[L.M.F.]

hi people, i'm after a MULTI-EFFECTS, and i was wondering which of the following is good. Zoom 505, Zoom 606 or Zoom G1??

[fly135]

Don't know anything about Zoom but these two clips are processed by my Korg Toneworks AX5G that I got last week for $70. The version w/o the expression pedal cost $50. The first clip is a. Squire Affinity Tele and the second is a G&L S-500 Strat.

http://music.panelmagic.com/noobblues_sample.mp3
http://music.panelmagic.com/powerchord.mp3

[doug russell]

I've just acquired a 2nd hand Digitech RP7 valve off ebay. Now I've finally sussed how to work it, that goddamn floorboard rock's "Bigtime", Especially on the Texas blues settings.

[bugly]

Im very happy with the 'noise' i make with my digitech rp250. Now if only I could make it musical noise. Have fun Doug.

[krissovo]

I had the Zoom G2.1, it was good and there is loads of patches available online but I am not a fan of multi effects units as I spend more time playing with sounds than playing the guitar.

[fly135]

doug, how bout some samples. Just throw togeather little clips like I do showcasing some sounds you can get. Or better yet "tones" not sounds. I already now these multi fx units can produce weird noises.

Krissovo, that's the problem I had with the Digitech RP300A. There were no presets that had really unable tones. The Magicstomp is somewhat similar. It's seems the critical factor is the distortion models. The AX5G is the first multiFx that I've really gotten anything good out of.

Although I've found with individual pedals I've been luckier. The Bad Monkey is great for the widest range up to but not including heavy metal. The Danelectro Fab Tone works pretty good there. And my Russian Big Muff just gives me no love. I can't find much I like with it on, and it sucks the tone out of my guitar on pass thru. I'd sell it on Craigslist but the case might come in useful if I gut it and use it for my own BYOP project.

[fly135]

Here's a couple samples from my Magicstomp. I played this on my Epiphone Dot. I don't like the crunch tone that it produces. I tweak and tweak but it never really feels satisfying. OTOH could just throw my Bad Monkey in their and dial something right up. For some reason the more programmable a unit is the harder you want it to work. Kind of like a pirate hunting fro treasure.

http://music.panelmagic.com/sha.mp3
http://music.panelmagic.com/bmr.mp3

[L.M.F.]

thanks for the reply people, i think i should try and listen to some different brands before i buy it...
here is another question about amp, i'm playing my electric guitar with my Sony Hi-Fi system becoz the amp that comes with the guitar is really really sh*t, some i was wondering is it a good idea to use the Hi-Fi system o should I buy a better guitar amp??

[fly135]

Well you're taking the chance of blowing your hifi speakers. Especially once you start using distortion fx. So you should probably find an amp, even if it's a small practice amp.

[bugly]

I agree that with you fly135 the digitech effects are overcooked - and the interface to the box is a bit clumsy to me EXCEPT when using the XEdit software. I hook my RP250 to music old 'music' laptop and use XEdit to control the effects. Backing them off (and replacing a large number in the user bank) works a treat and is easie with this interface.

The painful thing about a multieffex box with 60 user and 60 preset setting is going from one to another. Again the XEdit software helps.

Cheers

Robert

[fly135]

The RP300A didn't have a computer interface. Having a software manager definitely helps. The Magicstomp has a pretty good one. But I have found it's EQ and delay fx much more useful than it's distortion models. The AX5G I have doesn't have a computer interface either, but the distortion models are better.

Also one thing I've noticed is that some companies have whats called COSM amp modeling. I guess it's licensed from Roland (I think). I'm wondering if this means that all fx with this will sound about the same from model to model across manufacturers. Anyone have COSM modeling that can comment on their level of satisfaction with the amp/distortion modeling?

[Stratrat]

Originally Posted by fly135

...Anyone have COSM modeling that can comment on their level of satisfaction with the amp/distortion modeling?

I have both the Roland Micro Cube and the Boss ME50, both of which use COSM. The amp models in the Micro Cube are satisfying and offer plenty of variety. The effects are a bit overblown, but that can be attributed to having limited range of adjustment due to multiple effects on a single knob. The ME-50 models 22 different distortion models, and most of them are as usable as the stompboxes they're modeled after. As I said in another thread, I have to guess that many who complain about the distortions being cold and digital-sounding must be using them through cheesy solid-state amps.....they don't even sound bad played through the Micro Cube (with the 'Cube on a clean setting, of course).

[doug russell]

OK fly, I'm hoping to get the RP7 back soon, (its having new pots fitted) Then I'll get some quality time and do some recording. At the moment I'm rehersing for a couple of gigs, so that is taking up a bit of time. but I will make a concerted effort.
Doug.

[Donarskjold]

[quote=fly135]

Krissovo, that's the problem I had with the Digitech RP300A. There were no presets that had really unable tones. The Magicstomp is somewhat similar. It's seems the critical factor is the distortion models. The AX5G is the first multiFx that I've really gotten anything good out of.

QUOTE]

Thanks for this testimonial, Fly. I've been paring down on pedals and have been looking for one good multi-FX for the basics- flanger, chorus, phaser, delay. I've read elsewhere that you can pitchshift and harmonize with it too, and even get a Whammy-like octave up effect. The AX5G has a great pricetag, and I've always been leery of digital multi-fx, but I think I'll give it a try. By the way, do you know how hard it is to find a review of any kindfor the AX5G?

[fly135]

Don, There isn't much info on the web about the AX5G. I haven't tried the whammy effect yet, but maybe I'll give it a try at lunch today and report back. A little more info on the unit. The expression pedal is only of minimal value. It's very small and has a couple of issues.

The expression pedal has 3 modes with a button to cycle through them. The modes are volume, wah, and effect. Pressing it all the way forward toggles the active effect when using it for effect. You need to have a delicate touch to control the effect without turning it on and off. The biggest problem is that when using it for volume, the maximum volume is less than it is when switched to wah or effect. So the volume always jumps when switching to the other modes.

So the expression pedal can be used effectively maybe in recording situations. But overall it is annoying. I would even consider saving $20 and getting the AX3G, which seems to be the same unit without the expression pedal. But for $20 extra at least it there if you want it. Just know that it's not a great expression pedal. So buying it just for that would be a mistake. I would consider it too small to effectively control dynamic effects.