TC Electronic G System Guitar Multi-Effects PedalOriginal TC Electronic G-System Guitar Effects Processor and Loop Switcher
G-System is the first floor-based unit ever to offer both studio-quality guitar effects and advanced loop/routing facilities for external pedals and preamps. With a unique combination of 2 DSP sections, analog loops, amp switching, and 9VDC power outputs for external pedals, G-System is aimed at the experienced guitar player looking to complete his setup with the ultimate in quality, integration and flexibility.
TC Electronic G System Demo Videos
Click any of the video links on the left, then click Play to access the G System demos
G-System features 8 effect blocks divided into a pre effects section with Filter and Compression, and a post effects section with Noise Gate, Modulation, Pitch, Delay, Reverb, and EQ. Also included are Chromatic Tuner, Tap Tempo and Boost function.
G-System’s heavy duty 10 mm aluminum face plate and 18 giant chrome switches ensure unsurpassed mechanical stability, and protection against dust or liquid.
TC Electronic G-System Features
- Multi-effects processor on the floor
- Up to 9 effects simultaneously
- Fast and smooth preset changes featuring delay spill-overs
- 4 switchable mono-loops for your favorite effect pedals
- 1 additional loop/insert point dedicated for preamps
- 4 x 9V DC outlets powering your effect pedals
- USB connection for software updates
- Ultimate flexibility as the the board can be separated allowing you to place the GFX01 with loops etc. in a 19-inch rack while leaving the control board on the floor
- MIDI for control of additional external MIDI units
- Connections for 2/4 Expression pedals
G System Road Test Video
The philosophy behind the G-System is that the internal effects can be blended with one or several external effects at the flick of a footswitch. G-System allows for rack or floor based set-ups, flexible routing of external effects, custom-made footswitch layout, and up to 8 effects simultaneously. The 4 analog loops enable
true bypass of any pedal, thus preventing disengaged pedals from eating into the guitar tone. The 5th loop is custom designed for pre-amp inserting, and the 4 relay switches give analog control of preamps and amps. Also included are 2 x 2 expression pedal inputs. All functions of the G-System are directly accessible via the 18 chrome footswitches, 6 of which serve as integrated encoders.
The new VPD1 Vintage Pre Drive Pedal from TC Electronic was specifically designed to complement the G-System, featuring classic tube amp dynamics and a special boost section for additional overdrive. Commenting on the new flagship guitar product from TC Electronic, Uffe Kjems Hansen, VP of Product Management, stated: “The G-System is an all-in-one solution that allows the quality-conscious guitar player to combine his favorite stompboxes and preamps with top-notch effect processing from TC Electronic. We believe in the freedom of choice, when it comes to distortion and expression pedals, and have therefore decided to put our focus on flexible loop-switching and superior effects based on TC’s widely acclaimed algorithms. We venture to say that our new product will initiate a paradigm shift in the world of guitar processing.”
...News from TC
Steve Vai Takes Guitar Effects to a New Level – The Floor!
No introduction needed. Source of inspiration to thousands of guitar hopefuls around the globe – the essence of virtuosity – this guy’s a living legend. The intriguing part, however, is yet to come:
Steve Vai Ditches His Effects Racks
That’s right! His entire setup is now down to a G-System plus a few stompboxes and expression pedals. Boldly, you may say that cutting his hair symbolizes cutting with past.
This may come as a serious blow to a great many gear aficionados who for decades have seen Steve Vai as the epitome of inveterate rackism. What’s really intriguing is what drives this icon – a true innovator of guitar settings and playing techniques – to approach TC on his own free will. A guitar authority like him probably drowns in profitable offers from a wide range of manufacturers who’d be just thrilled to see this guitar vanguard use their equipment!
Tested on Zappa Plays Zappa Tour
Taking time off from his tour with Dweezil Zappa;
Zappa Plays Zappa, Steve Vai elaborates on his choice of effects setup:
For years, I’ve considered TC’s G-Force the ultimate guitar processor simply because it sounds good and is very user-friendly. Only, the G-System is much more convenient because you have everything on the floor right in front of you.
We couldn’t have put it more precisely ourselves. We’ve always believed that unsurpassed quality and user-friendliness are the two paramount parameters when trying to make a stand in the gear jungle. For a floor-based guitar processor, a third and equally important parameter prevails: Durability. It must withstand the repeated punishment of heavy touring activity. We’re just thrilled to see that the real world experts agree with us.
During the 3 months I’ve had the G-System it’s proven to be very reliable and bulletproof. This is the set up I prefer
- Steve Vai
You might wonder whether Steve Vai is only gonna use the G-System for guest appearances such as on the ZPZ tour where an easy setup may come in pretty handy and then still require his full conventional racks for headlining and G3 tours.
I’ve programmed it specifically for the ZPZ tour, but during the 3 months I’ve had the G-System, it’s proven to be very reliable and bulletproof this is the set up I prefer. It is also extremely practical in the sense that you don’t need a rack so I have two systems now, one for the road and one which I can leave set up in the studio for recording with.
Driven By Simplicity – Convinced By Quality
Recent years’ reflection upon complexity of life has made Steve Vai realize that changes were inevitable. Although the expression of his work may still remain complex his overall outlook on life is now that of simplicity.
When life turns too complex it affects people negatively – I know, ‘cuz I’ve been there explains Vai.
For an artist whose musical trademark has always been anything but that of simplicity, it may appear as a paradox, but, adds Vai:
On the contrary – it makes perfect sense to me. It’s kind of a counterbalance to my professional expression.
And the G-System seems to fit right in with that philosophy: Using the cutting-edge digital effects of the G-System while at the same time letting it control the switching between clean and overdrive channels on his Carvin VL100 Legacy amp, punch in/out his Analogman-modded DS1, Keeley-modded Tube Screamer and MXR EVH Phase 90 analog stompboxes while deploying his Morley Bad Horsie 1 wah seems to be the mere manifestation of his devotion to simple living – on stage and off.