last week i sold one of my GDIs (i have/had 2) to a friend here in our place. but before handing him the item, i made it a point to clarify to him weaknesses and strengths of the unit based upon the impression the GDI gave me. well, after spending a couple of months with the GDI, siguro i could say that i have an extensive experience when it comes to the unit. so after selling one of my units, i spent more bonding time with the one left. and again, i discovered some pleasant/unpleasant things with this baby.
my take on the GDI:
a pretty useful unit, it has TONS of gain and plenty of volume. when using the balanced output, parang less yung level nya compared to the regular out. pretty sturdy case, wont rip apart when you stomp on it. responsive controls.
if you already have a concrete idea of a particular tone you are after, baka madisappoint ka. no, actually it is easy to get good tones out of this box. the only problem: IT EATS AWAY YOUR MIDRANGE! i dont know, but maybe it's just how i hear things. my Greco LP is an open midrange instrument. plenty of it. but when i engage the GDI (case in point: Fender amp sim, set on clean), parang nawala na yung midrange ko. yeah, Fender is clean, but i want my midrange. turning the EQ (treble and bass) to zero did not have much effect. setting it on classic mic'ing seemed to salvage some of what's left of my midrange.
the Brit sim is too trebly. the Calif mode for me was its saving grace. just dont switch to high gain or hot modes, or else too much gain will muddy up your tone, and magiging malabo ka na sa mix. the Fender sim is okay, except mas prominent yung midscoop.
so for starters, eto settings ko:
Calif mode/clean gain/classic mic placement (classic mic for a more present midrange), treble & bass set to zero (for my midrange to cut through), volume and drive set to taste.
ayan, above is just my impression of the GDI, or baka bingi lang ako. if the GDI sounds close to a real Sansamp GT2, probably baka ganito rin yung GT2. i have no prior experience with the GT2, so dont take my word for it. tingin ko mage-enjoy sa GDI yung mahihilig sa chug chug and scooped mids.
sir Bamf could be right that this is a stand alone pedal. it hates sitting right after other OD pedals.
again, opinyon/impresyon ko lang yan.
(Note: kagabi ko pa pinapraktis kung pano ko ipe-present to senyo, pero siopao, nawala lahat nung humarap na ko sa PC. bad trip.)
