Yamaha "Magic" effect box

[Len Amaral]

Yamaha has a new multi effects box. It looks impressive. Anyone tried this unit? Sells for $200.00 (street price)

Here are the specs:


BUENA PARK, CA (September 26, 2003) — Yamaha Corporation of America, Guitar Products, presents a new concept in effects technology for the studio or gigging musician with the debut of the Magicstomp. Designed for electric or acoustic/electric guitars, the Magicstomp provides effects from the Yamaha UD, AG and DG Stomp programs, plus a number of digital effects from the Yamaha SPX family in an ultra-compact, user-friendly "stomp box" format.


Magicstomp Main
Loaded with a total of 198 sound programs (99 preset and 99 user), the Magicstomp contains vintage and new amp models, studio-quality effects, and speaker/microphone models, using powerful 24-bit processing.

The Magicstomp connects via USB to a computer (MAC or PC format) to allow deep editing of programs, patch configuration and patch downloads from the Internet. Bundled software includes driver, editor and tone data files, with a number of preset and additional patches. A dedicated website (to debut this Fall) will allow users to upload and download programs — including a number of high-profile artist patches — free of charge.

"Although the Magicstomp performs complex functions internally, Yamaha has succeeded in keeping the user interface simple and easy to use" states Joseph Brasler, marketing manager, Yamaha Guitars. "The real 'magic' here is that we've created a product so powerful and fun, it will be impossible for guitar players to resist."


Rear View
The intuitive interface contains hot-rod plum and brushed aluminum bodywork, an easy-to-read LCD for editing, three surface multi-function parameter knobs, increment/decrement and on/off switches, and volume control, with the most popular parameters available in real time. Balanced ¼" stereo outputs provide hotter signal/noise ratio. Accessories include a 9-Volt phantom power supply and USB cable.

[Richard Tipple]

Len, this effect processor sounds identical to the POD processors in every way, Amp modeling, speaker modeling Etc.
I just purchased the Pod 2.0 & tried it out through my NV400 & power amps Etc does all the things you mentioned above & more.
I tried every amp setting & speaker sample on the thing, nothing compared to my NV400 running straight without the POD I know the POD is not what you are asking about but your thread sounds like Im reading the owners manual for the POD !
I returned the POD today & bought a new power amp for my Profex II
Might want to try one out before ya buy it IMHO

[Wayne Carver]

I researched the Yamaha DG & AG Stomp, Pod 2, V-AMP, & the Johnson J-Station. The Yamaha products looked better to me because you could use it as a stomp box. The J-station had good software but Digitech is phasing it out. No one on the forum seemed to use them much with steel so I decided not to get one unless I run across a cheap used one someday.