Alesis MidiVerb II

Very straightforward and quick to use - only thing to worry about is setting a good gain structure i.e. balancing the input and output with your mixer for good gain structure

I think the sound quality is excellent - it has a colourful, warm sound, it's not a Lexicon but what is?
Also, I don't agree with some of the reviews that have said it is noisy. I think it is only noisy if the levels are not set right on your mixer in combination with the levels of the midiverb. Furthermore, for the reverb presets, to make a more realistic or transparent sound some High End should be rolled off the returns anyway, which eliminates any tiny amount of hiss that it produces.

I haven't had mine for that long (got it second hand) but with the exception of the rubber buttons this device gives me the impression that it is fairly sturdy. To be fair I won't give this a rating though.

An excellent piece of gear for the price you can get it for. I would recommend it. The only thing to bear in mind is that the parameters can't be altered - you basically have 99 presets.
This might sound horrifying, but there really is enough reverbs, delays, choruses, flanges, and other little variations on these to be able to get pretty much what I want out of it, and believe it or not, I'm quite fussy when it comes to reverbs.
If you want perfection without a bit of EQing/fiddling at the mixer stage, obviously get a Lexicon or high end Yamaha unit or something, but otherwise, I would strongly consider this!

This unit is very easy to use, as you just call up your favorite preset patcches. You cannot edit the patches, but you do have control over the input & output levels, and the mix between the dry & effected signals. The manual covers all you need to know.

Overall i'd give this unit a 8 for it's sound, it has nice reverbs, good chourus and flange effects,and my favorite delay patches, #76 for a all purpose delay, #85 for a longer lead delay , and #99 for a all out crazy delay.This unit is pretty quiet. I play a Parker Nitefly guitar into a ADA MP-1 tube preamp, with the Midiverb2 in the fx loop of the MP-1.From there i either go into my Line6 Flextone3 amp, or my Carvin x100b amp W/412 cab.All the patches sound good, it's just a matter of finding your favorite ones.

20 yrs old and still being used regularly, thats reliable!

No contact with the company

I've been playing for 32yrs, and i play classic rock, blues, mowtown, and some jazz.this unit is a good match for all the above styles.I own a Parker Nitefly guitar, a Kramer Pacer DEluxe guitar, a Line6 Flextone3 amp,a Carvin x100b tube amp, and asst. effects.I wouldn't buy another if this died on me, the technology is just to old, but it's served me very well.I love it's ease of use, quiet patches, nice effects and low price, also I can change the MIX & output levels on the fly, with good old fashion KNOBS, without "GOING IN" to the patch.I chose this unit because I didn't want to tweak parameters all day to build thr sounds I wanted. I can concentrate more on my PlayingI just call up a patch and go!It has helped me makes lots of music over the years, from my little home studio, to my guitar rig, iv'e used it for everything!

Very easy! Manual shows 99 presets. No patches to edit.

The quality is very good for the time period. The effects are acceptable. I use delay with the mains at certain times. Not noisy.

Bullet proof! The wort is still going after all these years. But I worry about it. It sounds fine for any gig, unless you make too much money!

You won't need customer support!

I play southern rock/fusion/jazz. It dose a good job, of course there is better stuff now. I use a TC M-One XL for reverb and the Midiverb for delay. I know that sounds crazy but it works for me. I have had this thing for 20 years it has never failed. If you don't have a ton of money sittin around this would be my first choice. I don't think there is too much to hate but (you don't want to get all giggly inside). It works! It's very easy to turn on and gig. I wish it had a simple tap delay. But when you have all this stuff on stage, you?re playing the bass, singing lead and working the lights its best not to fool with a lot. I'm not sure where I got it, one of my many deals. It never gets in the way. This is a perfect little unit for certain musicians. It will never let you down. PS Protect the WORT!

I bought my Midiverb 2 in London (around 1988 when they were new items).
It cost then over ?300 which at the time was a fortune.
I used it extensively for four-track home recording and i thought the quality
was lovely - but in that era and for the relatively cheap price, a 16 bit effects processor was a great thing to have at your disposal. As for ease of use I thought it was fine although I didn't ever need to get too technical with it.
All this is past tense since i haven't used it for ages...the mains adaptor gave up the
ghost (I think it might be a common problem since I've seen several midiverb 2's for sale without the adaptor).
Incidentally if anyone knows where I can get an adaptor - either new or second hand I'd
be much obliged.

Easy, plug in, adjust the in - out levels, choose a preset and go. I don't use the Midi and some say it's not worth the trouble. I'd say a 9 if the Midi interface did not require a lot of extra stuff and bother ... but then again, just look at my equipment, who cares about Midi at this point! I just wanted some good cheap 'verb and got it. 9 It is. I always wanted just a pan pot to move through the sounds, shut my eyes and use the ears you know?

57 Strat into a small 50's unknown thing that kicks ass and looks like shit. The Alesis actually seems to quiet down some of the errant hum that was quite annoying, an unexpected plus. Unknown to me how it acts through something decent. The effects have never faded under stress, solid. Good but not revelatory sound, probably limited by that amp, I've gotta try this through something bigger to know.

It came in off E-bay with a hatcheted adaptor plug, missing the nut on the adaptor receiver and broken connector internally at the power supply. Certainly no fault of quality, just rough handling. Easy to fix. A few twists back and forth and the pots are as good as new, the preset buttons take a confident push to register, so no accidental brush of the hand will change it when you're not looking.(hint to Hatchetman, learn how to solder, throw your black tape away, and crossing wires won't get power to your unit). Sheeeesh.

Check out these links for that long lost card info.
http://planet0.planet-zero.org/wiki/index.php/MidiVerbII
Alesis website also has two pages on it, pretty good support for no longer being in production. Hats off to Alesis, that's class.

I honestly didn't know what this thing actually did, it kind of dropped into my lap through a friend who bought two and kept one, so it was worth it. It certainly seems to have brought my tone quality up from the gutter a notch. Now I'll have to learn how to play something pretty after all these years.

If you can boil water and chew gum at the same time, you will find this unit very easy to use.

For my applicaiton(s), it works very well. i was suprised as I had heard very bad, nasty things ( after I bought it, of course!! ) about the Mid-Verb. While probably not the most ideal unit for adding reverb to a revebless guitar amp, I was quite shocked and amazed at the nice reverb, delay, flange, chorus, trem tones that originate from this single rack spaced wonder.

??????????????????? Are you kidding me? This thing is at least 10 - 12 years old and I bought it in a pawn shop, so Lord knows how amny owners it has been through in that time. Other than a few preays of Lube Job on the input, mix, and output ( to get rid of a bit of static and stiffiness from sitting on the shelf for a few years ) potentiomiters, I've done nary a thing to it. If it does happen to go
( as the English say ) Teet's Up, well......I'll then ahve to think about a Lil Lanalie, Holy Grail, Digiverb or some ( hopefully ) low cost vintage piece to satisfy my reverb jones. As far as can I depend on it and would I use it without a backup....well....YES.

Hee hee hee. Haw haw haw....Ho ho ho. Surely ( I told you to never call me SHIRLEY ) you jset.

I'm a good old blues boy from way back. Not as old as some, but older than most who frequent this board. Been playing for well over 30 years. Made my living playing Top 40 in the 80's and had a blast playing in Blues bands, country bands, oldies bands, etc on a part time...weekend basis. These days, my style consists of mostly blues, some country & jazz & slide on the ol' electric and Fingerpicking, altered tunings, slide..whatever...on the ol acoustic. Even though I consider myself a blues player, I find myself more of a "texturalist" with the praise & worship team I'm now blessed to play with at our church. Since I'm the third of three guitar players, I try to find my own space in the group format and do my best to not mash frequencies nor step on others toes or play redundant parts that have no need to be there. So, instead of bashing away on rhythm or playing leads all over the place, I find myself using overdrives ,delays, volume pedal, ebow, slide etc, to accentuate the mix. Sometimes, it's such a cacophony, or din of noise, that I don't play at all...prefering to worship. Ahem.....getting back to the overall rating of the midi-verb.....a solid 7 seems to be in order. Not the best, most pristine or guitar friendly unit out there, but for a piece of gear that is as old as it is and as much as it's ( obviously ) been used, the old buzzard still has a useful life. I bought in on a whim as I was perusing the local pawn shop for some unforseen prize. Perhaps and original TS-808 or Lexicon 284 for $15 dollars. But, alas......I came away with only a little Midi-Verb.

With the laminated patch sheet it is a doddle to use.

Sound quality was excellent for its day and still stands up for home/demo recording. More than good enough for live stage work.

The only things that go wrong with these are
1) the pots get crackly if ou don't use them enough (true wit most things) and
2) The power supply adaptor packs up. This is an A.C. power supply NOT D.C. (the AC-DC & smoothing must be in the midiverb itself. The cheap way to fix this is to buy a D.C. adaptor,rip out and bypass the all the rectifier smoothing circuitry (worked for me!).

Never dealt with Customer Support.

The only thing missing from the Midiverb II is an ON-OFF SWITCH!!!!
The only way to switch if off is either unplug the powersupply jack at the back of the unit or if that is inaccesible then at the mains socket. This can explain (see above) why the power supplies on these can fail (people forget to switch them off).

Very Very east to use... push two buttons and you have reverb. I love the reverb sounds but there is no controll over the reverb time at all.

I LOVE THE SOUND!!! I use this on a DW drum kit for a country/rock band so its got to sound good allready. I usally use #05 for faster songs and for songs like "Amazed" I kick it over to #17 and crank it up!

Its been in the rack since I started as the bands sound engineer

Didnt need to use it... If you dont know how to use this reverb you need not be a sound engineer.

Great verb but, absolutly no control over the reverb times. I will probably buy two of these when I put my sound system together.

Super easy- all presets. Dial up a number and go.

Really good sound quality for the technology of the time.

I used it in a guitar rack for years without any problems. Then I shifted to recording and sold it.

don't know.

After my "goth rock" days, I sold this unit. I moved on to other styles and shifted from performance to recording. I bought many fancier reverbs. I always missed some of the special effect patches on the Midiverb II, especially the reverse reverb. I recently bought one again and feel complete.

This is a No Brainer device. Comes with a quick chart that goes through the presets

For the money I have yet to hear anything that compares at this price range. The first thing I check is ( Tone in verses Tone out ) I find this unit will reproduce the tone very closely to the original tone.Because of this, I don't need a EQ on the output which only adds to signal noise. I rate this a 10 based on the price range.

I have two of these units. They have worked without a flaw since 1988 when I purchased them. Is that worth a 10? What do you think?

Never needed it ( See above comment )

I have used these devices in my studio for a long time. To date they have not let me down.When you are on a tight budget, this unit has pleased every customer who has come in. I prefer these units as they are made to give one effect at a time. The processor never gets overworked as in later models made by Alesis. The MIDIverb III degenerates tone once you put in 2 effects or more. The Midiverb II does what I need it to do. If you do Budget recording, concider this unit. Bottom line " Let your ears decide "

extremely simple

Considering the price of the unit the quality is extrodinare. No, it's not as good as an old Yamaha SPX 90 but the price is way better and it's far easier to use. It's not versitile either as everything is pretty much preset but, that's what makes it so easy to use. I did notice that although it appears to be a stereo device it is not really a stereo effect. It has a right and left ins and outs but the added effect sounds are either hard right and hard left or in the middle. I hear that is how most effect proccessors are. Only the very expensive processors are truly stereo. In other words, the unit doesnt really know if the input signal is coming from the left or the right or anywhere inbetween. The dry signal that came in on the left leaves on the left but the added effect [the wet signal created and now leaving] does not take this into consideration. So in other words...if all you heard from the unit was the wet signal...you could not tell a difference if the original dry signal was coming in from the right or left or somewhere inbetween. The quadreverb is the same way.

for some reason the patch that allways goes on when first turning on is unusable due to a persistant clicking when higher volumes are introduced. Number 57, flange patch, but all the other patches work fine. Ive had this unit for 15 years by the way.

For the money this thing rocks. Sounds as good as any unit made back in the 60s for sure. I use if with my Tascam 688 home recording studio. I get amazing results with the inexpensive equipment I have. Maybe I just have a tin ear.

Well,a preset device is really easy to use.
It has its programms and that#s it.
You only can screw on the MiX/in/out knobs.

How simple you want it ?

Really easy to use.

At its time(1987) the MidiverbII had a good sound quality.

For reverb it is still in my Setup.
Delay is used and other stuff from time to time.

It is a preset effect device.Once you know that you could use a
specail sound,then it is easier as to edit a totaly new sound.

Still OK

Still a device to use.

It sounds acceptable.Not in direct mix,but as FX device for specail
material OK !

99 presets - not much to figure out here

Reverbs are just about usable, delays suck. Unit sounds very digital and is quite noisy

Its so simple I doubt anything will ever go wrong with it

never had to use it

If you can find one for under $50 it might be worth it - otherwise don't bother. I would not buy another

Exceptionally easy to use, wet/dry, input, output level knobs on the front panel. Loses a few points because presets are not named (except on the dreaded laminated card), setting up MIDI control is a little fiddly and limited to patch changes, and FX can't be edited.

Sound quality is not bad considering its age and price point. The delays are ok, flanges are whooshy but not deep, choruses serviceable, reverbs range from trashy/clangy/metallic to long and cavernous. In general not bad at all.

It is very old and has not blown up yet. However, don't blow the adapter, it's a silly 10V AC one (although the back panel states "9V AC" which is more common).

N/A

Good basic processor for synths, drum machines, etc. Too many single-shot delays, needs more regenerated ones. Regenerated reverse reverbs and "bloom" reverbs are excellent for floaty ambiences. Still use it all the time but I would replace it with something more modern if it blew up (a Midiverb 4, perhaps).

I got this unit used, without a manual. I had no trouble at all figuring it out. I don't use a MIDI signal to control it, so it's really simple. There isn't any way to edit patches. All you do is choose from the 63 presets using the "UP" and "DOWN" buttons. There's a button to bypass the effect. The mix knob is hidden on the back.

I've read that the MidiVerb II has the presets listed on a seperate card that everyone seems to lose. This version has the presets listed right on top, explaining each setting.

It's not exactly rack-mountable. It would fit in half a rack space, but it has no ears for mounting. The mix knob and preset list would be inaccessable if mounted.

I'm using the MidiVerb in the effects loop of a Peavey Encore 65 tube amp. My main guitars are a Fender Standard Strat and a heavily modified Vox Teardrop. I bought it because the reverb in my amp is too subtle for my tastes. Recently, I've started playing with a Surf band, and I need a wetter sound.

The presets range from .2 to 20 seconds. For most (not all) delay settings, it offers "BRIGHT", "WARM" and "DARK" versions. There are 9 gated settings and 4 reverse patches (more on those later).

The "BRIGHT" patches are very digital sounding, not as harsh as some digital delay pedals I've used, but not very pleasant. At higher volumes, you can hear a little digital noise in the background (sort of like snares rattling). The "WARM" and "DARK" settings have more of a spring reverb vibe. But if you listen carefully you'll notice that the release characteristics sound a little unnatural. Notes fade most of the way out, then cut off. In a live setting this wouldn't be noticeable. I'm not sure about recording. I add a little bit of spring reverb from the amp to smooth out the decay.

Some of the presets sound surpisingly "splashy". I can't quite get the sound of Dick Dale's Fender outboard reverb, but for what I spent I wasn't expecting miracles. What I get is a decent reverb that makes my guitar sound big. I normally use the presets in the 1.8 second range. Some of the higher ones sound HUGE.

I also like playing with the reverse patches. They don't really reverse the input, they alter the envelope to make the effect sound backwards. I've found that if you turn the "MIX" knob all they way up, you can aproximate a Hendrix or Adrian Belew backwards guitar solo. Not something I'd use all the time, but cool.

It's plastic, and doesn't look too sturdy. But then again, it's survived for several years already, and still works perfectly. I intend to gig with it, using only my amp's reverb as a backup.

I don't know. I don't think Alesis supports this unit anymore.

For what I paid for it, the MidiVerb is great deal. It would be hard to find even a used stompbox for this price. I play a lot of different styles at home, and Surf/Garage stuff with my band. It works well for Surf, but I'm sure it would offend 60's purists (you know- the guys who are only playing Jazzmaster reissues until they can afford an original).

If it were lost or stolen, I'd look for another one. But I'd also try out other, newer gear.

My comparison to this unit is a Lexicon MPX-1, a Behringer DSP-1000, and a Digitech Studio Quad ( the only other three processors I ever used ).. This is a pretty simple unit. About as simple as it gets, although you need the laminated effects database card handy, if you do frequent changes, or unless you have a very good memory. Compared to my other experiences, I would rate it the easiest to use.

I used to run Midiverb II in my PA with a couple of old Yamaha's and (now additionally )a K-2 Crown. I primarily used it for mild reverbs. The "24" and "27" settings I was particularily fond of. Nothing major, mind you, just a little into the mix. It didn't muddy up the mix and is a quiet little unit. Seems that Alesis is getting a bad rap these days, but despite what everyone says about it, no one ever questioned my sound. Is that a good thing, I don't know! I would still rate this over the Digitech (even despite true stereo reverb), on par with the Behringer but (to understate it mildly ) below my Lexicon. The Lexicon reverbs sound so much more "plush and warmer" as well as being in stereo. But your also talking $1000. So the old Midiverb II is a great bang for the buck.

I used this thing for 11 years, on and off, without a backup. Never failed, never let me down. Rolled out of the back of a truck in an amp rack, came out flawless. Pots got bad about a year ago, and I replaced them myself, and got 'em cheap, thanks to Alesis. Extremely sturdy, hardy unit. Excellent workmanship. Looking at it from a craftsman standpoint, Alesis had pride. I can't say this about the Digitech (the knobs do not feel like they are going to break off in your hand and the buttons feel solid). I keep it now as a backup for my other machines.

My experience with Alesis was a one time thing, as I mentioned before when I had to replace the parts. The Alesis guy I spoke to was very courteous and helpful (and somewhat amazed that someone was still actually using this thing, which may not speak highly about Alesis, but then again a $200 processor that still works great after 11 years of road wear says a lot for its virtue ). I had the parts I needed sitting on my doorstep in a matter of days.

Rating it on reverb and workmanship, I'd say that for my uses 'ol Midiverb II is a pretty decent little unit, even by todays standards, considering that a year ago I sent a Digitech back because I though it was unacceptable in workmanship and reverb. For someone not looking for long delays, stereo reverb and multi patch effects, it's virtue is that it's well made, simple, quiet, and does have some pleasant reverbs, even with the presets that Alesis gives you. It's not a Lexicon. Compared to the Behringer, if I did it again, I would have bought and MPX-100 at that point (the Behringer has better and more useful presets but I didn't think I gained on reverb, which is what I really wanted it for). If you find one cheap and you plan on using it in a club PA, go for it.

Since I've gotten so many requests for it, here is the info from the MIDIVERB II Program Chart (that lamented, lamenated card).
MIDIVERB II quick setup: (i will assume you know how to use the audio controls and move between presets. it doesn't matter which input you use.) >set MIDI recieve channel: press CHAN followed by two numbered buttons 01-16. (makes sense.) >Assign Programs to MIDI Patch numbers: press PATCH followed by two numbered buttons 01-32. press PRGM followed by two numbered buttons 00-99. hold STORE and press PATCH. >the MIDIVERB II always reverts to program mode (PRGM LED on).
MIDIVERB II Program Listing (can come in handy!) 00 DEFEAT BANKS 0-2: REVERB 01 SMALL BRIGHT .1 SEC 02 SMALL BRIGHT .2 SEC 03 SMALL BRIGHT .3 SEC 04 MEDIUM WARM 1.1 SEC 05 MEDIUM BRIGHT .6 SEC 06 LARGE BRIGHT 1.2 SEC 07 LARGE DARK 1.0 SEC 08 MEDIUM DARK .6 SEC 09 MEDIUM DARK .5 SEC 10 MEDIUM BRIGHT .6 SEC 11 MEDIUM BRIGHT .8 SEC 12 LARGE WARM 1.0 SEC 13 LARGE WARM 1.1 SEC 14 MEDIUM DARK 1.0 SEC 15 MEDIUM BRIGHT 1.1 SEC 16 MEDIUM BRIGHT 1.15 SEC 17 LARGE BRIGHT 1.6 SEC 18 LARGE DARK 1.7 SEC 19 MEDUM BRIGHT 1.65 SEC 20 MEDIUM BRIGHT 1.9 SEC 21 LARGE WARM 2.2 SEC 22 LARGE WARM 1.75 SEC 23 LARGE BRIGHT 1.45 SEC 24 LARGE DARK 2.2 SEC 25 LARGE WARM 2.3 SEC 26 LARGE BRIGHT 2.4 SEC 27 LARGE BRIGHT 2.5 SEC 28 XLARGE WARM 5.0 SEC 29 XLARGE WARM 15.0 SEC BANK 3: GATED REVERB 30 SLOW GATE 100 MSEC 31 SLOW GATE 200 MSEC 32 SLOW GATE 250 MSEC 33 SLOW GATE 400 MSEC 34 SLOW GATE 450 MSEC 35 FAST GATE 150 MSEC 36 FAST GATE 75 MSEC 37 FAST GATE 200 MSEC 38 FAST GATE 100 MSEC 39 FAST GATE 175 MSEC BANK 4: REVERSE REVERB 40 REVERSE 400 MSEC 41 REVERSE 450 MSEC 42 REVERSE 250 MSEC 43 REVERSE 200 MSEC 44 REVERSE 150 MSEC 45 BLOOM 1 8 SEC 46 REVERSE 500 MSEC 47 REVERSE REGEN. 2 SEC 48 REVERSE REGEN. 8 SEC 49 BLOOM 2 7 SEC BANK 5: FLANGE 50 TRIGGERED FLANGE 51 FLANGE PAN 1 52 FLANGE PAN 2 53 TRIGGERED FLANGE 2 54 FLANGE PAN 3 55 FLANGE PAN 4 56 FLANGE PAN 5 57 TRIGGERED FLANGE 3 58 FLANGE PAN 6 59 FLANGE PAN 7 BANK 6: CHORUS 60 LIGHT CHORUS 1 61 LIGHT CHORUS 2 62 MEDIUM CHORUS 1 63 MEDIUM CHORUS 2 64 MEDIUM CHORUS 3 65 DEEP CHORUS 1 66 DEEP CHORUS 2 67 DEEP CHORUS 3 68 FAST CHORUS 1 69 FAST CHORUS 2 BANKS 7 & 8: DELAY 70 35 MSEC 71 55 MSEC 72 75 MSEC 73 115 MSEC 74 140 MSEC 75 155 MSEC 76 160 MSEC 77 170 MSEC 78 175 MSEC 79 180 MSEC 80 185 MSEC 81 195 MSEC 82 205 MSEC 83 210 MSEC 84 220 MSEC 85 240 MSEC 86 250 MSEC 87 275 MSEC 88 375 MSEC 89 460 MSEC BANK 9: EFX 90 2 TAP AMBIENT 91 3 TAP PAN 92 MULTITAP 93 MULTITAP REVERSE PAN 94 THICKENER/FROZEN FLANGE 95 STEREO GENERATION 96 STEREO GENERATION WIDE 97 REGENERATED DELAY 2 SEC 98 REGENERATED DELAY 3 SEC 99 REGENERATED DELAY 4 SEC

This unit is basically (cringe) plug 'n play. Decent to good presets. Use the ones that sound good to you. DO NOT LOSE THE LAMINATED CARD! Sooner or later you'll need it.

Overall,the sound quality is clean and punchy. The reverbs aren't top flight but still,IMCO, better than many. Chorus is quite good, especially the slower ones. If you're looking for long delays go elsewhere, nothing here goes over 380ms.

I've used the same MIDIVERB IIs for six years and never had a failure.

The MIDIVERB II is a good,fast/no brainer fix for time domain effects needs. I used to use a pair of them with ptm/ptb footswitches in my guitar rig for echo (#99) and chorus (#60)I wished it had variable regeneration and longer delays but it was quite good even without them.

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