Effects Opinions Needed

Jake L · Post by **Jake L** » 26 Nov 2002 11:33 am

Well, it looks like I am going to be playing again soon.Therefore, I must purchase an entirely new rig.(steel, amp, pedal,etc.)I was wondering, what is the hot effect processor for steel nowadays. My last one was a Deltafex by Peavey, and I really liked the sounds I got from it, but I know alot of y'all use different processors. I would welcome any feedback you can offer.
Thank You,
Jake Lowe
Porter, TX

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 26 Nov 2002 1:03 pm

My current favorite (and it changes regularly) is the Boss GT-6. I look for everything in one unit and tend to use several different effects, in addition to reverb and delay. I also play through an old Standel amp most of the time and am currently in the 'MINIMIZE' phase of the swing between carrying a Deluxe Reverb and carrying a PA system.

It's not cheap (around $400) but it has
* 24 bit A/D (including digital S/PDIF output)
* COSM amp modeling (done, in my opinion, better than the POD 2.2)
* More Fx than Carter has little liver pills
* More USEFUL knobs than any other device of its kind I've seen

I've always had problems with multi-Fx units. I love the reverb and tone of the Lexicon LXP-5 that gathers dust on my shelf but some rooms need more reverb or more delay -- or just the ability to TWEAK -- that unit doesn't offer. The later models like the MPX-100 to 500 series still don't have the on-stage flexibility I look for. I ended up using a separate distortion box and delay because I need to tweak at a moment's notice. These things, PLUS reverb and other effects, can be easily adjusted on the GT-6.

Questions:
Do you intend to build an fx rack?
Will you use a combo amp/pre or rack rig?
How much do you want to spend? (I could easily put you together a $10,000+ rack)

MY answer (and there is NO RIGHT ANSWER that suits everyone) is to have one device that lets me tweak volume, tone, reverb, and delay from a single control panel. My guitar, seat, the GT-6 and my Standel are that combo for me. Two trips in from the van. My rack requires roadies -- but still sounds great -- it SHOULD.

Hope this helps some. It's really all about determining what you need and what you'll actually use. If reverb's all you need, your amp may do fine on its own.

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

DJ Sillito · Post by **DJ Sillito** » 26 Nov 2002 1:29 pm

I think you'll find the peavey profex I or II as well as the tubefex to be popular multi - effects processors. They seem to quite abundant so you can usually pick one up on the forum for a decent price. They do have a pre amp and can be used with a power amp and a set of speakers or used directly into a combo amp. They have more than enough presets to find what you're looking for and those presets can all be edited to your liking. They are not the only units out there but for versatility and price I think you would be quite satisfied. Good luck on your search.

Jake L · Post by **Jake L** » 26 Nov 2002 1:32 pm

Thanks for the info. I really liked to have a small (maybe 4-6 space) rack unit by my right knee. That way, I could quickly reach down to change parameters if I needed to. All I ever had before, like I said, was the Deltafex. What are the benefits of having a processor, plus maybe a sonic maximizer and/or an EQ unit?

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 26 Nov 2002 3:38 pm

I really like my Lexicon MPX-100 for reverb, echo and phase shifting. Also, lately I've been using an H&K RotoSphere for Leslie sounds. I beats the "rotary" sound in the MPX-100 hands down.

I get my distortion tones directly from my Mesa/Boogie amps. I've never found a stomp box that I liked for distortion, and I've tried a lot of them. They all sound "fuzzy" to me.

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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic), Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6), Roland Handsonic

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 27 Nov 2002 11:08 am

Jake,

I recently purchased a Carvin XP4. It's a four-engine, four-channel processor and came recommended to me by Bill Stafford. I visited with him last summer, saw his rig and got the scoop on it. Impressive sounds in a quiet rig for a reasonable price.

After receiving it on their 10-day trial, I found the unit to be very useful for steel.
Good reverbs, nice delays, echos, chorus, Flange, phaser, and EQ. The rotary sound is only a slight step below the H&K Rotosphere which, in my opinion, is the best rotary sound for steel.

Processors offer flexability and variation(effects). I never use it in church as I don't need it then. I do use it for all my band gigs (Mostly for delay and rotary). I'm very happy with it and the price was right at $300.

Best Wishes
Tony

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Nov 2002 11:37 am

I use a rack mounted system with a lot of Tube Works stuff in it ie: pre-amp, reverb, and Mosvalve amp. In addition, I have a sonic maximizer and a Lexicon MPX 200 in it. I really like the sounds I get from it and the large range of effects I can pull out of the MPX 200. You can pre-program them in and access them at the touch of a button.
Erv

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 27 Nov 2002 4:44 pm

Most of the time I don't use effects, when I do, I have a "studio rack", which is 'off the scale' for expense, and a 'small rack' that is based on a TC Electronics G Force. If you wanted to get further out, you could use a TC Electronics Fireworks.

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 1 Dec 2002 6:45 pm

I have used several different effects processors including the Profex (original) which was good...versatile enough where you could change a setting fairly quickly. Now I have a Tube-fex (editing operates much the same way as the Profex, but I think it's 24bit)and the 2 tubes (AX12's) make for a warmer sound in settings. That's what I use along with an Evans Preamp. It sounds great for my liking. HAL

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Be Blessed........HAL
'85 Emmons LeGrande D-10, Rack w/Evans, Tubefex 2, 1501-4 BW's

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 1 Dec 2002 9:47 pm

Like Erv, I use the Lexicon MPX 200. I've got a 3-space rack, with the Lexicon, a dual 15-band graphic EQ, and a Sabine RT-7000 tuner. If I want distortion, my Traynor YCV80Q amp's hot rod channel will give me all that. The MPX 200 is not easy to use on the fly, but you can set up two or three presets, which is about all you'll use, and get to them easily.
How about an "Uff-Da," Erv??