Do they make a decent rack mount multiple effects unit these days that doesn't have amp modeling?

[TheGreatGreen]

I used an AxeFx Ultra for years and it was great.

However the Lexicon PCM and Eventide rack stuff is still in a different league IMO.

Has a magical 'mojo' that fractal miss.

You should try the Axe-Fx III.
The older Axe-Fx's have nothing on the III's effects.

edit: just read more of the thread. I get that it's pricey to use only for the effects. Aside from that, I'd recommend one of the multi-effects units from TC Electronics.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

I second the Rocktron Intellifex. The original Black face with the light blue buttons is the most desirable but if you find the Intellifex On-Line version it's great too.

 

[stratjacket]

I’ve been looking hard at the Eventide H9000R. Drooling over it. But it’s big price tag at $4,999 new. If I knew it would be my be-all-end-all for years to come and I wouldn’t still but other effects, I may do it. When I add up the money spent over the years for those type effects, it’s about the same money spent. So it is not such a stretch looking at it that way, but still just such a huge purchase.

 

[Geo]

I’ve been looking hard at the Eventide H9000R. Drooling over it. But it’s big price tag at $4,999 new. If I knew it would be my be-all-end-all for years to come and I wouldn’t still but other effects, I may do it. When I add up the money spent over the years for those type effects, it’s about the same money spent. So it is not such a stretch looking at it that way, but still just such a huge purchase.

Always wanted one as well, but have been told I would like the Lexicon better since that is the sound I am used to.

 

[itsgoodnow]

Always wanted one as well, but have been told I would like the Lexicon better since that is the sound I am used to.

I have debated buying the Eventide numerous times. They are excellent units, however, I think my ear is trained to certain sounds like the Lexicon. It just makes the noise I'm after. Eventide is fantastic but it has a distinct sound that I just don't like as much as some other things. Again, not a bad unit at all, just not what I prefer in tones.

 

[rottingcorpse]

My insight...from an old man who had, used and abused everything rack effects from 84 to 98.
The og eventide harmonizers, lexicon, Yamaha rev7 and t.c.2290 were amazing units....back then.
I thought the cheaper units that came out later like the spx90 were still great for guitar rack stuff.
Now days,if I was still on the guitar rack effects trip I would get an AXEFX. Everything in one box.
I'm sure the helix and other new units are fine too.

IMO good stuff is often expensive. You can go cheap,if it works for you.
But usually you will find the limitations of cheap stuff,and wind up upgrading.
How many of us were perfectly happy with simple cheap guitar and amp until we tried (insert any high end name here)?
That's when we realised the difference between a Crate and a Boogie/Marshall/Diezel etc.
Same can be said about almost anything.
Except women. Often the cheaper ones are far less trouble and more reliable than the expensive ones are worth.
And bourbon. Evan Williams bottled in bond is far better and easier to find than Blantons.

 

[JerEvil]

You could get a few Eventide H9's and put them on a rack shelf. I still like the G Major 2. It's be interesting to see Fractal do the FX8 in a single space rack format maybe with bluetooth editing.

 

[itsgoodnow]

You could get a few Eventide H9's and put them on a rack shelf. I still like the G Major 2. It's be interesting to see Fractal do the FX8 in a single space rack format maybe with bluetooth editing.

I think it is really hard to argue against an Axe FX--even as just an effects processor. Especially for live use where it is so easy to integrate, program, and create scenes and channels without tap dancing (especially if your amp has midi) and has a great floor board. I don't play out anymore and have a rack of stuff I use because I like really specific patches in some units (lexicon verbs, intellifex chorus etc), but if I played live I would use an Axe Fx just for ease of use alone.

Also old Ultras, II's, hell even used III's, are insanely attainable versatile units. Capability per dollar value on the used market is insane.

 

[JerEvil]

I think it is really hard to argue against an Axe FX--even as just an effects processor. Especially for live use where it is so easy to integrate, program, and create scenes and channels without tap dancing (especially if your amp has midi) and has a great floor board. I don't play out anymore and have a rack of stuff I use because I like really specific patches in some units (lexicon verbs, intellifex chorus etc), but if I played live I would use an Axe Fx just for ease of use alone.

Also old Ultras, II's, hell even used III's, are insanely attainable versatile units. Capability per dollar value on the used market is insane.

Oh I don't disagree. But I was just thinking options without amp modeling.

I honestly don't get why that would be a detractor personally.

 

[Exo-metal]

I'll sell you my g-force for $250, the screen is a little messed up but it works flawlessly.

 

[itsgoodnow]

Oh I don't disagree. But I was just thinking options without amp modeling.

I honestly don't get why that would be a detractor personally.

Oh yeah, poor phrasing on my part. I think we are saying the same thing haha. The modeling is just icing on the cake. I used an Axe FX II instead of amps for years and think they do a great job.

 

[Bronco]

G Major was the standard rack effects unit in the 2000s, save for anyone that could afford an Eventide (which I never saw in the club scene outside of pros). I remember struggling a bit with clipping on the GMajor but it was into a Boogie Mark III which doesn’t have a great loop.

When I got an Axefx, it was night and day better effects than the G major. Why not use a Fractal for effects and just not use the amp sims in the blocks? Plenty of pros do that. You could snag an old Ultra for a low price I bet—the effects on that are still awesome. It’s all over those first two Periphery albums for synth lines and stuff.

Totally agree. Steve Vai was using an Ultra for years as an FX-only component.

 

[War_in_D]

Oh I don't disagree. But I was just thinking options without amp modeling.

I honestly don't get why that would be a detractor personally.

It's probably not, really. I'm sure the Axe FX is amazing, but it's mainly because I'm a simple minded hack and my eyes start glazing over at the thought of having to figure out how to use something like that. I just don't have it in me. LOL I've rarely ever used pedals, TBH. I think all that began back in the late 90's when I got my first Digitech RP12, and the instruction manual was about 1 1/2" thick. I got rid of it shortly there after. It's even a stretch for me to grab this Quadraverb II, but at least with that I've got some history and I'm already somewhat familar with it.

 

[TheToneDig]

Yeah nah...That totally depends on what your main need is.

If it's flexibility, reliability, modern tech with apps, suitable for playing live... then yes, there's heaps of options out there now.

Purely for sound quality - there's many people out there (me included) that will still claim high end rack effects are still king in the studio.

Eventide eclipse and Lexicon PCM 80 are my 2 favourite units... and I would never use them live or at a rehearsal

Not to be picky but the Lexicon PCM 80 would be covered by my point about a retro look.

However, about Eventide Eclipse. I concede yes here might be a rack FX worth it if you have the use for that library of time-based synthesize quality FX. That studio-quality priced rack and a MIDI footswitch is no small combination.

What I am getting is that is the days of racks for effects are really just retro look or the sort of high-end top-shelf digital effects like you covered there.

I think a lot of users however would probably find more value in a Line6 Helix FX stompbox. Not the end of all effects pedals by any means but a very powerful customizable and stompable box that sounds like the real deal pedals. Before that the Line6 Green multi-effects pedal (big unit like the Eventide pedals) was mostly used instead but profiling with Helix is really good.

Just my opinion on saving that rack space for something else like say a good cab sim IR loadbox for your tube amp head farm.

 

[napalmdeath]

You can find a Lexicon MPX1 for a couple hundred dollars and IMO better than the TC Major.

This. They are crazy good on the cheap. Reverbs, delays, and chorus are better than units much more expensive.

 

[DanTravis62]

I'm intrigued by all the mpx-1 love

 

[saxxamafone]

Not to be picky but the Lexicon PCM 80 would be covered by my point about a retro look.

However, about Eventide Eclipse. I concede yes here might be a rack FX worth it if you have the use for that library of time-based synthesize quality FX. That studio-quality priced rack and a MIDI footswitch is no small combination.

What I am getting is that is the days of racks for effects are really just retro look or the sort of high-end top-shelf digital effects like you covered there.

I think a lot of users however would probably find more value in a Line6 Helix FX stompbox. Not the end of all effects pedals by any means but a very powerful customizable and stompable box that sounds like the real deal pedals. Before that the Line6 Green multi-effects pedal (big unit like the Eventide pedals) was mostly used instead but profiling with Helix is really good.

Just my opinion on saving that rack space for something else like say a good cab sim IR loadbox for your tube amp head farm.

You're talking about looks and form factor, whereas i'm talking about sound quality.

Due to things like the AxeFx, i wouldn't say racks as a look are retro... depends on the piece of gear moreso than the form factor.
But yes, purely by looks... the lexicon pcm stuff looks retro for sure.

If i was still playing live, i'd have my pedals for dirt and modulation and probably a 1u rack effects of some sort for delays.
I would use an IR loadbox unit of some sort so i'd be rolling out a rack anyway.

Never been a better time to be a guitarist though!!
The options are insane and the pedal stuff (while still doesn't sound as good as high end rack gear) has never sounded better! ?

 

[Achilles]

You want something to get the job done. Not some high-end, hi-fi, studio fx units like Eventide or lexicon. Especially with all those old units it's the risk of maintenance always. Components that no longer been produced etc. It's a f****** rabbit hole.
Rocktron has always been a great solution and value for money with great quality fx units for us guitarists, with warm inspiring sounds.
I had the Intellifex blackface, the chameleon and the x-pression.
Also had the eventide delay pedal and the Lexicon pcm 81 rack unit.
Rocktron X-Pression got the most use and I sold everything else. That or a G-major 2, is all you need.
If you want new, I would look at the big Boss pedals: DD500 delay and the other two, a blue for modulation FX and the black for reverbs etc.

 

[saxxamafone]

You want something to get the job done. Not some high-end, hi-fi, studio fx units like Eventide or lexicon. Especially with all those old units it's the risk of maintenance always. Components that no longer been produced etc. It's a f****** rabbit hole.
Rocktron has always been a great solution and value for money with great quality fx units for us guitarists, with warm inspiring sounds.
I had the Intellifex blackface, the chameleon and the x-pression.
Also had the eventide delay pedal and the Lexicon pcm 81 rack unit.
Rocktron X-Pression got the most use and I sold everything else. That or a G-major 2, is all you need.
If you want new, I would look at the big Boss pedals: DD500 delay and the other two, a blue for modulation FX and the black for reverbs etc.

That reminds me... I need to go pickup my pcm80 from the repair shop... ?