[Jsynthlib-devel] OT: Ideas for rackmount multi-effects unit

[Joe E. <jo...@em...>]

Okay... this is off-topic, I know... but you all seem to be geeky 
tech-head musicians, and that's the audience that I want to get ideas 
from. If you don't want me to ever ask a question like this on the JSL 
list again, let me know.

I'm looking for a (probably) rackmount effects unit for two vocal 
channels in my band. It would be nice to have more than two effects 
(like... compression, reverb, and chorus) per channel, but just two is 
acceptable. I say "per channel", because we'd want different effects on 
each channel. So... a total of four effects total is a minimum requirement.

Getting two, separate, effects units is not out of the question. Also, 
I'm trying to do this as cheaply as possible, so don't suggest a 
tcHelicon VoiceLive. :) I'm trying to do this for less than $200.

One unit which I have used in the past and am very intrigued by is the 
Ensoniq DP/4. It has 4 effects processors and four inputs and four 
outputs. You can configure it in all kinds of ways. You can use just one 
mono input and have it go through all four of the processors (in series 
or parallel or some combination of it) and out outputs 1 and 2. You can 
have two mono inputs each use two processors and come out two pairs of 
outputs (what I'd use it as)., or each input go through a single 
processor and out a single output, etc. It's pretty tricky to figure out 
what's going on, but it's very flexible. Problem is.... they're not very 
plentiful nor cheap. Every now and then, one will close on ebay for less 
than $200.

Whatever I get, it would be nice if it had "mono split", meaning that it 
can treat the L/R inputs as two mono signals (so I could run two vox 
inputs through them if I wanted) which get mixed together, send through 
some stereo effects, and come out equally in the L/R outputs. I've 
noticed that the Lexicon MPX 500 seems to do this.

Of course, floor units are options, too... but they'd need to have mic 
inputs and preamps in them. The only ones I've seen that do this are 
things like the Digitech Vocal 300 and Vocal 400 and they just don't 
have very much flexibility.... and the better ones (like tcHelicon's 
VoiceLive) is just too damn expensive.... although it *is* very sweet.

Any suggestions?

- Joe