software

I am currently using a rocktron replifex and i am pretty happy with it except for the reverbs which are underparametered and not very good.............so i started investigating for a replacement (around 400 euros) that can do what the replifex does(chorus, flangers, delays, reverbs are what i need) but with a much better reverb section without spending thousands of euros to get a lexicon pcm.............So i thought of the:

TC electronics Gmajor...........well.....50% of these have reliability problems...........mostly with the front panel selectors and with freezing issues...............i am going to buy it from ebay so i am not going to take the risk.........

TC g force..............quite expensive for having less processing power than the g major which is 60%-70% cheaper

Lexicon mpx1 (i really came close to buying it)...needs hours to change from one preset to another making it useless for live use...........(plus having a bad user interface)

Is it possible there's not a rack unit out there that has nice reverbs/delays and can do decent chorus without having some kind of problems?????

I use a Boss GT-Pro, which sounds fantastic- 47 effects, and amazing control over them.

I stand by Digitech. They've made many different rackmount processors, but to my ear, they really haven't improved much over the original GSP-5. They still have the best chorus, delay and distortion tones as far as my taste is concerned.

How about G System!
I know I'm not answering the question to your liking, but none. I think the best sounding FX are true bypass analog stompboxes. I kinda went for the hybrid approach by using an EH Holy Grail in the FX loop for subtle natural sounding reverb, but use analog or modeling pedals straight into the front of the amp. In my experience, running everything in a rackmounted FX loop setup tends to sound less organic, and more 'processed.'
Just my 2 cents though. Everyone has their preference.

I have been fustrated with the fact that all FX companies are designing Modeling type units to replace amps... No one out there is making good Multi FX's that are meant to go into the FX loop of an amp for Chorus,Flanger and Delay effects for starters.... I think Marshall had a 1 inch rack unit in the 90's that was meant for the FX loop of an amp or for teh JMP-1 preamp.... Those are rare units to find these days...

I would love to see companies make analog multi FX units but have a digital controll and switching system like the old Boss GP8-(which i own one) It was basicly a bunch of Boss pedals in a rack system with a digital controll system.... I picked mine up for $20 Canadian at a Garage sale! In the late 80's a few companies made pedalboards that were analog but they disappeared quick.

Hard to believe that in this day and age the companies seem to focus on one part of the buying market and not the other half..... We want quality Multi FX units to add to our Tube Amps Dammit!!!!

WhoFan

I do not like stompboxes...no real time control.......i use various delay/reverb settings and i cannot adjust knobs in the middle of a gig.............i also do not think stompboxes will ever have a reverb like a lexicon....they are by far inferior.............For overdrive/distortion e.t.c i know stompboxes are better but i like to get overdrive/distortion from the amp.....so for the moment i do not need them...

Companies like Digitech, Zoom, Boss are not a real improvement over the replifex or at least they are not so much better to justify spending money on them.......I need a serious rack effect unit without preamp/overdrive to use in the effects loop for chorus/delays/reverbs....................like the three i mentioned before but without having design problems like lag on changing presets or reliability issues........it really is difficult to find something good on that segment of the market............oh and yes i agree everybody seems to be interested in the modelling crap thing...............

Fenderiarhs, I have a G major and it hasn't given me a bit of trouble since owning it but I too have heard reports that they can be quirky. My G Major has been solid for over a year. If you can, buy locally from a retail outlet that offers at least a 30 day return policy. If you make it past 30 days you'll most likely be fine.

I have a Rocktron IntelliPitch and I had a Rocktron IntellEffect. They are simular units but the IntellIpitch has a killer 3 voice diatonic harmonizer included. The reason I had both was that the harmonizer in the IntelliPitch eats up the processor resources and when it is used thats the only effect you get, so I needed a second unit for my other effects.

I sold the IntellEffect to get the G Major because while the IntellEffect has great sounding verbs, delays, chorus and pitch funtions, it does not have phase, flange or tremolo. The G Major also has a gate, compressor, 3 band EQ and a couple of other nice features.

So as far as my research into rack units go under $500 USD those two are the best units out there. The Rocktron IntellEffect has Hush II and limited effects, but the Motorola processor is very fast and the tone is very transparent. The editable parameters seem far deeper than the Repliflex and that should help you out a bit.

The G Major is the best quot;all in onequot; rack processor out right now if you can get a quirk free unit, which shouldn't be too hard. Just cover your back with a return policy. I doubt that the 50% number is actually true and like I said before, mine has been trouble free for quite awhile now.

I posted and bumped the close-ups of my racks for you in the amp forum, go take a look.

Robert

Check out the old ADA processors. Best multi-fx I've ever heard, simply because they sound like analog effects. They don't make them anymore but you can find one ebay for a $100 or so.

I have come to answer your prayers my friend. You might be shocked to hear this Considering the other multi-fx units I persude at one time or another, such as T.C., BBE, Digitech, I was fortunate enough to come across a little gem. Behringer Virtulizer Pro. I am hesitant to tell you to purchase this, considering few, or at least that I know of, own it. Why? Well, normally I would steer clear of Behringer products, especially something under $100. I found this product by mistake. I was sent to a product page for the Virtulizer Pro, instead of BBE. Anyways, it caught my interest enough for myself to go down to the music store and try it. UNBELIEVABLE. It contains 71 alogarithms, 10 different reverbs, 4 different chorus', 3 distict flanges, physco-acoustic, compressor, graphic EQ. Each effect produced an amazing distict quality, with the ability to tweak until your head falls off. It has 2XLR inputs, 2 instrument inputs, -10db option, 4db option. A very professional piece of equipment. No, I'm not sure if this is enough to turn myself to a Behringer for life supporter, but they nailed it on this one. This unit is run through a Marshall 250 DFX (modified headroom, gain increase), Presonus Blue Tube, Optical Compressor. All mentioned above in fx loop. Guitar is an Ibanez GI0 (59/Custom Hybrid) going to a Tech 21 Double Drive. I'm not sure how this might sound in a less than adaquet setup, although I'm sure it would be an improvement. Anyways, it is definately worth trying out. Check out reviews at harmony-central.com. Hope you find what your looking for.