May be just me but I bought one and now I'm sending it back!
1. Speakers look cool but lack definition - bit muddy sounding - not loud enough for me. Much happier with my own PC speakers.
2. Had lots of clicks and pops initially. Upgraded software to v1.03 - this stopped most but not all. Followed all advice on Vox website - no joy - still the occasional snack, crackle, pop. Not a problem when practising but annoying when recording.
3. Tried plugging into external amp - found a short but noticeable delay between hitting strings and hearing sound. Not bad but annoying. I was also picking up noise from my PC - like I scroll down web browser and get a BRRRRRRR from the amp - weird!! Didn't notice these with the Vox speakers - but then it might be the lack of definition I've already mentioned above.
4 Set up Cubase with JamVox as 'sound in' - really bad delay - half a second. Tried usual stuff but couldn't reduce delay. Maybes could have played with the Asio drivers a bit more.
5 In general there are some good sounds in there - it from Vox after all - but on some the sound decays badly rather than sustaining. Very artificial sounding. May be the noise gate - though I tried changing settings without any joy.
6. On a positive note - the software is really easy to use and the hardware easy to set up. Its a doddle swapping amps/effects in and out. The interface is simple and fun to use. Single screen - no hassles. Software loads up when booting PC - simple. Speaker box gets power from USB no extra power supply - cool.
7. Didn't read required hardware/software - my fault!!!! - just be aware it doesn't yet run on Vista 64 only on Vista 32. I dual boot to XP so no major probs.
8. Main issue was with the GXT. It was the first thing I tried - loaded Gary Moore "If you be my Baby" - tried GXT and ..... not a lot happened. Tried all preset GXTs - no joy. Manually adjusted GXT settings - all I got was the guitar a bit quieter but then again the whole 'backing' seemed quieter. Spent two days on ten different tracks - general disapointment.
Don't get me wrong GXT reduces the guitar and vocals but nowhere near what I was expecting. I think it would work better if guitars are panned far left or far right - but most tracks have guitar right in the middle of the mix.
Vox seem to be pushing hard on GXT and the jamming bit - I just don't think they have delivered.
OK there are my views - I'm prepared to be shot down in flames. Yep I'm sure future software upgrades will address a lot of the glitches - I guess its a problem with being an early adopter. Perhaps I missed some setting or other - I admit it. My main issue is with GXT so I didn't work as hard as I usually would have with the glitches.
Unreasonable expectations? Perhaps - but I had another look at the video on the JamVox website (the one with the guy and the disastrous perm) - there you have it: track with guitar then with GXT> guitar completely gone. It will be interesting to hear how other people have got on as more reviews get posted.
Should I have tried longer? Nah! Tried for two days solid and GXT didn't do what I thought it would.
I was really looking forward to getting JamVox and GXT in particular but now I feel a bit deflated. Perhaps if you are not too bothered about GXT, the JamVox might be a good deal. Personally I'd check out the POD Studio UX2 and use your own speakers.
