Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

[VergDan]

Hi, I have a mini power amp and a cab at home. I'd like to keep my home rig fairly simple, so I'm looking for a multi effect to use as a preamp.

I play mainly higher gain stuff, and I'd like the multi effect to have an expression pedal, and also not so expensive like the Helix, etc. It's a practice rig, sounds passable is good enough.

Any suggestions?

 

[DankStar]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Once the ampero and mooer ge250 prices come down I’m gonna be all over one of ‘em. Clips of both have me impressed.

Don’t forget the line 6 pod go is coming out - cheaper helix basically

 

[devastone]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Mooer GE100, Zoom G3, Digitech RP360, lots out there.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Keep in mind that here is a pretty big difference in feel and sound from the dirt cheap ones to even ones a few hundred more.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

I'd say the Zoom G3N with the pedal would work great.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

An ART SGX2000 can be had for a song these days. With the two-pedal controller.

That ART stuff is awful!
Actually, that is harsh. The reverbs, delays, and chorus is fine. The actual preamp sounds like ass. It is why we still describe digital things sounding like a 'can of bees'. That isn't true of modern devices, but ART stuff was awful, even for the time.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

I would rather look for a 1st generation POD, which is light years better than anything ART ever made.

 

[devastone]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Question for the OP, what is affordable?

The Amplifrebox is great for the price at $299.
https://atomicamps.com/amplifirebox/

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Zoom's G1X Four is cheap ($99)..sounds really awesome/easy to use & has the expression pedal...love mine :bigthumb:

 

[VergDan]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Thank you all very much for the suggestions.

In fact, I have the Zoom G1Xon and G1X Four right now.

G1Xon has a power amp in output mode so it can be used as a preamp, but it sounds a little thin. While the G1x Four (and I believe the whole newer range of Zoom) is designed to go straight into the front of a clean amp (and sounds excellent). All of its amp models sound muffled going into a power amp, just like a distortion pedal would.

That's why I came here. I would say my budget is below 300 US dollars. I was torn between Boss GT1, Mooer GE250 and the Hotone ampero.

 

[devastone]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

All of those are solid choices, I think the GT1 is pretty much the GT-100 models so they may be a little dated vs the other ones, but aren't bad, I used a GT-100 for years and use the GT-1000 now. The Mooer micro preamps that I've tried sound really good. Don't know anything about the Ampero, but Hotone makes some great stuff.

I would say you can get good results from any of those, just pick one and run with it.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Hi, I have a mini power amp and a cab at home. I'd like to keep my home rig fairly simple, so I'm looking for a multi effect to use as a preamp.

I play mainly higher gain stuff, and I'd like the multi effect to have an expression pedal, and also not so expensive like the Helix, etc. It's a practice rig, sounds passable is good enough.

Any suggestions?

Where do you live? I can sell you my Rocktron Voodu Valve.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

While the G1x Four (and I believe the whole newer range of Zoom) is designed to go straight into the front of a clean amp (and sounds excellent). All of its amp models sound muffled going into a power amp, just like a distortion pedal would.

Are you using a cab block? Have you enable the mic in the cab block? I think it's not enable in any presets.

 

[VergDan]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Are you using a cab block? Have you enable the mic in the cab block? I think it's not enable in any presets.

No I'm running it through a V30 cab so I didn't use any cab block in my presets. The amp models sound fine in front of a clean amp, but sound muffled going through a power amp as I said.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Sorry, was thinking you were going to a PA cab. Looks like the G1 Four doesn't have enough output to drive your power amp. What power amp do you have? How many volts does it need for input?
Zoom is +2dBu output level, so check the input sensitivity of your power amp.

 

[VergDan]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Sorry, was thinking you were going to a PA cab. Looks like the G1 Four doesn't have enough output to drive your power amp. What power amp do you have? How many volts does it need for input?
Zoom is +2dBu output level, so check the input sensitivity of your power amp.

The volume is fine, it's actually huge for bedroom use, so I don't think output is the problem. I've run the G1Xfour through my Orange Micro Dark's Fx return (solid state class AB power amp), Orange Rocker 15 terror's Fx return (EL84 power amp) and Mooer baby bomb power amp, the results are the same, muffled sound.

I've run the G1Xon through all of them and it sounds fine because it has a power amp in mode, that's why I believed the G1XFour is designed to go into the front of an amp, because distortion pedals also sound muffled when you plug it into an power amp as they're designed to go into the front of an amp.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Looks like there's a certain limit of what you can do with a $100 piece of gear

 

[Aceman]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Yeah - just go Boss.

If my Roland Cube could be a pedal it would be awesome.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

Personally, I'd look for a used 11 Rack. I used to run mine with a power amp through 2 Marshall 1960 4x12s that were spaced about 10 feet apart. It sounded awesome!!

You can usually find Eleven Racks used for around $200.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Looking for an affordable Multi Effect to use as a preamp

How did I know that post was gonna say "11 Rack" :lmao: