GT-8, XT Live, Digitech GNX 3000, KorgAX...........?

[bubchronic]

Hi,
I'm shopping for new floor effects. Anybody have any owner opinions of plus and minuses?
I am planning to test as many as possible this weekend.

[indysmith]

multi effects are no good - i'd rather reccommend getting a few choice boo-teek pedals that do the sounds you need.

[tewboss]

generally single effects units are better, but they can be a pain (buffered inputs, true-bypass problems etc) to set up. I've heard of people using the Boss GT8 for amps that don't have effects loops.

[willo]

multi effects are no good - i'd rather reccommend getting a few choice boo-teek pedals that do the sounds you need.

well, with all respect not all people have the money to get those boutique units. I bought a Korg AX1500G a few years back and it cost roughly the price of the Teese wah I'm currently looking at buying.

Anyway, this isn't the time for a debate on the pro's/cons of multi fx versus boutique, we all know the things multi fx are good for. The Korg - which I believe has since been upgraded with a newer model, I believe - was OK. It covered a lot of ground. It was definitely quite easy to be creative with and had lots of space to store your patches in, and the interface was easy to work with. I really wasn't too keen on the distortions, though. Also, I would be wary of giving an opinion on the tone of it simply because my rig has changed so much since then - different amp, different guitar, different FX - hell I even write different music nowadays! So whilst at the time the Korg was fine for my needs I can't really give a good comparison of it compared to my current set up, so much has changed!

Anyway, I think Bill Frisell used the GT8 for a while, and he has great tone...

Hope that can be of some help, though.

[Jonesy]

The Digitech 300R Artist is a nice unti. Lots of very usebae (and some gorgeous) tones and you can adjust them all. I recoment u check it out 8)

Quite easy on the wallet aswell...

[Searcher]

If you're after effects, go for the GT-8.  If you want amp modelling, the Vox ToneLab SE is the best out there.  For a good compromise between the two worlds, the POD Live probably isn't bad.

I dislike the Digitech stuff.  I've owned Digitech multi-effects and trialed a GNX pedal, which I returned.  The sound is more "digital" and processed than any of the others I've used.  And I have used pretty much every amp modeller and the like that there is, starting way back with the SansAmp stuff.

[Dakine]

I have a GT8 and love it.

[Tinus]

Although I'm not into multifx myself (although I owned a Korg AX30G for a few years mid '90ies) I a/b different types with different players a lot because I work in a guitar store. My two pennies worth are:

+ Boss ME50: If you're after an easy to control unit that doesn't need alot of programming and will cover most ground this one might fit your bill. However if you want to program to the ms this isn't what you're looking for. The OD sounds are not very special but adequate enough for most players. I've not tested tge GT8 that much so I don't have an opinion on it.

+ VOX Tonelab SE: as already mentioned IMO the best amp sim / OD sounds out there. The rest of the fx is adequate at least and quite good in average. However it's a very big unit and not cheap. Best used in front of a nice amp which works better than straight into the board IMO.

+ PodXT Live: quite similar to the VOX although it's better at heavier distorted sounds whereas the VOX unit excels at crunch / slightly overdriven sounds. The mod and delay sections are good although for older style sounds I prefer the VOX. The PodXT however seems to have better speaker sims so it's a good one if you'd like to DI it or use it for silent recording.

I dislike the ZOOM units (2.1, 7.1, 9.1) cause they seem hard to program and don't sound that great, but remember that's just my personal opinion.

[Kilby]

Personally I would vote for a Vox / Korg multi Fx unit rather than the Line 6 or Boss units.

Rob...

[Tinus]

Although I'm not into multifx myself (although I owned a Korg AX30G for a few years mid '90ies) I a/b different types with different players a lot because I work in a guitar store. My two pennies worth are:

+ Boss ME50: If you're after an easy to control unit that doesn't need alot of programming and will cover most ground this one might fit your bill. However if you want to program to the ms this isn't what you're looking for. The OD sounds are not very special but adequate enough for most players. I've not tested tge GT8 that much so I don't have an opinion on it.

+ VOX Tonelab SE: as already mentioned IMO the best amp sim / OD sounds out there. The rest of the fx is adequate at least and quite good in average. However it's a very big unit and not cheap. Best used in front of a nice amp which works better than straight into the board IMO.

+ PodXT Live: quite similar to the VOX although it's better at heavier distorted sounds whereas the VOX unit excels at crunch / slightly overdriven sounds. The mod and delay sections are good although for older style sounds I prefer the VOX. The PodXT however seems to have better speaker sims so it's a good one if you'd like to DI it or use it for silent recording.

I dislike the ZOOM units (2.1, 7.1, 9.1) cause they seem hard to program and don't sound that great, but remember that's just my personal opinion.

[Johnny Mac]

multi effects are no good - i'd rather reccommend getting a few choice boo-teek pedals that do the sounds you need.

 :roll:

[indysmith]

multi effects are no good - i'd rather reccommend getting a few choice boo-teek pedals that do the sounds you need.

 :roll:

What? If you need thousands of weak sounds and shitety fake sounding weak effects go with a multi-fx for £200. Otherwise why not just get what you need and sound good for £200?

[Dakine]

#1 my GT8 is NOT weak by ANY shape or form

#2 try buying several, let alone more than ONE bootique pedal with change for 200 quid.

Horses for courses.

Just cos it's costly and everyone says it's "the best" don't mean cr@p.

Case in point, all keep on about tube amp this and tube amp that. Darrell Abbott for one got ALL his fame and recognition from SS.

If EVERYONE sounded like evryone else it would be pretty DAMN boring. Everyone deserves their own tone/sound, how they come about that, thats the fun part and up to them.

[Johnny Mac]

multi effects are no good - i'd rather reccommend getting a few choice boo-teek pedals that do the sounds you need.

 :roll:

What? If you need thousands of weak sounds and shitety fake sounding weak effects go with a multi-fx for £200. Otherwise why not just get what you need and sound good for £200?

£200 is about the price for 1.5 boutique pedals. A bit more can get you a ME, which to an audience isn't going to make a slighteset bit of difference unless your playing to a crowd of tone freaks which isn't likely! Multi effects serve gigging musicians well as they have the scope for lots of different sounds which equates into different songs by different bands I.E a covers band. My mate in Whole Lotta Led, A Zepp tribute band uses a Rocktron unit midi'd into his Marshall Pre Amp and all the tones are there at one touch. I'm sure Vox's tonelabs didn't sound shitety or weak when i had a go one one.

[Dakine]

I guess if you are a non-drinking age millionaire who can throw money at anything with a designer pricetag it's ok.
But for the "swiss army knife" a multi-effect is a godsend.

Again, what will happen in years to come when someone becomes rich and famous and it turns out they were using a PodXt OMG, the shame! LOL
Oh nope, it will make PodXt's rare and coverted won't it LOL.

Most people who have ever played in a "Pub" setting will tell ya, space aint great so a clear floor is a dream. Multi-effects provide this and the quick (ish) ability to change sound and therefore play what you are getting paid for (wether it be in money or BEER  :twisted: ) is a godsend.