The Example - Boss

GT-X Setup Manual

amp. The result sometimes gave a "growling" or "roaring"
distortion effect. With louder pickups, their preamps would
add too this by overdriving the preamp a bit. (Incidentally,
"A single 12AX7 Does Not A Tube-Amp Make"!).
Regardless, it's ok if your amp has a solid-state output
section- you'll still get cool tone, but you won't be able to
add that way-cool output/power tube distortion element.
Again, it's the theory that applies here, that Tube output is
preferred over solid-state for a specific reason. Anyway,
let's get on with an example, using the GT-3/5's EQ sections
to alter tone. Here we go...

The Example

Get with your guitar and your GT-3/5. We are going to
create what I consider to be a high-gain "Eighties Metal"
type of distortion sound with a tight-bottom and nice pick-
attack, employing the above principles. Many of you have
tried to use the "high-gain" setting at the end of an Amp-
Sim/Mod on the GT-3/5 and found it to be the kind of
sound that you might think would pull in radio stations! We
are going to approach "higher-gain" in a different way than
simply using presets. Execute the following:
Set your amp up like you usually do.
Plug the output of the GT-3/5 into the FX return of
your amp. If you don't have an FX loop, plug into
the main input. Get a basic amp tone and volume
level for now, -just something we can work with.
Find a patch on the GT-3/5 that you don't mind
altering, and turn ALL the effects off, except
reverb if you like. Basically, you want to start with
a "blank page" to work with. [Such as the 'Clean'
patch – BSP]
Use the UTILITY function, and set the bass and
treble to Zero, then choose one of the four amp-
types that sounds the best to you. I like either the
boxy sound of the "Gt.Amp(combo)" or the mid-
scoop of the "Power Amp(Stack)" settings,
because they sound good through my amp.
Select the [GT-3]PREAMP/SP SIM or [GT-
5]PREAMP, and choose "SLDN Lead". Adjust the
following: Vol:30 / Bass: 50 / Mid: 50 / Treb: 50
/ Pres: 50 / Master: 70 / Gain: middle.
On the GT-3 continue to select Mic Set: Center /
Mic Level: 100 and on the GT-5 select the SP
SIM button, and set SP Simulator On / Type
SLDN Lead / Mic Set: Center / Mic Level: 100.
Play this setting, listen to its character, and when
you've finally realized how displeasingly "un-
metal" it is, go on to step 6.
© Copyright 2000-2002 Barry S. Pearce et al.
Section 15a Applied Principles of Distortion Dynamics
Next, you're going to see the difference made by
using two methods of adding gain:
In the SLDN Lead preamp, scroll back to
o
the VOL.30 setting, and while you play,
increase the gain using the Value Dial,
and listen to the sound. In my opinion,
this basically
aforementioned "displeasure". Turn the
VOL. Back down to 30 when you're
done.
This time, press the MASTER button
o
once, and tap the right arrow > 6 times to
enter the EFFECTS CHAIN section. Use
the Value Dial to move that little "dude"
to where he's parked just before PRE.
Tap the OD/DS button, to put your
Overdrive/Distortion right before your
Preamp in the effects chain. Press WRITE
then tap EXIT. (If you get lost, tap EXIT
and start over). Next, you need to tap the
OD/DS button again to make the
following settings: ON / Type: Vintage
OD / Drive: 60 / Bass: 0 / Treble: 0 /
Level: 50. When you've made these
settings tap WRITE, then tap EXIT.
Check the sound out- you should be
getting a lot more gain without sounding
like you're going to get radio stations or
feedback.
So far we've worked on setting up the basic "gain
structure" as I would call it, but we haven't done
much with the tone yet. It seems at this point, the
natural tendency might be to crank up the bass in
the SLDN Lead Sim for more punch or low end. In
this example, doing this works against you,
because what you're doing is increasing the level
of bass that the preamp sees. It distorts the bass
more, giving perhaps a more "grungy" sound.
Desirable to some, but not for this example. To
hear the effect this has, try it two ways: increase
the bass in the SLDN Lead Sim, then return the
bass to 50, then crank up the bass in the OD/DS,
then return it to 0. Tap EXIT when you're finished.
We have a few more steps to go before we finish
our patch. Next, is to go back into the effects chain
section. Tap MASTER, then tap the right arrow >
6 times to get to the effect chain section. With the
Value Dial, scroll the "little guy" until he's parked
in front of the OD. Tap MOD to place Mod before
the overdrive in your effects chain. When you're
finished, tap WRITE then tap EXIT.
Now we can begin the first stage of Frequency
Control. Tap MOD twice to turn it on. Tap the
right arrow > to FX Select, and turn the Value Dial
increases the
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