FX8 or get a new switcher

[cecilbag]

I've been a longtime user of the Rivera rm1 switcher. Unfortunately mine has died and I need a replacement. Normally, I don't use much for effects. I run a Maxon od808 and Keeley red dirt for my overdrives (maxon normal and keeley if using low output pickups) with a flashback x4 in the loop. I'm torn between getting a boss es8 and just going for a fractal fx8. I use the rivera to change my channels and kick in the boost for solos. I operate the delay separately. I do occasionally use my CAE wah as well so I'd like to have everything in the fractal be able to replace my pedals. I may be going overkill with the fractal but by the time I get a new looper, I'm 1/2-2/3 of the cost of the fractal. It seems like the best choice is getting the fx8 but wanted to hear from guys who use the fractal or even better looper options. The fractal looks hard to beat at a grand but I don't know how the drives sound, how are the wahs? Hit me with your thoughts. Any help is appreciated, thank you

 

[paulyc]

Can you get your Rivera repaired ?

 

[Bishop5150]

The FX8 is fantastic. Drives and the wah's sound top notch. You won't be disappointed.

 

[LP Freak]

I've gigged with my FX8 for a year or so so and couldn't be happier. Killer fx. The wahs sound great and is also excellent for channel switching. It may seem like overkill but once you have it you'll start finding uses for all the fx.

 

[cecilbag]

Can you get your Rivera repaired ?

I probably could. It's given me over 7 years of hard abuse. The bands I play in do 4-5 hour shows and I'm all kinds of venues from sticky floored bars to casinos etc. I figure at this point I should just upgrade.

 

[cecilbag]

The FX8 is fantastic. Drives and the wah's sound top notch. You won't be disappointed.

Do you still use any pedals or do you get everything you want from the fractal?

 

[cecilbag]

I've gigged with my FX8 for a year or so so and couldn't be happier. Killer fx. The wahs sound great and is also excellent for channel switching. It may seem like overkill but once you have it you'll start finding uses for all the fx.

This is exactly how I roll. I bring 2-3 guitars. The only constant is I have to always have a les Paul but otherwise I rotate a super strat and an explorer or something. I like to play straight in but like that little juice from an od when I solo. I don't use much gain around 10 o clock on a quickrod or 3-4 on my SLO. I like to just run a half stack. I loved the Rivera because I had my four main sounds. Clean, dirty, boost dirty, and boost dirty solo. If I can get every effect under the sun in this box and have it change channels etc it seems like a great solution to me. My only other question is do you guys use the humbuster cables or should I get 4 of them so I have them? Thanks for the replies guys. Looking to order tonight

 

[LP Freak]

I've gigged with my FX8 for a year or so so and couldn't be happier. Killer fx. The wahs sound great and is also excellent for channel switching. It may seem like overkill but once you have it you'll start finding uses for all the fx.

This is exactly how I roll. I bring 2-3 guitars. The only constant is I have to always have a les Paul but otherwise I rotate a super strat and an explorer or something. I like to play straight in but like that little juice from an od when I solo. I don't use much gain around 10 o clock on a quickrod or 3-4 on my SLO. I like to just run a half stack. I loved the Rivera because I had my four main sounds. Clean, dirty, boost dirty, and boost dirty solo. If I can get every effect under the sun in this box and have it change channels etc it seems like a great solution to me. My only other question is do you guys use the humbuster cables or should I get 4 of them so I have them? Thanks for the replies guys. Looking to order tonight

I use the humbuster cable...you only need one and I use the 4CM. It's cheap and easy to make your own too.

 

[cecilbag]

I thought you had to use the humbuster on the loop send and return plus out to the amp. You could run a normal cable from guitar to fx8 or wireless. If you only need one is it just the one going to the amps input? I use monsters I've had forever or cables I make myself. Just Mogami 2524 or whatever nothing crazy. If I can make them myself even better.

 

[LP Freak]

Sorry, it's been a while since I hooked it up….You do I need two humbuster cables. Either way they're easy to make.

 

[cecilbag]

Shoot me a plot post on here how to make them if you could. I'm not sure what it's actually doing. They just say they help eliminate ground loop issues? Thanks again.

 

[LP Freak]

 

[crankyrayhanky]

FX8 is awesome. I had a huge pedalboard, but there's so many cables that becomes difficult to troubleshoot quickly in a live setting.
For awhile I liked my 808 in front but then an update a few months ago improved all the ODs and pretty close- close enough that less is more & i ditched the real pedal.

2 Humbuster cables for 4CM. I can't build squat but there was a cool site somewhere that had them at a decent price with different lengths

 

[cecilbag]

Very cool. Thank you guys. Great stuff lpfreak I ordered it a few minutes ago. Hope the have it by Friday's gig but learning it will be another thing. Can't wait. I got an expression pedal as all so I would always have a wah now.