Cheap as Chips Multi Effects Unit?

[Jack Bauer]

I'm after a cheap and cheerful multi fx unit to reproduce our studio vocal sound in a live setting. It would ideally have reverb, delay and distortion. Cheap & second hand if possible! Any recommendations highly appreciated!

[SafeandSound Mastering]

Look into the Zoom 9030 I used to own one it is primarily a guitar based effects unit but has what you need and is possible to use line inputs.
Here is some info:

http://www.zoom.co.jp/archive/Previous_Model/E_9030.pdf

[Jack Bauer]

That's just the sort of unit we would need - thanks.

[Richie Royale]

Zoom was going to be my first suggestion.

Keep an eye out for the Boss VF1 and the Yamaha SPX range. Digitech also do some useful rack effects, the Studio Quad is worth looking out for.

[Jack Bauer]

Thanks! I'll have to check them out. Is the Yamaha FX500 worth a punt?

[shufflebeat]

Thanks! I'll have to check them out. Is the Yamaha FX500 worth a punt?

I found the fx500 hard to like. If you're interested in old but basic I loved my (several) Alesis Quadraverbs.

Distortion on a live vocal can be problematic if you don't have serious headroom (i.e. a big, well tuned system) and the fact that you're looking for a cheap unit implies there's not a massive budget elsewhere. Be warned, your vocal may just disappear into the background noise.

[4TrackMadman]

Art Sge is still one of my old staples. Haven't sold mine yet. This one actually has distortion/overdrive.
Alesis Quadraverb is another oldie but goodie. One of the new TC units might do it as well, I think there was one at about $200-$300. Not sure if you want to put distortion though.

Yamaha used to have quite a few good old studio rack units, so did Roland/Boss but can't remember the names. Maybe even one of the guitar based ones would do like Gmajor or one of the rackmount versions of the GT-6 by Boss (don't remember what they called it).

What about floor pedal effects? There are a bunch of these floating the web as apparently vocalists tried to sound better and discovered they couldn't

[Jack Bauer]

Thanks! I'll have to check them out. Is the Yamaha FX500 worth a punt?

I found the fx500 hard to like. If you're interested in old but basic I loved my (several) Alesis Quadraverbs.

Distortion on a live vocal can be problematic if you don't have serious headroom (i.e. a big, well tuned system) and the fact that you're looking for a cheap unit implies there's not a massive budget elsewhere. Be warned, your vocal may just disappear into the background noise.

I'd forgotten about the quadraverb - I used to have one of those bad boys too!

We're going for the My Bloody Valentine vocals buried in the mix sound so disappearing into the background noise sounds quite appealing

[TheBev]

Not wanting to hijack or anything, but.. what's the difference between the GT & plus models of the Quadraverb - or any others I haven't seen for that matter. Do they add anything useful or are there later/improved algorithims inside?

[ken long]

Ensoniq DP4 or DP2

[MarkOne]

The Boss VE20 is a dedicated vocal processor and isn't stupidly expensive.

[The Elf]

Not wanting to hijack or anything, but.. what's the difference between the GT & plus models of the Quadraverb - or any others I haven't seen for that matter. Do they add anything useful or are there later/improved algorithims inside?

GT is more geared toward guitar. In addition to the Quadraverb Plus the GT can accept guitar input and has distortion algorithms IIRC.

[johnny h]

Ensoniq DP4 or DP2

They aren't as cheap as they used to be, good machines though.

[TheBev]

Thanks for that Elf.

[caveman82]

Would a rack fx unit be a little tricky to use live?

For vocals etc live on stage, I myself would favour a small mixer and a selection of budget guitar pedals. Behringer etc type pedals which can be bought quite cheap.

Some small mixers even have built in fx which could be used too.

[Guy Johnson]

These are really useful cheapies!

[Martin Walker]

Hi guy,

Wow - they look excellent for £140 !!!!

They even have digital I/O

Martin

[Goddard]

The Zoom 1202 might do:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_ar ... m1202.html

[Guy Johnson]

Hi guy,

Wow - they look excellent for £140 !!!!

They even have digital I/O

Martin

They are fab .. good reverbs, useful fx, and mixable with knobs (deffo plus point). And a tap delay doofer-wossname. All for not a lot, with a 3 year guarantee! ni-i-i-ce. An you can take off the silly handles easily.

[zenguitar]

I think it only fair to point out that the Quadraverb is a very poor choice. I bought mine new in 1989, purchased the ROM upgrade to Quadraverb+ as soon as it was released, had a faulty screen repaired, and it is still sitting in my guitar rack. The last thing I want is for people to realise how good it is and push up second hand prices in case I need to replace mine at some point.

Quadraverb+, don't do it, just walk away, "nothing to see here 'Gov', move along please"...

Andy

[grab]

For quick-and-easy, I've got a Lexicon MX200, which is as simple as you like - you can dial in anything you want in a matter of seconds. Usually I use this for delays or chorus.

I've also got a Lexicon MPX500 dedicated to reverb. Sounds a fair bit better, but the greater possibility for tweaking also means it's a bit slower to make changes, which is why it's permanently set to reverb.

Both are very nice. And from memory they cost me £70 each on eBay.

[Zukan]

Boss****cough***SE70*****cough

[Guy Johnson]

You OK there, Zukan? Try Manuka honey for that AHEM! *cough* !

[Zukan]

It's****cough***been a t***t***tough**d***d****day Guy

[tim_obrien]

These are really useful cheapies!

I've had an M300 in my rack for years and it's a great unit.