Patches may be copied from one memory location to another or they may be exchanged, and numerical values, including patch selection, are dialled up on a data wheel rather than up and down buttons. However, if you do this, you lose the ability to step up and down through the patches remotely. Strangely, there doesn't appear to be a dedicated bypass footswitch input, though you can set up the GX700 so that the Control 1/2 input operates as a bypass. Control 1/2 jack allows an optional patch up/down dual pedal to be connected, whereas the Exp pedal input takes a volume pedal, to provide variable control.
There are connectors for MIDI In, Out and Thru plus two further jacks for connecting pedals.
Another considerate touch relates to the speaker simulator: this may be on or off within each patch you set up, but you can switch the speaker simulator on or off for all patches at a stroke if you need to. You can also switch off all of the above for live use. This affects both the level and tone of the output, as single‑speaker combos and multi‑speaker stacks have quite different characteristics.
An interesting addition to the connection system is that the output can be set up in software to match guitar combos, guitar stacks, or the loop insert points of either. The effects were generally first class, and struck the right balance between flexibility and complexity.įurther connections are provided for an effects loop, allowing other effects or processing to be combined with the existing effect, and the patch information includes in/out switching for any externally connected effect. The output may be mono or stereo, and there's a level‑matching control on the back panel, to allow the GX700 to work with mixing desks or guitar amplifiers.
Powered from an AC adaptor, the preamp has a mono input, which is duplicated on the front panel for ease of connection. Patch selection is via the front panel controls or MIDI, and Roland do a rather nice foot controller (FC200) which is ideal for live performance. A built‑in guitar tuner is included - one of the best I've ever used, by the way - and the buttons are illuminated, so that you can see at a glance which effects are active in any given patch.Īs supplied, the GX700 comes with 100 factory presets and a further 100 user memories, which are filled with duplicates of the factory patches. The preamp emulates a number of popular amplifier and stack types, while the speaker simulator can be turned off when the unit is to be used live with a guitar combo or stack. The signal chain can be thought of as: guitar preamp, stereo effects processor, and speaker simulator, where the amp simulation comes as part of the general effects package. Apart from the front panel - which looks as though it's been glazed in sweet and sour sauce - the control layout is pretty typical of a well thought‑out effects unit, with the minimum of multi‑function buttons. The 1U rack processor is sold under the Boss rather than the Roland name, probably to be more guitarist‑friendly. While COSM may be technically complicated, from the user's point of view, the Boss GX700 is used much like any other effects processor, and most of the effects on offer are quite familiar. The Boss GX700 uses a solid‑state analogue front end to create its distortion and overdrive effects, and this is followed by a powerful multi‑effects unit featuring amp and speaker simulation - which I understand is based on Roland's COSM modelling technology developed for the VG8 guitar system. For recording, a guitar preamp also needs an amp/speaker simulator, to emulate the tonal changes and filtering caused by a real guitar amp. Some use digital distortion, some have an analogue front end followed by digital effects, and some even include valve preamps teamed with digital effects.
There's no shortage of guitar effects units on the market, but because guitar sounds are so much a matter of personal taste, you have to try a few out before settling on one that suits your playing style. Paul White straps on his guitar and puts this advanced multi‑effects unit to work. Inside the GX700 lies a heart of gold - Roland's innovative physical modelling technology.