The GE250 and GE300 I don't make any sense to me at all really when you are getting closer to Boss and Line6 money. If you are a live player, the Helix is one of the most functional units on the list. Editing sounds on the fly might not be as easy as with the Headrush, but it’s close. The touchscreen functionality is a huge bonus as well. TONE CAPTURE function allows you to sample and capture your real-life amplifier to create brand new digital amp models. If you don’t have an amplifier and tone you love, then maybe go for something else on this list. If you love your sound, the Kemper is for you.

Supports new cab profile sample files (.gir) while also providing support for traditional filetypes (.wav). Unlike something like the AxeFX it's very simple the amps literally have 3 band EQ and gain so there isn't a lot to be done in terms of searching for a special tweak.

Pre-loaded with some of the finest amp models and effects ever made, everything here has been profiled in professional recording studios, ensuring you get the best sound possible. There are distortions, delays, choruses, and pretty much any other effect you can think of, all easily edited with Kemper’s Rig Manager app. With an incredible 55amplifier models available within the GE200, you can attain tones suitable for almost any genre or style. Emulating a bunch of classic amp designs, the GE200 can convincingly deliver genuine-sounding reproductions, giving a real tube amp tone, feel and response. If you love anything from your Fender-esque cleans to high-gain ENGL-style brutality, Mooer's GE200 covers all of the bases. The majority of players are likely to lean on the MS-3 for delays, reverbs, modulations and pitch effects, leaving core drive sounds to pedals in the three integrated loops. Moreover, the MS-3's built in EQ, noise gate and tuner eliminate the need for other utility pedals on a small board. Sounds-wise, the 32-bit, 96khz sampling finds the GT-1000 punching above its weight, and on the effects side, there’s a wealth of modulations, delays, reverbs and drives. If you run a larger, more traditional pedalboard, perhaps the so-called ‘Bossfecta’ of the MD, RV and DD-500 series units would provide more flexibility, but for most players, the GT-1000 is a highly practical solution.

These are unexpectedly brilliant and sound just like the things they are modelling. This is not my experience with most digital drives. Into the front of the Origin they sounded awesome. So this unit is maybe the odd man out on this list. While it’s not your traditional-looking multi-effects pedal processor, it does have a LOT of digital functionality.Though the HX Stomp is limited in terms of its controls on the front, it’s highly customisable, and offers a broad palette of professional-grade effects to explore. For the guitarist that wants specific modulations, delays or a cab sim on tap ‘just in case,’ the HX Stomp is a smart, compact solution, and the capacitive footswitches make assigning and editing a relatively error-free procedure - it’s unlikely you’ll need to refer to the manual much at all. And if you don't need the amp models and fancy a few more footswitches, there's also the HX Effects.

While there are plenty of competitor prducts, the majority of them (at least in hardware form), are double the price of this unit! As I said I can't access any of the advanced models because I don't have access to the files, but I'm not impressed at all by the standard modelling. One of the major strengths of the Line 6 Helix is it sounds great in a live situation but is also a fantastic studio tool. Like the Headrush, the Helix can be used straight to a PA system or your favorite amplifier. There’s an incredible array of routing options for integrating it into your rig, and you can select which effects you want to run before or after your amplifier for extra flexibility. As well as being an incredibly powerful tool for guitarists, it’s also right at home in the studio thanks to its excellent editing app.Simply put, I was impressed with the capabilities of this unit. I'll list some of my favorite highlights: Will any or all of these units replace the need for traditional pedals in a live situation? That’s debatable and comes down to your taste. These are seven great choices if you want to record directly to a sound card or use them in a PA system without an amplifier. My recommendation is always to try before you buy. The Moer GE200 is a very interesting little piece of gear. Coming in at its current price range puts it right up against a number of well known competitor products, with Moer being one of the less well known of the bunch. Right out of the gate, the presets actually sounds pretty good, which is somewhat of a rarity with amp modellers in this range. Having used a number of similar products, I can say the Moer actually fares very well in comparison. Of course, the most important thing is how good the pedal sounds. Though this is somewhat subjective, most budget multi-effects these days will sound good. Whether or not those sounds and all their various parameters appeal to you is another story.

Some units will have more editable parameters per patch than others, while some have software companions, and allow loading and saving. This means that useful patches can be shared by a community of users. Some pedals like the Zoom MS-series have an enthusiastic community around them, with a subreddit to share patches and advice. Do I want mono or stereo?As ever though, our advice is simple. Work out what you'll realistically want, need or use. Be clear on your budget. Don't be distracted by extra bells and whistles - unless that’s what you want. Are multi-effects pedals worth it? The integrated 52 second looper with half-speed and reverse effects, team up well with its optional drum machine and auxiliary input for practicing songs at home with the same sounds you will use live at the gig. In terms of effects, there’s a lot of choice from a traditional standpoint although some may find it a little conservative as there aren’t so many modern, complex reverbs and delays. We love the layout which makes it great for live performance, and like the Quad Cortex the footswitches double as knobs for easy adjustment. It looks incredible and there’s even a matching FRFR speaker to go alongside it. The NUX Cerberus works best straight into a good old-fashioned amplifier and becomes more like the pedals you might be used to in the analog world. I believe the NUX Cerberus is the best analog-style multi-effects pedal processor on the market. I have tried over 20 all-in-one units, and the Cerberus is the king of the pile. Don’t let the exterior fool you, though. The NUX Cerberus can be connected to a computer for editing and arranging the internal effects. Since the latest firmware update, the Cerberus is even more powerful.