SumOne

Yeah, I'm not sure if the superior brain of the 1000 is just used for the increased amount of blocks and split paths available and sample rate, or if it also makes a difference to things like pitch shift latency - I don't think Boss advertise as that, but I'd kind of hope that more processing power is also used for stuff like that.

The touchscreen and features on expression pedal are great. I can notice a slight delay in the pitch shifter that I don't remember the Core having, so possibly doing a direct comparison the Core would sound better for a few things. But at least just from memory, I can't notice much difference in sounds (fewer blocks and routing options though).

I'm liking the GX-10. Sounds good, solid build, nice size, the big colour touchscreen is great for editing. The expression pedal does some great stuff, it is much more useful than having two extra footswitches in that space (heel down = tuner/mute, toe press = engage a different effect e.g. switch from volume to wah, and can assign multiple effects and parameters and settings for where they get engaged in the sweep) For approx. the size and cost of three or four Boss utility compact pedals it does do the same things (TU-3, BC-1X, BB-1X, GEB-7) and more. So even before considering the other features it's a winner in my book. My only slight beef is that it feels like more thought could've gone into how to squeeze more from fewer controls than the GX-100. E.g. the 'up' and 'down' footswitches pressed together seems to only be assignable as 'tuner' (or, confusingly 'up' or 'down'). That seems a waste of a valuable options with limited footswitches - the expression pedal heel down already does tuner (and I have a separate tuner, pictured for scale) so it could be better used as something else. Likewise, 'long press' footswitches do nothing - which feels like a missed opportunity.

I was never much one for any restraint so I have ordered a GX-10, but now I really need to set myself a pedal abstinence target for the rest of the year! I'm happy with the 'what is missing' things I listed previously, can't have it all and I can live with those limitations for the price. The issue will be that I'll probably nit-pick and think 'X effect isn't as good as X analogue pedal' so need to get into the mindset that it isn't all about being the absolute best at doing everything or exactly replicating an analogue pedal. At a minimum, I'm fairly confident it'll do a decent job as a tuner, EQ, compressor, boost, (if it doesn't do those things well enough then it'll be swiftly returned for a refund), it is a similar size/price to having a TU-3, BB-1X, BC-1X for those utility type things so with that expectation it is hopefully a winner. Also, one very specific thing I want to do is a dub reggae effect where you use an expression pedal to gradually increase reverb as the EQ also changes (low bass is reduced and mid-highs are boosted), this is tricky/expensive with individual pedals but I think the GX-10 can do it and it is pretty much this or the Pod Go for that functionality with a built-in expression pedal in this sort of budget.

Yeah, I agree that analogue overdrive/fuzz does tend to sound better. Multi-fx get close, but there is just something a bit lacking. Once going through my amp/cab it does all get difficult to tell much difference though as the fuzzy subtleties get lost so it isn't something I'm as fussed about as envelope filters and synth stuff.

My list of multi-fx ex's has grown a bit! Zoom (B1-four, MS-60B, MS-60B+, MS70 CDR), Line 6 (Effects, Stomp, Stomp XL, Pod Go), Boss (GX-100, GT 1000 Core), Valeton (GP-200). What particularly gets me with any multi-fx in terms of sound is they are great for EQ, compression, HPF/LPF, IR, modulation, delays, complex routing, but none are as good as individual pedals for Envelope Filter, Synths, or Analogue Octavers (although some of the digital ones are pretty good and track better). I think that might be as a big part of the multi-fx market is guitarists - and they aren't so fussed about those things. If you aren't so fussy about those those effects then a multi-fx can be your whole pedalboard, but if you do want those specific sounds then you need the multi-fx to be just one part of your pedalboard (e.g. adding a GT-1000 Core or Stomp to your pedalboard). So I dunno, I don't think they are quite there for me yet as a pedalboard replacement (and that is before considering the interface and lack of 'what you see is what you get'). The minute there is a multi-fx with the equivalent of a Source Audio C4 built-in for decent filters and synth and octaver I'll be all over it. The Boss GX-10 is next on my list as is probably small enough to be included as part of a pedalboard if needed, or can be used on its own for when I don't need envelope filters and synths, and at £350 is similar cost of having an individual BB-1X and BC-1X.

'what is missing?' The main thing I missed on the GX-100 was the Helix type footswitches that have the dull and bright lights. Once I'd changed presets it wasn't obvious enough to me what each footswitch will engage before pressing it, due to that limitation I only needed it to be a Stomp sized unit as I generally scrolled through presets rather than using it like a 'russian roulette' pedalboard.....but hey presto, the GX 10 appears! So although the lighting footswitches are still missing, I don't see that as such an issue as it is a size where you are resigned to mostly using the footswitches to scroll presets. The GX-100 sounded good, I assume the GX-10 sounds exactly the same. It is a shame it is missing the Boss SY synth effects, and I might be wrong but I don't remember being impressed with the envelope filter. XLR isn't an issue for me as I have £10 passive DI boxes (subzero) that also have pad and ground lift and prevent potential damage from phantom power. And I don't even really use them - I always go into an Amp/Cab live which has a XLR out that runs to the mixing desk for the in-ears. So even if it had XLR I don't think I'd really use it. It would be nice if it had the Bluetooth without needing to pay another £40, I suppose it keeps costs down though. And yeah, more sturdy power supply would be better, but the 9v barrel is pretty much standard for all but the biggest and most expensive units so I suppose is to be expected and does mean it is potentially easier to integrate into a bigger pedalboard. A cable retainer should be on these things though. I have gaffer taped 90 degree barrel connectors to multi fx before to add some security. It looks good though, it's on my shopping list.

Yeah, it looks good. I had the GX-100 and was impressed. It sounded good and had some decent features - like the expression pedal engaging the tuner, and the touchscreen. The main thing I didn't like was that the footswitches didn't light up like the Line 6 pedals.

To throw a new contender for multi-fx: Laptop + UA Volt 2 (interface) + Gig Performer 5 (software) + Luminite Graviton M2 (MIDI controller). If you already have a decent enough Laptop and interface then it is just-about cost effective at approx £370. (about £160 for the Gig Performer and £210 for the Luminite controller). Benefits are the huge amount of free Plugins - many are really good, or paid ones that are generally a lot cheaper than the pedal equivalent. And almost limitless routing and programming potential. Downsides for me haven't actually been the ones people usually mention (latency, reliability, non-roadworthy, faff) as they either haven't been big issues or are fairly easy to mitigate. It is that I still need a tuner (as I don't want the Laptop open and the MIDI controller doesn't display it), and while it is easy to replicate hardware footswitch controls it isn't easy to control parameters live (it would mean buying an additional MIDI controller with knobs). So I'll end up needing to use a tuner, and possibly an additional MIDI controller, or hardware pedals for the ones I want to change parameters live....before I know it I'll need a pedalboard/power brick and I'll be where I started with hardware pedals but now also needing to integrate Laptop/interface/MIDI controller etc too! Also, I don't have particularly complex effects needs (playing Ska and Reggae) but play in some grotty places so I am starting to go full-circle and thinking tough but simple 'what you see is what you get' Boss compact pedals are where I'll head next.

I'm sure that Fractal is good.....not so sure it is £700 worth of good though. I know it is the sound that really matters, but it has the look of a Valeton GP 200 LT (£200) https://www.valeton.net/GP-200LT.html

Yeah, I wasn't sure if it did that (or perhaps I was remembering the B1 Four? I've owned both). But it does that thing where you can footswitch scroll through a few presets, the new one doesn't.

Yeah, it's a shame there aren't just a couple of software changes: Allow the Patch name to be constantly displayed, and allow the footswitch to scroll through a list of patches. Bring back PC editing, and perhaps I'm imagining things, but I seem to remember the older MS-60 having more parameter control on certain effects. After all the effort of a hardware re-design and certain software improvements it seems an own goal to get rid of those useful things that the older model has.

I'll end up buying it back!