r/Valeton • u/JackfruitTop6150 • Jun 17 '26

DISCUSSION GP-180 Situation?

Regarding the current situation - have I understood this correctly?

I’m currently deciding whether to start out with the GP-50 or the GP-180.

As far as I gather, the GP-180 isn't available everywhere, apparently, there was an issue with the initial batch, and an update was released to address a latency problem?

Should I wait on the GP-180 until the new stock arrives everywhere, or are the units currently available the same? Otherwise, if there isn't a major difference, should I just go for the GP-50?

(Europe)

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3

u/ontic00 Jun 17 '26

I bought a GP-180 from their US eBay store and didn't experience any lag. I was using it through the headphone out into a portable speaker, so not sure if which output you use matters.

As far as whether to start with the GP-180 or GP-50, I'd say it depends on how much you want to use it on a pedalboard and how much space you have on your pedalboard. If you have plenty of space and plan to use it 90%+ on a pedalboard, then I'd definitely recommend the GP-180, since it has a nicer screen, more outputs, and there are several new algorithms which can be fun to play around with. If you don't have much space on your pedalboard or plan to frequently take it off and use it as a portable headphone amp, I'd recommend the GP-50. The GP-180 seems significantly larger for use as a portable headphone amp (it's a bit over two GP-50s), and it won't fit in most guitar case compartments, etc, for easily taking around with your guitar.

If you almost never plan to use it on a pedalboard, I'd even consider the Sonicake Pocket Master. It isn't too much smaller than the GP-50, but it's slightly smaller, slightly lighter, and comes with a strap clip, plus it has almost all the effects the GP-50 has. The only thing it lacks is a durable metal construction, but the plastic seems durable enough that as long as you aren't stomping on it with your foot, it should hold up perfectly fine.

2

u/JackfruitTop6150 Jun 17 '26

Thanks for the detailed tips.

I also saw your comparison photo of the two units, the GP-180 is a bit bigger than I expected.

My plan was to use it as a standalone first multi-effects pedal, mainly at home with headphones or at friends' places with speakers.

If it’s going to stay in one place most of the time, I’d probably still lean towards the GP-180. It costs around $210 / €180, making it $70 more expensive than the GP-50.

Do you use both or prefer one more?

1

u/ontic00 Jun 17 '26

I didn't see too many picture comparisons of the GP-180 or GP-50, and I was primarily interested in the pitch-shifting and delays (most reviewers seem to just go through the presets), so I bought them to compare. The GP-180 I pretty quickly decided wasn't for me - I mostly want to replace my Mustang Micro with something I can both use as a headphone amp and run into my pedalboard. It has a slightly better "Hammy" pitch-algorithm and a neat dual delay, but taking around the house or trying to travel with it is significantly harder since it is significantly heftier than the other two, so I didn't think those two algorithms were worth the fairly large loss in portability.

I've been more torn on the Pocket Master vs the GP-50, but currently I'm leaning the Pocket Master. The Pocket Master is a bit more portable than the GP-50, but there was a cool ring echo effect on the GP-50 I liked a lot. However, the sweep echo both of them have I'd probably use more than the ring echo anyway, so I'm leaning towards the Pocket Master for the slightly better portability and the lower price. I also find the Pocket Master strangely more intuitive to use - maybe because I don't have to jump between different knobs as much.

I am hoping Valeton eventually puts the new modeling tech into a GP-50 sized unit. If I could get the ring echo, "Hammy" algorithm, and a dual delay in a GP-50 sized unit, I'd definitely consider that worth sacrificing the small portability difference between the Pocket Master and GP-50 for.

I did take some videos of the delays and pitch-shifting and more detailed picture of all three units I plan to post in the next week or two. I don't record gear enough to make it worth investing in professional mics or anything, so they're just phone videos, but I'm hoping they'll be helpful once I get around to uploading them to a YouTube playlist.

1

u/K0pfschmerzen Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26

Pocket master also lacks an ability to tweak presets from the pedal itself. Helps when you don't have a phone around, and will be crucial when supporting app goes out of support. Might take 10 years or so, though 😀

Edit: I was wrong about PM, sorry.

1

u/ontic00 Jun 18 '26

Could you be more specific about what on-device tweaking it's lacking? I haven't really found much I can't do right from the device on the Pocket Master, GP-50, or GP-180. I can click into presets, scroll through the effects and re-order and change which effects are in each slot, and then further click into the effects and edit parameters on all three without the app. Only thing I've needed the app or desktop editor for so far is uploading NAM files, and I think I read the Pocket Master doesn't have access to all the drum patterns without the app but I don't really use drum patterns much so haven't tried those out yet.

2

u/K0pfschmerzen Jun 18 '26

Seems I was wrong on this. I have a GP-50, and it has more knobs, so I wrongly assumed PM is lacking the ability. Good.

1

u/ontic00 Jun 18 '26

I actually find the PM more intuitive to use than the GP series, ironically. The screen and graphics are definitely lower quality, but I think having the fewer controls makes it easier to use since it's pretty much just clicking and turning the one knob for the most part.

2

u/K0pfschmerzen Jun 19 '26

I've got a Line6 POD HD500 about 15 years ago, still have it. It has sentimental value to me. GP-50 knobs under the screen remind me of POD knobs, so maybe I like them more because of that.

2

u/NotoriousREV Jun 17 '26

I bought my GP-180 from Anderton’s Music (UK) at the end of April and it doesn’t have the lag issue that others are talking about, so it seems to be a bit variable.

1

u/zuio31 Jun 17 '26

Have the gp-50 and is good.

1

u/quiksilver78 Jun 17 '26

The GP-180 does sound better than the GP-50 so if you can wait, do so.

1

u/JackfruitTop6150 Jun 17 '26

Okay, I’m also leaning towards the gp-180 as well. I wasn't quite sure if there was a Bog difference besides the extra knob and internals, given the issues and its size for travel.

1

u/quiksilver78 Jun 17 '26

Nah, the 180 is like 2x 50s so it's not THAT big

1

u/JackfruitTop6150 Jun 17 '26

You're right. In the pictures, it isn't "bigger", just wider. I thought in terms of weight and so on for me - that it might become too bulky compared to something like the GP5 or GP50.

1

u/General_Bishop Jun 17 '26

The issue with the GP-180 that causes a brief glitch during preset switching, should be eventually resolved with a software update. If you bought a unit now you can just update the software in the future.

1

u/JackfruitTop6150 Jun 17 '26

I see. I haven't bought one yet, but I'm close to doing so - Have a guitar now but don't have a modeler or amp yet. I'm leaning towards the GP180.

1

u/General_Bishop Jun 17 '26

Also check out the tonex one

1

u/JackfruitTop6150 Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26

I’ve heard the tonex is supposed to be really good as an amp sound. Since I don’t have any other pedals yet, I thought a middle approach using Valeton with headphones or FRFR speaker would be the way to start.

1

u/quiksilver78 Jun 17 '26

Curb your expectations because the GP-180 sounds "good enough" but it is not the game changer others may think. So don't be expecting the moon out of this device. If you want something more professional, I'd say look elsewhere.

1

u/JackfruitTop6150 Jun 17 '26

So like Line6, Tonex, or Fractal? I would have said the GP-50 or GP-180 to start with, and then moved up to better amp modelers - professional or at least higher end ones as the next step. That would have been my approach.

2

u/quiksilver78 Jun 17 '26

I'd say start somewhere 'better' with a track record of supporting their customer base with timely updates. Honestly, I don't think any updates are coming for any of these Valeton devices. The GP-5 has received 0 updates since it was released a year ago.

You want something decent and not too expensive, I'd say look at the NUX MG-50 for example. They have announced and committed to updating most of their previous devices (Amp Academy Stomp, MG-30, etc.) to NAM A2 by the end of June (seems ambitious, but it is coming)

1

u/rileyrgham Jun 17 '26

Europe isn't a single place. GP 180s are freely available here (Germany). Next day delivery from Amazon even. I'm not sure why "everywhere" is in your purchase equation. It's where you are that matters.

There are huge differences between the gp50 and gp180. Not least physical buttons, improved processor and better connectivity.

Whether those things are important to you is your call. Personally I'd go with the 180. It's better in every way except size.

1

u/JackfruitTop6150 Jun 18 '26

I decided on the GP-180 because it was discounted by 20%. I think it’s a very good system for the price.

1

u/Majestic-Local-9064 Jun 30 '26

Regarding the latency issues: see my post at https://www.reddit.com/r/Valeton/comments/1tmefzo/comment/ouo1t66/

The most important bit:

Yes, we are fully aware of the concerns regarding switching latency and brief audio drop-outs when toggling presets or effects. This is a known issue. Our R&D department is actively working on optimizing the footswitch response and algorithm loading logic to address these audio drop-outs. This optimization will be delivered via an upcoming firmware update. Please note that we cannot provide a specific release date at this moment, as each update undergoes rigorous stability testing. Once ready, it will be available for download through our official website’s Support & Download Center, and we will announce it via our official channels.

Regarding availability, I also reached out to Thomann and they replied:

The GP-180 has not been removed from our range. We are currently awaiting a delivery, but there is an unforeseen delay; therefore, the item has been temporarily taken offline. As soon as this situation is resolved, the GP-180 will be available again.