Effects Revisited

Amplifiers, effects, pickups, electronic components, wiring, etc.

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Bill Fall
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Effects Revisited

Post by Bill Fall »

Recent discussion about effects ended up in pontificating about the pristine purity of playing without effects -- with which I do agree. But having some variety at hand can help break up a monotone sound when playing all night in a club. (As I recall, Buddy Emmons used to tote a whole boxful of sound toys, though I'm sure he's less inclined to do that these days.)

I haven't kept up on what electronic goodies are now available, so I'd appreciate some experienced advice. Currently, I use a Yamaha SPX90 multi-effects unit, which has a nice menu of sounds. But it provides only a few of them in stereo, and I want stereo at all times. I did tinker a bit with a Lexicon MPX 100, which has stereo throughout, but it's more complex to operate, and I preferred the sound of the SPX90.

What I'm after is a fairly simple package of effects: reverb, delay, chorus, flange, and maybe split pitch. So I'm wondering:

1. What single rack-mount units provide at least these effects with good-quality sound and all in stereo?

2. Are other Lexicon models markedly better than the MPX 100?

3. Can any of the rack-mount effects units now available be piggy-backed (double input/output channels) with other units without degrading tone and volume? (I tried connecting the MPX 100 in series with my SPX90 and found it killed a lot of tone, as well as introduced distortion at higher volumes.)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Fall on 09 July 2003 at 11:52 AM.]</p></FONT>
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Erv Niehaus
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Post by Erv Niehaus »

I use the Lexicon MPX 200. I don't know much about the MPX 100 but I do like the model 200. I use it for light compression, chorus and delay. I have a Tube Works spring reverb for that.
Erv
Ron Randall
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Post by Ron Randall »

Bill,

Check out Lexicon's website. Lexicon.com.

Go to professional products, and you will see the different units.

As you move up the food chain, the full stereo units are there. The MPX1 is plenty. Past that and you are into Studio Gear.

I had a bad exerience with the MPXG2. Way too complex. I took it back. The manual was a 2 rack space!

TC Electronics has some nice full stereo processors.

Good luck

Ron