Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

B

B2D

SDUGF Riffologist Supremö
Hey folks. I'm thinking of streamlining my pedalboard in the near future. This is my current board (shown in mid-rework):

fullsizeoutput_2703.jpg

I was thinking of adding in something like a Musicomlab MkV to handle patch switching among the DD500 and MD500 as well as switching some of the other pedals and the channels on my amp with one of the relays.

And then I thought, rather than that, why don't I just use a Fractal AX8 to handle all of that, and then still keep some of my favorite pedals out front? It'll cut down on tap-dancing and the number of connections for sure.

I'll probably still keep most of my stand-alone pedals for a B-board or studio use, but for a versatile, streamlined gigging pedalboard I'm thinking this might be the way to go.

Thoughts?
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

I use an AX8, which is sort of similar. The FX8 might not replace your POG, as it gets sounds that are close but not exact. It should replace everything else nicely, though, and sound quiet to boot.
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

Mincer said:
I use an AX8, which is sort of similar. The FX8 might not replace your POG, as it gets sounds that are close but not exact. It should replace everything else nicely, though, and sound quiet to boot.
Click to expand...

I suspected as much. The POG, Spark, and maybe the comp will stay on, and I can route any "special" stuff in through the FX8's loops.
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

Fractal's compressors are really really good, btw.
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

What would you keep on the board? Any interest in the HX Effects?

Those pedals could probably be replaced with a good multieffects pretty effectively. Drives I’d be leery of, but you’d be exchanging two companies versions of mod and ambience with another’s.
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

I’d probably keep my drive pedals, my wah and maybe my gate.

I’ve tried many Line 6 effects units, and I always wind up being disappointed in them.
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

The wahs in the Fractal are really good. The effects, as a whole, are much better than any Line 6 unit I've owned, and I've owned a lot.
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

Interesting, I like the Line 6 delays a lot. But I’m looking for “effected” delay sounds.
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

Fractal effects are very good, L6 HX stuff is also good. Any of those would work for live gigs. Something like the ES8 would work for a switching system with individual pedals but with these mfx units you wont have to deal with many patch cables or power cables/supplies.

I have a boss gt10 mfx that i prefer for gigs with songs that require lot of switching & specific changes, that thing doesnt compare to these modern units you are looking at in terms of sound quality but yeah it does makes performance alot more easier/streamlined for me & its less gear to carry.
Even though its an old unit today, it does have lots of personalization options in it. The way i use is not very different from using a pedalboard either. I have a few basic patches for straightforward songs, wherein at a given time i can switch to stomp mode & have 6 onboard switches to turn an effect on/off & two onboard control switches to carry out specific changes to the parameters of an effect block or blocks. Other times I use patches with different signal chain layout or song based. It helps alot in live settings, so i can focus on my playing more & not have to bend down and alter the settings manually for pedals between songs.

So if you have lot of elaborate changes to occur mid song or want to reduce carrying gear & setup time then the FX8 or HX are helpful options available to use with an amp. These have more than one loop so you can plug your favourite stompbox in them & move them around in the signal path too.
 
Re: Any FX8 users here? Thinking of streamlining my pedalboard setup.

^^^ Thanks for the input.

Sometimes I wonder if what I really want is a switching system to change the DD500 presets/bypass via MIDI outside of a loop and then save the loops for mod stuff and channel switching. I don't really like getting into these menus where you can change low and hi cutoff and deep stuff like that. I like having a specific pedal and then sticking with it for a while.

I bought that MD500 for a screamin' deal and I seem to stick with chorus, vibe, tremolo, and the occasional dip into something like a phaser, Leslie sim or a weird thing like a Ring Mod. The FX8 could certainly emulate all of those (with a possible exception to the Vibe as i prefer the sound of photocell circuits) and then some and save me the trouble of MIDI setup as well.

The idea of being able to dip out of presets and go into 'manual' mode where I treat the individual switches like pedals appeals as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top