Ok, since we are having lots of repeats of questions about effects and pedalboards and multi-effects, it's best to just post them all here.

The best way for a beginner to start with effects is a small Multi-FX unit.
The Zoom G2.1u is recommended, solely because they have a wide variety of effects and amp simulations, have an expression pedal (for Whammy, Volume control or other settings), goes for a reasonable price considering it's features (around Rm 500) and the most important, have a USB connection to record to your PC. Downside is that the sounds are very digital and the casing is prone to breakage. If you don't need the recording an expression pedal, you can get the Zoom G2 for around RM310.

Then if you want to move to the big leagues, the main choices for a Multifx are:

Vox Tonelab SE - Great amp modelling, uses a tube for the poweramp, little lacking on the effects side, can't use OD/DS with a Wah at the same time
Boss GT-8, GT-10 - Great overall effects + modelling, navigation quite hard
POD LiveX3 - Great overall effects + Amp simulation, easy navigation, recording through USB, some mid-gain amp models doesn't translate very well.
Zoom 9.2tt - Twin Tube, dual expression pedals, loads of effects, USB recording, sounds are very digital compared to the other mfxs, very fragile.

Overall, the price ranges from about RM1200 (for the Tonelab) up to around 1.8 for the POD or GT-10.

I haven't include the Digitech ones because I haven't tested them personally, so maybe somebody can comment on this.

Moving on....... if you already played with multi-effects and really KNOW what you want, it's maybe time to move into single pedals.

The few major brands that are easily available in KL are:
BOSS (Still the most popular and affordable ones with a VERY wide range of effects)
Jim Dunlop/MXR (very high quality and very high price)
Digitech (Has everything from low-range prices to high end prices, some still sound very digital)
Electro-Harmonix (Like digitech, has low-range and high end, some of the best sounding ones too)
Danelectro (Dirt cheap, but quality of built & tone might not compare to the more expensive ones)

Of course, there are a million other brands, but these 5 pops into my head first. Again, if you have any more, please comment on these on this thread.

The general rule of your signal chain are:

Volume --> Overdrive pedal --> Distortion Pedal --> Chorus/Delay/Flange --> Noise Gate
Volume --> EQ --> Overdrive pedal --> Distortion Pedal --> Chorus/Delay/Flange --> Noise Gate
Volume --> Overdrive pedal --> EQ --> Distortion Pedal --> Chorus/Delay/Flange --> Noise Gate

Of course, you can mix and match to whatever sounds best in your opinion..... but these are just a general rule of thumb.

Hope that helps and keep more advice, reviews and suggestions coming!!! Right now, if anyone can post up a short FAQ on buying Pedal Boards and/or power supplies would be a great help. Thanks.


Also, all other effects threads will be closed on sight and redirected here unless you can PM me or another Mod a valid reason for having your thread up.

This post has been edited by blacktrix: Mar 31 2009, 12:26 PM

might need an extra wah for the tonelab.

i'm looking for one with a true bypass. my gcb-95 sucks tone real bad.
any reccommendation?

and is the vox wah sold at ck music is a true bypass?
the price was shocking me, if it came with a true bypass i sure take it.

always for guitarists!!

bass effects leh?

ebs? haha

Post up a simple FAQ for Bass effects then

Also, checking out the Vox website, I don't see the wah listed as true-bypass, so it's probably not.

what wah u using blacktrix?
true bypass i suppose?

Nope.
I use a GCB-95 and a Zakk Wylde Wah......... Both not True-Bypass.
Doesn't matter to me. I like my tone

Pics of my board is here:
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=Atta...=post&id=804278

Go back a page to see the rest of my gear.

This post has been edited by blacktrix: Mar 31 2009, 03:38 PM

haha good for you, but for me it hurts to hear my tone sucked down. i almost cried :'(

woahh ur pedal board looks sexy.
tell me ur address i want go steal those. hahaha.

I'm adding a chorus soon, but the Dunlop is just too bloddy amazing. Right now thinking of the Boss CE-5.

wow thx...juz about 2 make a "which multifx shuld i get" thread

May I suggest a brand called Behringer? *runs and hide*

Digitech Bad Monkey is worth mentioning I guess for it's price.
Just maybe 'Again' it's not a true bypass

Is Bad Monkey an overdrive or distortion pedal?

nice, effects play an important part in guitaring anyway, great that someone finally made a thread just for them.
btw a friend of mine has the line 6 floor pod plus, how does that compare to the line 6 POD liveX3? And the others as well.

i think the Morley Wah pedals are true bypass...correct me if I'm wrong....

i dont know about the POD floor plus but the X3 live has dual tone capability,meaning u can have two different amp tone in one....and it has all the amp models and effects unlike the Pod XT Live where u have to buy the extra amps and effects....also,u can use the X3 live for bass and vocals too...has a DI port meaning u dont need a DI box and u can directly connect to the mixer....check out their website...www.line6.com

well, ive checked the floor Pod plus online and seen lots of mixed reviews, some giving it 10 outta 10 and others just are kinda rock bottom. might want to skip that one then..

the Vox Tonelab on the other hand.... seems interesting

overdrive, imagin Ibanez tube screamer. but i cant say they are same level or not cause i never tried a TS.
but what i heard that's the case la.

iriz answered your question.


yeah true, but to go for the morley means need a lot of mooolahhhh..

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Added on March 31, 2009, 7:27 pmhahaa i used Vox Tonelab

This post has been edited by m3er: Mar 31 2009, 07:27 PM

yeah true, but to go for the morley means need a lot of mooolahhhh..

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Added on March 31, 2009, 7:27 pm

hahaa i used Vox Tonelab

[/quote]

wat do u mean need a lot of mooolahhhh???

moneyy lahhh

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Added on March 31, 2009, 9:17 pma little review on the tonelab.
u'll be surprised by it's modelling sound.
u'll love it.
and the distortion it's far from sounding digital.

i got patches from the internet, huge community now no more problem to get Slash, Gary Moore, Brian May sound, even Vai, Petrucci is quite possible (not necessarily means 100% same la, but u can come very close.

and best of all:-
it's very easy to be handled.

contra is: no usb interface, and u cant use wah when u're using other pedal (dist/overdrive)

but i dont care, i just use it for live show and for the wah, just use my cry baby.

This post has been edited by m3er: Mar 31 2009, 09:17 PM

Check this out:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--DNPGCB95F

Basically the GCB-95 with the Fasel and true-bypass.

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Added on March 31, 2009, 10:43 pmOr how about the Morley Power Wah......

http://www.morleypedals.com/dpwov.html

This post has been edited by blacktrix: Mar 31 2009, 10:43 PM

nice one, i always had the idea of putting a fasel inside the gcb-95.
is it possible?

i heard u can also true bypass it.

going to get the boss gt-8 tonite...btw...my friend recommended me the line6 instead...any idea how does it fare against the boss gt-8?

If between the two, I would go for PodX3Live if you're more into amp modelling, and the GT-8 if you want more effects.

m3er, the GCB-95F has both Fasel AND true-bypass according to the website. How true that is, sorry lah...... never test, never know.

i've heard from alot of ppl that the gt-8 is very complicated....the manual is so thick its like a textbook....thats wat i heard la.....the POD X3 Live is much newer tool than the gt-8....but its not to say that the POD has no problems of its own....but the best part about POD is that u can go online n download stuff....n its design for recording too....

even my college's gt-6 is killing me.

thanks blacktrix for the info. i just watched morley's vai and tremonti wah.
correct me if i'm wrong, but no click button right, it's true bypass when the pedal released? and u just need to press it with ur foot, no need heel down it will bounce back.

ur college has a gt-6?which college are u from?

n yeah,ur right....the morley wahs no click button....n has spring action meaning that when u lift ur foot the heel goes down n goes into bypass mode...

ic...but anyways...if that guy is selling it to me the gt-8 plus a gator bag for rm1100 worth it?

its up to u bro...in the end,its whether u gonna love it or hate it....but i must say that the price is very good cos i think the gt-8 is around rm1500+-

correct me if im wrong

Uniten Putrajaya.
Yeah the college have GT-6, actually it was kept by the studio supervisor,
he was keeping it afraid of some students might steal it while using the studio.
but since I was playing for the college band and got to know him well then no problem for me to tried anything they kept inside.

but once he told me that he also managed the Uniten Muadzam's new studio,
and surprisingly they came out with two GT-10 on their buying list.
I was like @@ when i heared that.

waaahh.....giler la......eh Uniten Putrajaya???didnt know ada uniten kat putrajaya...the one i know is in bangi near KLIUC.....i was studying in UniKL MFI in bangi......but no luxury of a studio there...hahaha.....

yeahla, that uniten, now it changed name from uniten bangi --> uniten putrajaya.

but basically same place same uni.

mfi near ukm right? not far from hear.

laaaa....boleh ke like that??hahahah....yeah,mfi dekat ukm.....

why go mfx? go b00tek lah..

b00tek?

Anyone knows if Fulltone Bassdrive is sold in Malaysia? That bass effects pedal seems really droolworthy - you can add some light touches of overdrive or make it sound really gritty and fuzzy, and both cases will sound nice. I don't wanna buy a Boss OBD-3. DD:

using me-50 now... u think good change to go me-70 ?? looks nice ... or straight jump gt-8/gt-10/podx3... when the next gt coming out ?? lol.. dont want to have the feeling after buy a gt-10 then gt 12 come out.. damn pik chek

not quite sure with the me cause never had tried any.
but for my personal point of view, if u want to change, then make a huge change.
go to pod x3 live, or xt as they are more into amp modelling.
maybe that's something you need?

and if u want to buy just buy, there is no end in mfx new model to came out.
just get urself 1 that is reliable.
if u want to wait wait wait, there is no end of it.
pod x3 is good enough already, including it's dual amp channel simulation.

just my suggestion...

And the GT-8 also has dual amp sims etc Anyway, I think icyfawkes is a proud owner of a GT-8 now. Welcome to the club!

i use a HBE Hematoma for the OD side of things, a custom Polish Love for some clean OD boost and a custom Polish Hate for Fuzz goodness. i am a drive whore my board got 2 OD and 1 fuzz *sigh* the only good pedal that boss every made is the LS-2 damn useful for bass player...

topics says pedalboard. i guess its need to be a multifx on a board. a single multifx not a board!!!???



wh0ring time! hahahaha

This post has been edited by lordie: Apr 2 2009, 05:48 PM

yeah...couldnt agree more....the gt-8 i heard is very complicated....but still a very good piece of tool....but i'd go for POD XT or X3....cos its so easy n alot of downloadable stuff....

ermmm i want recording- this just for fun no need super hightech.. amp model and effects lo...i got no effects now.. i abit despo..lol i'm living oversea my stuff all in malaysia...only got 1 guitar and 1 super cheap noob amp...
also wat u guys tink of zoom c5.1t ... how much is it in malaysia... its about $650... cheapest i think also 600 ...

This post has been edited by mingdynasty: Apr 2 2009, 07:21 PM

ahaha...tq...
pics...


now going thru YouTube looking at how they play covers for U2...now im juz wondering what kinda effect they are using...and how to set the gt-8 lol...its gonna be a loooong journey for me...

This post has been edited by icyfawkes: Apr 2 2009, 11:51 PM

okay ive pretty much been won over by the pod X3 live. anyone knows where u can get them in kl and how much?

congratz
go search on internet the rig of Edge from U2 first for some info, then check ur manual for all technical thing.
good luck dialing in.

maybe somewhere around 1.8 or 1.9?
try CK music at Jalan Imbi

Last time during the sales, it's around Rm1700....

Maybe now around 2k.

noooooooooooo.... well, hope theres another sale somewhere in the end of this year, gotta start saving up then. thanks people.

RM1865...

im just thinking of getting a multi fx.. soo many out there from various brand...

im a noob and wanna play and test first no specific line of music genre just play anything that sound good... so ive narrow down my budget since dont wanna spend too much on something that i still experimenting.
i would like to know which would be great for start up in term of durability choise of fx, tone function etc.. the zoom G2 or behringer XV Amp LX-1-X (i think this is the right one)...

usually if it's a true bypass, the manufacturer would state it on their product information.

but actually you can get some technician to mod ur pedal to get the true bypass.

i hadnt tried any but my friend said Woh Fatt did it. Not quite sure.

This post has been edited by m3er: Apr 6 2009, 08:24 PM

CK music is good..they provide good service..
can always ask Jaya to demo for u before u buy..hehe
i went all the way there from penang to buy my XT live..

guys i nid a multi FX....
budget around 1.2k?

vox tonelab le?

Did anybody even READ my first post?

All the info you need about Multi-FX for you two are up there already.......

well it the pedal is not a true bypass than u can definitely will feel the lost of tone aka tone sucking.

im 80% almost sure to gettin a Zoom G2.1u. reason: suits the budget with all that i need.

Now question is, how tough is this thing? if going to servicing , is it xpensive?

My previous Zom 505 was loyal for bout 10 years till the adapter ALMOST killed it.

This post has been edited by CyberianHusky: Apr 15 2009, 12:51 PM

I don't think the build quality is all that good for Zoom. I really abuse my pedals and my last 505 and GFX5 both died a horrible death from too much stomping.

Oh well, my consience keep telling me to stay with my 505, and wait till i hav enuff $$ to get something better that sounds more natural.

Since you have the 505, I kinda agree with that.
Just pump up the budget a little more and get the Vox Tonelab LE...... that is, if you want better sounding amp emulation........

yah i thought it was forever done but managed to fix it back. When i read here that zoom distort sounds digital i totally 1000% Agree and that mede me thought back to put my money in to another zoom.

Ive got my spider line III which also has the effects.

In no hurry now, im gonna look into ME-20 / ME-50 / Tonelab LE / GT-5/ GT-8 .

Something that can be use for home/ studio / gig / recording.

This post has been edited by CyberianHusky: Apr 15 2009, 03:43 PM

guys....ive juz bought Zoom G2.1u -well fits me....since im a nub -
i juz nid an adapter...-9V-
any brand will do?
if i use the cikai-cikai...ones will it like explode or sumthing???
any guitar store sell this???
i forgot 2 ask the dude there....>.>

using batteries rite now LOLOL....
well atleast i got the santana patch...

sry n

thx...

Congrats and have fun with it. I almost bought that last week, but i pulled back my intentions.

Anyway, adapter is the most important lifeline if u dont wanna invest in batteries.

Do not use the RM12 adjustable adapter. You dont wanna see ur g2.1u suddenly stopped and smell smoke.

I burnt my Boss SD with that and it almost killed my 505.

Buy a fix voltage adapter that sells around RM30, branded one prefereed. Else, u can invest in rechargable batteries.

i wonder what the fuzz about true bypass..it maybe just alter ur tone a bit but what the heck..if it doesnt suck tone real bad, then dont get it la..if the effect is good i dont care if it is true bypass or not..im not that fussy about true bypass like some of us..come on laa

hey guys, im considering the boss ME-70 or the Vox Tonelab now. for effects, i dont think i really need a million effects, just a simple variety to play around with and most importantly, good sound. comments would be appreciated, thanks.

Yeah... I got various products from them as well :-)
Almost bough the XT Live also, haha... but I really don't have any need for it.

you will see the effects when you used bunch of pedals in one time..
imagine you put 7 pedals in line and you want to use the last one only.
imagine the signal that gone through 6 different type of pedals...
the alternative to bypass is a/b switch.

Yeah... Shah_Etd is right...
It becomes even worse if you have multiple loops running before the last one...

guys,know any shop that sells Dunlop DC brick???or any one sell em??

yerp i know that..but just pull out the unused pedal la..its like u used all the 10 pedals for 1 hour of jamming..u wouldnt wanna carry 10 ++ pedals plus they are damn heavy hehehe..sometime i felt like it is such a waste if u like the pedal so much but cannot get it becoz u r a true bypass freak..

yes true bypass is good but dun be too picky la..everything want true bypass..my worthless 2 cents

This post has been edited by nizamextreme: Jun 15 2009, 06:59 PM

u are asking who to come on with u?
different people, different preference.

i think the issue with tru by pass here are more affected by tube amp players. cuz tube amps are quite sensitive with the signals sent into the amp, even a small lil 60 cycle hum can be quite annoying on a tube amp but cant really be heard on a solid state amp. therefore true by pass may be important to some players if they're into clean tones.....if a metal head wants all true by pass i think...thats a bit too much la

hehe....just my thoughts, any comments on that ...?

Waaaa..metal heads cannot have a true bypass??thats a bit too much??
why bro??why????

yeahh!! dat is the explanation i wanna read bro..it is a MAYBE important but not necessary la u wanna have fx with all true bypass..i do admit that true bypass is important to clean tones..but wattaheck, even with not a true bypass i still can find damn nice clean tones..

i'm not asking people to agree with me but it is just my opinion..everywhere i go people talking about true bypass but still when i hear them play, sound coming from their TRUE BYPASS fx sux balls..imo la..sry if i'd offended someone over here..

This post has been edited by nizamextreme: Jun 18 2009, 01:52 PM

blacktrix....u oso a vox whore...wahahaha

Hi guys,

Just need some advice on effects placement.
Does the phaser go before or after distortion?
I tried both and prefer it before distortion, what about you guys?

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Added on June 25, 2009, 2:01 pmFrom what I understand, buffers in the pedals are quite important if you are driving a long signal path. So if you are having a long signal path and having ALL your pedals true bypass would load your guitar signal and cause it to degrade too.

In any case for a long signal path, you would still need a buffer to drive the signal on the longest portion of the signal so that it doesn't degrade. The problem is that not all buffers are created equal (some are good some are bad). That's why the tone suckage observation.

So though true bypass pedals are good, but buffers are there for a reason

This post has been edited by supercolossal: Jun 25 2009, 02:02 PM

Hi everybody, does anyone know where i can get this guitar fx processor?:

Korg Pandora PX4D or PX5D

i frequently travel and need a practice device to play along. if use laptop it so difficult lah...anybody knows?

Thanks

Merged your topic into this one, as all threads about effects should be here.

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Added on June 25, 2009, 4:05 pmMerged your topic into this one, as all threads about effects should be here.

This post has been edited by blacktrix: Jun 25 2009, 04:05 PM

CK Music, they carry KORG. I got mine at The Guitar Store, D'sara Perdana last time but already sold it cause I dun use it that much.

I eventually put my Phaser right in front. Phaser -> Dist/OD.
There is really no fix rule of where to put the phaser but mostly people will put the phaser after the OD/Dist. I tried it and it does sound nice but for the time being, I have the Phaser put in front to have the strong feel of it... maybe thats just me...Someday i will put it at the end depends on what I want.

Most important is ur ear to hear which sound nice to you.

Supercolossal is right, buffers are important to run long cable signal and Boss mainly use buffers and not true-bypass.

IMHO, True bypass is good but it is not everything to tone. I would personally prefer to have a few boss pedals to help run the buffer in front and of cos is to have a good buffer in front.

What is important is try out different pedals together and experiment, you will then find out that not all brand pedals are friendly with each other.

Cheers and Rock On~

thanks deadfrog ...at that time how much it cost?

I put my distortion in one loop (thru the noise suppressor) that leads to my modulation pedals (i.e. phaser & chorus). Like the sound I am getting

Again, there is no set rules about pedal placements.
If it sounds good to you, let it be.
My Delay goes after my distortion.

Hey guys, owner of the Boss ME-70 here. Just bought it. Anyone here with it too? I kinda need some help with memory mode.

freakfingers12, how's the quality of sound for BOSS Me-70? I'm plan to buy this multi-effects.
How much the price for this item?

I bought it for RM1250 including postage and adaptor, but I can't remember the price of it alone. Anyway, it's a great practice tool but honestly speaking, I find some of the distortion models rather bad. Other than that, it's okay. I think I need a better amp tho.

hey i just ordered my boss ME-70! but its only coming on thursday.. what amp are you using? i think it'll sound pretty crappy cause im using a Line 6 spider, those digital sounding things..

I'm using a Laney HCM10. Damn I gotta get a tube amp.

probably better than my line 6, it sounds so DIGITAL! i now regret not getting the small kustom tube amp my dad was pestering to buy...

hey guys....im really interested on multieffect pedals cuz im kinda bored with my one miserable pedal...but the thing is that ive no idea what i should consider. there is so many differrent type of pedals and brands. so all im saying is if i were to but a multi effect pedal, what should i be looking at / considering...sorry very new at this...dear all pros musician..share some of your ideas and suggestions....

you might ask what genre i mostly jam......death metal, punk metal, and also a lil of the modern rock stuff....i want to have some unique of dynamic kinda effect range you...neway thanks for your suggestion and ideas...

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Added on July 21, 2009, 11:46 amoh yea forgot to mentioned...but there is a few sellers recommending me this 2 brands....boss me 20 and zoom g2.1u..so wat you guys think bout this two models?

This post has been edited by blacksunday: Jul 21 2009, 11:46 AM

Both products are mid-range for multi-effects pedals. But they give really sweet tones and effects.

The Boss ME20 is a stomp box modeler, while the Zoom is a multifx processor/amp modeler... The Boss only simulates tones from effects pedals and is more suited as a replacement for a chain of stompboxes.. The Zoom however provides amplifier and cabinet models which will simulate the sound of the actual amplifiers, thus they can be used direct for recording without plugging it into an amp...

gosh...is there a dictionary to decode these bunch of msgs....so let me get this right, if were to use the zoom, wat effect that is coming out from my amp will be stimulated and for the boss??....sorry dude....can you make it easier to understand...its too technical...but much appreciated for the explanation!

Zoom = Simulating Amplifiers + Effects
Boss = Simulating Effects.

Simple?

simple but what is simulating amp + effect in the first place..so is simulating effect??....wats the differrence?......

bro,u have the exactly same amp as mine..HAHA

now here I come from nowhere....

open your eyes guys......
don't stick to certain brands/type only......

you guys should try Digitech RP500...I've using this mfx for almost a year...and had thrown away all my MIJ stomp boxes(sold them away lah..)
this mfx really satisfy my soul...even by using cheapo guitars.....will never sell it unless I'm bankrupt .
easy to use...wide range of amp/cab sims,effects,exp./wah pedal and tons of tones...got got 200 presets(100 factory...100 user)....40 choices of tones for each preset..
best use directly to PA,keyboard amp...even the tiny 2 watts Micro Cube(aux in)....never got any noise sound good for live/studio/practice use...just bring your guitar and this RP 500 to gigs.

if some body says Digitech products sounds too digital,what about stomp boxes models like DD3,DD6,DD7.....aren't them digital too?is there any effects purist using 100% analog? just make your own choice...don't judge the effects/mfx by what people says only....go try them first,select what sound you like/want...please spend your money wisely...

some of recomendded mfx for you to choose in the market right now:

Boss GT 10
Boss GT 8
Boss ME 70
Boss ME 50
Boss ME 20
Digitech RP 500(untuk orang2 yang malas macam aku)
Digitech RP 1000(not come in yet I think)(my future mfx)
Digitech RP 350
Digitech RP250
Digitech GNX 4
Digitech GNX 3000
Line 6 X3 Live
Line 6 XT Live
Zoom GFX
Zoom 9.2tt
Vox Tonelab LE
Korg AX3000g

.....ape benda yg aku mengarut nih.....korang nak marah..marah lah.....

This post has been edited by slvr77: Jul 28 2009, 09:34 AM

once i get rid of my zoom b2.1u my board will purely analog!! \m/

b00tek pedals > digital multifx whatever... wakakakakaka....

now now...i recommend.....

<-------------BUY THIS MFX

Some guys love Multi FX while some old skool people will argue that analogs stomp boxes are the game...

Well to be truly honest with you, before answering ur question, let me first ask you about the type of music ur playing...Its kinda waste to purchase everything in the market really if you just want to play some typical rock or heavy metal....

Personally for me, my prference would be an overdrive pedal....Be it from Boss, Line6, Korg, Tube Screamer or the Zakk Wylde ZW-44 signature pedal from MXR...I use it to gain my amp which keep in mind, also has an overdrive knob...I hate distortion pedals, i dunno why, but maybe its just me...I prefer the sound of an overdriven amp for riffs and for solo, an overdrive pedal to kick the tone a bit screechier....

Also, for me, I cant live without a compressor/sustainer...I use to have a Boss blue colored box which adds a bit of sweetness...

Delay box also can increase the your creativity, ONLY if you know the limits of the usage...

In terms of Multi-FX, I used to own PodXT Live and jammed around GT-8 with some Korg Toneworks AX1000.... Loved the PodXT the most...second would be the GT8...