Quality, Budget Effects Processors - Digitech Gear Delivers
You would never compromise your music. For those of us that write, play and record our own tunes compromise is a word that doesn’t exist in our vocabulary. When it comes down to the gear you use in the studio or on stage, you should take the same stand.
While everyone has to work within a budget, the creative can find ways to obtain the gear we need to bring out our best. There is a lot of effort put into creating music, so making a concession on the effects processors we use in our rigs should be one we never make lightly.
Choosing a Multi Effects Processor for your studio
Studio multi effects come in many different configurations. Like colors of the rainbow, you can now find processors designed specifically for many different musical instruments and every type of studio work. They can range in price from under $100 all the way to $2000, depending on what features you require. Many now have a drum machine built into them, giving a practicing musician the ability to manage the beat without the monotony of the metronome. With the array of features and benefits available today, it is fairly easy to get what you want at a budget you can afford.
Start by deciding what features are important to you. Do you need amp modeling, harmonization, pitch correction, reverb or other special effects? What you choose will be somewhat dictated by the types of production you plan to do in your studio. Create a list of features and write each choice down. In turn, consider what the benefit would be to having each of the features. Then take a few minutes to apply a priority to each feature. Which one is the most important? Which is the least? Rate them starting at #1 for the most important and rank them in ascending order. This way, when you are considering what equipment to buy you can easily decide if the unit you are considering meets your needs.
Next, decide on a budget. Since multi effects range significantly in price, you need to know what you can afford to pay. Be realistic here and don’t necessarily consider a top-of-the-line unit like a Lexicon effects processor. Though you might have the credit to purchase one of these very expensive pieces, you can pick up Digitech effects processors for a much lower price and many of the Digitech units contain the same AudioDNA chip and studio quality effects found in the most expensive Lexicon units.
Choosing a Guitar Effects Processor for Stage and Rehearsal
If you are in the market for effects pedals for your guitar rig, you may want to consider one of the many guitar effects processors available in the market today. Using the same strategy as we used to select a studio effects processor, you can select a proper guitar or bass effects unit.
In addition to the types of guitar effects that are available, there are also form-factors to consider in your list of features. Several offerings from manufacturers include the increasingly popular floor-based guitar multi effects processor or guitar workstation. These units will come with special effects like popular distortion pedal emulations, amp models for those of you who don’t have the green for that Marshall stack, an expression pedal to control effects parameters “on the fly” and other things you would come to expect from you effects pedals.
Once again, the Digitech effects processor brings you to the cutting edge of sound and tone with several offerings. The Digitech RP300 is their budget-minded offering, coming in at under $200 or with the more advanced GNX4, Digitech brings to the table a cutting edge guitar processor capable of mind blowing effects.
Making the Buy
Now that you have taken the time to consider what you need and what you afford, you can comfortably shop for an effect processor for your studio or for stage. You will find that there are several manufacturers that can meet your needs. This brings us to the last step, the selection process – the purchase.
You can take your list to your local music store or your favorite online merchant and comfortably purchase exactly what you need. The sales team won’t be able to pressure you into purchasing something you don’t want or need because you will be armed with information. In fact, they will probably be excited about the fact that you are so knowledgeable.
In the end, whether you are looking for a guitar processor, bass effects, vocal processors, a portable recording solution or just a fun addition to your live show, you will find exactly what you need at a price that won’t break the bank. This alone will keep a smile on your face and provide hours of musical satisfaction.
