Boss GT-8 and underdrive etc

[deeaa]

I just bought a Boss GT-8 multiFX unit.

Yes, it's getting a bit old and there would be much better sounding modelers available, but the thing is ...I'm not going to use it as a preamp or its drive and emulation models at all or very little.

What I will use it for is a sort of a controller. I have a two-channel tube amp, and it gives me all the sounds I need but lacks versatility.

At first I used pedals, and now for a little while I've used a Mooer Truck because I can get the same FX as with pedals, but can program combos. Still needed the amp channel switcher with it.

Then I realized that with a Boss GT-8 I can not only program FX choices under buttons but I can also use it to switch the amp channel, and it also has a volume pedal.

And it cost me 80€. That's not a lot for a sturdy device with so many options for use.

I'm gonna use a 4-cable system and probably going to use just a little compression or slight OD boost for some sounds in front of preamp.

But what I need to figure out is how to rig it for solo boost efficiently. The amp, being 20W and driven hard, can't really be boosted other than turning up the master or channel volume. If I boost it before the amp, it just basically gets more driven, not louder.

At first I thought, well, I could use a sort of underdrive for basic sound, lowering the volume of the signal going into amp for rhythm and then letting it be full for leads, but it doesn't work. Lowering the input totally kills the sound of the amp input as the amp clears up even if I just pick gently. And replacing natural OD with a pedal doesn't work.

So...since I use VERY little cleans, just a few short snippets here and there, and also VERY few solo parts, I thought I could try using the CLEAN channel for underdrive.

For cleans, I'd turn the amp loud, but lower the volume going out from GT-8 to match with my basic dirt channel.

For leads, I'd do the same, but rely on the GT-8 sounds for solo drive sounds as well.

The drive sounds will suck in comparison with the rhythm sound from the amp most likely, but I figure, who cares when we play live, and I only play a couple like 10-20 second solo parts anyway.

The only thing besides whether the GT-8 can yield a usable solo sound over the clean channel is whether the switching between channels within it, and for the amp channel via it, will be smooth.

Because if there's even a slight delay for switching between sounds, or even a noticeable momentary switch in volume when it happens, it will be a big problem. Ie if when I switch to amp clean channel which is set to LOUD it lets sound through it before the patch engages and sets the volume lower and so on.

Anyhow just thinking this out loud before I tackle the setting up. Will be able to get to it after about a week only now, and can't wait to get to it.

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