Rookie Effects Questions

Allen Staron · Post by **Allen Staron** » 3 Nov 2000 12:27 pm

Hello everyone. I am a relatively new player and want to get some feedback on some effects processors. It may be premature but I don't want to buy something then upgrade a few months later. I have a ZumSteel and a Nashville 400. I have been comparing the features of the Lexicon MPX 500 and Alesis Midiverb4 and Microverb4. The Midi has auto sensing input level feature. Is this useful feature or hype?
Also, I would like to get a rackmount tuner. I have seen the Korg DTR-1 and DTR-2. The more expensive one has a strobe tuning option. What is this really doing for me and/or do I need it?
Lastly, I would like to get an effects case that I can sit upright beside my guitar. Where can I find these?
Any help/comments on any of these products would be greatly appreciated.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 3 Nov 2000 4:01 pm

You might want to check out this link also, FWIW.

http://www.b0b.com/forum/Forum3/HTML/005866.html

Good luck.

Dave Boothroyd · Post by **Dave Boothroyd** » 4 Nov 2000 1:27 am

You ask about whether the Auto level on the Midiverb is an asset. For me the answer is an emphatic no! It's slow and frustrating and an input gain control would be much simpler. The earlier Quadreverb had one and I miss it!
The Lexicon MPX500 sounds better to me too.

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Cheers!

Allen Staron · Post by **Allen Staron** » 4 Nov 2000 6:15 am

Thanks, Dave.

I am finding a lot more information on the Lexicon MPX500 and MPX1 the the Alesis models.

Would you (or anyone) happen to know if the MPX1 is worth the price difference?

mtulbert · Post by **mtulbert** » 4 Nov 2000 6:22 am

Good Morning Allen,

I have an MPX-1 which I absolutely love. The reverbs are incredibly lush and rich sounding and the effects can be programed any way that you desire.

If you like to program this is a great unit. There is also a freeware program that will allow you to change the parameters via midi and it gives you a graphic interface of the entire patch system in the unit. If anyone wants it let me know and I will email it to them.

The MPX-500 is a great sounding unit as well. (All lexicons are IMHO). There is some programming functions on the unit but it is not a flexible as the MPX-1. If you like to tinker and experiment the MPX-1 is worth the difference because of the all the options available to the end user. If you are not into that, save your money and go with the 500.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Mark T.

Allen Staron · Post by **Allen Staron** » 4 Nov 2000 3:36 pm

Thanks, Mike.

By trade, I am a computer systems analyst with two degrees and 14 years experience in the field so I am leaning toward the MPX-1. There are a few on Ebay but I am sure it is imperative to get the manuals and ALL documentation from the original sale.

Does anyone know of any music stores or sites I could get a new one?

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 5 Nov 2000 8:49 am

I did some reading of the specs and reviews of the MPX1. The quality of the reverbs, delays, and Leslie sounds got my attention, but am I correct that this unit doesn't have built in distortion or a tuner? I was kind of thinking of upgrading from my Boss GX-700 since I don't need the preamps, but wouldn't want to give up these features.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 5 Nov 2000 8:58 am

I will echo Mark T.'s sentiments about the MPX-1. I think it's teriffic and it will be a LONNNGGGGG time before I even begin to mine all the built-in effects to say nothing of tweaking the ones I like to my satisfaction.

And Jim - problem solved: Try a Tubeworks preamp. Clean channel that's as sweet as it gets plus a drive channel that will give you all you need (actually, you can stack one on top of the other as well). You're on your own with the tuner, though...

Steve
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 05 November 2000 at 09:00 AM.]</p></FONT>

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 5 Nov 2000 9:14 am

Thanks Steve. It's too bad that it doesn't include a tuner. That's a major plus for my GX-700. I love my Stereo Steel preamp/amp and guess I could drag out my old BossTone for the distortion, but being able to push a button to switch to tuner mode and mute the signal at the same time is a feature that I don't think I could give up.

Guess I'll start another thread to see what's available with the features I want/need.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 5 Nov 2000 9:50 am

For me, and what I'm looking for, I personally wouldn't hold up on getting an effects unit that I liked based on the fact that it didn't have a tuner. Get a rack tuner, mute the signal as necessary and boom - you got it. A little miore weight, but that's a trade-off I'm willing to make.

BTW - I really like Gerry's stuff a lot, too, but I really do also like the Tubeworks and the distortion feature is nice. If you're trying to gain economy of features, it's worth considering. Good luck.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 5 Nov 2000 7:33 pm

Allen-

I have a Peavey MX 100 and it seems to have everything on it including a tuner. I just got it and haven't hooked it up or used it yet, Just got my Carter guitar.

It looks like , according to the manual, that all the effects are there, including Rotary. Anyone out there got one? Maybe I can get some advice on how to use it....al