[BariSaxLord808]

I am currently looking to purchase a multi-effects pedal/looper to enhance my sax sound. I have seen sax.co.uk's video of the Boss VE-20 multi-effects pedal being used with a tenor sax and I thought that was pretty cool. However, that thing is $300 and I find that to be a bit too expensive. My sax teacher informed me about a multi-effects pedal that is half that price, and that is the Zoom A1x Four ($150). When comparing these two, I honestly found that the only thing the Boss has that the A1x doesn't are harmonization effects. Pretty much everything else should be available on the A1x. As for the looper system on the Zoom though, it can only record for a maximum of 30 seconds, which is kind of a bummer. To combat this issue, my teacher also recommended the DigiTech JamMan Stereo, which allows for more inputs and includes 99 sections.

What are your opinions on this? I'm trying to save as much money as possible...I could be getting GAS syndrome

Edit: I also discovered the Electro-Harmonix Nano POG; that thing is so dope.

 

[Tzadik]

What do you need?
Vocal effects? Guitar effects? Both?
How much reliable should the effects have to be?

 

[HeavyWeather77]

This is definitely a case of "buy nice or buy twice." Or even more than twice. $300 is a bargain for something that will do all the things you want reasonably well. If you buy the Zoom (the effects on which won't be nearly as good as the Boss) and then the external looper, you're already creeping back toward the three bills you'd spend on the Boss in the first place.

Zoom products seem to have gotten better in the last ten years or so, but the Boss will undoubtedly be significantly better, and still relatively affordable. Quality effects rigs can cost thousands of dollars after all is said and done. If you're gonna get an affordable all-in-one unit, you should at least go for something as relatively reliable as Boss.

 

[littlewailer]

This is definitely a case of "buy nice or buy twice." Or even more than twice. $300 is a bargain for something that will do all the things you want reasonably well. If you buy the Zoom (the effects on which won't be nearly as good as the Boss) and then the external looper, you're already creeping back toward the three bills you'd spend on the Boss in the first place.

Zoom products seem to have gotten better in the last ten years or so, but the Boss will undoubtedly be significantly better, and still relatively affordable. Quality effects rigs can cost thousands of dollars after all is said and done. If you're gonna get an affordable all-in-one unit, you should at least go for something as relatively reliable as Boss.

Zoom is killing it lately.

I got a G3N multiFX pedal and it's killing!! Can have up to seven FX running at the same time depending on which one you choose.

And the Auto wah is perfect.

To the OP. $300 is pretty cheap to have both a unit that is a quality multiFX (especially one that includes a harmonizer) and a comprehensive or at least longer recording time looper pedal.

In your budget I would suggest finding a Boss ME50 (it's got a harmonizer and pretty much everything else you'd want) and a boss RC30 looper pedal. Both are pretty common and come up used if you search around.

Might end up going slightly over budget but honestly it would be better to save and wait in my opinion rather than end up with something you're not really happy with and end up selling to fund your next purchase.

As someone who has bought thousands of dollars worth of gear I eventually sold at a loss take my word for it.

 

[ZootTheSim]

+1 on Zoom. My dirt cheap MS-50G has no looper, but can emulate about every other effect and pedal combo you can imagine.

 

[HeavyWeather77]

Well hey, I'll admit I haven't heard a Zoom multi unit in a while! If they've gotten significantly better, awesome. They're certainly affordable.

 

[ZootTheSim]

The cool thing about the Zoom MS series is that you can chain together up to six built-in effects and adjust multiple parameters for each, then save it all as a patch, and even post it online for others to download and use. There's a huge community devoted to making patches that emulate pricey boutique pedals.

Some claim their patches get within 95% of the original effect, while others maintain that it will never sound as complex as a bespoke pedal, or as warm as an analogue effect. I think most of the Zoom's effects sound pretty good, and given its versatility, the interface is definitely easy to learn. I customized it for my last show in February, and had no problem cycling through pre-programmed effects with my foot.

The OP would still need a separate looper, though. Judging from littlewailer's awesome demos of his loops, I'd go with his suggestions.