Using a Boss GT100 with your Tube Amp via the 4 Cable Method 

Clear, concise easy to understand explanation of the 4 cable method. In true Anderton's style.

Dear Mr Andertons, The four cable method has been used for ages way before the TC Electronic G system came out. The first multi effects units were the Lexicon MP1 and the Boss GX700.

They absolutely do. I have owned a GT-6 and a GT-8. And helped set up my friend's GT-10. You are able to change the order of every effect, including the loop, in all 3.

Chords are good too.. particularly for demos.

I've done exactly the same with my gt10. Actualy in the gt10 as well you have the same interface of moving the different effects (including the S/R ) around the chain. I thought about it myself but now seeing this video I realize I've done the right thing. Very nice of you to demonsrate such ideas Thanks.

Great guitarist. I loved the clean parts he played.

I love the Blackstar HT 5 so much, I'm still looking up videos involving it on YT. After watching this video I went and hooked my HT5R into my 2x12 (loaded with a vintage 30 and a greenback) and it's so awesome! I use my hd500x in the 4CM and am in love all over again.

In my touring days, I had a Marshall dsl200 stack, a boss gt3 and a treble booster set up with the 4 cable system. The sound would move mountains.

Best explanation of the 4 cable method. Love these pedals. Going to get one to use with my tube amp in the effects loop the same way you guys did.

The 4-cable method was also available on the GT-8. It does not have nearly as nice an interface for modifying the effects chain, but it does work nicely in front of a Blackstar.

I did this 15 yrs ago with my Rocktron Intellifex. I built it myself (in stereo) with relays and built a dc supply into my floor mounted switching system all DC 3.5V with DPDT switches and leds to let me know the on/off situation. I even mounted relays over the rev and channel change in the amp. Once the signal was in the amp it stayed there . No Patch leads running down to volume pedals or chains of pedals making all sorts of noise and signal loss.

When ever you get demo's like this the guitarist always has a massively

i almost advertise my gt-10 on ebay until i discover 4 cable method almost 2 yrs ago, im mostly using the ht-20 head's drive channel as part of the patch through amp control and add od(ts9) and other effects from gt-10, i liked the sound very much.

4 Cable method can be done as long as your multiFX unit has an FX loop. As well as your amp obviously. Basically makes the preamp section of your amp an effect in the multi-FX.

Loving it. Been planning a visit to your store for ages!

Hi, thanks! I just improvised them, they were basically open versions of Emin, Dsus4 and CMaj and then finally GMaj. Nothing tricky really! :))

Worked fine on my GT-10 too. Also, I had a Vox AD-120 VT (awesome) which is Stereo, so able to have stereo effects (double awesome). Only issue I had was that I had to adjust the system setting tone/presence up a bit. Never used any gain from effects unit (amp was sufficient)., just a bit of compression boost and mostly used the digital effects from the GT-10 and analogue from the amp.

I've had GT-3,5 and 8 and never really got on with 4CM partly as my Marshall effects loop is parallel. Tried using just the effects in the loop and not bother with the amp sims but came to the conclusion best way to use GT products are with a full range PA or powered cab. If you like your amp, stick with pedals.

bit late probably but your volume control can be moved the same as the fx loop - I think it shows up as FV on my GT8 in the fx chain. You just have to find out where it is in the chain and move it to the position you want. Either before your amp input or before the reverb and delay in the loop fx which will allow your delays etc to keep sounding if you back off your volume.

That "warm" is what I'm looking, kinda like vintage analog sound. Thanks a lot!, I think I0m gonna buy the GT100

I think it's a matter of preference. I got the GT100 because it's REALLY easy to program and had a 'warmer' sound to me... like really nice, smooth, full sound. The HD500 seemed to model the amps well but were thin to my ears and was harder to program.

@ZanesSuccessor. Hi, it sounds a lot less digital than other amp modelling units i've played through and the tone is pretty flexible too so you can dial in a sound that you find pleasing!

Yes - on the GT-10 - you can assign the order of effects & designate which ones are in front or in the effects loop. The interface just looks a little different.

I use the 4CM with a POD HD so I don't know 100% for sure but there should be a way of moving the volume pedal to the front of the signal chain on the GT-10 in order to use it. The GT-10 is a great unit and has to have that kind of flexibility built in to it.

Correction on that majestybanduk not majestybankuk just incase you thought the link didn't work!

Once again nicely done andertons team! You guys rock!!!

Most Mesas have a MIDI in. You can change channels that way with the GT units. The amp switchers on the GT units are a bit hit or miss with some amps, although not a fault with the unit.

Great video. I am really impressed by what that unit can do. Just for the record the DIGITECH curent RP series 500 and 1000 do the 4 cable method.

I've been using the 4 cable method with my GT6 and my HT Stage 100 for about 5 months now. The only downside is that I loose the overdrive/distortion FX's as you have to select the GT6 to external to enable the FX loop. Other than that, it works really well so I might change to the GT 100 when I've got some more cash.

Can be used with the GT-10 too. Moving the S/R position in the FX chain is possible via the interface ;)

@TheSupernaut92...I got used to the sound of the GT10 which was different to the GT8, tonally speaking (and i really liked the GT8..i recorded a whole album with it!) the GT100 just feels more responsive than any other unit i've played through. there are some more GT vids on my channel to listen to but...go and play one and hear it for yourself, i'm sure you'll dig it!

Used to do something like this with a GT-3. Didn't have the send or return though. Sounds good

You can do the 4 cable method on GT-6, you just use the ext distortion instead of a send/receive. Guys with 5150's were doing this 10 years ago with GT-6.

Hey Folks! If you have any questions about the GT100 i'm happy to try and answer them for you. Cheers Lee ...(the Lee with the beard! lol)

great.big help now to fixing up to Bose Li & tone match.

all right that does it, I'm gettin one of these

yes they did and it was very simple. your demos are great but your really killin me lolz

I love the tone at 6:10

The gt 8 also supports the 4 cable method, including adjusting the effects chain :) boss have done this for a long long time..

Outstanding, Cap'tn, & Lee, While He obviously was still w/ya (pre-Dawsons) The 4 Cable Method is my Answer, & Able to use it w/Other than the GT-100. No other Videos Found that have the ""4 cable method"" laid out like your link to the Andertons page Has 4 us All.... Thnx Again, Remaining A Subscriber to the best Guitars+++ Channel on RU-vid, MarkthShark716.

No...You can do it both ways and if you want the preamps from the Boss you just move the Pre in the fx chain to after it's fx loop and before your loop effects. This way, when you switch to a patch with loop off. Line 6 has only just caught with this I gather. You could do this on a GT8 but you might need ground lift cables in the loop connections like a G system.

You could do with the GT5, 8, 10 and so on.

@harro333 I don't believe the GT10 or GT8 had the same ability to assign which pedals worked in front and which worked in the loop. If they did work, it wasn't as simple/obvious as it is on the GT100!

the four cable method was also available on the GT-5. not sure about the GT6 or 8 but definitely the 5.

This 4 cable method was comum in the GT8, i used this way, but the Digitech RP1000 is better, because have two loops, one for the exclusive for the preamp of the amp and another for the pedals.

you have to go into the FX chain set your your pedals which order you want them and then set the loop where you want it ....ie -cs-wha-OD-lp-FX2 dd-ce-REV-..... but Iv,f found that you,ve got to turn the pre amps off cause it makes everything just sound fizzy.... just use the gains on the amp

Lee(The Captain) I like the enthusiasm you put into you videos, informative and enjoyable to watch. Will you do a Gibson acoustic vid. I want some j200, hummingbird and j185 etc comparisons ;)

Question for anyone in the know!! What would the proper(if there is one) 'output setting' on the GT100 if your running pedal through... 1: the main input of an Orange CR120 combo? 2:just the return of CR120? 3: four cable method CR120.? All of these are for a live situation! Many thanks you lovely people. 👍

Band: Majesty Song: Spotlight

Are the send/return on GT.100 buffered? (Some bad revievs on other similar gear, because they lose signal when running '4 cable method' wit 6m cables on stage setups).

They've sort of gone up in a funny order but you'll see the others soon too! Just watch this space - Mark

Q: I'd like to combine the ME unit with a pedal (Fortin GRIND) - where is the optimal position for this pedal in the 4CM chain, as described in this video?

If you are using a Tube Amp multi-effect, how do you set the Tube Amp knobs? And do you disable Tube Amp simulation if you are using this real Tube Amp?

I have built all my patches using about 4 pre-amps simulations in the GT-100, connected to the FX return (power amp) of my Marshall. Now I would like to change to the 4CM system to be able to use the Marshall pre-amp as well. Do I have to exclude all the pre-amp simulations from my patches in the GT-100? And if I keep them, where is the send S/R (send/return) positioned in the chain, before or after the pre-amp simulations? Please let me know your comments. Thank you.

So much work with these things

If you go to thewebsite in the description, and scroll down, it's there

Edit: I can still use the preamp/speaker simulator for different overdrive/distortion sounds though.

awesome job lee

@adanbettencourt hi there! depends on the amp type..but i always try all the output types and use my ears to choose the best one :-)

Great guitarplayer!

I have a GT5, Had it since the 90's. Could move loop point on that. Been a very overlooked feature for years. I still use it and enjoy it, however the s/n ratio is not too great. Does anyone have a comment about the noise floor on this unit?

I'm trying to decide between the Boss GT 100 and the Helix LT. Is it worth to spend the extra 500 dollars on the Helix LT?

Damn, he can play!

I am pretty sure you COULD do it with the GT-10 AND move where you wanted your FX loop to sit in the chain

Don't understand how they say you couldn't do 4cable till now. You could do it with the gt6, gt8 and gt10. And pretty much any other multiFX with a loop.

How do you know that the first sound on the first patch is your amps distortion? I set mine up in the 4cm, and my first patch is some pre made patch on the pedal.....how do you get to your amps distortion?

Would it be possible to add a further stomp pedal downstream of the GT-100? ie GT-100 FX loop return --> Pedal --> Amp FX return

Hello everyone! question about the type of "output select" we have to choose for this 4 cables method. Do you use "Stack Amp" or Stack Return"? I am not sure beacause Gt100 is connected to both of these inputs. Thanks for your answers.

Cool ... not sure how I missed that Thx

as i can only seem to get it on clean no dirt and my koch studiotone has such great dirty channels

Okay, from what I gather, you are stuck only using your amp's preamp with the 4 cable method with the Boss. With the POD HD 500, you can turn off the loop and use the preamp models from the POD through the the tube amps power section without recoloring it, giving you more options and a nice tube amp feel to modeled preamps. Is this right? I'm just curious because I'm looking at both processors. I've looked at the Boss's manual and can't see how to turn off the loop to do the same.

You can do this on the Boss GT-3 and up. Just did this on my GT-3 but instead of using the S/R , you to activate OD ext.

if u want to use the gt100 as a series of stomp boxes in front of yr amp, don't u put it in2 manual mode?

Hey anybody know where to get the Amplifier cables, like what store. Because my other one tore and it doesn't work. Plz reply ASAP!

I recently cycled through Line 6’s HX Stomp and PodGo before exchanging for a Marshall DSL40 (my firsts tube amp), and calling it a day. I want to play a real amp above all else, and retain that feel of raw power and sound while I play. The L6 products did NOT sound good through my FX loop, or any other way. Now that I’ve got a great tube amp that I love-I had also tried a Katana in my journey for tone-I am still wishing to add some tonal variety, possibly alternative amps, and definitely effects into the mix. I liked the Katana’s effects, so it seems logical I may like the GT1000, and their AIRD tech sounds promising as it claims to work intuitively even when plugged into a real traditional amplifier. Is this going to be a let down a la L6? I’m either going to buy a Katana Artist MKII, the big ass foot switch, and run it alongside my dry Marshall with an ABY pedal, or get the GT1000 to augment my Marshall. Which sounds like it’ll be better? I’ve also thought this option is better because I could do the wet dry thing, and have a second amp that is far more versatile with its true modeling approach to add into the overall sound with my Marshall. I’m looking to hit many birds with one stone. Down the line, yes, I’d rather have the real amps, and the real pedals, but for the short-long-term I’ve got the means to either grab a Katana, which I did like, or a GT1000. I love delay, modulation like flanger/phaser, and want looping ability. Both appear to have these. Please help me! 😁 For the record I have mics like SM57 etc, and I do like to record, but as I’ve said the recording bit is secondary to in-the-room tone. I am a millennial, but I favor the traditional amplifier sound and feel. I can’t do headphones unless I’m strictly recording. I’m not inspired much while jamming through a studio headset. I don’t have any flat response speakers. Many many thanks if you actually read this, and thoughtfully considered my dilemma. Thank you.

I have doubts that maybe you can help me. At 4 cm chain if I want to connect a bk butlerTube Driver pedal, where do I connect the bk, between fx send (gt100) and amplifier in. Or beteween fx send (amplifier) and return fx (GT100). thanks

Wait! I never knew Lee Wrathe was on Andertons before he's in to Dawsons.. !!

Good video but they are wrong - you can move around the send/return on GT-10 as well inside the unit.

What can I do with the GP-10? Just got this nice Hughes and Kettner TM18, and it is like bees fighting with the input from the GP-10. Help.

I own a GT-10 and you can actually move and see the S/R in the chain. Anyway, the only problem with this 4 cable thing is that I cannot use my pedal as a volume pedal anymore. Any suggestion? Thanks

hello lads ...enjoyed your demo of the new gt100...and the one with the comparison of the gt10 and the gt100 sounds..... you said at the end of this video that you can only use the 4 cable method with the gt10 and 100 ...this isn,t true.... I been useing the 4 cable method with my gt8 going into my DSL 100 ... and a 5 cable method (Right out) to run it to another amp for stereo (run clean) for about 3 years until I got a gt 10 a few months ago..........

Would this set up work with a fender blues deluxe?

What kind of 1/4" cable do you need for the AMP CTL jack for changing amp channels? TRS, or regular instrument cable? Will it work on a Marshall DSL20?

I got a padded case through the old GT-central forum and was wondering if the 100 is wider than the GT-8.

He is giving title of this video is four cables method and just using parameters only...parameters might be different preferences for different people right? ..just if he could explain how electric circuit is prepared in Amp and multi effect box to correspond the fx send and return concept with each other...

I must be doing something wrong because all of a sudden when I have it hooked up to my amp via 4 cable method my clean channel gets distorted. I'm using a Fender Twin Amp

Seems to work beautifully in a small, enclosed setting such as is shown here. Thing is: for a true stage situation, does it really present no problems to have, say, 20, 40, 50 feet of cable (plus the unit itself) between your pre-amp and power section?

Is the fx loop switchable to bypass the amps preamp?

That blackstar amp sounds great without the MFX box...

Can you do a setup with 2 tube amps for stereo FX

Sorry slipped, a massively over driven sound at 100 miles an hour, the GT-100 is really versatile with so many sounds but he has not demoed any hardly.

Will this also work in the same manner with the older GP 100 ? Thanks.

Can you use the amp control out put to change channels/patches on the blckstar id series?

what output-select gt100 your use for the 4 cable method?

like the new intro

Damn that guy can play!

Is it possible to switch the channels in my Peavey Valveking 100W Head using BossGT100?

hi i cannot find the 4 Cable Method on the site , please help ! i would like to know how link the gt-100 and my amp . thanks

I'm about to buy a new multi fx to run the 4CM with my dual rectifier, but I'm not sure which one i should buy, the boss GT100 or the line6 POD HD500. Which one do you recommend?

I just bought my GT100 and im using it with the 4 cable method with my Legacy 3 head. The problem is, only my main tube amp is working..The other 3 channels/preamp on my Legacy are disabeled...I though i can use my tube preamp with the boss gt100.