SumOne

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.

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 dull/bright 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 don't remember being impressed with the envelope filter. Again, not such an issue for the GX-10 though as it is small enough to use as part of a bigger pedalboard, whereas GX-100 sized things are the whole pedalboard. 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!

For me, at band practice I was a bit disappointed with some practicalities. I found changing patches or scrolling effects something that needs to be done by hand - not ideal for a pedal on the floor. It's not quickly obvious which effects are engaged in a patch - need to scroll through them all. Even just using the footswitch to turn one effect on/off (or tuner) seems a bit risky live - too easy to potentially stomp one of the other buttons and change patch with my size 12 boots. Changing overall volume is a bit of a menu click through (e.g. started a song and volume seemed a bit low - most pedals or amp it's a very quick action to turn up, not quick enough to do mid song with the MS 60B+ though). The old MS 60B system of footswitch scrolling through a few selected presets would solve a lot of my issues. So it's not for me. Sorry @tayste_2000 but it was from Amazon so will get returned rather than sold here!

All very nearly deafened by the guit@r1$t mucking about with a cracking loose cable while turning the volume right up to 'check what's wrong' before ear piercing feedback.

I got the MS-60B+ yesterday (ruining any chance of a 2025 gear abstinence!) and am quite liking it. Considering the size and price it seems a bit unfair to compare it to bigger and more expensive multi-fx but can compare to the MS-60B. The MS-60B+ has more practical/useable presets, 6x effects per block (v 4), better buttons, more knobs (but I find them a bit too small and fiddly) the colour screen is good for some stuff like the tuner (although can sometimes make things hard to read). It is simpler to turn individual effects on/off via footswitches. I think the amp/cab sims have been improved, other things sound similar (but that's just from memory, it has been a few years since I owned a MS-60B). The older MS-60B is better in some ways though: Some of the effects on the MS-60B have more parameters to control e.g. Dual Comp has 'tone' control on the older version, but isn't available on the '+'. Also, the old MS-60B seems better for use with presets as on the MS-60B+ you can't permanently display the patch (preset), that seems a big oversight and surely is just a simple software thing. On the MS-60 you could also scroll through a small list of presets with the footswitch, that isn't an option on the '+'...it seems a step back to take away that functionality. For me, this will cover a few 'always on' type things, and be a tuner, and can get it ready to stomp on/off one particular effect within a patch, I wouldn't want to be trying to scroll through patches or effects live though.

I'm out! (Justification was my Laptop and MIDI effects setup is a bit big and complex so I wanted something small for band rehearsals and as backup....But it is mostly down to me having very poor will power!) Do I at least get a wooden spoon?

If you need motivation to consume less:

I'll give it a go. (Better get buying today!)

After a while mucking about with this setup: Luminite Graviton M2 MIDI controller > UA Volt 2> Gig Performer 5 (Laptop is an Asus F15 i7). The Luminite is great, but the world of MIDI talking to software like Gig Performer can be complex. It takes a lot of learning and figuring stuff out for yourself (not many (any?!) people with this specific setup to get help from). UA Volt is very good and comes with a lot of decent free plugins. Gig Performer 5 is good, a bit expensive for what it is but this is still quite a niche so not a whole lot of other options. It has crashed on me when changing the buffer settings and changing MIDI inputs, but hopefully other than that it remains reliable. I'd say, a decent well maintained Windows laptop is just as reliable as an Apple Laptop (and I've owned two Macbooks and an iMac), it just needs a bit more setup. This one handles everything fine. For live use you just need to dig a bit into things like audio drivers, performance, turn off auto updates, don't download dodgy stuff, turn on flight mode etc. The main drawback that I think could be a sign of things to come: In live use I want the laptop lid closed and laptop out of the way, but I need a visable/stompable tuner. Edit: Another practical drawback is the Luminite needs power and laptop connection, which is completely reasonable (and could actually work via powerbank and Bluetooth), but USB to laptop is potentially risky as USB isn't really a roadworthy type of connection, and one trip on the wire and the laptop could go flying. Alternative is to use MIDI cable to the UA Volt and a separate 9v pedal power cable to power the Luminite... it then starts to feel like I need a pedalboard to go with it to have the power brick near, and then I still need to add a tuner pedal.....then - the list goes on and I'm back to using pedals but also with a Laptop/software and midi controller and audio interface, it all probably gets too complex and unnecessarily risky for my needs.

It seems a rule that Ska covers bands need 'ska' in their name, it is for the one I'm in - at pub level it helps for a 'you know what your getting' sort of thing and getting punters that want to hear ska but haven't heard of us. It isn't a very cool thing to do though, would be a bit lame if we were an originals band.

UA Volt 2 interface: Not a pedal, but as a decent interface it has allowed me to use virtual pedals with low enough latency to play live - that has opened a whole new world of possibilities, including this lot:

With over 8 billion other people on the planet and ever improving technology I expect we're all replaceable in some way or another. ....whether other band mates (or employers etc) would want to go to the effort is probably the deciding factor.