Recently I needed to investigate how to modify a patch in my Digitech GNX4, which required me to boot up my Windows 10 machine (I typically use Mac) so that I could run Digitech’s X-Edit application (Windows only) for editing patches. To test the patch, I needed to use the GNX4 as the guitar’s input device and my studio monitors,which are hooked up to my Behringer UMC202HD USB audio interface, as the audio output device. Via some configuration struggling and web searches, I found out how to use ASIO4All, a free audio application for MS Windows, with the Digitech GNX4 and multiple audio interfaces. Follow me and I’ll show you the steps to get up and running.
DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored by any company or individual. I purchased all of the equipment and/or software mentioned in this post willingly with personal funds, unless it was available to everyone freely. The content of the post is my personal opinion and experience with the products. Product links that appear in this post are not affiliate links.
16 October 2021 – Written by Michael R. Myers
Skill Level: Intermediate
Tags: #mykmyrs #mikem #myersmediaplace #guitar #record #audiointerface #daw #signal #amp #amplifier #analog #mixer #effects #multieffects #effectsprocessor #guitarpedal #gnx4 #asio4all
What You Need To Get Started
- Digitech GNX4 Guitar Workstation
- Digitech GNX4 USB Drivers – download here
- USB Audio Interface like the Behringer UMC202HD (download Windows USB drivers while there)
- Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software – I use Tracktion Waveform 11 Pro
- ASIO4All software – Available for free download here
- Optional – Digitech X-Edit software for Windows Only – download here
A Brief Overview
We need to use ASIO4All in MS Windows to merge our multiple audio interfaces behind the scenes, making them show as one audio device to Windows for use within the DAW. What this gives us is the ability to specify which interface has the input audio source and which interface has the output audio source. This software also helps to reduce latency so that recording can be as instantaneous as possible. I think in Mac this would be a similar concept to an Aggregate Device.
Steps to Use ASIO4All With Digitech GNX4 And Multiple Audio Interfaces
- Before starting, I am assuming your GNX4 is hooked up to your Windows PC via USB, powered on and you have the Digitech USB drivers installed. I also assume your second USB audio interface is ready to go with its USB drivers and powered on as well.
- In Waveform 11, go to the Settings Tab.
- Specify the audio device type as “ASIO”. Set the device to “ASIO4ALL”. Click the Control Panel button to open ASIO4ALL’s configuration screen.
- Looking at the image above, there are two devices enabled. They have the play icon to the left of their names. This first configuration screen shows which devices are being combined as one ASIO device. Let’s show the detailed configuration screen so we can see how the inputs and outputs are specified.
- Click the gear icon at the bottom right-hand side of the ASIO4ALL screen.
- This step may not apply to all, but I was having some issues with audio not playing back, and I noticed that the GNX4 seems to be only 44.1kHz. I enabled the checkbox on the right-hand side for item “Always Resample 44.1kHz <> 48kHz”. I was able to get audio properly after toggling the item on.
- On the configuration screen, let’s set the input source, which is the GNX4 unit.
- Now let’s set the output source, which is the Behringer UMC202HD audio interface.
- Close the ASIO4ALL window to return to Waveform.
- Click Test and you should hear the test sound playing from the studio monitors.
- Make a new track in your Waveform project and set its input source to “Input 1”. Ensure that the Live Monitoring option is set. Click the arm button.
- Play your guitar and you should now hear the guitar audio coming through the monitors.
- You’re all set and ready to record your GNX4 through ASIO4All with Digitech GNX4 and multiple audio interfaces.
Summary
In this post, we covered how to combine two audio interfaces so that Windows can use the aggregated devices as one audio source. By using the free ASIO4ALL software, it makes it easy for us to use the Digitech GNX4 and multiple audio interfaces for personal audio recording.
If you’re interested in editing GNX4 patches with X-Edit on Windows, check out a previous post I made about preset editing. There is also a post which details how to send both your dry guitar signal and a separate effects signal via USB here.