G-AMP 10: How To Set Up & Use

Introduction

The Rockville GM10 is a compact 10-watt guitar amplifier designed for practice, jamming, and recording. It features clean and drive channels, Bluetooth connectivity, and a headphone jack for silent practice or recording. This guide will walk you through setup, tone adjustments, Bluetooth pairing, and recording options.

What’s Included?

• GM10 amplifier with attached power cable
• Built-in carrying handle for portability

Step 1: Connecting Your Guitar

To connect your guitar to the amplifier:

1. Use a 1/4-inch instrument cable (Do not use speaker cables, as they may cause buzzing noises).
2. Plug one end into the amp’s instrument input.
3. Plug the other end into your guitar’s output jack.

Step 2: Powering On & Adjusting Volume

1. Turn on the amplifier using the power switch.
2. Slowly raise the volume knob on the amp.
3. Adjust the gain knob for additional amplification.
4. Turn up the guitar’s volume knob to hear sound output.

Step 3: Adjusting Tone & Gain

The GM10 features three tone-shaping knobs:

• Treble Knob – Adjusts high frequencies.
  • Higher settings produce a brighter, sharper sound.
  • Lower settings reduce sharpness, giving a warmer tone.
• Bass Knob – Adjusts low frequencies.
  • Higher settings enhance low-end fullness.
  • Lower settings make the tone thinner.
• Gain Knob – Controls how much distortion or crunch is added to your sound.
  • Lower settings provide cleaner tones.
  • Higher settings add distortion, even in clean mode.

Step 4: Switching Between Clean & Drive Channels

The GM10 has two channels:

1. Clean Channel – Produces clear, undistorted tones (good for jazz, pop, and classic rock).
2. Drive Channel – Adds distortion and sustain (ideal for heavy rock, solos, and metal).

To switch:

• Press the Channel Select button to toggle between Clean and Drive.
• Use the Gain knob to fine-tune the amount of distortion in the Drive channel.

Step 5: Using Bluetooth for Music & Jamming

The GM10 includes Bluetooth so you can play backing tracks or music through the amp.

1. Press the Bluetooth button on the amplifier.
2. A light will blink, indicating it is in pairing mode.
3. On your smartphone or tablet, go to Bluetooth settings and search for "GM10".
4. Select GM10 to pair. You will hear a confirmation sound.
5. Play music from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.
6. Adjust volume using your phone or tablet.

This feature is great for practicing along with tracks or using the amp as a Bluetooth speaker.

Step 6: Using the Headphone Jack for Silent Practice & Recording

The GM10 has a headphone output, allowing for silent practice or direct recording.

6.1: Practicing with Headphones

1. Plug headphones into the 3.5mm headphone jack.
2. Adjust the amp’s volume knob for the desired level.

6.2: Recording via Headphone Output

To record directly into a computer or audio interface:

1. Use a 3.5mm-to-dual-1/4" cable.
2. Plug the 3.5mm end into the amp’s headphone jack.
3. Plug the dual 1/4" ends into two channels on an audio interface.
4. Open a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) (GarageBand, FL Studio, etc.).
5. Create two mono tracks or one stereo track.
6. Set the interface input gain and adjust amp settings.

Tip: Use the Clean channel for recording to avoid unwanted fuzziness. You can add distortion later using plugins or amp simulators.

Step 7: Recording with a Microphone (Alternative Method)

Another way to record your GM10 is by miking the amp.

1. Place a dynamic microphone (e.g., SM57) in front of the speaker grille.
2. Connect the mic to an audio interface.
3. Adjust the mic placement to capture different tones.

For a detailed guide, check out Rockville’s "How to Record Your Guitar Amp" video.

Conclusion

The Rockville GM10 is a versatile practice amp with clean and drive channels, Bluetooth streaming, and multiple recording options. Whether you're jamming, practicing privately, or recording, this amp makes it easy and fun to play guitar.