DigiTech BNX3

It is very easy to use.
It is also easy to set, expecially using the dedicated software.

I use it as an effect unit or as a preamp to drive a power amp.
The effects are very good. I have used a Boss GT6B, but the digitech plays by far better, expecially in the synth and distortion department.
The NOISE problem is due to a WRONG USE of the unit.
In each setting one has pump the volume of the amp model used, also if it is the clean "direct amp": in this way it is possible to lower the output level by the volume pot and so the noise.
There is also a problem with the output of the bass guitar used. If you use basses with different output level, the distortions and the synths can have a different output level with respect to other effects. One should be able to regulate the level to the BNX3. I have used an EBS compressor, thet has an output control, but now I use a boss half rack parametric equalizer. In this way I can also regulate the tone.

It seems strong enough for the stage.

The customer support seems good, as I have upgraded both the bios of the unit and the software for programming by the digitech site.

It is a very good multieffect unit.
Probably it can be beated by some pedal in each effect department, but the overall level is very high.
It works well for people who likes to create personal pathces with personal tone, using various effects, not for people who like to use a little chorus here and a touch of wha' there. For this aim the single pedals work better.

I love the BNX3. I have a very early version and it has helped me develop "my sound"

I use it with a pre Fender Workingman 4004 with the 4x10 and 1x15 cabinets. My main bass is a 1996 Fender P bass. This combination is untouchable.

I have done shows without a backup. this thing is built like a tank and there is no need for one.

Never needed them.

I play hard rock music and this is the best pedal I have had. I have been playing bass since 1988 and this thing covers everything I thought I needed and a bunch more. Get one if you can.

For ease of use I have to rate this a 8 on actually manipulating the parameters on the unit itself. To a beginner it can be confusing. As for the GenEdit software through midi to change the settings its a piece of cake, def a 10. So i'll split the difference and give it a 9. My unit has been upgraded with the latest firmware 1.2 and it don't seem like theres anymore coming.

Digitech still has the BNX3 listed on their site but finding it in a retail store...its on its way out. Due to the mem storage option being obsolete or out of favor, this unit including its guitar mate GNX3 will soon be phased out like the dinosaur because of this memory limitation.

First for the record, I'm a hardcore Digitech user, I own this unit, the X-Series bass pedals, and the BP200.I bought this unit in order to first have an 8 track recorder. The hiss problem thats been talked about in other reviews does exist, however it must be noted that this unit was designed and intended to be a preamp modeler, so the impedence is different for the output jacks. It was meant to be run into the effects loop. I run mine at 12 oclock for the volume knob. I get some hiss through my Max 700 peavey head running a 4x10tvx and 1x15bvx but its minimal, MUCH MUCH less than running direct.

Also the reason why I bought this was because the BP200 unit had a poor whammy function, it was too processy sounding and the effects were delayed due to poor A/D/A conversion. The whammy is decent with a slight delay but its not bad at all. I'm going for that Tool sound of Justin Chancellor, this unit def helps if your on a budget.

Note: if you run the midi connection while you have it hooked to your amp say hello to ground loop. Use the midi connection through a laptop on batteries to rid this buzz. I go old school with a 15pin joystick plug to a midi in/out for 15 bucks.

Its built solid like most of Digitechs products. Always gig with a backup, in my case all the other pedals I use.

I've talked with Digitech a few times to get backround information and troubleshoot the 8 track recorder. They were helpful to a point, but for the detailed answers to my questions i went to www.guitarworkstation.com/forum.html. Its hosted by Digitech but the actual users contribute to the tech questions.

I play classic rock, Tool, Primus and experimental ambient style music. Been playing for 5 years. If it was lost or stolen, Id look into getting the unit again.

The feature that I do hate about this unit and its not Digitech's fault is the choice of memory storage. At the time it was beleived that Smartmedia cards were going to be developed further to be larger than 128 MB. Present day Sept 2006, its nearly impossible to find these smartmedia cards for a decent price. Smartmedia is no longer being manufactured and its down to whatever is left of stock or used. Around 2001 the 128MB cards were cheap like 20-25 dollars, now they have skyrocketed to 50-100 bucks! The vast difference in price is due to the brand name. Smartmedia is smartmedia, the name hikes the price.

However if you really like the sound and the 8 track, then theres an alternate option, you can buy a smartmedia to XD adapter which is what I use. However the unit is only programmed to recognize up to 128MB cards. but the 128 XD are less than 10 bucks and work just as good.

I rate this a 9 for the sound, but the problems with memory really drives that down, being a guru with electronics i wasn't intimidated, but to an amateur its a nightmare. consult the link above for the forum, its a lifesaver. This unit may be outdated, but when setup correctly and outfitted with the proper equipment, its a sweet unit. Not the best of course but a sweet unit for actually doing what was advertised it can do.

I have the unit setup through my effects loop, and the right channel is running to the PA through a direct box for backing tracks. Great for you players out there if you like to play by yourself and have an instant band at the touch of a pedal!

hallo all im from New Zealand, ive just brought one of these machnes, and am so impressed with the sound quality. Im a bit sussed about bass stations as ive not had the opportunity to use one. But this one is just simply awsome. Ive read the feed back and i do aggree that there is a hiss that i cant seem to git rid off, but who cares, i love this machine. I use the disortion sounds heaps they sound great with real grungy sounds that we do. No good with a tin bum amp have to play with something grunty, anything over 150 watts. I brought this machine brand new at a second hand store for $500.00 NZ, which is the eq too $800.00US.

Awsome

Excellent

I use a Rickenbacker in an Ampeg head (SVT350) with a 4x10 Ampeg cabinet. I like that punchy solid sound the Rickenbacker gives and that gritty sound you get from Ampeg.

It's hard to really get a punchy sound that's not clanky. And realy low end sounds are not well defined. Quite acceptable but tone freaks will not be satisfied.

The unit works fine and is quite versatile but the Digitech stigma about blend tones is on it. You can combine 5-6 effects together and save them into banks (64 user banks available).

The synth and phrasing effects are quite good, allowing for many different settings.

The worst thing for me was direct recording. The analogue outputs are noisy and make it almost impossible to go directly into a mixing board. The Digital-Analogue converters are of too poor quality to be acceptable. I have to drop the rating on this category because of this.

Had it for over a year now, use it extensively and never had a problem with it.

didn't have to use them.

Buyers should be careful with this product. It sits atop two categories : not good enough for professionnal use but too pricy for a beginner/intermediate player.

If you don't record and aren't too picky, you'll enjoy this toy, as it gives a lot of possibilites and works fine.

I have found that the Bnx-3 is reasonably easy to use, as far as editing patches. The manual is very helpful, although it needs a MUCH larger trouble shooting section. I especially like the ease of the recorder section. I am the priciple songwriter in my band, & with this recorder I can put together songs in a matter of minutes & get a good recording quickly for the rest of the band...

I run a SWR SM-900 amp w/ a Hartke 4.5 XL with Livewire & MonsterBass cables, & My main axe is a prototype Modulus Graphite "Sweetspot"6, & a Washburn "Hammerhead"5. There is a large amount of hiss on most patches, although most effects are pretty strong. I like the Demeter tube, the Modern, & the cleantube amps, & the Eden 4x10, the Goliath 4x10, & the vintge 8x10 cabs, but I am starting to try the direct setting for speakers. As for distortion, I like the "Shredinit" patch, but with both channels on "Rectified" with the "Vintge 4x12". After some hours spent alone & with the band, it is possible to get a very good quality sound.

Although these may be isolated incidents, I have had some issues. I have had the machine just reset itself, I have had issues with the powewr supply, but most of all I have had issues with the cardreader. One day, I got a second Smartmedia card, & I removed the 1st card to put in the second, & neither of them would go into the slot.

The company is fairly helpful, but there should be a lot more service centers. For instance, I live in Baton Rouge, LA, where there are 9 Digitech dealers, but the closest service center is 57 miles away!

I mainly play hard rock/funk, but I also hire out in Blues & Top40. I have been playing for about 12 years. If I didn't have the Bnx-3 I would consider buying another, but I would also stongly consider buying something else. I wish it had all the upgrades that they put on the Gnx-4(Usb in/out, Mp3 player, Programmable drums) & no need to buy the footpeday to go with it.

I was up and running after a couple of days with the manual. Expect to spend several days (or weeks) setting up amps and speakers to your liking. The Windows software to edit patches is easy to use, but it's very easy to overwrite the wrong patch, so I stopped using it for anything other than backups.

It's pretty easy to make quick changes to the settings (effects mix, etc) during practice, but too slow to scroll through the menus in a live setting... it's too late to be changing your mind in the middle of a song anyway.

My firmware is relatively recent (late 2003).

I chose this over other processors (Roland, etc) because it just impressed me with its good tone and the broad range of "strong" sounds you can get from it. The amp simulation is simply great. The speakers are also good, although I've been using the "direct" setting for a more "studio" sound on stage. The stompboxes are also quite good, although I find that running in series with any distortion box removes some of the impact and bottom from the sound, and wish it could be in parallel. The unavoidable chorus/phaser effects are good enough, although I find that they can introduce sudden increases in volume and require the use of a limiter after the pedal. I also quite like the "bass wah" effect.

I don't know if this is a common problem, but my pedal generates a lot of hiss. As I am using compression after the pedal (this sounds godlike), this emphasizes the hiss even further, such that I have to turn off the amp during breaks or my bandmates complain.

A note on my rig: I am running out of the BNX into a Carl Martin compressor (set up as a limiter to protect the sound man from sudden peaks), a Demeter pre, and one of those great 1x12+2x10 cabs from, hey, I can't remember the name of my speaker cab. I leave the tweeter on, the cabinet is nearly flat.

This would be a 10 if it a) hissed less, and b) had more effects routing options (perhaps an insert jack as well?)

I gig without a backup, but then I am quite comfortable doing gigs with nothing but a compressor, new strings, and really nice speaker cabs. :) Have had zero system crashes.

I think the biggest risk is that you might break the output volume conrol, which is mounted on the back and made of plastic. It's strong, but not as badass as, say, an old Boss CE-2.

I have no idea.

I'd say this is great for hard rock, and should probably be great for any number of modern styles. I intend to continue using it in spite of the hiss, although it REALLY needs a noise gate or some mods to be useful in a pro setting. It's nearly as much fun as a Mesa tube bass amp, and much lighter. Perhaps mine is just broken, but it looks like they used the same output driver for the line levels and the headphone, which could explain the high noise floor in the outputs...

Still, it sounds so good, it's gotta be a 9. And quite cheap too.

Fairly easy to make your own patches, everything is self-explanitory.
Figuring out the expression pedal was a little of a hassle though.

Sounds great when you get everything set to your liking. What I liked most of all was the Whammy feature. I play in a cover band & with a lot of bands detuning & using 5 strings, I used to have to bring a few guitars to a gig. Now I can bring 2--a main & a backup. The Whammy allows me to tune down a whole step to a D standard tuning in which I would tune the top string down to a dropped C for playing Godsmack, System of a Down, etc. Also there's a setting to drop down to B,E,A,D for 5 string stuff & down one whole octave for the Korn stuff. Now it doesn't sound perfect when playing alone BUT with the band it's hardly noticeable. I really hate playing a 5 string so this gives me the opportunity to play my Geddy Lee Jazz Bass on every song. Also the distortions & wahs are more than enough than I need--especially for that Cliff Burton Solo sound--I use it for "For Whom The Bell Tolls". Did I mention the clean sound I get sounds incredible as well?

I have no choice but to use it w/out a backup--I'm not rich. It's made of metal & feels pretty solid. I take it back & forth to practice & have had no problems thus far.

Haven't had to deal with them yet.

I have about 8 patches that I will use live for different songs. I play modern heavy rock as well as some classic rock & it does the job for every song. If it were stolen I'd HAVE to get another one. Like I said my favorite feature the Whammy allows me to bring less guitars to a gig and allow me to play one guitar through a full show.

Plugged in out of the box, without reading the manual the unit seemed initially complex. The manual, whilst in places overly simplistic, is extensive and easy to follow. The layout is intuitive, and ergonomic, but seems daunting to start. After little fiddling it quickly became simple and editing patches was a very rewarding process. The manual could have been easier to follow, with more detail on some of the units more complex features.

Plugged in out of the box the sound was good, but not great. Pre-sets, as to be expected, were largely practically useless (but very showy and impressive). Very few bassists would find any use for them. Having replaced almost all of them with practical sounds for all sorts of work (particularly a superb range of sounds for pit work, and for jazz/dance band music). Direct sound will never compare to running it through a serious amp (I use a 700 Watt Head + 4x10 Cabinet), and the sound does deteriorate quickly through smaller amps. Vs. the Pod the direct sound is comprable, but its obviously not what the designers had in mind for its primary use. I had hoped that for small Gigs it would have been good enough to plug straight into a PA without an amp, but it just isn't close.

Built like a Tank. With some re-inforced armour plating. Some of the Dials look and feel a bit flimsy, but I've yet to knock one off, and I've had the unit for a couple of months now. Would Gig without a backup, but will get a solid case to keep it in.

Haven't had to use them. Try the website for a glance at what they offer. Not a terribly lively online community yet, not a lot of patches out there, but it'll improve.

I might replace, but if you consider the Bass Pod Pro as a $ equivalent, I would be tempted to that instead. Basically happy, top class product, improves your sound and range greatly, reduces the ammount of gear I've had to carry considerably, and I take a lot less basses to gigs with it, but its still not a substitute for the original amps, or a substitute for good technique, so don't go spending the money on an expensive processor if what you need instead is a decent bass and some lessons.

Has a bit of a learning curve, but NOT out of proportion to what it does. Very Easy to use, easy to edit (easier than Boss GT-6B, which I also owned - and please know that I think Boss is great and have been using their stuff for almost 20 years). I like that at one glance you can see what effects are running (not so with Boss). Manual is on the short side, but good enough. You can set your own presets easily, then variations on your presets- all easy. The looper is phenomenal (Boss gives you 3 seconds, one track, harder to use). This has 8 tracks. This is also fun to play with.

Better than anything I've tried. Sounds great. No noise problem. Using with Ampeg SVT-III Pro, SWR Goliath III and SWR Son of Bertha cabs, or with my GK Combo amp. Basses: Yamaha 5-string or Ernie Ball Sterling 4-string. No excess noise, and I can get any freaking sound I can imagine.

No problems, though I've only had it less than 2 months.
I thought the Boss felt more solid- but I don't care. This is way better, if you'll pardon my English. After warranty period, Digitech has an $80 flat repair policy- fine with me.

I caled for pre-sales info, and without any wait, I got a bass player who knew everything about the pedal, and had a good attitude. Quite a trick, and I was impressed.

I play many styles - it does what I want, and doesn't talk back. Blues, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Folk. Been playing over 30 years. If lost, I would get another, without hesitation. As mentioned above, I had a Boss gt-6b, but traded it in for this. Apart from the equip mentioned above, I have a Tacoma acoustic 4-string, a Gibson Piccolo Bass, a Tacmoa 6-string, a GK RB200 head, a Boss CS-3 Sustain pedal, and lots of recording gear. This pedal definitely helps me with the creative process, and is nice for writing songs (not just for bass).

Once you get used to it, it's as eay as any other processor. It is bvery intuative and has a cool operating system that a 6th grader could get after some instruction.

Most of the amp models are killer. Best sound with no noise or hiss. This is the best modeling they have ever done. Digitech has outdone themselves with this product.

Hasn't Broken yet!
Would take it to a gig w/o a back up.

They have the best phone techs at the 800 number, and killerproduct people to help out in my area (So Cal).

Best thing they make for all styles of music.
I have been playing 17 years and this put my PODS, and other modeler units to rest. Sounds as great through my amp as in my studio.
Wouldn't change a thing.

The BNX3, the bass equal to the GNX3 is just as easy to use, and packs so much a punch, you'll feel like you're playing through monster stacks in no time flat! The matrix style of interface is very easy to work with, and follows much of how the BP8 navigation worked. Editing patches is simple, the manual covers everything you need to know, and for once, I'm glad to see DigiTech make a piece of gear that has real practical value for bassists!

I'm using Yamaha 5-string active basses for my gigging, and most of my recording, but I'll switch to a passive bass (custom made) for some recording work. I run through the effects return of a SWR Workingman's 4004 head, with the 4x10" and 1x15" cabs. EQing this bad boy is real easy, and between the notch filter, amp/speaker simulators and EQ's for each preset, a very minimal amount of effort will make the BNX3 sound great in any environment. The distortions are actually very distinct and sound good on even 5 string basses, the chorus is awesome, the delays are good (I would have preferred more settings to choose from, but hey, there's only so much room in the box!) No problems dialing in settings to get the bass sounds from Primus, Metallica, Creed, Pink Floyd, or probably any other band (those are the ones I like to model the most.)

The new DigiTech floor processors are tanks, steel construction with heavy-duty plastic foot switches. I do, and would gig without a backup. I'd worry about my amp frying before this thing failing me.

Never needed them, but their web site has a lot of good information (though the interface is a bit odd for some screen resolutions.) From friends I've had that have needed their support, everyone's been happy with their experiences.

I play a diverse mass of music, from Christian worship music to classic rock to heavy metal to punk, whatever the band feels in the mood to do. I've been playing bass for over 8 years, and EVERYTHING prior to the BNX3 has failed to do what the BNX3 does EASILY!

Let me quickly summarize my experiences:
- Direct to amp: No effects, no fun, pure sound.
- Bass Pod PRO: Lots of effects, found a save-preset problem with the interface where the channel volume is saved per amp model instead of per preset, no good for my use.
- Zoom & Korg: 'nuff said, not worth the money spent
- BOSS GT-6B: I had popping noises when I put too loud of a signal through the processor, as long as I had amp/cab simulation on. Seemed wrong to have to dumb down the processor to make it work, so I returned it.
- DigiTech BP8: Same popping sounds, but only with active basses, I used this for several years with minimal complains.
- DigiTech BP200: A nice step up from the BP8, the interface was much worse, though, and the sounds just didn't impress me enough to justify it.
- DigiTech GNX3: Threw away my stomp boxes, dual 31-band rack EQ and ran guitar -> GNX3 -> Effects return of SWR 4004 and WOW!!

I should note that I am VERY picky about the sounds I produce, and if it's hissy or popping, I consider it crap and won't use it. I paid good money for my gear, ruining its sound with bad processors is stupid. Don't do it. Get the BNX3 and save yourself a TON of worries.

It would have been nice to have a XLR out as well as 1/4" for mixers, but I have a nice DI box for that anyway...

I did not forget to mention its recording features are slick and very practical, but this is after all an effects processor. Use it for that first, and when you get it set up, then use the recorder.

NOTE: The factory presets for the expression pedal were off when I first took it out of the box -- the pedal physically rests toe-down at about 95% of 100% volume boost, so recalibrate the pedal and set the V-switch to somewhere between 55-60 and you should be set. I knocked off a point for that MINOR inconvenience. (I never give 10's anyway, if everything was perfect, it would lack feeling, expression or potential!)

Go DigiTech!