Floor Type Multi-Effects Processors
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This type of effects processor is designed to give the performing musician hands-free control over his/her sound. Most of these types of processors have capabilities similar to those of sophisticated rack effects but in a package that is more readily suited to live performance. Think of this type of unit as containing all of your favorite pedals in one, convenient package.

There are many advantages to using this type of processor. To begin with, generally it is much less expensive to buy one processor of this type than to purchase all of the same effects as individual pedals. Also, effects combinations, along with all of their settings, can be stored into one of many banks or patch locations. In other words, you can select any combination of effects and alter their settings (parameters) into one sound and store that complete sound to be recalled simply by stepping on a pedal. To do this with individual pedals requires the player to turn the appropriate effects on or off and then, twist knobs to change the settings. This makes complex sound changes impossible to achieve without taking your hands off of the instrument.

The disadvantages are that the player is committed with the effects that are contained in the unit so, if you don't like the sound of a particular effect, your only choice is to add a pedal or live with it as it is. That said, the quality of the effects is usually proportional to the price of the processor. Also, more expensive units give much more control over your sound. Regardless, there are some amazingly powerful effects processors out there for under a couple hundred dollars.

If this type of multi-effects unit is so good and so inexpensive, why do stores continue to sell pedals? Effects pedals are ideal for players who use their guitar and amp as their primary tone source but wish to "add a little delay" for example. Programming entire patches can be cumbersome and time consuming so the pedal is a better option. Also, pedals allow the player to individually select each effect regardless of brand.

The bottom line is that effects are a way of life for most players as well as fun to use. Multi-effect processors of the floor variety are getting more powerful by the day and warrant serious consideration by most players.

One type of processor that defies categorization is the Personal Effects Processor. These have all of the capabilities of multi-effects units but are designed in a convenient, go-anywhere package.