How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

[SepultuRick]

hi, i am considering buying a yamaha magicstomp box and i have heard its best to get the latest version which is mark 2 or something. on ebay many of the units don't state if they are mark 2 or not. is there a way to tell just be looking? i have seen some black and some purple units. does this have anything to do with model?

also does the magic stomp have headphone socket and a built in noise gate? cheers

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

The purple units are the MagicStomp for Guitar, the black units are either bass or acoustic (not sure which). There is no way to tell other than the UB99MK2 vs. the UB99 model designation on the bottom of the unit.

 

[SepultuRick]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

thanks man, much appreciated. are they magicstomp boxes any good would you say?

i love the fact that it can act as a single stomp box if needed

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

I think the effects in general are all very good, with the reverbs and delays being exceptionally good. Its not the end all and be all of effects, but depending on how you implement it, it is pretty diverse and works great. The amp sims/distortions are pretty lackluster.

It sounds best with a loop that can be bypassed via footswitch (it will digitize the tone just a bit using its own internal bypass - it is really only noticable with bright sounds and it isn't too bad)

Tuner is a average, but works - its very convenient to have it built in.

The power supply is a 12V wall wart, not the standard 9V - just something to be aware of and can be a pain to plug in due to size (such as a power conditioner in a rack)

If you want a variety of great sounding effects that you plan to use in the FX loop of your amp - it is tough to beat.

I have 3 of them, one UB99 and 2 UB99MK2s - the sound quality is the same. The USB software makes it really nice to swap settings between them.

 

[Artie]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

I can't improve on what Binnerscot said, but I'll add this: The MagicStomp really shines in the time-domain effects: reverb, phase, chorus, delay, etc. But I'm not crazy about its distortions. They aren't "bad" per se, but I use a combo of a Boss DS-1, SD-1, a Bad Monkey and a Tubulator to cover my distortions.

The MS is not particularly user friendly either. But once you figure it out, its good points are outstanding. If you can get it at a good price, and you don't mind figuring stuff out, its not a bad unit.

 

[SepultuRick]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

also does the magic stomp have headphone socket and a built in noise gate?

i am torn between the magicstomp and the boss me50 right now

 

[Artie]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

It has both, but I'm not sure if the noise gate can be used independently. Its one of the areas of the manual that isn't clear.

My one gripe of this unit, and many electronic items these days, is you get a 186 page manual, with a 35 page supplement. Sounds comprehensive, right? Only the first 30 pages of the main manual, and two pages of the supplement are English. :headache:

 

[Mononoaware]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

I've got one of the older Magicstomps, and it does not have a headphone jack. No on/off switch, either. To turn it off, you unplug the cord. That may be another way to tell the Mk1 from the Mk2.

 

[Mincer]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

ive heard the bass/acoustic/electric model are actually all the same, with different presets. The cd that comes with it can actually load presets from all 3, so it doesn't matter which one you get.

 

[Kenborrett]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?


Hi
does anyone know how to transfer guitar patches as i have The shadows links to download onto my Yamaha magic stomp box?
i know you need the editor and Usb midi driver which it has on the link i have but it will not transfer across to the effects box.
Advice and help needed as these are fantastic sounds i have listened to them on utube.
Thankyou

 

[Mincer]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

Welcome.

My guess is that the info you need would be in the manual. It would probably involve installing the Magic Stomp USB driver, and patch editor/ librarian, connecting your Magic Stomp via USB, opening up the editor/librarian, and dragging and dropping the presets over. At least that is what I can remember from about 10 years ago when I had mine.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

I always wanted to try one–had a Yamaha Motif that had some pretty cool guitar tones, figured the Magic Stomp may have 'em...I can't try one out and the reviews have been hit or miss on the drives so I wasn't gonna take the gamble for the price. That being said, Yamaha makes great products.

 

[Mincer]

Re: How to tell if a yamaha magicstomp is the latest model by looking?

My issue with the MS was the one second gap between presets. If you have a sound and leave it (like Allan Holdsworth does), it is wonderful. If you switch sounds a lot, not so much.