Overall Rating: It's about as good as you can get faking an amp. It never will replace the real thing, but if you need a variety of tones at the tap of a button, and you can't use a real amp, this is the unit for you. Features: I'll only give it a 7...
Overall Rating:
It's about as good as you can get faking an amp. It never will replace the real thing, but if you need a variety of tones at the tap of a button, and you can't use a real amp, this is the unit for you.
Features:
I'll only give it a 7 for features because although this unit has seemingly endless options, not all of them are usable.
I only use this direct to PA for performance, and I have used it for home practice using headphones (a very similar experience in regards to tonal output).
The most important feature is its amp modeling - all of your tone is based on the model you choose. There are dozens of guitar amp models (over 50, off the top of my head - check the website for a comprehensive list). Are all of them usable? Not really, but there are a few that do sound good. Do any of them sound like the real thing? If you read the manual, it's laughable how they purport that they've successfully modeled so many famous amps. No, they don't sound like the real thing at all - but the sounds are reminiscent at times, and that's the most you can really expect out of a digital device like this.
The stompbox models are fewer in number, and they are sketchy in their usability, especially in the distortion models.
The effects are usable, but they are the worst I've heard in a multi-effect unit. Zoom's G series (I have used the G2 and G7) is FAR superior in this area, and Boss and Digitech are also better.
The delays have potential (the dedicated tap tempo is great), but they don't sound right. They don't even get digital delay completely correct. No matter how you set it, the delay arc is just odd.
The reverbs sound good, and they are all usable in some way.
The comp/boost is good. It boosts (I don't really use it as a compressor - everything sounds compressed as-is, so I don't see a use for compression here).
As many will tell you, most audience members don't care if you're not using an authentic Fender Twin, as long as the song sounds good. However, most guitar pl
Sound Quality:
I could give a higher rating, but too many models sound bad. There are enough usable models to make this worthwhile, though.
I don't use many of the amp models, but you don't need to in order to get good sounds. The most usable model for me is the AC30 Top Boost model. I have a few different gigs, and in the ones where I use a real amp, I always use a Vox (either an AC30, an AC15, or both). The AC30 model doesn't really sound like an AC30, but it does have a good range of gain, and it has top end clarity that is severely lacking in many of the other models. You can get a nice clean tone, and a good high-gain tone that's perfect for many types of rock. The "Treadplate" or Mesa model works for ultra-high-gain, as do a couple Marshall models. The Peavy high gain also sounds pretty good. The Fender Twin model gives a good clean, although it's a little boxy. The Roland Jazz chorus model is horrible. Many Marshall modles are too muddy to actually use (even with treble and presence on 100%), and the parametric EQ section doesn't really help at all. There are a few "Line 6 amps" that are decent and usable, but unremarkable.
The stompbox models are very disappointing. It would be great to have a nice clean tone from your amp model and be able to kick in an overdrive pedal, but the models just don't cut it. The Tubescreamer model is horrible. You know how Tubescreamers can be a little nasal in the midrange? This model seems to only model that negative quality. The Distortion + model (I believe that's what they're going for, it's called Classic Distortion) sounds like bad 80's hair band tone. Too much squeal in the upper mids and highs. The Metal Zone model is gross. The Fuzzface model is okay, but a little too dirty. The Big Muff fuzz is the closest model to the real thing, and it actually sounds fine, but for me, fuzz isn't the most usable effect.
The effects, as mentioned before, are not very good. They are usable, but they are in no way inspiring.
Reliability/Durability:
Seems to be built well, but not quite like a tank.
Ease of Use:
It's about as easy as a multi-effect unit can be. It's user-friendly; use the manual to get started, and then you should be good.
Customer Support:
Never contacted them.
Reviewer Background: Live Performance (weekly), Home Demos (8 years)
Purchased From: Local
Price: $350.00 USD USED
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