SeriesKorg Pandora

Having had a good look around at what was available, this seemed to be the best option (price aside). I bought this from Sound Control in Bristol UK for £149. I've had it about 18 months and no problems and recently I have used it every day. It is only after having 'outgrown' the PX4 that I can say just how good it is. I recently bought a Boss GT6 and a Pod 2, BUT having gone back to the PX4 I can state that the presets (the sounds/patches) it comes shipped with are truly exceptional. There are many sounds that my GT6 simply can't easily emulate and I find myself using the basic PX4 sounds for recording far more than anything else. Its size is a great plus point, very small and portable, but don't drop it - it will easily break - a nice rubberised or armoured wrap-around guard would be a nice extra to have available and I'd even welcome more durability for a slightly larger footprint. You must accept that this is not a gigging tool, you simply would not be physically able to switch any settings in the heat of a gig although you can attach it to your guitar strap and if you have cordless headphones, you can do an impression of EVH by playing around the house with no cables as the PX4 has infra-red output. The built in tuner is excellent as is the phrase trainer - but there should be a timer that allows you to physically start the record mode. This is a real blip in that I might lay down a backing track (anything up to the full 32 seconds available, but having pressed the start button, the time it takes to get my hand up back on the fretboard means there is a second or two delay and if I wanted the sound to loop - it simply wouldn't. Back to the sounds available - Melissa and Piezo are truly phenomenal, very atmospheric. I would say that the cabinet modelling is a bit gimmicky though - and all that 'Wet Air' and 'Hall' stuff is a bit daft. I took it on holiday with me together with my Speedster Traveler guitar and to be able to sit anywhere, on the beach etc, and slap some headphones on and simply play was an experience. EVERY electrical appliance that needs a seperate power supply should come supplied with one and not as an extra - the PX4 falls into this camp = pants. This said - this isn't really the unit as such. Construction could be a trifle chunkier. For the guitarist of any level - the PX4 is a great tool but not being a floor based effects processor, it is strictly a desktop recording device or garage rehearsal tool. I would say that as the presets are so good (really they are) - you could be pretty stuffed attempting to emulate the identical sounds on stage. So if you hit upon a superb sound that 'makes' a song really special - be prepared to not have that available when gigging. I found this when recording my own version of Fleetwood Mac's 'Green Manalishi' - I put a much softer down tempo section in the middle with congas with a solo over the top using the PX4. It took the song to a different place - but I was unable to reproduce the sound outside of my home studio setup. I could have taken the PX4 on-stage, but as I said earlier, this wasn't practical as things move at such a frenetic pace during a gig. I got close to the sound using my GT6, but no cigar. Of course it depends on what you want an effects processor to do - it certainly creates a range of interesting, varied and in many cases unique sounds, plus the extras are useful and functional - but it does have its limitations. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I began looking for a multi effects processor that I could use when our band meets and at home when I wanted to learn a new song or play along with a CD. I also wanted an amp/effect mobile processor I could use with my travel guitar when I am out of town (about 3 days a week). I searched on line and found one for about$200. AS time goes on they can be found cheaper than that. The ability to play a CD and fill in on the Bass part (low range is muted) is a lot of fun and helps get a great sense for timing and emphasis the Bass plays in any new song your trying to learn. I also like the Phrase recorder which allows you to loop a portion of the song from a CD or from my guitar then play it back and work on the bass part until I get it down. The Rhythm tracks are also a real plus, and although the PX3B is specifically for the Bass, I use it (as my amp/effects)with my Traveler guitar on the road with a set of headphones. The batteries don't last long and I recommend that you get power adapter and use the back lighting only when you need it while using the batteries. I which you could use the rhythm backing and phrase trainer at the same time. When you use the Phrase trainer the Modeling effects are somewhat muffled or muted. I am sure all of the above have to do with the amount of processing power and the need to keep the unit small. The unit is pretty well constructed and has survived several drops as well as traveling in a suitcase for over a year. I was amazed at the sound it could generate from such a small box and I think it will serve me well for years to come. I have yet to spill any liquids on it, but I think it would handle minor amounts of moisture. I think anyone with a bass guitar needs to have the Pb3x if for no other reason than to be able to be the bass player on any CD you want to play. Unlike playing along with a CD where you have to fight to be heard or overpowering the song the unit will mute the Bass and you can blend right in with just a little tweaking. Of course being able to plug in head phones and not have to fire up your amp will be appreciated by friends and family and the price is great for what it offers. Especially mobility. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

$199 Dec.2000 Zounds It's an anywhere jam along box of joy. My Line6 ax212 gets a lot of rest since I got the little blue box. Not much bigger than a pack of cigaettes, the Pandora, a good set of headphones and a good guitar, in my case a Strat with Lace's and you may not be heard from for days. Packed with features and some really remarkable editable tones make it a delight. Using the rhythm mode it is just the tiket for slumping back and coming up with new riffs. And if you like it -record it. You can also run an outside source IE; cd player, drop out the midrange and be the guitar player. It all fits in your guitar case and is a nice little effects unit when playing through an amp or recording into a board. If mine was stolen today I would order another tomorrow Considering what this little unit can do I can only say the stuff it comes packed with sounds so good you don't do much changing of anything but tone, tempo,rhythm and key for bass accomp. Oh ya, nice tuner too. The only thing I would add would be an automatic shut off after 5 minutes or so. The window can be lit but to save batteries I usually shut off the light after I get going. It doesn't have another indicator light. Walk off and leave it on and tomorrow you'll need new batteries. Small, light but well built. I hate to admit it but I've dropped mine acouple of time. It never flinched. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com