G-AMP 30: How To Set Up & Use

Introduction

The Rockville G-AMP 30 is a 30-watt guitar combo amplifier designed for practice, jamming, and live performance. It includes:

• Clean & drive channels
• Built-in delay effects
• Bluetooth streaming
• A footswitch for channel switching
• Microphone input
• Headphone jack for silent practice and recording

This guide will walk you through connecting your guitar, adjusting tone and effects, using Bluetooth, recording options, and more.

What’s Included?

• G-AMP 30 amplifier with attached power cable
• Footswitch for switching between clean and drive channels
• Built-in carrying handle

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 guitar input on the amplifier.
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 G-AMP 30 features three tone-shaping knobs:

• Bass Knob – Adjusts low frequencies.
  • Higher settings produce a fuller, deeper sound.
  • Lower settings reduce bass for a brighter tone.
• Mid Knob – Controls midrange frequencies, which affect body and presence.
  • Higher settings enhance warmth.
  • Lower settings create a scooped sound, common in metal.
• Treble Knob – Adjusts high frequencies.
  • Higher settings produce a sharp, bright tone.
  • Lower settings reduce sharpness, giving a warmer tone.

Gain Knob (For Clean & Drive Channels)

• Adjusts the amount of distortion or crunch in your sound.
• In clean mode, increasing gain adds light overdrive.
• In drive mode, increasing gain adds heavier distortion, great for rock, metal, and solos.

Step 4: Switching Between Clean & Drive Channels

The G-AMP 30 has two channels:

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

How to Switch Between Channels

• 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.
• Use the included footswitch for hands-free switching:
  1. Plug the footswitch into the Footswitch input on the amp.
  2. Press the footswitch to switch between Clean and Drive.

Tip: The footswitch is useful for live performances, allowing smooth transitions between rhythm and lead tones.

Step 5: Using the Built-In Delay Effect

The G-AMP 30 includes a built-in delay unit for added depth and ambiance.

Adjusting Delay Settings:

• Time Knob: Controls the length of the delay effect.
• Repeat Knob: Adjusts how many times the delay repeats.

Examples:

• Short time + low repeat = Slapback delay (for rockabilly or blues).
• Long time + high repeat = Traditional delay (for solos and ambient playing).

Step 6: Using the Microphone Input

The G-AMP 30 has a 1/4-inch microphone input, allowing you to sing and play guitar simultaneously.

Connecting a Microphone:

1. Use a 1/4-inch to XLR cable (or a standard 1/4-inch microphone cable).
2. Plug the mic into the Mic input on the amplifier.
3. Raise the Mic Level knob to adjust volume.

Note: The delay and gain effects only affect the guitar—the microphone runs clean.

Step 7: Using Bluetooth for Music & Jamming

The G-AMP 30 includes Bluetooth, allowing you to play backing tracks or music through the amp.

How to Pair a Bluetooth Device:

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 "G-AMP 30".
4. Select G-AMP 30 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 8: Using the Headphone Jack for Silent Practice & Recording

The G-AMP 30 has a headphone output, allowing for silent practice or direct recording.

8.1: Practicing with Headphones

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

8.2: 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 9: Recording with a Microphone (Alternative Method)

Another way to record your G-AMP 30 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 G-AMP 30 is a versatile practice amp with clean and drive channels, built-in delay effects, Bluetooth streaming, and multiple recording options. Whether you're jamming, performing, or recording, this amp makes it easy and fun to play guitar.