ART FXR

Very easy rack mount gear. Set up is plug n play.

I'm very happy with the various delay and reverb settings. Nearly limitless options at your disposal, from slapback type tones, lush reverbs, experimental/prog/acid rock tones, and mix echo-verb sounds.

It is a digital unit, which will operate at a very clean sounding level. Most delay settings remind me of early Eric Johnson.

I don't use the chorus, flange, or other modulation effects but they're there if I want them.

Rack gear is very reliable and operate better than many pedals.

This is a Plug-and-lay type unit. The presets are not editable but on the whole sound good. The manual is good and short. There is not much to an effects processor that has non-editable presets. Plug it in, find a preset you like, set the levels, and go. It is a no brainer.

I have two of these units. One is in my effects rack for my recording stuff, and the other is in my keyboard rack for my drums. This unit, given its age, is very clean for the most part. The Chorus effects are noisy, as are the multi-effects setting that use the chorus as part of the program. The effects always seem to have the sounds that I need. I mainly use them for reverb and chorus. I have an FXR Elite as well, and that unit covers the chorus patches, while the FXR alone covers the reverbs. It works well in my studio setup. To set this unit up, you have two options:
1. Mono-In, Stereo-Out
2. Stereo-In, Stereo-Out
The reason I say that there are two options, is because I do not use mono, so it is not an options to me. You want a spacious reverb, you cannot do it in mono (IMHO). I like the unit because it is true stereo and you can tell in the reverbs when you are switching between a mono and stereo in. there is alittle more depth to it, as it does not have to simulate a stero input in the unit. You also have two type of effects routing options:

1. Stereo out single effects (like reverb, chorus, flange, etc...)
2. Dual effects output (this is mono times two.) You can have a reverb on the left output and a chorus on the right output. I personally do not use this setting, so half of the unit's presets are useless to me, but that is okay. I like the true stereo sound and depth on my soundstage.

These units are very dependable and I have used them on every recording/live project since I bought them new back in the mid 1990's. Aside from the Wall-Wart power supply (which are always a pain-in-the-butt), this unit works very well. ART had a winner with this series and if you can get one online (like on Ebay), then do so, as you will always have a need for an extra reverb or something at one point or another.

I have not dealt with the company, because the products have not failed. I take very good care of my equipment and clean them regularly. I also fully ventilate my studio rack equipment and having a physically cooler unit also helps in the logevity of that unit. Take care of them and they will take care of you.

Overall, this unit works very well in doing exactly what it was designed to do. You cannot go wrong with a solidly built effects unit, and I have two of the FXR and one of the FXR-Elite (identical programs, but includes MIDI).
Since I own a studio, I will not list all of the gear I own, but the list is extensive. Please visit www.geocities.com/ebbrecords for a gear list.

Because the patches on this unit are not editable, it's pretty easy. Dial the effect or pre-programmed combination of effects, choose an option (there are about 16 for each program patch), adjust the amount of effect and you're done. I didn't get a manual with mine (bought it used on eBay), but you really don't need one. Just mess with the options until you find your favorite.

However, don't plan on being able to quickly change the effects from song to song in a live setting, because the rotary dial has a little teeny knob with little teeny lines that point to the effect name or description written in little teeny letters. In a dark room I'd be lost. This is not a problem for us because we basically use it on one setting the whole night.

One other peeve, here: There is no on-off switch and no indicator light that the unit is on. Not a big deal, but still kind of irritating. Picky, picky, I know. But the idea for this forum is to try to limit surprises. You get used to it, but remember to unplug it. Thus the lower rating.

My primary use for this is as a vocal processor for live performances. We run it out of one of the auxillary effects loops from the mixing board. Haven't tried stereo.

We are just a pub-and-party band, doing blues, classic rock and Motown stuff. We'd previously used a Quardaverb as our main live effects processor, when I got this as a back-up. But now I like the ART better. I use the "Delay/Reverb" preset on #10, and the vocals are just lush. Fills in all the holes and sounds just pristine. Makes singing much more enjoyable, and gives me more confidence. I've also played around with the "Chorus/delay" combination on my Les Paul and gotten closer to a Metheny sound than anything else I've tried so far. I'm sure the serious Metheny wannabe's can do better, but it sure seems like they built their patches the right way. No noise to speak of.

Seems solid, and hasn't cut out on me yet. One wire from the wall wart broke right after it arrived. I just spliced it back together. Problem is, with no indicator light I couldn't figure out what the hell the problem was. The wires are not very stout, so I can see this happening again.

Here's a general plea to all people who might some day sell me some gear: Don't stress your cables by winding them into tight little balls. You kink (weaken) the wire itself and put all kinds of strain on the terminal connections. This is true of instrument/speaker cables, power adapters, mic cables and anything else that's long and skinny. I get tire of replacing these things because of neurotic people trying to turn them into kite-string. Be gentle, get some velcro straps and take care of your goodies.

No idea.

This is a very, very solid vocal unit, especially for the price. I have no idea how I got it so cheap. Maybe it was the day before the national payday. I've had it for 3 years or so, and haven't changed the setting in the last two. When we haven't played for a while and I turn it on, I'm surprised anew at how good it sounds. I am keeping an eye out for another. I'd go back for another in a minute. Now if I could just find the perfect Leslie emulator for my keyboard . . . .

Very easy to use.

Reverbs are very lush and warm. Delays are standard. Choruses are warm. The Flangers is a bit "synthetic" sounding.

Very good construction. But the power adapter is a bit wimpy.

I make standard rock recordings, and are also using it live (Guitar, bass, Vocals) The ART is a rockin pice of gear and i like it. Its a good match for this type of music.

Couldn't be easier. The presets are logically grouped. The manual tells you all you need to know. Some effects are stereo linked, others are dual mono with different settings on each channel.

I've used it on bass guitars to create a synthetic stereo and it was great. It's a bit hissy but the reverbs are very smooth. Like most effect units though, many of the presets are too extreme - even by adjusting the wet/dry ratio with the mix knob.

The case is very sturdy - and difficult to open to see just what makes this tiny 1 rack space work! The power socket doesn't feel as secure as it should when plugging in the wall wart.

The manual is very well written so I'd say that the best customer support is not to have to use customer support in the first place!

We can't all afford a wall of Lexicon or Yamaha multieffects and sometimes you can't sacrifice your best reverb or resort to using a stomp box to get a little chorus here or a little reverb there. This is the effect unit for you. It's not a swiss army knife of effects but it's clean, and easy to set and forget. Well worth the price.

There are only presets that you can't edit. Two k

The stereo reverbs are TERRIFIC, at least for a unit of this price. Not so the choruses (a bit too digital sounding) and the delays (which are good, but set to standard times so you can practically use only the slapbacks).

They are the most incredible people I have ever met in the industry. I bought the unit without a manual for a cheaper price and, since I live in Italy, they sent it to me FOR FREE.

What can you buy for 80 $ ?

Probably about as easy as it gets for this kind of gear. No programming available so that makes it pretty easy.

Pretty good, especially for the price. I use the reverbs and delay sounds a lot for recording and get pretty good results.

Never even worried about it breaking down.

Called them once with some questions on the manual and they were only mildly helpful...but the unit is so simple there's not much to need help on.

No programmability or tweakability. But the sounds are good and if you are just getting started in effects and need a reverb for your Portastudio that's better than your guitar stompbox, go for it. I did. Now that I have a lot more experience I'd get something else, because the fixed presets do limit you, but let's judge the unit on its intended market. And how can you possibly beat the price?