ART Multiverb Alpha 2.0

Compared to many multi effect units, I find the ART Multiverb Alpha (mine is the 2.0 version, but NOT the SE) pretty easy to edit.
There are not a lot of parameters, and they are labeled with titles that make sense. The only hard part is constructing effects chains.
You have to go into edit mode, and ADD effects one at a time, which is kind of bizzare because the order of the chain is determined by the unit itself, not the user. For most people it's best to just start with a preset that has the effects you want and edit it.
It's like a Digitech in that there is a linear series of parameters that you scroll through, and then use the edit knob to adjust the value of each parameter. The parameters are grouped together, like delay time (course and fine), delay regeneration; then reverb time, reverb density, etc.
One big plus over the non "Alpha" versions is a data knob. ART used to use these tiny little buttons which are very hard to press consistently. Using them to adjust values was a pain, the edit knob is way better (my guitarist had an original Multiverb which had only these buttons - it really made me appreciate my 2.0).
One REAL NICE feature is the dedicated mixer page. You press the appropriate button and you have instant access to the effect level, the dry level, and the EQ level. I've found you can make the stock patches much more useable by making adjustments in these parameters alone.
The EQ level is nice, in that if you program in an EQ setting (highly recommended as it does not use much processor power) into the program, you can use the EQ level to adjust the sound a little.
Bascially the EQ is like having a graphic at the end of the effects chain that you can control the overall level and the levels of the different bands.
The little buttons are a pain though, and there are several "button modes", one of which is "edit mode". Since the tiny buttons are used for calling up presets, as well as editing, I find myself going to edit a patch, forgetting that I haven't engaged the "edit mode button". Then it changes the patch instead.
There is a dedicated bypass button, which is a great feature.
You also have two sliders, one for output level, and one for wet/dry mix. These are kind of extra for PA/recording use but would be real handy for using in a guitar rack setup.
The display is very dim though. It has adjustable contrast, but that only helps a little. Make sure it's at a good spot in your rack, otherwise you can't read the display. This has been a problem with ART stuff like forever.
Overall, editing patches (except for the performance midi part, more on that later) is real easy.
The manual is actually pretty good. It explains each effect type in detail, and gives a lot of midi information.
I don't know the firmware version, my is an original unit that I bought shortly after the Alpha 2.0 debuted in 1992. The Alpha 2.0 can be updated to an Alpha 2.0 SE, but the chip cost's about $50. It adds a few effects (I think like a resonantor and some other stuff), and a lot of presets. I rarely use presets, and don't need the resonantor so the upgrade wasn't my bag.
I could have really used a Leslie simulation (something the Alpha 2.0 does not have), but that wasn't part of the upgrade, so I wasn't interested in the upgrade.
Kudos to ART for offering the upgrade, even long after the unit is out of production. (ever tried to upgrade a Roland or Korg product that was over 2 years old?)
The performance midi is a great feature (I use it a lot), but for someone who has never used midi controllers to tweak an effect unit on the fly it's a little confusing. I didn't have a problem, but I think a new user would.
Also - there are no GLOBAL controllers, you have to set up the performance midi for each patch. I use a "template program", so that I just have 8 controllers pre-assigned. I can then go in and change them to the parameters I want and the controllers I want without having to set them up from scratch.
One great thing about the A

I use the Alpha 2.0 as part of a recording and PA rig (yeah in the same room!), mainly for delays and chorusing on guitar. It's used in an effects send configuration, along with 5 other effect units (other effects are for vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, etc.)
Generally I've found the unit to be pretty quiet. There is a little digital whine and hiss if you crank the return up, but for a 1992 vintage effects unit, I think it's pretty quiet.
The effects themselves are a mixed bag.
I think the delays sound great, although they have a "metallic quality" to them. I wouldn't use this unit on vocals, or acoustic guitar, but on electric guitar it's pretty good.
The chorusing is also pretty good, the flanging is not quite thick and angry enough (a common shortfall of digital rack units).
The pitch transposer (you can actually program two separate pitches from the base pitch) is not that great. I wouldn't use it to program a harmony vocal, but to add a weirdness to a guitar or bass track it's pretty cool.
The reverbs kind of suck. Certain kinds of sounds and combinations will work serviceably, but if you stick the Alpha 2.0's reverb on a snare or vocal you will cringe.
Another thing to be aware of is effects "zippering" when using the performance midi. This happens mainly on delays, but can on other effects as well. I guess it's pretty common with some effects, but digitechs don't do this. What happens is that if you set up a patch to have say the delay time controlled via midi; is that when you start to sweep your controller to change the parameter, you will hear an audible noise called zippering. Basically the processor can't keep up with the changes you are throwing at it and craps out. If you are careful and don't try to many large leaps in values (say 100 milliseconds to 500 milliseconds) it's ok, but it's also easy to get zippering. Since maybe only 2% of multieffect users even do this (use midi controllers to change effects on the fly) it's not really a big deal. If you are one of the 2% though it might be..
To me the best use of this box is to get loopy sounding long delays with chorusing on guitar. I have never used the unit directly with a guitar rig though so I can't comment on how it would sound in that application.
I would characterize the overall sound as very bright and present, but also a little metallic and gritty at the same time.
Some of my other effects are old Digitech stuff (DSP 128 and DSP 256) which have kind of a warm and thick/soft and muffled quality to them. Since the ART and Digitech sounds are kind of opposite, they compliment each other somewhat.
Think about it though - for $400 new in 1992 you weren't going to get a Lexicon...
I think the unit sounds pretty good, I'm giving it a low rating because the range of sounds, and what it can sound good on is fairly limited.

Seems to be very reliable, EXCEPT
- about every 30 power cycle on/off's, the unit locks up. If you disconnect power and reapply then it works. It's done this since it was new with no ill effects.
Since there's no power switch it's kind of a pain to do. I've put the A/C power cable at the front of the rack for this very reason.
I would use it on a gig without backup, just don't cut it on just before you go on stage.

I talked to them before the unit came out, and they were very friendly.
The tech support people are very nice too, and quite knowledgeable.
ART makes pretty low end stuff, so I imagine their customer base is not very sophisticated, so they are probably used to answering a lot of stupid questions.
I asked them some pretty technical ones, and they knew exactly what I was talking about. I rate their tech support as better than most companies.
They are very good about offering updates too. You can still get updates FOR THEIR ORIGINAL PRODUCTS FROM THE 80's.
This is outstanding in my opinion. Too many companies figure that once you've bought their product, the best thing to have you do is buy another one of their products. Why offer an upgrade when they can sell you a whole new box!

I play a rock style, and do a lot of recording.
The ART Multiverb Alpha 2.0 works pretty good for me.
6 years later, I have moved on to better effect units, but I keep the ART for guitar parts, and it's a pretty solid piece to take out live (internal power supply, metal case, etc.)
I've been playing a long time, and have a fair amount of stuff so I won't bore anyone with a lot of details.
Since this is an effects review though, I thought it would be good to describe what other effects I'm using.
Effectswise, I'm currently using an Alesis MidiVerb IV (on snare), the Mulitverb Alpha 2.0 (electric guitar mainly), a Digitech TSR-24 (mainly on lead vocals), an Alesis Quadraverb 2 (mainly on lead and backup vocals), a Digitech DSP128 (guitar and acoustic guitar), and finally a Lexicon Vortex (miscellaneous freaky bits).
Also in a keyboard rack are an Alesis Quadraverb (for reverb, delay, and Leslie simulations), and a Digitech DSP-256 (for reverb and delay).
As you can see, I don't generally go for high end effects, mainly because effects depreciate like Singapore's currency, and have the shelf life of a top 40 dance act.
I would rate the ART towards the bottom of this pile of stuff. I originally wanted to use it on snare drum and lead vocal, but quickly found it didn't really get it for that application.
Overall I'm happy with it though (it's easy to program and a solid piece), but if it was stolen or lost, I would not replace it.
WHAT I LOVE - The ease of use, the performance midi with scrolling display, the dedicated effect/dry/EQ settings, the built in power supply (I HATE WALL WARTS), the delays
WHAT I HATE - The dim display (you can change contrast but it does not help that much), the clangy reverbs, the tiny little front panel buttons, the need to push the edit button before accessing a parameter, the glitching when changing delay times via midi (my digitechs don't do this). THE STONER BUD graphics on the front panel - the front panel has this splash of pink and grey on front panel, that looks like beach pants from 1991 or something (or the fairing graphics on a japanese sport bike). Definetely looks real stupid, ART came to their senses and dropped this look a few years later.
I didn't really compare it to any other products, at the time I wanted another effect unit, and already had 2 digitechs, 2 rolands and one alesis unit. I just wanted a different brand with a different sound, that had a good midi implementation. Like keyboards, many effect brands have their own "sound" and "vibe". I have never understood why people buy 3 or 4 of the same effect or keyboard. That's like buying two of the same car. ART's "sound and vibe" isn't that great though, and people usually make fun of it when I bring it on a gig.
I can see why, as in the low priced effects arena, Digitech and Alesis have always consistenly beaten ART.
I wish it had a leslie simulator, although they probably left it off because it would have chewed up a lot of processor overhead, and sounded crappy. Also leslie effects weren't real popular in the early 90's, but have kind of come back into vogue.
It's helped me make music, and is so easy to program it's never gotten in the way. Just don't use it on an exposed part.
One G****r player wrote that his ART "sucked the tone" out of his rig. Not to diss him, or others of his ilk, but I've found most of them just don't get rack effects. You can't really run through them into an amp, you should really use a preamp with a send return loop, WITH ADJUSTABLE LEVELS FOR THE SEND AND RETURN.
If you just stick a rack unit in a standard effects loop, it will tend to suck the tone out of your rig. You also have to get the maximum level into the effect unit before clipping, then use the output level to get a good return level to your preamp.
Like I said, I wouldn't use the reverb in a guitar rig, but for delay and chorus the Multiverb Alpha 2.0 should be fine, provided you have your levels and gain staging setup correctly.
I don't