Amp Gizmo
RJM Music Technology
http://www.ampgizmo.com/
$299.99 US with Power Supply
$289.99 US without Power Supply (for international purchase)
Custom cables for specific amps vary $34.99 and $49.99 US

A Common Problem

A familiar story for many guitarists unfolds: the band is coming out of the second chorus of a rock ballad into a lead break section. As a guitarist I am using my clean channel but need to change to my lead sound very quickly. I have separate controllers for my amplifier and effects unit at my feet. This is a fairly standard configuration and evidences a problem common to all similar setups: changing between sounds with maximum efficiency.

My live setup is a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier and TC Electronics G-Major effects processor. To change from clean to lead tone I have to follow a fairly complex process. (1) Disengage the solo boost - it isn't needed for this song during the lead break but ironically is required during the clean sections. (2) Change the Mesa channel selector from channel 1 to channel 3 getting me my gain tone. (3) Move over to the midi controller and change from my compression with light chorus patch to my 450ms delay patch. Did I mention I had to sing through the sound change as well? This shouldn't be so damn difficult!

The Amp Gizmo solution

This is where the RJM Amp Gizmo rises as an effective solution to the seemingly never ending tap dance. I already own a few midi controllers and I wanted a device I could use with my existing hardware which would take on the job of amp function switching and allow me to concentrate on performance.

The Amp Gizmo is extremely simple in concept but perfectly executed in reality. You place it between your midi floor controller and your effects unit and it acts as a midi through device. The Amp Gizmo notes the midi program changes you make from the floor controller and also passes them on to devices further down the chain.

The Amp Gizmo also passes pre configured settings to your amplifier via a custom designed cable. Amp channel and function (which may include effects loop, reverb, solo boost etc) change requests are sent to the amplifier allowing control of both your effects processor and your guitar amp via your midi floor board.

What does this mean to the above nightmare sound change? One tap of my midi controller changes my effects patch as well as the relevant settings on my Mesa Boogie. One tap. Not three. No chance for error. It also means I don't need the Mesa Boogie floor controller on stage and have less cabling to worry about.

Setup and Use

Simply run a midi cable from your floor controller to the Amp Gizmo Midi IN. Run a second midi cable from the Amp Gizmo Midi OUT to your effects unit Midi IN. Connect the custom cable from the Amp Gizmo to your amplifier floor controller input. For amplifiers with simpler switching you can use the direct connections from the rear of the Amp Gizmo instead of the custom cable.

The Amp Gizmo is also indiscriminate regarding your midi controller though it does not respond to program changes above 120. By default the device responds to program changes on midi channel 1 but this can be altered.

You will need to connect a 9V to 18V power supply capable of feeding 200mA as AC or DC. USA buyers can purchase a suitable power supply from RJM, other countries will need to source their own. I bought a suitable power supply from Jaycar in Melbourne Australia for about $17 AUD.

Press a pedal on your midi floor controller and your effects unit will respond to the program change accordingly. To configure your amplifier settings simply press the relevant controller buttons on the front of your Amp Gizmo. There are four buttons for amplifier channel selection and four to engage/disengage other functions. If you have cabled your setup correctly your amplifier will respond to the buttons you press on the Amp Gizmo.

Once you are satisfied with your settings hit the WRITE button on the Amp Gizmo and hold it down for a few seconds. Next time you send the same program change from your floor controller the Amp Gizmo will pass the previously saved configuration to your amplifier.

The Amp Gizmo is dead easy to configure and it took me longer to cable than it did to have it working efficiently on my five main sounds and patch choices. You can go to www.ampgizmo.com and check to see if there is a custom cable built to suit your amp. If there is not you may find the direct control points will be suitable - email the company for advice.

Mounting

The Amp Gizmo can be fitted to various rack shelves. RJM have tested the device with the UTR1 universal rack shelf made by Middle Atlantic Products as well as the UNS-1 shelf by Raxxess. I ordered a UTR1 from an Australian distributor and mounted the Amp Gizmo above my G-Major in my two space gig rack. The fit is perfect and RJM supply the required screws with the Amp Gizmo. The unit sits to the front of the rack shelf and looks pretty cool.

Quality Construction

The Amp Gizmo feels very solid and hard wearing despite its diminutive size. It is very rugged in build and the buttons and jack points all feel strong and sturdy. The custom cable is likewise sturdily constructed and I would not hesitate to gig with this unit though I may purchase a spare custom cable at some point just because I suffer from paranoia and prefer to have spares of every cable I use following the "n+1" principle where "n" is how many you actually need.

Conclusion

The Amp Gizmo does exactly what the product documentation says it should and does it very well. Configuration is a breeze. Unlike some competing products I wasn't forced to learn any thing more about midi than I already know and the logic of how it works is very appealing. You won't need to shell out for a specific midi controller to take advantage of all the features of the Amp Gizmo enabling you to use existing gear or hunt down a good price for the controller of your choice on E-Bay.

Ron from RJM was a complete gentleman to deal with and answered all my pre sale queries in detail and with patience. The unit was sent from the USA to my home in Melbourne, Australia, within a few short days.

For anyone with a multi channel amp that has other functions like solo boost, effects loop, reverb etc the Amp Gizmo will be an absolute God send. RJM also have a Loop Gizmo which manages pedals and another blend of the two products (amp and loop) called the RG-16 on the way. If they operate anywhere near as logically as the Amp Gizmo then they should find homes in many guitarists live rigs.

Reviewer: Steve Turner
www.SteveTurner.com.au
Steve@steveturner.com.au

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