Which multi FX?

[Doadman]

So I now have a guitar I love with fantastic pups installed; next I need to get the best sound I can from them. I've decided that as I don't really play in large spaces (home user) the best route for me to take is with a multi FX unit of some sort. I'd like this system to offer me an all in one solution to my guitar needs so I'm looking for some excellent amp models that will run from clean to very high gain as well as a good range of high quality effects.

[Woogie]

Boss GT8 by far. I have one and its great!

[Mr Ed]

I vote for "none".

If you want, and I quote, the "best sound" from your pickups then you should spend your money wisely, even if that means saving up, and buy individual stompboxes.

[Woogie]

Just because its digital doesn't make it bad.

Its more flexible than single stomps and you don't need to change the knobs for every song!

I know a guy who plays alot of shows and uses a GT8 direct. He traded in his 2 Soldano SLO100's and his rack setup for it.

I use mine with a tube amp, od models into my amps od channel to give it a boost and its awesome. Think how many stomp boxes you'd need!

Oh yeah, I`ve still got an MXR ZW, Boss BF-2 (Japan black label) and I`m going to invest in a metal muff, but the GT8 is my main gigging weapon with the my tube amp.

Alot of people don't spend enough time with these multi fx units. It takes time to match the levels and get it all right but its worth it. 1 power supply, no pedal board required. These aren't plug and play units.

The Pod XT is the worst because all the preamps sound the same!! I`d say GT8, Tonelab, Digitech, Pod.

[Bird]

The GT-8 and XT live are about dead even on Harmony Central review ( more reviews for XT though). I had the Pod 2.0 for quite a while and thought it was great, used it with mbox PT LE. I didn't plug my amp in for almost 2 years. One day I decided to try out the amp and very quickly came to the conclusion that the Pod sounds like cr@p by comparison. After hearing only the Pod for so long the differences between the two seemed very significant. That said you can still get sounds out of them that will sit well in  a mix. And your audience doesn't care, and can't tell the difference anyway.  

I now use an Axetrak for recording my guitars.
 :twisted:

[Crazy_Joe]

I don't like modellers, really takes away the 'signature sound' of your pups and replaces it with something more artificial.

I have tried various Line 6 products and the only one worth buying is the Pod XT and even then i think it is a rip off for what your getting.

Usually with modellers you will be able to find about 2 or 3 good sounds and then the rest is shitee. If i were you i would save for a proper amp, or at least a mini one like an Orange Tiny Terror or something, at least that way you will be able to appreciate the sound of your pickups more.

[Doadman]

I'm going the MFX route because I don't have a tube amp and as I play in the home, it's impractical to get one as I'll never drive it hard enough to use properly. I admit it may not provide me with 'perfect' tone but realistically, these days such systems are very good indeed. I'm hoping to test each of these units in a couple of weeks but thought it might be useful to get some opinions first. From what I've read so far the GT8 sounds great but can be very fiddly to use; the Pod XT Live is also very good but can be a bit 'fizzy'; I've not read much on the Tonelab LE but I know the old one wasn't too good on high gain sounds and the GNX3000 seems broadly good at everything.

[Crazy_Joe]

Out of the modellers i have heard, Vox sounds pretty damn good.

[38thBeatle]

I have no idea about comparing the models you are looking at.I have a friend who has a GT8 and it was very very good and he is a pro player. I can see your point about it providing the answer to your requirements. I have a multi f/x unit (Korg AX1500G) and I do use it for practice but prefer the sound of my amp (Laney VC30).Out of interest, I got the Korg as I play in a covers band and the range of sounds required makes it a practical compromise and I have a looper to remove it from the chain to use pure amp tone when required. Maybe at some point you could get a small valve amp and that, with whatever multi you get, will provide hours of fun.

[shaman]

owned the xt live...sold it to fund a tc G system..much happier because of the time based effects and filter on G system...did not use the modeler(can get there with my boog and marsh)more $$$, but it was well worth it for me-   +1 for the xt live in terms of recording-I recently recorded a 15 song original cd and played a Taylor thru the XT Live and the sound was lush-many locals have commented on the tone-sounded a lot more complex than what it was(acoustic-------unit-----boss dig recorder)I havent been able to capture that exact tone since

[Adam.M]

I'd say the vox, it's the most natural sounding of the lot, at least for an amp sim & effects package.

[BloodMountain]

i never agreed with multi effects thingys, especially Line 6 which are a but boring - no life to the sound.

i've heard great things about the Tonelab, but why ask us? i would never spend money based on other people's opinion.... try them out!

[TwilightOdyssey]

Eventide is coming out with two multi-effect stomp boxes, one delay and one modulation. I would use those over a BOSS or similar any day of the week. However, I've yet to try the Eventides. I plan on auditioning them soon!!


PS - They are expensive.

[apmaman]

Vox Tonelab seems to be the best one for sound quality. For sheer amount of effects the GT-8 scoops the 1st place.

I would try out those two and just pick the one you like the most

[Bird]

I imagine the Eventides will have a hefty price tag to go along with the great sounds.  :(