KHE + Boss GT-1000 Core in 4-Cable-Method


This guide explains how to use the Boss GT-1000 Core as a multi-effects unit with the KHE amp switcher in a 4-Cable-Method (4CM). This enables to:

  • Use the GT-1000’s Pedals (Boost, Overdrive, Gate and such) in front of the amps (like normal pedals).

  • Use the GT-1000’s Effects (Delay, Reverb and such) in the fx-loop of the tube amplifiers (post-preamp).

  • Use the GT-1000’s MIDI to remotely control the KHE presets during patch changes (PC).

  • Use the KHE’s Master-FX-Loop Bypass Switching to remove the effects-chain from the fx-loop.

In this setup, the GT-1000 functions as a mono multi-effect unit. Only the stompbox- and effect blocks are active. All amp- and speaker-modelling blocks are disabled. Loop 1 or Loop 2 is used to create the insert point for the amp fx-loops.

In combination with the FX-Loop Switching function of the ACS 4x4FX (or ACS 8x4 / ASX 8 with the AFX 8), it enables to use the GT-1000 as a multi-effect unit in 4-CM with all connected amps.

Connections & Wiring

 
 

  1. Connect the Guitar to the GT-1000’s guitar input R/MONO.

  2. Connect the GT-1000’s SEND 2 to the KHE GUITAR INPUT jack. This sends the guitar signal after stompbox section to the guitar input of the amp switcher.

  3. Connect the GT-1000’s RETURN 2 to the KHE FX INPUT jack. This connects the master-fx-send of the amps and KHE to the input to the GT-1000’s effect section (post-distortion).

  4. Connect the GT-1000’s OUTPUT R/MONO to the KHE FX OUTPUT jack. This sends the signal after the GT-1000’s effect section back the master-fx-return of the KHE and back to the power amp of the activated amplifier.

Use shielded instrument cables (TS) for all GT-1000 connections.

On the KHE, press the small FX Button to activate the fx-loop. The FX light turns fully on. If the FX light is dark or dimmed, the entire effects chain is true-bypassed. The on/off state of the master-fx-loop is individually saved for each amp and gets recalled automatically when switching amps.

Make sure the amp fx-loops are all set to serial or parallel with 100% mix setting. In case an amp has a bad fx-loop design that still passes some dry signal, it will be mixed with the GT-1000 signal which causes a bad phasing or chorusing sound due to the latency of the AD/DA conversion.

GT-1000 Patch Setup

 

  1. Create a new clean preset or patch in the GT-1000

  2. Disable all amplifier and speaker cabinet blocks

  3. Activate Loop 2 and insert it between the pre pedals and the post effects

 

Notes

  • Use the GT-1000’s Output Level control the adjust the Master Volume of the entire rig (post-amp volume control). Use the KHE’s fx-loop bypass switch to match the volume of the GT-1000 to the pure amp tone (12 o’clock position = unity gain).

  • In case of hum or digital noise, experiment with the GT-1000’s Ground Lift switches. The GT-1000 has three ground lift relays which can be controlled in the hardware menu. Start will all grounds connected and see which combination results in the least noise. Use the KHE Ground Lift last.

  • If the GT-1000 is connected to a computer via USB, a ground loop may happen (hum and digital noise). Use a high-quality and high-speed USB Isolator, like the Hifime USB Isolator V2. This USB Isolator got rid of the USB ground loop in my rig perfectly. Use an active USB hub and use short USB cables (long cables will cause connection issues).

  • The GT-1000 has two Noise Gates available. One gate can be used in front of the amp, and the second gate in the fx-loop of the amps (side-chained by the guitar input signal). This dual-noise-gate setup creates a super efficient and clean gating, even at the highest gain settings. The threshold parameter can also be made "dynamic”, so it gates the signal even better and more natural (Link YouTube 1, Link YouTube 2).

To build this 4-CM amp switching setup, you need a KHE amp switcher with the Master-FX-Loop Switching feature. For up to four amplifiers, check the KHE ACS 4x4FX which has the fx-loop switching feature built-in. For the KHE ACS 8x4 or ASX 8, the fx-loop switching can be added by the KHE AFX 8 extension unit. All KHE units can be fully linked and daisy-chained to expand the switching channels.

Links:

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