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Author
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Topic: Genesis 3 problems
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Billy Murdoch
Member From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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posted 06 March 2004 11:00 AM
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I have been very keen to get a Genesis 3 for quite some time.I live in the U.K. and they are fairly expensive here,somewhwere in the region of $400.
I managed to remain patient for a while and finally purchased one online from a store in California for $123 brand new in box.The shipping was $40.
My first shock was the import tax and handling Her Majestys customs charged me,about $56
my second shock was that the item was not working properly,it is impossible to set the effects and the program name and number keep flashig and changing all the time.
My third shock was to find out that Digitech will only honour the warranty in the Country in which the item was purchased.
They were very helpful in their suggestions over the 'net but all they were telling me was how to reset the device and to ensure I was using the correct volage supply unit.
On contacting their agent in England for service and repair I was quoted an approximate charge for fixing even though they had never seen a Genesis 3.That will be at least another £95 including postage.This is getting closer to the $400 mentioned at the beginning of my tale.
I think someone somewhere does not want me to sound like B.E.
I'll keep you posted on the final outcome.
Watch this space. |
Dennis Detweiler
Member From: Solon, Iowa, US
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posted 06 March 2004 11:10 AM
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Voltage changes could be causing this? Possibly a computer stip would insure consistent voltage? I bought a used one that still had the 1.0 version. I was having problems with parameters changing at any given time. I upgraded via Digitech website to 1.4 version and it works fine now.
Dennis |
Paul Osbty
Member From: Seattle, Washington, USA
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posted 06 March 2004 12:15 PM
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What are you using for a power supply? The "write" cycle for saving greatly increases the current draw.This unit needs 9 Volts AC (not DC) and 2.1 amps. Your 50Hz power shouldn't be a problem. I would contact your UK rep again and purchase Digitech's UK power supply. |
Nicholas Dedring
Member From: Brooklyn, New York, USA
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posted 06 March 2004 01:12 PM
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The Genesis 3 has a problem with certain firmware versions. The firmware is updateable; I remember running across certain problems when I read harmony-central reviews of the box...
http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/DigiTech/Genesis_3-01.html This discusses some of the firmware problems. You can check the digitech site for firmware updates. Apparently version 1.0 and some other firmware installs had big problems with parameters changing and flashing displays. You should only need to get onto digitechs site, and load the update... you reset the genesis 3, with the update, and you should be fixed up perfectly. Of course, if you already have current firmware (no guarantee comes from purchase date... different shipping lots had changing firmware, but what you get might be from older stock)... if you have the latest firmware installed already, then you have a bigger problem. |
Billy Murdoch
Member From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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posted 06 March 2004 05:11 PM
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Grntlemen,many thanks for your replys.
I appear to have version1.2.I use the 110v ac power supply unit which I recieved with the Genesis,I plug this into a 220>110 transformer which I have used to power other equipment purchased in the U.S.A.
With regard to downloading from the Digitech site,I am surprised that the service people I was corresponding with did not suggest this.
To be honest I do'nt know how to download firmware,I guess it would involve some more expense getting the right cables.Is it worth a try?
Thanks
Billy |
Dennis Detweiler
Member From: Solon, Iowa, US
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posted 06 March 2004 08:49 PM
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Billy,
You have to purchase the cables to download the upgrade from a computer. I had a our local music store upgrade it for me. Cost $35
Dennis |
Nicholas Dedring
Member From: Brooklyn, New York, USA
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posted 06 March 2004 09:20 PM
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Firmware doesn't cost anything. Anything that does firmware updating will typically do it for free...
http://www.digitech.com/software.htm This link is for the page that has the software you will need. Looks like it plugs in via midi, so you'll need to have that capability on your pc. I was thinking about getting a Gen3 a while ago, and looked into this while I was shopping. If I remember right, you need to download the GenEdit software, and the Genesis 3 v1.4 firmware update. GenEdit allows you to update the firmware on your box; it also allows you to make and/or edit all the presets on your PC, which seems like it's easier than doing it on the unit itself. I figured it was the firmware, since the stuff that you had problems with were problems I had seen in reviews of the box, that people reported were fixed with an update. I don't remember which version was the earliest full fix, but this one surely should do it, if it just a firmware problem. If the unit turns on, and doesn't fry, it's hard to believe it's the power supply... Executive summary: go to the link. yes, it's free.  [This message was edited by Nicholas Dedring on 06 March 2004 at 09:22 PM.] |
Billy Murdoch
Member From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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posted 11 March 2004 07:14 AM
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Hi Again,
Just to give you an update,
I sent the genesis to the U.K.service people a few days ago and I am awaiting their findings. |
Billy Murdoch
Member From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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posted 01 April 2004 09:34 AM
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Alls well that ends well. I hope.
I got the unit back yesterday and the problem was a couple of pots,I gave it a brief try using the six stringer and it appears to be ok.I am ready to give it a test with the steel tonight.
I really must say I was very disappointed that a Digitech product should fail to perform straight from the box,it has cost me an additional 60% to put it in working order.
Now for the hard bit.how long before I sound like Buddy? |
Brad Sarno
Member From: St. Louis, MO USA
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posted 01 April 2004 10:04 AM
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I believe that there were many problems with the Genesis III regarding pots and switch contacts. Perhaps that's why all the heavy discounting of price. Mine had a bad delay tap button. For the money they're hard to beat (when they work). They're not the quietest unit out there but they're extremely tweakable and the models aren't that bad either. I had one and had to return it because of the bad button. I then tried a PODxt and haven't looked back. Brad Sarno |
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