My multi-fx problem...help!?

[Closed Eye]

Hey fellas,
I just posted a thread about the GNX3000 and the GNX3 looking for quality of effects and ease of use live (for just effects) and I suppose I did a horrible job of identifying my problem.

My purchase of an multi-fx is contingent upon two things:

1. if I can turn off all amp/pre-amp features and just use effects

2. wether or not the pedal can do digitech whammy pedal pitch-shifting (with a rocker pedal, fairly decent tracking, etc.)

The GT-6/8 thread I made answered these questions to a certain extent but I've been unable to actually test the accurateness of this supposed function on either model (the "ease of use" issue comes into play on those units). I've considered the GNX3 because it's actually made by Digitech (although quality is an issue with them, I hear), the Boss units because they sound pretty incredible (but require a lot of time to adjust settings), and have just started looking at the PODXTL since the version 3.0 update has a "Bender (pitch shift)" effect added (had a bad POD experience in the past though). But, blah, do you see my dilemma? I need a unit that can go straight as effects for live situations and then, of course, recording thing maybe sometime later when I get the chance. So, yeah, care to help me make a decision? Please?

Thanks for the help, look, info.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: My multi-fx problem...help!?

The GNX series isn't all that tough to change and the learning curve isn't all that steep. With a MIDI connection, it's painfully easy to change settings. I think you can shut the GNX models off and just use the multifx. Lots of programming (and for that I recommend the MIDI connection for sure).

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: My multi-fx problem...help!?

Quality is not an issue with Digitech. None of their effects that I ever owned had any issues. Maybe whoever said that was thinking of DOD, who actually don't have a quality problem either, but they're budget effects and sound like budget effects. I also disagree that Boss's stuff sounds incredible. Their effects sound overly processed to me. That's OK with some who prefer a hi tech, extremely processed sound, but I like to hear the guitar's tone coming through.

I just heard a friend's Zoom 505 or whatever - the little compact multieffects that they came out with several years ago. His was the first generation. Zoom is on the third or fourth geneeration of these now. Anyway, I didn't know these even had a Whammy effect in them. It actually sounded quite good. Tracked well. I think these pedals have speaker cab simulation but you can (and should) turn it off.

If you need it to also do amp simulation/direct recording, maybe check out the latest generation of Korg Toneworks multieffects. I have an AX300G and the distortion and speaker cab simulation sounds far better than any Zoom multieffects. It's quite passable for going direct to a board. I loaned my AX300G to a guitarist playing at a festival where they didn't have a guitar amp for him, and he had to go direct. I got positive comments on how good his direct tone sounded.
I know Korg has come out with a couple of new units since the AX300G. The AX1500G? AX3000G? I forgot what they're called but they're in any Musician's Friend or AMS catalog. Do some research into them and see if they have a Whammy type effect included now. I would expect they do.

At best, a multieffects unit is going to be a compromise. The best tone will still be gotten from an effects unit going into a real amp. You might consider separate pieces of gear for your Whammy effect and amp/speaker simulation if you have the budget.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: My multi-fx problem...help!?

Thanks for the helpful post!

I'm probably going to end up getting the GNX3 in the next few days so I'll let you know how it goes.


...hey, I noticed you've got a cover band. I'm getting a multi-fx because I'm starting a cover band that plays more "modern" rock type stuff (Rage, Incubus, Tool, etc.) and I'm going to need to switch between different types of effects...and the MFX units seem to be best suited for that kind of thing, so yeah, that's why I'm asking about 'em. Any tips for a guy starting a cover band?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: My multi-fx problem...help!?

The GT-6's Whammy is Ok. I only started disliking it after I got a real Whammy pedal.