clock. Never had issues, but i play with a light to "regular" touch so this may be a thing, or maybe a faulty unit (once I tried a passive bass I was running the input gain at 3 o' clock).

Now that I think about it, it seems I use about the same input gain setting I use with my amp (an old swr)

 

[Maiden Bass]

Thanks for all the info guys!

I'm officially giving up on the Plex. This thread shows the update was supposed to be this past summer, then it moved to end of summer/beginning of fall.

Not waiting anymore, gonna get the Trace Elliot Transit B instead, for my fly rig.

Good luck to all of you who are gonna keep waiting!

 

[slvn]

the plex is treating me well so far, i like it. It's okay if they don't want to update anymore but they could give the code source away so we could fix it ourselves! Any one has any contacts with them?

 

[BrentSimons]

I might be wrong but I would think at this point it will be a Winter Namm release of the update and their new line of amps?
I'm not ready to give up on it yet
Best wishes,
Brent

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

So question on the Plex does the master volume affect the XLR output? And or let me ask that question a different way does the master volume affect the XLR output in post mode?

Nope; XLR does not have a dedicated volume knob. The master volume controls the headphone and line out. BTW, the XLR output is very hot; if you decide to get a Plex and hear noise, just pad the feed to the board (it helped, in my experience).

 

[The Rage]

The DI has two positions:
PRE places it right after the Trim control so nothing but the the Trim will effect it.
POST places it just before the Master so everything but the Master effects it.
RAG

 

[FlyingV73]

Has GK given up on updating the Plex pedal?

 

[Maiden Bass]

Has GK given up on updating the Plex pedal?

I would order one immediately if they did!

 

[King For A Day]

One asset about the Plex that I have mentioned before in another thread is having the auxiliary in and the headphone out a particular cool application when using in ears is the ability to blend your base signal with a monitor mix so monitor mix coming from board or whatever Source into the auxiliary in Blended with Bass signal out of the headphone out into my wireless ear unit and I'm Wireless both with my instrument Wireless in my wireless ears and I now have control over how much base signal I have in my ears rather than house if that makes any sense

With this move I'm thinking about building a new pedal board that I can mount my half rack Wireless ears unit underneath that way when using ears I've got it I don't have to have it in my rack and the cable from the Plex to the ears would be just a little short run

I do this same technique with the EBS Microbass, bought with the money from the sale of my Plex. The EBS has headphone out as well, cab emulation, and can run off phantom power.

I send my signal to an ART mini 3 channel mixer that I have velcroed to the top of my wireless unit. Feed the blended signal from the mixer and microbass to the wireless.

 

[superheavyfunk]

So I took the plunge and have a Plex in route to me hopefully this thing will do what I needed to I'll let you guys know after I get it.

I almost bought one again today after seeing it on "sale" today at a gear shop. Turns out it was only $30 off... If they had it makes down a little more, I might have actually done it.

I dunno... I really love the GK tone and it's a crucial part of my sound so I'd really love for this thing to be the perfect solution. Maybe if I end up buying the new mini OmniSimCab mini when it comes out, I'll consider buying the Plex again.

 

[verstft]

Man, I wish I still had mine. I would have traded it for a Subway D.I. in a heartbeat!!!!

 

[lemueldave]

Are there any updates?

Need a little help. I’m planning to go the plugin route (e.g. Helix Native) for recording and maybe playing live. Can the Plex’s usb soundcard help or should I get a better one? Has anyone tried using DAW plugins with your Plex? Maybe both live and on recording? Or should I sell my Plex now. What are your suggestions.

 

[Hans Engelmann]

The Plex USB feature is pretty basic, almost useless, I suggest you to go for a cheap audio interface instead, like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

 

[The Rage]

I've used the plex with Reaper. I also own a focusrite 18i8 and don't recall much difference in sound.
Must try one against the other.