Being a digital device, the G-Force uses A/D (Analog/Digital) converters to translate the analog input signal into digital code, process that code and then translate it back into analog signal again at the output. A/D converters achieve the highest dynamic range when the signal hitting them is as high as possible without becoming too high. Analog tape recorders and mixers often tolerate up to +3dB clipping without sounding bad, but digital equipment should never go above 0dB.
The input level is also important for the Gate, the Envelope Follower or the ADSRs, all of which may depend on precise input level settings. If the audio signal entering the G-Force is higher than when you edited the effects, the Gate will not reduce noise effectively while the Envelope Follower and the ADSRs will trig too easily or incorrectly. If on the other hand the audio signal is too weak the Gate may choke it and the ADSRs may not trig at all.
The input level can change for a number of reasons. Most important is the preamp's level and equalizer settings, but different guitars, pickups and even string gauges may also result in different sound levels. Tube amps may produce different sound levels from day to day depending on the tubes inside (especially old or low-quality tubes can be unreliable).
In order to set the input signal level to an optimal value, the G-Force features an In Level knob on the front panel. The amplification values of this wheel are shown in I/O Setup > Audio, which might be good to know if you need to remember the knob settings, but to see the actual input signal level you must look at the LEDs on the front panel. Try to adjust the Input so that the loudest sounds light up the yellow -3dB LED on the Input level meter but never reaches the red 0dB LED. Sometimes the G-Force Input clips even if the LED does not go red, so listen for any signs of clipping like strange bass or treble noises. If that happens, try to lower the input signal slightly and see if the noises disappear.
Clean sounds are more dynamic and therefore have higher peak levels. In contrast overdriven preamp sounds are more compressed but with higher average levels, which makes them sound stronger despite lower Input level readings. Because of this one must set the G-Force Input level is so that the strongest clean sounds will not make the G-Force clip, even if this may result in a much lower level meter reading for a matching overdriven preamp sound. This should not be a problem though; the dynamics of a distorted (or a compressed) sound are decreased to begin with, so I don't think you'll suffer any loss of sound quality if it doesn't reach the yellow LED range.
The default level for all G-Force effects is 0dB (full level). The manual recommends that you start building a preset by lowering the Gate's or Input block's level with a few dB, so that you have some headroom to use if necessary. If all your presets use the full default level it will be difficult to increase the level of a single preset afterwards. A few emergency solutions for increasing levels are described on the page about combining presets.
If you experience unexpected level differences when bypassing and recalling effect blocks in a preset this might be due to using an incorrect mute mode. If there are level differences between presets it may have to do with how you set wet/dry levels in the Delay, Reverb and Pitch Shift blocks (see "Effects that are added to the dry signal" on the page about routing effect blocks).
In addition to clipping the G-Force Input you may experience internal overflow, which may happen when the effects themselves amplify the signal too much or use too much feedback. This goes especially for the Pitch Shift and some Filter effects like the Resonance filter. Internal overflow in the G-Force is indicated by a little red LED located below the Billboard, but you can easily fail to notice it if the LED just blinks briefly. If you experience internal overflow you must locate its source and lower the appropiate level or feedback values. The offending effect can sometimes be seen in the Mix menu, otherwise try bypassing effect blocks.
Copyright © 1999-2016 Christian Jacobsson.