2. Do not buy the smaller and cheaper model of digital effect processor.
The company will use the cheaper DSP for its main signal processing, which means less processing power. What can you expect from low processing power? more simplified model that will lead to less realistic sound. Lower bit processing also means the sound will be more digital due to rough digital quantization and processing. It also could happen that the cheaper model will use analog filter quality which will means the sound will not be friendly to your ears. Ear fatique is not a good thing for musicians who need to rehearse more.
3. If the sales staff offer you something more expensive for the same model, but made in USA or Japan instead of China or Taiwan (e.g., POD XT made in USA instead of China), just Don't buy it!
For those who don't know much on Digital Electronics, let me tell you something: Digital processing only requires 0 and 1 (ON and OFF) processing. It does not require very sophisticated wiring of the electronics circuit as long as the signal ON and OFF can be interpreted by the DSP. The good wiring and sophisticated made with high quality electronic components only apply for Analog Effect pedal.
4. Buy the product from the company that has some history.
The company that have been producing the digital effect modelling for some time has a good ground and more time for polishing their models. The modelling of effect requires continuous improvement and dilligent research. The unit cannot easily be copied by other company unless the imitator want to go through tremendously tedious exercise to nail down the machine code of the DSP. Company that is new to digital effect modelling will tend to come up with immature product (I think exception applies to those company that manage to hijack some engineer from the more prestigious company, but who knows)
5. Buy the product from the company that provide continuous system update.
As I said before, digital modelling requires continuous improvement. Latest system update normally fix some of the flaws in the modelling algorithm which will lead to a better sounding effect. Software effect is better in this case since they are more flexible for update. Some hardware digital effect can become useless and be left behind if the company does not continue the system update/patch.
Product Recommendation.....finally!
After all of those crap you said, which product should I buy? Good question, here is my product recommendation (at the time of this writing) if you already have the money:
For overall type of sound, I recommend the LINE6 POD XT if you want the portability and does not require so much of pedalling effect such WAH or pitch bend. Otherwise by the POD XT Live (but you also have to take the burden of carrying heavier gear for rehearsal). The product offer decent models for both distortion and clean sound. And they provide continuous system update for the software and the hardware EPROM. And there are options for Model Packs for more Amp and stomp box modelling. Not Bad!
For distinctive and realistic tubey clean sound, go with VOX tonelab (or Tonelab SE for pedalling option). It just sound amazing for the clean setting and the warmth of the tube is there. I don't have one but I have tried it. It's just more pricey compared to other product. And the overdrive and distortion sound (especially the high gain) suck.
A lot of people praise the BOSS GT model (the latest I have is GT6), I don't know why. I think the sound is smooth and professional for recording, but in term of imitating the real stuff (amplifier, tube distortion), it sucks. It is not even close. But I think they fix some of the high gain model with the latest GT-8 product.
If you don't have that much to spend, buy a V-AMP2 model from BEHRINGER. It comes with a handy bag and switch pedal, not bad for Rp 1.25 million price tag. The sound is a bit harsh, not so smooth, but the amp modelling is actually excellent! But it's tiring for the ear if you use headphone for practising. Use a decent flat response amplifier and it solves the problem.
Don't buy the product from Korg (Tonework), they just sound harsh and unrealistic compared to the real stuff. But some models offer amazing portability (such as Pandora PX4 or Ampworks) and great for practising if you are satisfied with their models.
ZOOM does not provide good sound either. Their effects are good for practising, but not for direct recording or Live performance.
If you are satisfied with one type of Amplifier sound. Don't buy any of the Digital Modelling effect. Just buy one decent amplifier from Mesa Boogie, Marshall, or Fender (don't buy the cheaper model, they are for beginner, you'll be dissapointed very soon) depending on the type of music you play. You can buy some analog stomp boxes to further colour your sound if you have extra money.
Again, my recommendation is very subjective to my ear. You can try for yourself before making purchasing decision. Or you can get some sound samples from their promotional sites and use your own judgement.
That's all for now. I'll talk on Digital Recording on my next article. Until then......keep rocking!
