Korg AX1500G

I think Korg made the easiest way to write programs in a multieffect. First when I got it, I tried to figure it out just by myself. Then 2 days passed, and I looked in the manual, and saw, I left out nearly nothing. Everything is written on it. And the manual is great too. Easy to understand, or get around in it. If you want to try out sound processors for the first time, this is the ideal stuff for you! But there's a weak spot in it's construction. The foot buttons can't pushed down enough. You can't be sure if you pushed it down. Or sometimes, it pushes itself twice. And it's a big problem at the chanel select button. But it's not a problem, when you use it at home. Only it could be a problem at live shows.

Well I never tried to copy a certan artist. I just wanted to make my own sound. And this stuff nearly got it! I'm using it for at least 5 years, and I never got bored to its sound! The distorsion effects are amaizing! The difference between them is not just the ammount of distorsion. Every distorsion have a different dinamics. If you want brutal fore, you can get out from it! If you want real soft windlike distorsion, it got it all! The effects are amaizing too. Only the wha effect is a bit weak for me. Its only a static wha effect, you can't change anything. (that's why only 9). And of course it's amaizingly silent!

Its amaizingly strong stuff. I steped on it accidently many times, and nothing happend. I droped it several times, again accidently, but didn't broke. Coverd with real heavy metal, its, unbroakable! I would, and I am using it without a backup.

No opinion, never dealt, with them (never had to).

I play mostly metal, and this stuff suits it well. As I sad it before, it has a huge ammount of power in it! I'm using this for at least 5 years, and I'll never sell it! I love it's sound, I love how easy to write programs. But it's biggest disadvantage is the foot buttons. Their position is great, not too close and not too far, but you can't be sure, without watching, that you pushed a button or not. Without a shoe, it's not that big problem, but in shoe, it is! Or it wouldn't be that big problem, if it would have a midi port. But it doesen't. If it's lost, I'd definetly buy another one. It's still perfect for home practice.
The best thing I like in this stuff, is its practice mode. You can record 8 or 16 sec in it, form it's aux in or from your guitar (by playing something) than you can play it back as many times you'd like. And you can slow it down without making it sound deeper. Or you can hold a note, so you can search it on your guitar. It's very usefull, when you try to tab down a fast solo, or some harmonic stuff.

AX1500G's pretty easy to use... It's easy to edit patches and save them as your own... The manual was very comprehensible. The only thing I don't like with this unit is that it doesn't have a seperate "Bank Down" footswitch. You have to simultaneously step on footswitches 2 and 3.

I like some of its distortions and amp models specially the Britstack. Somehow, you can emulate sound of Dimebag, Satriani, Vai, Petrucci, and most punk rock style of playing by carefully and patiently creating patches from scratch. I like the Vulgar patch which I believe emulates Dimebag's sound. I hate its Acoustic simulator coz it has a hisssss on it... One bad thing about AX1500G is it's noisy when using patches with distortion... this is very annoying... even setting the noise reduction to 9 or 10 does not eliminate the noise... And when you set NR to 10, there's no more sustain on notes you play... My rating for Sound Quality could have been 9... if only there's no noise... tsk tsk... I'm kinda dissapointed. Zoom's got a superb NR... without affecting sustain of notes you play.

The casing is made of metal... good thing! The wah is kinda weak... I'd buy a Jim Dunlop or Morley wah to use instead of the Ax1500G's. I haven't tried using a Noise Supressor to kill it's noise... I don't if it will work...

NA

Good for live situations, but not for recording... Some patches sound great, some suck... well, all you need is a little time to edit and play around with the patches to get the sounds you want... I have to say again, Ax1500G's waterloo is with its noise... a real pain in the ass... setting the NR to high will not give you a good sustain... you don't want that, do you?

Pretty simple to use, just takes time to figure out what you want. I tried using the presets, but then just started from scratch.. That's the best way to get what you want. Like many effects, its built for what I call the 16 year old with issues. I wish they would put a memory for the knobs, it is best if you keep a record of the settings you invent, because when you invent a second one you move the knobs and forget where you were if you want to edit the first setup.

Of course this depends on what your looking for. I found the compressor and the delays to work well but didn't like any of the distortions. Amp and Speaker moduling were good and some light octive works well. Heavy reverb did a good job but the phasers took a lot of tweaking for each song (I guess that's standard) to be usable.

I've had this unit for 5 or 6 years and dragged it to the gig every weekend for 3 of those years. I put it in a case and have never had even a hiccup out of it.

Sorry N/A never called em.

This unit taught me a lot about effects and setting them up. It was worth every dime just for that! I like the stereo delay. It makes you sound huge. I would buy another in a hot minute. I'm still looking for that special sound, and this is getting me closer.

I did use the manual when I first got this pedal ( about 4 years ago ) and it didn't take long to suss out how to edit a patch. The pre-loaded patches were okay as a starting point, although some were just too weird for me to find a use for, but I guess that's pretty standard for a multi-fx. I enjoyed fiddling with it and came up with about a dozen patches that gave me the sort of sounds I was looking for, and found a few that I wasn't looking for but liked them anyway. Once I'd got the sounds I wanted I tended to stick with them, on an "if it's not broken, don't try to fix it" basis

Set-upwise I'm using a Patrick Eggle Berlin and a Marshall 30 watt tranny comb amp ( I only play at home these days and it's plenty loud enough for that ) Over time, I found good combinations of tone and effects with this set-up, the Korg does have some nice amp and cab modelling that sounded great ( to my ears ) through my little combo. I could get plenty of large venue sounds that often made me grin from ear to ear.

Now, this is why I'm writing this review. The unit has, over the last 3-4 months slowly been dying on me, it started with the level control developing a mind of it's own and once a patch was selected at some random point in time ( from straight away to minutes later ) the volume would change to wherever the level dial pointer was which either sent the volume up sky high or down low, which I adapted to here at home, it was inconvenient, but not the end of the world, but if it had happened while gigging ( which I've done plenty of in my time ) the unit would have gone in the nearest wheelie bin on the way out the venue. Once the level parameter started to go haywire, the other dial controlled parameters started to do the same and this worsened to the point a couple of days ago where the unit went totally silent. I've taken it apart and there are no visible signs of anything lose or burnt out etc, so it's going to go in MY wheelie bin now. It's lasted me over 4 years, so I'm not complaining and the fact that it's died will mean I can go scour ebay for something else to play with. Up until the recent problems, I would have said yes I could depend on it, but now I'm not so sure?

Never dealt with the manufacturer, and don't intend to with the current problem with the unit, it's going in the bin!

I am a twiddler these days, I tend not to play whole tracks, just one thing that merges into another etc etc, and some days I'm shit-hot and others I'm just shit LOL. I have had a lot of fun with this unit, it has really made me smile, and considering I bought it new 4+ years ago for #200 it has been excellent value for money I think. If it had been lost or stolen I would have bought another ( used on ebay ). One thing I wish it had but it doesn't is a "slow attack" cos I really like that sort of violinlike sound. That's it's only fault to my mind, apart from the stuff mentioned above.

IHMO, if you want a multi-fx to have fun at home, and help you to sound and feel like the mutts nuts, then go get one of these things used, 'cos you aren't going to get much better bang for your buck I don't think!!!

Hi... My name is Fani and i come from indonesia. I bought korg AX1500g just two weeks ago. Basically i play rock music, but play visual rock from japan recently. this effect is very easy to use.
for you who often use a stomp box it's not different, but it kind of confusing in the first time you use it. But once you know the trick than it become so easy. Editing the patches never been easier, just turn some knobs to your desire and you get what you want. it really easy to have a great sound. I have it just two weeks ago, and now i have a lot of great sounds. I never use the manual eventhought i have one.

I use Ibanez PGM3 korean made, and Peavey Rage 158. Btw i bought this to replace my Zoom GFX 707 which i think it's not good enough for me.
The sound mmmmmmm......
Mostly all effect are good, only the wah pedal, Iit's sucks to hell. I can't change the the deep and Resonance. maybe i prefer my zoom gfx 707 for wah pedal, but if other effectcs i prefer this.
The distortion is awesome, i can get from bluesy overdrive to Metal Distortion. This things rocks.
I can get the sound from Led Zeppelin,Yngwie Malmsteen,CC.Deville, Metallica,doremidan,Lareine,Gazzette,Dir en grey(this are visual kei band from japan)and cool clean jazz too.
so from Jazz,pop,Visual Rock to metal madness. There's no sound that i can't find with this thing. But i still want to have stomb box effects for collections. But this thing rocks. So if you want to buy multi effect processor buy this, you won't regret it. Btw i'm a songwriter and i use it for making music on my computer. I use cubase for recording. I use this effect directly to my soundcard input and it doesn't noisy at all. But you have to manage the noise reduction. and i almost forgot one thing, the electricity in my neighbourhood is bad, so the sound sometimes changing, i mean the level sometimes become bigger and low eventhough you have save it. If you have this problem my suggestion is that you use a stabilizer or power suplly to stabilize the electricity.

Sure I can depend on it, the casing it's made of steel so i've got nothing to worried. I will use it till the day i die hehehe..........

I bought this effect just two weeks ago. Basically I play Rock music, but this several months i play visual rock, a genre of rock which come from japan, with band such as: Dir en grey, Lareine,Gazzette, Kagerou, Barouqe, Due le quartz, Doremidan, Malice Mizer, etc. And with this effect i kind of have the similiar sound like them even though it's not perfect. And i kind of play some jazz recently and some Rock'n Roll/Blues. This effect really helps me to get the sound that i want, especially the distortion, not like my Zoom GFX 707 the distortion is really not my taste. If it were stolen maybe i buy it again, or buy the new one AX3000G. Or i use stomb box instead. but even though i have stomb box effects, this effect is a must have item. so i would buy it again if it were stolen. I never use boss GT-8, or POD XT live so i don't know which is the best between them, but what i do know this effect is good. and it really help me to make great music. I wish it had a better wah pedal in the future.

First sight it was a great piece stored with music which i have been waiting for. I have been using Zoom505 and Ibanez pedals, but this one gives me the clean sounds i am looking for. The knobs are very friendly and easy to use. Editing is so easy even without the manual. The manual is detailed, but guys get a better paper as buying Korg makes me proud owner of a music machine, whereas the paper quality is terrible. But who care..it is sounds that matter the most !!

Well..I see that the pedal makes even the cheapest guitars sounds great and maybe that is the secret behind toneworks. Well I think the best amps will surely bring out the best in it. I even use it indoors with headphones on and it is fantastic as it is mesmerising. Behringer equipment is what I use and Korg is forcing me to think of getting a Fender and Marshall so that they can marry well. The sounds of Joe sat, Jimi Hendrix, Metallica and what not..all it requires is search and find. All effects are ok except for the Wah Wah..needs a little more talking and not just be stuck with Vowel sounds...

I can trust it as it is rugged and will surely wither the storm. Yes, I will surely use it without a backup. As I am from India, I am sure it would beat the heat.

So far no problems..and I am sure there wont be one at all..afterall...Tone..Works !! So cant comment on Customer support..

I have been playing for 12 years ..my own style of music mixed with rock, heavy metal etc., especially composing instrumental stuff..and I like the effects pedal as the sounds are much cleaner than the ones I used before. hmm...well I see to it that it is not stolen..afterall my neighbours dont like the noise I make along with my drummer, Olos Gora and if at all it is stolen, I know where to search. I love the way we can play electric effects and then shift to acoustic.

I dont hate anything in it, but do suggest improvement in Wah Wah..I have done "cash in pocket and sound in ear" equation and found that 1500 G gives me the best I can afford and satisfy me the most. It gives me a good pat on the back to go all frets!!!! Great work guys..all the best in 2006 for you to bring out the best of sounds..

compared to a GT8 itz very easy and intuitive...you don't have to read the manual necesarily to fully understand it...same thing for editing patches, the only weak point it has is the distorsion...it is not a procesor recomended for those who want to get a heavy-dirty sound.

i use an ibanez sz with duncan pickups and, at home with a tiny 15watts behringer amp, at rehearsals on a 100w TSL Marshall, and it sounds great, noise gates are really good, and it has a really warm nice sound...distorsion is harder to edit...you can't get a metal-sound with it...you rather use it for softer distorsions, or for clean sounds and weird effects, which sound great and are easy to obtain and use

it is a reliable tool, it's made out of metal and it's very resistant to shocks and humidity. however, you may experience something unpleasant with the ac adaptor plug, because it may reset the processor if moved (not pulled out!)...

i mainly play blues and blues-rock but i use it for a harder-style blues and it's perfect for my needs, i certainly like the wah effect, which is very good for a digital processor and it also has very nice chorus and psychedelic options for your effects. I'll surely keep this one for a long time now!!

I dont have the fx anymore, I sold it a couple of months ago. But I liked and enjoyed having it for sometime. THe reason I sold it was that I needed extra money.

The sound was decent, not bad but its just okay!
the editing part was easy and straight forward

The sound from it I found a bit thin and not real if I compare with my Boss GT8.

No its not noisy at all its okay for the price.

I didnt have amp back then so i just use earphone.

The fx are standard nothing specil or outstanding

Yeahh i can depend on it

I play mostly alternative pop-rock, metal and pop.

ive been playing for 13 years or so now. I have yamaha aes620, ibanez sz520 w/ EMG81 pup, godin freeway classic. Marshall mg100 head and box

The sound is generally okay

No question about it, it's impossible to go wrong with this. The buttons on each group of settings let you choose what groups you want enabled (distortion/amp model, speaker model, echo, etc), the chickenhead selectors let you pick something from that group, and then the settings knobs let you set it up. I didn't even read the manual until a couple of days afterwards.

The effects are *nearly* all good. The only dodgy bit is the wah. There are two wahs, and neither is much good, plus the better of the two (the Vox wah) doesn't let you change any settings. Dodgy wahs are pretty much universal on multi-FX pedals, unfortunately, but this stops it getting 10/10. Otherwise it's perfect - plenty of variety on sounds from clean to light OD up to several crunchy distortion settings, and various other stuff too. I use it for everything, from clean+echo acoustic guitar (mostly for the echo and EQ), through Mark Knopfler-style crisp OD, up to max fuzz for ZZ Top. Guitar is a cheapo Squier Fat Strat piece of crap, but it still sounds good through this. Pickups can be noisy, but the FX box has a noise reduction circuit which works like a dream. The box itself doesn't add any noise. One thing to note though is that you *must* plug the guitar straight into the FX box - it really doesn't like being put in the FX loop. Me, I just do that and plug the output into the clean input on the amp, and job done. Forget the preamp in the amp - all you need are a set of heavy-duty speakers to add to this.

The FX box itself is built like a tank, so no worries there. The wall-wart PSU that comes with it doesn't feel very resilient though, so you're better getting an Argos DC adaptor instead (and keeping the standard one as a backup). That's par for the course for any electronics though, so I'm not going to mark it down for that.

Not had any trouble with it, so I couldn't say. This is probably a good thing reliability-wise.

Gotta be a 10 overall. It's a wonderful bit of kit, and I'd be lost without it. A decent wah would be nice, but I can live without it (I don't use it much anyway). And it was cheap as well - why spend #300 on a Boss when you can get this? If it went walkies, I'd definitely get another one, and I've been recommending it to everyone I know.

It's easy to use - One thing I like about this unit is that you can manipulate the effects on the go! I find it straight forward - a couple of presses and the patch is saved! Great for reheasal in a band - you can edit while you are still playing! Get to the gig and it's what you reheased!
I find going between patches a bit of a pain - The feel of the foot switches are a bit lame,
Never looked at the manual - maybe I should!

I am using the pedal these days for purly an effects processer - It's generally only for a verse here or a chorus there. I have slowly got more stomps which I like using more and more.
I really don't like how this unit seems to suck tone! I find that not only do you need to run this unit though an effects loop in the amp (I use a jcm 900) and slightly boost the volume in the loop, but I also think the unit works best with a effect loop pedal. You get a milli second of nothing between switching patches which is a pain in the bum. I find this is especially true when you are going into a rock'n section and the pedal - by how it opperates, the pedal does not allow for smooth transitions.
In saying that - you can fix the problem generally with a effects loop. You get your patch ready - turn on the loop, turn off the loop and everyone is happy! This only works if you go beween the toneworks to no tone works - not beween patches (this is obvious!).
I find some of the effect weak - the flanger is a little lame - as are most of the amp and cab emulatons - my tip: Don't be a tight arse - get a good amp, cab and guitar - then you don't need to emulate!
I find the tone works-good for an effect - if that is what you want then good! It's cheep and nasty - but hay if it gets the job done - who really cares.

I am recently having hassels with the 9 volt plug on the back of the unit. Sometimes when I jump around on stage and pump it - the pedal resets! I have had the tone works for a while and it has been worked solidly so I don't see it as a problem to worry about - esspecially because I operate it though a loop. I'll get around to fixing it soon enough!
I have quite a few pedals on the board so if this thing was to blow up mid gig - I would be able to cope! Is dependable enough.

Never had to deal with anyone from Korg!

With any emulators - don't think you have solved all your problems and that you are going to sound as good as the real deal! You won't. The benefit of this unit is that it is cheep - nasty and you can get some good sounds out of it quickly! If you are not a professional musician - you really don't need to purchase anything more expensive.
This was one of the first guitar items I bought and my rig has evolved around it! The way I use the processor has significantly changed - but I (surprisingly) still use it!