Boss GT-100Core

review
BOSS GT-1000CORE
102
GUITARIST APRIL 2021
The GT1000Core can
expand an existing
’board, and has that
amp/effects/speaker
sim in one box ‘fl y rig’
capability, too
Editing from the front panel is painless
and the soft knobs offer instant quick
tweaks, but we gravitated to the mouse-
driven ease of the full-colour software
editor for building original presets. A range
of selectable output types tailors the sound
for whatever comes next in the chain.
Sounds
When using a full signal chain with amp/
cab simulation engaged, it’s impressive just
how responsive the unit is with a natural
push/pull in the playing feel. There are
amps to cover all types of electric guitar
music, each paired with the appropriate
cabinet, although if you set the unit to
Recording mode you can chop and change
cabs, choosing from a variety of built-in
speaker and microphone types. If you load
your own Impulse Responses, the unit can
store up to 16 of them. For use as a source
of effects in front of your amp and/or in
its effects loop (the unit supports the four-
cable method), there are all the everyday
effects sitting next to the esoteric, so it’s
possible to build a series of well-stocked
eclectic ‘pedalboards’ for live use.
While the Core’s sonic credentials are
identical to its larger namesake and its
compact size confers certain advantages,
there’s no getting round the fact that the
practicality of having 10 footswitches has
been compromised. Nevertheless, there’s a
lot you can do with three footswitches.
There are two basic modes of operation
for them, Memory and Manual, switched
between by pressing the second (middle)
and CTL 1 footswitch simultaneously. In
Memory mode, the first two footswitches
scroll through and select patches while
the CTL 1 footswitch can be assigned to
whatever you want in a patch, perhaps
tap tempo, switching parallel signal paths
or simple effect bypass duty. Switching
between patches is remarkably seamless,
especially if you set up two very similar
THE RIVALS
The most obvious rival to Boss’s
GT-1000Core comes from the most
obvious name in the amp sim and effects
business, Line 6. The similarly sized HX
Stomp (£399 street price), packed with
Helix sounds, will just as easily slot into
your pedalboard or sit on your tabletop
for USB-connected recording.
There are larger alternatives available
such as the four-footswitch HeadRush
Gigboard (£519) featuring a seven-inch
touch display, and if you want to go
further upmarket there’s the three-
footswitch Fractal Audio FM3 (€1,266),
which is based on the company’s
flagship Axe-Fx III and features the same
range of modelled amps.
Equipped with three footswitches, the
GT-1000Core sports 500 onboard patches
(250 preset and 250 user), an onboard
looper (38 seconds mono), and a tuner.
A USB connection allows the unit to
function as a 6-in/6-out audio interface
for recording and reamping and to access
the free computer-based Boss Tone Studio
editing program. The Tone Studio is also
available in iOS and Android apps for
mobile devices but the GT-1000Core won’t
connect via Bluetooth like its big brother.
In Use
Each of the patches is made up from 24
simultaneous effects blocks with various
series/parallel routing options available.
You can have two of the modelled amps in
a patch and/or a variety of effects. All told
there are 23 amps comprising Boss original
creations and emulations of familiar
classics, and over 100 effects including some
classic Boss pedal effects, effects directly
ported from the 500 series, and models of
vintage stompboxes. You’re not limited
to just what’s onboard the GT-1000Core,
however, as two send/return loops enable
integration of external effects pedals
directly into the internal signal chain, so you
can add in your favourite fuzz, for example,
and have the option of assigning it to one of
the unit’s footswitches if desired.
While most of the
GT-1000Core’s
connectivity is on the
back panel, you’ll fi nd
USB, MIDI and the
second control input
here on the side
Boss’s Tone Studio
application offers a
practical way to access
the unit’s complexities
GIT470.rev_bossGT1000.indd 102 17/02/2021 22:41