Looking for all-in-one Multi-FX unit, No modeling...

[napalmdeath]

If you're looking for a floor mounted fx unit, I'd recommend the TC Nova System. It's inexpensive, and sounds incredible!

The Nova is still a great unit. Biggest drawback is that you can't do 4CM so you either have to use the onboard drive or put a good MIAB pedal before it so you can have the Nova's time-based effects after your gain, or put it in the loop and use the delays/verbs/trem. Some of the other effects suffer in this position though.

IMO, the Nova is a killer backup for a pedalboard. Use the built in drive or grab a good amp in a box pedal and you'll get a good tone out of any amp with a decent clean channel.

The Nova System was high on the list, as I'd use in the loop anyway, and my own boost up front, whether it be an OCD, Green Rhino, or the like.

What effects would suffer, via loop? I use chorus, flange, delay, reverb, EQ, maybe phaser, maybe harmonizer/pitch, (which absolutely sucks on the RP1000).

 

[dirtyfunkg]

I had a GSP1101 and experienced tone suck in 4CM. At the time I used it with a Pittbull Ultra Lead, Fryette Sig:X, and a VHT Deliverance 120 with an installed series effects loop.

I've also been looking for a damn good rackmount effects unit that can also provide some decent drive tones for slamming my amp's front-end. I've been very happily using an old Quadraverb in the loop for lush reverbs and delays, but would like to be able to leverage something for the front so that I can jettison my pedals and only have my Rocktron midi controller and expression pedal in front of me for gigs. I'm already using wireless, so just a midi cable coming up front would be heaven for me.

I kind of wish that the FX8 was made in a rack unit as well.

Why not get an Axe Fx?

Out of my price range unless I sell my Diezel

 

[audiomidijace]

I've been using the TC Nova System for about a year. I'm very happy with it. The only drag is having to run
audio cables 20ft to and from the amp. I'm thinking about upgrading to the G-System so I can keep the processor
in the rack and just have the CAT5 cable run for the foot pedal section.

 

[JerEvil]

I'm sticking to pedals!

I went ALMOST full Source Audio setup. Pedals that are killer on their own BUT have some really cool options.

You can buy ONE of either the Chorus, Flange or Phaser but load sounds form all 3 onto it. So, say you buy the Chorus, but need a Phaser, just burn it to one of the preset slots. Each pedal can hold 6 sounds inherently. They are also priced really well. You can control the main 3 sound types of each pedal on the unit itself, or connect to your smart device and do some serious deep dive editing.

Here is my board.

 

[LP Freak]

What amp are you using? Are you sure your loop isn't coloring your tone?

 

[jlbaxe]

I'm sticking to pedals!

I went ALMOST full Source Audio setup. Pedals that are killer on their own BUT have some really cool options.

You can buy ONE of either the Chorus, Flange or Phaser but load sounds form all 3 onto it. So, say you buy the Chorus, but need a Phaser, just burn it to one of the preset slots. Each pedal can hold 6 sounds inherently. They are also priced really well. You can control the main 3 sound types of each pedal on the unit itself, or connect to your smart device and do some serious deep dive editing.

Here is my board.

I have been looking at those pedals. I still need a chorus that can do a boss ch-2 and a flange pedal. I have mostly mini pedals trying to keep the board compact so a pedal I can get 2 effects from would be great. Think I'm going to add a Boss ES8 so midi in a pedal is an option again

 

[Johnny LaRue]

ghetto option

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MS70CDR

never tried it but reviews are good.?

 

[JerEvil]

I'm sticking to pedals!

I went ALMOST full Source Audio setup. Pedals that are killer on their own BUT have some really cool options.

You can buy ONE of either the Chorus, Flange or Phaser but load sounds form all 3 onto it. So, say you buy the Chorus, but need a Phaser, just burn it to one of the preset slots. Each pedal can hold 6 sounds inherently. They are also priced really well. You can control the main 3 sound types of each pedal on the unit itself, or connect to your smart device and do some serious deep dive editing.

Here is my board.

I have been looking at those pedals. I still need a chorus that can do a boss ch-2 and a flange pedal. I have mostly mini pedals trying to keep the board compact so a pedal I can get 2 effects from would be great. Think I'm going to add a Boss ES8 so midi in a pedal is an option again

There are vids of the Chorus on my Dunky's youtube page. It has a TON of sounds in it. I need to do some more vids of this board. Also, really cool if you use boosts, the Kingmaker/LA Lady each have 3 drive sounds. The Kingmaker is a fuzz, LA Lady is OD's. They, just like the other pedals can share drive sounds BUT with the smart device app, you can load like 40+ other drive engines and burn as presets. OCD, Metal Muff, Fuzz Face, RAT, TS9, etc. All in there. they are constantly updating as well.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Fx8 is the only fx unit I've ever been able to use in 4cm without ground loops, a nightmare getting unity gain and most importantly no noticeable tone suck. Infact its the only fx unit iv ever tried that does not suck the soul and complexity out of my pickups.

AX8 while having the same effects as FX8 and AXEfx for that matter does not have the seriously amazing DAC's of the FX8 and does not play half as nicely with a real amp. Also since the 2nd hand FX8 price plummeted due to the cosmetic upgrade that is the FX8mk2 you should get a cracking deal.

I'm using an AX8 with a Mesa Mark IV in the 4CM setup. I'm getting zero ground loop issues, no loud hum, and nothing out of the ordinary that the gate in the AX8 can't take care of and I'm not even using humbuster cables. However, I have tried the Axe-FX2 and the Ax8 with a Mesa Electra Dyne and got tons of noise. I think the amps loop is a big factor. But with the IV, no issues at all. For the little more that it cost over the FX8 it was totally worth getting since I always have the option of using it's amp and cab sims.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Fractal stuff is pretty much studio level shit. I hear it's some of the best.

But for the price of the FX8 why not get the modeling with it in the AX8?

Not sure what extra Effects or features the FX8 has though.

I think this was said right above, but the FX-8 is MADE for 4CM. It has circuitry designed around being transparent. The AX8 doesn't have that and would theoretically change the tone of the amp more.....

As I said above, Mesa Mark IV and AX8 and I'm getting great results. No issues at all. I've tried over and over to get 4CM working for me and the AX8 finally works.

 

[Chris6870]

I gigged the AX8 with my Mark IV running 4CM last weekend and it worked great. It was quiet at my house, and was a little worried it may get noisy at the venue, but it was not a problem. No humbuster cables and I have the gate almost off. I have 4CM presets when I want to use my amp and then I have presets with an amp and cab block for when I want to go direct. I came from using an RP1000 and then an M13 for a short while both 4CM, the AX8 is much better.

 

[thenine]

FX8 here. Best multi I've tried. Haven't taken my pedals out with me since I put this together.

 

[luther910]

Fx8 is the only fx unit I've ever been able to use in 4cm without ground loops, a nightmare getting unity gain and most importantly no noticeable tone suck. Infact its the only fx unit iv ever tried that does not suck the soul and complexity out of my pickups.

AX8 while having the same effects as FX8 and AXEfx for that matter does not have the seriously amazing DAC's of the FX8 and does not play half as nicely with a real amp. Also since the 2nd hand FX8 price plummeted due to the cosmetic upgrade that is the FX8mk2 you should get a cracking deal.

I'm using an AX8 with a Mesa Mark IV in the 4CM setup. I'm getting zero ground loop issues, no loud hum, and nothing out of the ordinary that the gate in the AX8 can't take care of and I'm not even using humbuster cables. However, I have tried the Axe-FX2 and the Ax8 with a Mesa Electra Dyne and got tons of noise. I think the amps loop is a big factor. But with the IV, no issues at all. For the little more that it cost over the FX8 it was totally worth getting since I always have the option of using it's amp and cab sims.

So, I´m having a gas for the AX8. For the most part, I plan to use it 4CM since I love my amp. The only thing that has been holding me back is that I worry that there was a big difference quality wise between the AX8 and the FX8 in 4CM. So I can relax?

Also, will it change channels om my amp without midi? My amp has a four channel foot control with a stereo jack.

 

[Chris6870]

Fx8 is the only fx unit I've ever been able to use in 4cm without ground loops, a nightmare getting unity gain and most importantly no noticeable tone suck. Infact its the only fx unit iv ever tried that does not suck the soul and complexity out of my pickups.

AX8 while having the same effects as FX8 and AXEfx for that matter does not have the seriously amazing DAC's of the FX8 and does not play half as nicely with a real amp. Also since the 2nd hand FX8 price plummeted due to the cosmetic upgrade that is the FX8mk2 you should get a cracking deal.

I'm using an AX8 with a Mesa Mark IV in the 4CM setup. I'm getting zero ground loop issues, no loud hum, and nothing out of the ordinary that the gate in the AX8 can't take care of and I'm not even using humbuster cables. However, I have tried the Axe-FX2 and the Ax8 with a Mesa Electra Dyne and got tons of noise. I think the amps loop is a big factor. But with the IV, no issues at all. For the little more that it cost over the FX8 it was totally worth getting since I always have the option of using it's amp and cab sims.

So, I´m having a gas for the AX8. For the most part, I plan to use it 4CM since I love my amp. The only thing that has been holding me back is that I worry that there was a big difference quality wise between the AX8 and the FX8 in 4CM. So I can relax?

Also, will it change channels om my amp without midi? My amp has a four channel foot control with a stereo jack.

The FX8 will change your amp channel if your amp does not have midi. The AX8 will not. I am using a Voodoo Labs channel switcher with the AX8 for that since my amp does not have midi.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Fx8 is the only fx unit I've ever been able to use in 4cm without ground loops, a nightmare getting unity gain and most importantly no noticeable tone suck. Infact its the only fx unit iv ever tried that does not suck the soul and complexity out of my pickups.

AX8 while having the same effects as FX8 and AXEfx for that matter does not have the seriously amazing DAC's of the FX8 and does not play half as nicely with a real amp. Also since the 2nd hand FX8 price plummeted due to the cosmetic upgrade that is the FX8mk2 you should get a cracking deal.

I'm using an AX8 with a Mesa Mark IV in the 4CM setup. I'm getting zero ground loop issues, no loud hum, and nothing out of the ordinary that the gate in the AX8 can't take care of and I'm not even using humbuster cables. However, I have tried the Axe-FX2 and the Ax8 with a Mesa Electra Dyne and got tons of noise. I think the amps loop is a big factor. But with the IV, no issues at all. For the little more that it cost over the FX8 it was totally worth getting since I always have the option of using it's amp and cab sims.

So, I´m having a gas for the AX8. For the most part, I plan to use it 4CM since I love my amp. The only thing that has been holding me back is that I worry that there was a big difference quality wise between the AX8 and the FX8 in 4CM. So I can relax?

Also, will it change channels om my amp without midi? My amp has a four channel foot control with a stereo jack.

I can only speak of the Mesa Mark IV with the Ax8, it works perfect. I'm not sure the results are the same on every amp out there. What amp do you have?

 

[luther910]

I own a Folkesson mark IV. It's like a Scandinavian Friedman

I plan to make a video of it soon.

 

[glassjaw7]

If you're looking for a floor mounted fx unit, I'd recommend the TC Nova System. It's inexpensive, and sounds incredible!

The Nova is still a great unit. Biggest drawback is that you can't do 4CM so you either have to use the onboard drive or put a good MIAB pedal before it so you can have the Nova's time-based effects after your gain, or put it in the loop and use the delays/verbs/trem. Some of the other effects suffer in this position though.

IMO, the Nova is a killer backup for a pedalboard. Use the built in drive or grab a good amp in a box pedal and you'll get a good tone out of any amp with a decent clean channel.

The Nova System was high on the list, as I'd use in the loop anyway, and my own boost up front, whether it be an OCD, Green Rhino, or the like.

What effects would suffer, via loop? I use chorus, flange, delay, reverb, EQ, maybe phaser, maybe harmonizer/pitch, (which absolutely sucks on the RP1000).

I prefer all modulation stuff (except chorus at times) before gain so IMO those wouldn't sound as good or be as usable for me. They just wash the tone out too much post gain and you lose the foundation. Pitch seems to do better early in the chain and I've always liked compression at the beginning too.

 

[rsm]

I'm a big Roland/Boss user (currently: GT-100, GT-001, GP-10, SY-300, GT-1, 2 Roland CUBE-80GX, Roland CUBE Street EX, and the Roland AIRA system and JDXi).

Boss GT-100 is their flagship digital modeler, though I use it as a MFX too, you're paying for the digital modeling. If you don't want modeling (well there's some) and more focused on effects, from Boss the ME-80 is the MFX board; and priced much less than the GT-100.

I get my main sounds from my Boss GT-100 (direct or into clean amps for effects only) and just picked up a Boss GT-1. If I wanted a Boss MFX, ME-80. The TCE Nova System (I'm on my third, not selling this one!) is a very good MFX IMO (no modeling). I think these will be discontinued soon, just like the Nova series pedals (I have all of these too).

 

[brianiac5150]

Man...I was on here earlier this afternoon and came upon this thread. I held off responding 'cause I had just received a Boss GT-100 today and wanted to get it home to test drive it before responding. This was prior to rsm's above post.

Now I've been through almost all the modeling stuff and have come full circle back to tube amps and speaker cabs. Still have Amplitube for jammin' through the PC, but that's it...I've sold off all that stuff and swore I'd never get back involved. That said; I'm wanting some FX, mostly time & modulation stuff I'd run in a loop, started digging into all that and a friend - claiming he's really happy with his GT-8 (and I recall it sounding good when I heard it) for all his effects needs - suggested trying the GT-100.

Well...eheh...nope...nada...ain't gonna work...no. The second I plugged in all the digital came right to the front and killed my high hopes I could do this for under $500. I've been studying up on the Strymon stuff, along with several other pedals and the dollars were adding up quickly, which had me thinking toward an all-in-one multi-FX unit. Sadly...I fear nothing is going to suffice until I either get an FX-8 or several pedals. Ugh.

Is there anything out there (I think I've really looked, but maybe I'm missing something) like the FX-8 with a lower price tag? I'm playing at home, therefore, don't need "studio quality" per se...I just want some good, useful multi-FX to sweeten up the killer amps I've sold and traded tons of other gear to get. Don't misunderstand me...I'm certain the FX-8 is stellar and am not knocking Fractal pricing. It's just more than I really prefer to spend.

I've tried the Nova System, G-Major 2 and G-System which are all very good. Nova & G-System lacked rotary and both were just not what I'm looking for. I only used the GM2 between a JMP-1 and power amp, which sounded good, however...as I recall...all was not there, either.

EDIT - F'it...I'm all in...FX8 Mk 2 waiting list email sent.

 

[LP Freak]

Sometimes you get what you pay for