Korg AX30G

Basically a slab of plastic with 4 pedals and some knobs. For gigging: Each pedal has 4 preset effects, so 16 total. You can modify the pre-sets to suit your taste or make new ones and assign them to the pedals. Has EQ, Compression, Distortion, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Echo, Trem, NR, you name it. This thing can make some funky-ass sounds. If your a recording type, you can fiddle around with the dials and buttons forever. It's actually very inspiring. I used to have a floor full of noisy little effects boxes. This is so much better. Oh yeah, has a built in tuner too.

If you can't find the sound you are looking for with this thing, you ain't gonna find it somewhere else.

Pretty flimsy outside, will break for sure if you drop it. But has not let me down in 5 years of steady gigging. I always bring backup.

They answered an email within 24 hours. That deserves a 10.

I have been playing straight up rock/rockabilly for 25+ years. Strats, Teles, mostly Fender amps. Stuff comes and goes. This is a keeper.
Cheers!

This little plastic thing actually sounds really great, the only problem is the matrix-editing which can get a bit anoying at times.
When I first bought this little thing the sound-editing was a big mystery to me, but when I had read the manual it all felt more logic.
Still the manual could have been a bit more clear about things!

I play a 2002 Gibson SG Standard, and a Squier Standard Stratocaster and they both sound great with the AX3G.
Like many other guitar-multieffects this thing can get a bit noisy when using to much gain, but it works just fine with humbuckers.
Most of the built-in effects sound ok, i don't really like the compressor where it could have been a few more editable parameters. I love the delay-effects and I could sit around and play with the filtron-effects for hours!
It also has got the basic setup of overdrive/distortion-pedals and amps, just to mention a few: Ibanez TS-808, RAT, Fuzz, Fender Twin, Vox AC15 & AC30TB, Marshall Plexi, JCM800 & JCM2000.....
I use this thing with a pair of headphones, or connect it to the computer or the stereo.
I play a lot of styles, mainly rock, pop, blues and some metal as well, and I can nail pretty much all of those tones with this unit!
The ampmodels I find myself using the most are Shred, Black 2x12, AC30TB and UK MDN.
I rate this a 9 cause I still think that there will be some time before an ampmodeller will sound just as good as the real deal.

As said before it's made of plastic.

I wouldn't use this at a gig not just because it's a bit fragile but it would be really difficult to try and edit your sounds on a dark stage using those small dials.

The AX3G works just fine so far.

At the moment I don't play in a band, I just play at home for fun and the AX3G is a great match!
I've been playing guitar for about 16 years now, and it's amazing how greatsounding this pedal is compared to my first multieffects-unit which was the Boss ME-6 (haha).
If it were stolen I would probably buy another one (cause it's so cheap).
I've owned a lot of other guitar-multieffects for instance Boss GX700, Boss GT-6, V-amp2, Yamaha Magicstomp, Rocktron Chameleon, Pod 2.0, Pod XT, Guitarport, Vox Tonelab, and Korg AX3G is definitely one of the bestsounding so far!
I really wish it was made of metal and had deticated buttons and knobs.
To my ears this things sounds just as good as the more expensive Vox Tonelab, I have never before heard such a tube-sounding ampmodeller!!

(And it's made of plastic!)

I have owned this effects processor for more than 8 years and it is Awesome. Programming and editing is a snap, just read the manual, within two or three pages you're off an running. No upgrading has been done to my unit, with all the patches available on-line I don't have a need.

I'm currently using a Vox Cambridge 30 Reverb Twin which has no effects loop so I plug my guitar into the AX30G Input and choose the Mono/Left channel to go directly into the Vox Input jack. I have had much success as well using the stereo input jack on the Crate Vintage Club amps. It can create additional hiss with excessive distortion but the Noise Reduction system covers it nicely. All effects can be adjusted subtly or aggressively. I use some Phazer and Flanger setups that allow me to duplicate David Gilmour and Alex Lifeson's sound. Massive distorion allows me to duplicate many overdriven band sounds. Classic tube amp can be muddy but the 3 Band EQ cleans that up just right.

I've never had one of these breakdown on me yet. I would have to have this with me gigging anywhere, especially if I had no backup band.

I've never had to contact the company directly. No need for upgrades or repairs.

I have been playing for 12 years and I play Classic Rock, Ballads, Christian Rock, Worship and metal and the AX30G keeps all my patches in tact and at my feet. I play an '89 Fender Strat with a Clapton pre-amp custom installed. This gives the Lace Sensors additional warmth or overdriven crunch, I decide. I would replace this with the same model any day. I play a lot of clean and the Chorus with a little Delay is awesome for that. I compared this with a zoom pedal that made too much noise. The effects alone will inspire me to write new music.

well it's not easy to get a flawless sound
but it you're willing to spend one or two hour for setting
the sound can be pretty great~


and i can learn how to use it thru 3 hour without user manual!!!
and also set few great sound with it!

sound is great!!(how great?)
i can set a sound very similar to My Chemical Romance - i'm not okay
and also when i tone a high gain distortion , the sound have never stuck together~~~~~~~~~~~you know what i mean? i was used to using
zoom 505II, i tone it high gain,if more than 4 string are sounding
those sound just stick together as a rubbish!
but this unit doesn't!
noise gate is so great that i just put a low level and it work very well
and flager,chours etc...isn't deserve that value,i mean this unit should cost much more money!!!

if you're not a super rock star such as LINKIN PARK OR metallica
it's great for you ,no matter where you use,you can use it live or just practice at home!

it doesn't sounds like a ten years ago effector~

you can get almost any sound you wish... must test all his capabilities and use different configuration of effects.proper use of distors sounds great.. i menage to get a sound close to blackmore/ malmsteen.clean line also sounds great.the wah effect is not so good...it depends on the intensity of the input.

i have a fender squier and a 10 watt amp for home use.
it makes noise with the input setting at high level,but anyway i recommand using it at half way.
the standard effects are extremly bad.... they show nothing on this unit can do.
overall the effects are good.. you have to experiment a lot with them and eventually you will get the sound you want from the processor.

i bought it from a friend... he had it for 7 years.. and 1 and half year it passes since i buy it.. and it works fine ..sometimes when i plug the adapter, the display black so i have to replug it 2 -3 times.but after it started nothing stops it :)

i play heavy metal/hard rock/blues and its perfect.i play for 3 years.i have a fender squier.i guess i wouldnt buy again ... no becouse its not good.. first of all.. i wouldnt find another.. and i wanna use something newer..
i like it.. you can get almost any sound of it.but i wish the distors would be better

as simple as it can get. really, there ain't nothing simpler than this!

well, it's ok, but nothing compared to all other pedals I've used throughout the years (playing for 10 years no). I guess that for the price it costs, it's ok, you can't ask for more.

well, the design at first seems to be hard as a rock, but the pedals are too rough, the "pressure" pedal is way too strong, and you have to step on it as hard as you can.
the power connection is always coming out, and when it's turned on again, sometimes it reaches peaks of electricity and it blows up. that's what happened to mine. dead now, asked me for 75? to fix it, told them to f*** off and bought a boss gt-5

well, they are nice, but 75? to fix this?? seriously, f*** off!!

well, the change between sounds is slow, sometimes pedals block, mine reseted two times the effects I had without my permission, the power thingy is always coming out... but the effects are ok, but you have to use it with another pedal, or else you won't have nice distortions.

How easy is it to get a good sound out of it? - Easy as pie (unless you're reading the manual) once you've figured out how to work it, although with the potential of putting so many FX in one patch it can be easy to overdo it and end up making everything sound plastic-y...

How about Editing patches? - give it a couple of weeks to learn how to work it properly, after that it's a piece of piss. Could do with more than 16 user patches though...

How is the manual for it (if there is one)? - best to just mess around with the unit to figure out how it works, but the bit that explains what all the effects do and what the various parameters for each effect do was very useful

Do you know the firmware revision number? - eh?

Has your unit been upgraded? - not that i know of... i do have the Expression pedal for it.

What setup are you using this with? -various 'SuperStrat'(humbuckers/floyd rose) type guitars, CryBaby wah, Boss MetalZone, Carlsbro amp (with the band) Fender 15watt amp (at home)

Is it noisy? - No.

Are the effects weak or do they always sound great? - I mainly use this unit for Delay/Modulation FX, these are all fantastic except perhaps the 'Talkbox' type effect (i think it's one of the Random Step filter settings) and the AutoWah is shite...the normal Wah can make some decent sounds but it's no Jim Dunlop CryBaby... I only use the disortion for 'Bluesy' overdrive sounds, but i find hi-gain Thrash sounds can be a bit plasticky so I'm sticking with the MetalZone.

Can you get the sound of your favorite artists? Who are they? - it makes MY SOUND and that's all that matters. i did find an old patch i'd made that sounded very Metallica, i guess it depends what guitar/amp you're using

10 out of 10 for the FX I use, but 8 overall.

Can you depend on it? - yes. It's pretty durable. I've had it for at least 5 years now and never had any problems with it. The other reviews on here all seem to mention the mains adaptor, I got mine secondhand and it came with a Super Nintendo plug so ther you go! the SNES plug broke so now i use those Multi-adaptor plugs you get in Poundstrecher for about #3.

Would you use it on a gig without a backup? - As far as I can remember I've used it without backup for every gig I've ever played...I'm now thinking of trying to get another one and duplicating all my patches on it! anyone got one going cheap?

Bought it secondhand from Spenders in Newcastle Upon Tyne so I've never dealt with the company.

But it's never broke, so i reckon that's a moot point...

What style of music do you play? Is this a good match? - I play a lot of metal and some 'other stuff', but i reckon it'd be good for any type of music. Unless you're a vintage/retro freak, in which case you won't be interested in a digital MultiFX unit...

How long have you been playing? - 12 years

What other gear do you own? - various 'SuperStrat'(humbuckers/floyd rose) type guitars, CryBaby wah, Boss MetalZone, Carlsbro amp (with the band) Fender 15watt amp (at home)


If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else? - I'd try and get another one of these, I need that Hyper Resonator!

what do you love about it? What do you hate? What is your favorite feature? - I like trying to find uses for the daft sounds like the Random Step Filter, and just playing along to myself with a long delay. My favourite feature is probably the long delay settings, and the tuner is indispensable. The only thing I really don't like is the short pause when switching between patches.

Did you compare it to other products? Which ones? Why did you choose this one? - i think this may have been the first one i tried...i chose it because it was #90 and much beter than the Boss Multi-FX I used to have.

Anything you wish it had? -
1. no break in sound when switching between patches
2. more patches
3. proper expression pedal instead of pressure pedal
4. better-sounding distortions from the AX1500G
5. talkbox effect from the AX1500G


Does it help you make music, or does it get in the way? - It helps! Just last night I set up a subtle overdrive and a long delay, and spent a couple of hours pretending to be Dave Gilmour...

Anything else you'd like to share? - If the Korg AX1500G had the superior editing functions of the AX30G then Korg could be onto a winner...

this is the first processor i have ever owned,and the ease of use was very user freindly and simple without compromising the chain of effects. overall the ease of usage would come down to about a 8.5-9.

korg outshined themselves with this model.experiencing previous model and post models is rather dull and lifeless compared to the flavor and accessivness of the ax30g. I found that while I was listening to its performance through the direct feed to the headphone jack it was alittle 'sonic' but you can use an amp simulator to eliminate that sound or feeling. Also recording directly through the headphone jack can produce that same problem and solution.
I use two guitars to record;a wasburn dimebag series w/factory pickups,and a Jackson professional w/factory pickups.
All of the effects are very reasonable in quality of sound when chained right,and it pays to run them whatever amp your using on a by-pass or a clean channel.
i found u can really get a randall amp sound out of the studio gain setting,and a lovely warm sound from the chorus with the equilizer settings.it can be abit noisy but obviously you can reduce that w/noise reduction. All in all the effects and sound quality are enormous if your using the right settings.

Any good musician knows the changes and/or multitude of effects they will be using throughout a gig so utilizing the pedals channels and there within(i.e. the individual swithings.)is a vital part of its dependancy,and yours. I have used the ax30g on a number of occasions throughout my many bands and the only problem I encountered was the fact it wont really mix with other pedals very well. I depended I my ax30 then and i WOULD AGAIN, IT JUST BEATS TAP DANCING ON 5 OTHER PEDALS while trying to remember the bloody songs.

My dealings w/the co. were pretty disasterous.I needed a new volume pedal for the ax30 and they told me it was obsolite after purchasing it 2.5 years prior. the reality of it seems to be,if its over 6mths old its out the door.

I love and play heavy metal although I play a variety of music and the ax30 is the shit as far as im concerned. Ive been playing for 13 years+ and all those boss and dod pedals etc just pissed me off with all their crappy sonic sounds and the tap dancing factor. I do wish the ax30 didnt have that pressure pedal and just used a real pedal instead. Those people who own a korg processor are generally happy customers unless they cant play well or dont understand the concept of a processor. I know this because I worked in a music shop selling instruments for 1yr and I sold about 5 of the ax1500g( even one to my best friend).In terms of creativity w/the ax30, I just smash away generally and leave the settings alone so its not in my way. I'll play for 30 minutes or so and then listen to everything, if im happy i'll change the settings and go for it again. Live is different though because I like to use the individual switching style more, I'll leave the channel open, which usually has four things available to me; 1 dist (studio) 2 chorus 3 reverb 4 delay (tap).

Easy to use but takes time to get a sound just right.

Absolutely fantastically great in all respects except one...the distortions sound a bit digital and unorganic. Passable but not great.

Yes and no...
I found it to be sturdy and reliable.
It did break down once at a gig...but that was due to an OAF spillng a whole pint of beer onto it! Even then it kept working, but I couldn't switch channels with the pedals. I opened the case at home, removed the exess moisture and sticky residue and left it on a radiator for a few hours and she was back to her best.
One criticism of Korg though, the packaged power supply was flimsy as hell. I used one from a nintendo games console when gigging!

No need to contact them....I repaired it once myself when it was out of warranty.

I used it mainly in loop after the preamp put in the distotion. Foundit good for most uses and there were lots of great patches straight out of the box. I wouldn't replace it now as it is a bit old hat but was a good investment. I worked equally well as a vocalist's unit with a mic. Distortions were not great but more than useable, and editing patches was longwinded but worth the effort. But this was a product of its extreme versatility. Sound quality 11/10 if you don't include the overdrives. If one comes up on ebay and you already have a nice valve amp with an FX loop, snaffle it!

Fairly simple to use. Not too complex.

This unit is pretty good sounding actually. Much better tone than amp modelling units today. I much prefer it over Tech21 products as well, even when recorded line in using its amp simulator, though I do use an external cab simulator for direct.

For earlier reviews which bash this unit for bad distortion or bad delay, I would think they dun really know howda setup the unit for a good sound. I've owned this lil piece of gear since '96/97, and it has served me well, and it has been a no of years. Be it sparkling clean tone, tubey Santana type drive or heavy hi gain sounds, it delivers. I even use this with my fretless bass, and by using the exciter, even a fretted slap sound could be obtained.

My trick to getting a good distortion sound on this lil gem is by running Dist 2 channel thru 6L6 simulation, then fixing a phaser efx on low freq and adjust the manual and resonance controls to thicken up the tone. I do admit that the factory patches are terrible.

The only thing I wish it had was the ability to blend patches when switching, rather than the short delay present when switching. Oh yes, for those who find the pressure pedal a pain to use, u could do a lil surgery to it and remove the rubber block under it to lower the tension.

I wouldn't say it's designed for the road. But it's been with me for around 6-7 years and has never failed. I'm even contemplating buying a used one as a spare just in case the day comes when mine dies... However, the power adapter had died a couple of times. The wiring breaks too easily, I had to cut the wires and resolder em bout 3 times thru the 7yrs.

Didn't need any...

It's a gem. I use this fella for a couple of applications. Be it electric guitars (Ibanez RGs, Gibson Les Pauls, etc), bass (fretted & fretless) or even as a preamp for my piezo equipped cello. Gets me virtually whatever sound I need, be it by itself, or with aid from other equipment. I play a diverse mix of music, ranging from prog rock/metal, new age, fusion jazz, classical, etc.

Thru the years, I've tried a no of pieces of preamps. Whether guitar preamps, bass preamps, acoustic preamps or multi efx boards. I wouldn't call the Korg studio quality in terms of modulation, ambient efx or compressor. But it's a workhorse and imho has served me better than equipment like Tech21, Digitech rackmount studio preamps, Line6 & definately over those lil Boss/DOD type stompboxes.

Fairly easy to use - doesn't have a lot of knobs so the one has to do for lots things. Has two modes of editing - easy and detailed. Changing patches on stage is OK but there is a delay. The presure pedal is a pain but you can rig up any volume pedal as an expression pedal by using stereo jacks and the wiring in the manual. If you want to use expression do this - the presure pedal is a fun toy but not for real work.

I use it most with my Takamine and a Fender 25R on clean. Also with a strat and various odds and ends - I find humbuckers take the fx better than single coils. The noise reduction is good, the distortions are OK if you like mega crunch - a subtle break-up is something I can't find. The chourus, phasing and flanging etc is good, delays seem OK but max at 500ms(?) - good for its time but it is old technology!

I do (who backs up fx?). The weak point is the wall wart and conection. I have taped mine permenantly to the unit as the cable broke at the connector.

never tried

I've had this several years. I mainly play in church, this fills out the accoustic sound nicely. The distortion and heavier funk effects are nice but I don't get to use them except at home. If you can find a cheap one 2nd hand - grab it!

Looks more complicated than it really is. editing takes an hour or so to get used to using intuition. (forget the manual apart from a quick glance, it only complicates things). Trial and error works best!

I originally used a Carlsboro stingray with a cheapo Hohner Rockwood Les Paul. But I now mostly play acoustics (Takamine EAN12G) with a Laney acoustic combo. The laney is nice for a small and low priced acoustic amp, BUT, the mic channel is totally clean. No tone or reverb. The AX30 is (beleive it or not) an awesome vocal processor!! Using reverb, delay and 3band eq, I can get more out of this than I can out of cubase. Occasionally I use chorus, trem and compression also. I rated the ax30 quite well as a guitar fx, but as a vocal processor it beats the crap out of many dedicated ones I have used

plastic but seems indestructible. been dropped and battered but still fires up every time

never needed them

play anything, I'd die if I lost it, to me this is one of the better early digital processors. More user presets would be nice.

Awsome controll, if you f*ck up a setting its not so hard to retrace your steps. the digital controlls make it heaps easier to remember settings. If only it had more banks. The pressure pedal is ok to work with but doesn't allow you to leave it in a set position other than off.

With my shitty $300 dollar ibanez and my sountech PA with a heavily scooped EQ and the right settings on the pedal I sound exactly like Kirk and James from Metallica. You couldn't tell the difference. email me dougie_rock_head@hotmail.com for the settings. the delay between pedals and baks is a bit anoying, but press them at the right time and you'll be fine.

If only it also ran on bateries :(
other than that it's the adaptors that f*ck up on me

second hand job

Metal machine this is. clean, distortion, wah, etc... it's all good. I can even use the bender for drop tunings which is it's main function for me.

'Easy Peasie' Love the editing, perfect menu structure. Only gripe is when changing the module block, the effect settings dont stay the same.

Distortions. - Forget it.
This is getting dated now...with all the pods and everything out there, better look somewhere else.

Lots of werid effects, brillant creative stuff here.

Mod/Delay section. Now, - this is the only area i use, and like...Maybe it's personal, but i love the Korg delays...look at the SDD seriis...the mod delays are great. Again, let down is that the stereo MOD delays only got to 250ms. Also, in the Moddelay section, they only go in increments of 10. Normal delays go in increments of 5ms, which is a little better, but, as i said, mod delays are my thing...ive got a digitec rp20, but this korg kicks ass.

2 out of 10 for distortions
8 out of 10 for mod delays

very small, very rugged, very lite.
Brillant at gigs.
So small, so compact, lots of fun
i Dont' use pressure pedal though....it may break...
Would like midi to back it up.

Have dealt with before, (korg UK) and they sent old manuals, etc.
There good.
Then again, the tech support team could be a bit more 'specialised'...

I actually had this unit when it came out, and i recently bought a AX300g i found used as i love this unit.
Multi effects has gone a bit pot from korg, - this seems like one of the last serious units.....

Couldn't be bothered to spell check, but i love this place, it's helped me alot, so hope this is helpfull to you!

it's really easy. i dont have to read the manual book. but it took me about a week to figure it out. because there are too many acronym.

im using a marshall JCM-900. this shit is sound really great, but the delay is actually bad. the resonance, the depth, the delay speed, are not giving any effects to delay sound [it has delay, but the volume is so small]

its fucked up. got slammed, kicked, and under a heavy things. its still works [watchout for getting under heavy weight things, it might get broken]
but u really need to pay attention on the adaptor, once it has problem, YOU'RE DEAD! or you may find another adaptor.

its really hard on getting this stuff. i need to go around jakarta to find it out.
but i've got it.

i use it for playing all kinds of music. however, for some reason and style of music it has something lack. could be the sound effects [delay, distortion, etc].
but it really kicks ass. for playin nu-metal music like korn, it's really dependable.

I found this item hard to use at first, You really do have to sit down with the manual and study it a couple of times over to get the jist of it.
After reading it you soon get the hang of it.
The preset programs are ok to start, then you can program your own weird & wonderful sounds in.

I'm using this just on some cheapo guitars and practice amps as I am just learning,I'm getting some excelent sounds out of it.
Theres some good rock/grung sounds plenty of distortion and it has the bonus of a dolby system which reduces the background noise if you like and you can set it to any level.
I find all the sounds great, cant wait to try it on a large amp with a decent guitar.

Have not had it long but have given it some hammer and seems robust enough.
If I was giging I think I could depend on it.

Never dealt with the company, never had to.

I'm playing all sorts of styles as I am just learning, I have been playing for about 8 months and it's coming slowley.
If it were nicked I'd find out who nicked it and make em buy me a new one, if it were lost I'd deffinatly buy this item again.
Some of the programs I'll probably never use but it's nice to have them just to try them and when you get bored you can have a mess about with it and get some real weird sounds out of it.
If you had to buy all the stomp boxes to get the sounds that this reproduces, it would cost a small fortune.
Cant really fault it, deffinatly worth a try.

At first i found this thing very intimidating, then after a year or two i read the manual and discovered it was a breeze to use. I found a couple of sites that had patches on the net wich i found very easy to input however, when i try to write my own patches they sound like shit.

I use a Gibson Les Pul and a Fender Tele, at times i think the sound is cool from the machine and at other times i cant really be bothered with it.

This machine has been kicked around, flung off wallsand had mant different types of alcohol spilt on it and the bastard still works.

Never used.

I like this machine, ive went to get other effeccs pedals in the past, played with them in the shop, went to the pub to think about which one to buy and got drunk, spent my money and been left with my trusty Korg AX30G. I am still happy to be stuck with it. If anyone has patchs they would like to share get in touch.

It's true that the Korg AX30G may not be the most user friendly effects pedal around (it's getting on a bit, and knobs are the big thing these days!) but I'm pretty sure that no other FX pedal has the same depth of programming, plus the Individual Pedal mode that allows you to use it as a set of stomp boxes. The manual is good, but out of interest (or my ignorance) I could never work out what some of the patches were meant to be based on. Not that it really matters when tone is your thing, but all suggestions gratefully received!

The reason I'm resubmitting a review after many years of owning this AX30G is this: I bought an old 70s Fender Twin Reverb last year, and initially tried it out - using my trusty Strat - with my newer AX1000g. Not bad, but as often happens, I decided to dig out the old AX30G out of curiosity...what a find! Not only is the AX30G as silent as it gets in terms of background noise, but the tones were far smoother and richer than the AX1000G. I know the Fender MUST take a large portion of the credit, but I really had to sing the praises of the old pedal! The distortion still leaves something to be desired at times - too overcooked - but current owners should try Ambichorus in Individual mode and hit switch 1 for solos. I'm still not able to tame some of the wilder patches (eg JimiWah - any tips?)but I play covers, so versatility is the key, and I would disagree with those who say the Chorus is weak - not with a Twin it ain't!Anyway, the AX1000G has been sold on - newer isn't always better!

My first ever AX30G went back to Korg when the Pressure pedal went, but I gather that was a design fault. When I got the replacement I then bought a Korg Pedal (hideously over-priced) and it's been excellent as a wah, volume, swell, expression pedal. The AX30g has been danced on, soaked in beer frequently (it's safer on a stage!)and shipped around Europe. It may not look the biz but it's alive and well. Just take care over the "wall wart"! Never used a backup.

After the glitch mentioned above, never needed them. Thought the Korg website was a little user-unfriendly if you wanted info: but there are plenty of websites with patches, although sadly these are a little old too!Time for a reunion...where's Chad and Josh?

I'be been playing for over 30 years, and have used Peavey, Marshall, Fender and Tech 21 amps, usually with Strats. I've used Colorsound, FuzzFace and Dunlop pedals, but I've also had the Korg A5 (not good) before the AX30G. I sometimes hanker to buy "famous names" pedals, but cost and convenience are factors, and like the sounds I get now.

This pedal is great to use, it is simple to get the hang of and looks very impressive if someone is watching you set a patch or something...

I use this with a gibson SG and an old tube driven peavey amp, and it always sounds great, i play a wide variety of music from experamental noisy stuff to full on punk and it deffinately delivers. I've never actually seen (or heard) another pedal that sounds quite like this...

I've put this pedal through some hell, and still it works as good as the day i got it, it took me two minutes in the shop to decide to buy it!!

I've never had the need to deal with them...to tell the truth if it broke i'd probably fix it myself...

I would deffinately give this top marks, it offers a wide variety of effects for a wide variety of music...if it where stolen i'd deffinately get another...

Being my first processor, this unit took a bit of getting used to. Read the manual (30 some pages) and it's a snap. I initially put this thing away after using it for 2 hours because I was unhappy with it. I pulled it out 2 weeks later and have used it ever since! Editing patches is easy if you know what all the values mean. If not, read the manual.

I play a 2001 Epiphone Les Paul Studio with a Crate GFX212T amp (i know i know, i was short on cash). Before I was given this, I used a Boss BD-2 Bluesdriver for my vintage sounds and the amp's distortion for metal. With the AX30G i can kinda do both. The BD-2 is far superior for vintage tube-like sounds, but you don't buy a digital box for that anyway. Noise is not really a problem.

Most of the effects sound good, but they will require tweaking. Search the internet and you can find some great patches (that's how I got started). The effects that i can't make sound good are the ones that I don't know how to use. I can get anything from tweed-style light overdrive, to AC/DC bright crunch, to muddy Boogie style distortion (if that's what yer in to, personally i'm more of a crunch guy). I bet with some tweaking you get close to almost any sound.

Seems to be sturdy. The "Pressure" pedal looks kinda cheap. If anything was to break, I would suspect that first. Fortunately, there's an input for an expression pedal (a real one). So it ain't that big a deal. I doubt I'd gig with this, but it's not because I don't trust it. You see, I'm planning on buying a REAL amp in the near future, and then a nice rack processor for effects. So this will have been replaced before I will be gigging at all (I'm just not to that stage yet as a guitarist).

Never dealt with Korg.

For free as a Christmas present, why not? I play tons of stuff, from Classic Rock (The Doors, Hendrix, Zeppelin) to hard rock (AC/DC, Van Halen) to contemporary grungy stuff (Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots), and even some blues.

I've been playing for 9 months. If it was stolen or lost, I might be a little upset that I couldn't sell it. Buy it again? Nah. I'm really not into this processor stuff. This was a GIFT from my brother, and i didn't ask for it. I like the ability to access a wide variety of sounds with the press of a button, and the ability to create chains of effects and stuff like that. I dislike that it was given to me. I really wasn't ready for a processor, and it shoved my beloved bluesdriver out of the spotlight for a while. Oh well. In a year I'll have a kick-ass half stack anyway (tube, of course), and I won't need this. Isn't that what they all say.

the ax30g has some good effects. I liked the STUDIO MAN distortion, but you can make better distortions or get patches here in the internet.

the distortion sounds great. i think it sounds better than the boss turbo distortion pedal.it has amp simulator. I'm using an staner kute 25 amp. With a patch i could make a sound like joe satriani. I'm using a ibanez s470 guitar.

i play trash metal, satrini music and progressive rock. It really has a great sound.

Memory use and savings are quite easy.
Searching for the right tones is a real quest, though.
Never used the DSP controls that much.
Also quite empty words in the distortion modelers.
Switching between presets is tough and usually a pause can be heared while switching.

Distortions - 3/10
Modulations - 8/10

I really find the distortions quite AWFULL actually, and therefore I must join those who say so too. I am not the only one. The normal distortions are too synth-like and a real vintage fuzz is not available. The overdrives are not natural responding. Definitely a distortion - digital junk but that was normal 5 years ago.

The modulations are OK. I think I'll use the pedal for these things only and let the distortions die alone... Maybe just that the depths must stay low, otherwise the chorus, phaser and flanger things are unnatural sounding through.

A lot of sounds are useless too.

Actually I have encountered quite some situations where a soft pedal would crack. But I had no problems with this thing. Switching between presets is hard and takes a second to change.

no experiences

Used to play metal, now more alternative-grunge. I've lost the passion for daily palmmuting :-).
This pedal is nice as a modulation support and reverb unit. Do not rely on it as a total unit. Distortions are bad.

THIS UNIT WAS EASY TO GET GREAT SOUNDS FROM, EDITING PATCHES WAS'NT TOO OVER BURDENING, THE MANUAL WAS GREAT, I DID NOT UPGRADE THE FIRMWARE, I DID NOT FEEL THE NEED TO

I TRADED IN MY AX30G FOR A DIGITECH 2120 AND I AM KICKING MYSELF EVERYDAY FOR GETTING RID OF THAT AWSOME BOX, THE UNIT WAS NEVER NOISY, THE EFFECTS WERE AWSOME FOR THE SPEEDMETAL\TECHNOMETAL STYLE I PLAY, I USED THIS UNIT WITH 8 LAYLA 24 UNITS RUNNING VEGAS PRO, EVENT PS-6 MONITORS, BBE 482 SONIC MAXIMIZER AND AN ALESIS DUAL 31 BAND EQ WHICH I NEVER HAD TO STAY UP FOR HOURS TWEAKING, I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SOUNDS OF JAMES MURPHY, MALMSTEEN, CARLOS FROM FEAR FACTORY, I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS UNIT SINCE I BOUGHT IT FOR 125 BUCKS, I SPENT 800 BUCKS ON MY DIGITECH AND EVEN WITH THE TUBES IT CAN'T DUPLICATE THE SMOOTH SOUND OF MY SORELY MISSED AX30G, I GUESS DIMEBAG DARRELL WAS RIGHT AFTER ALL FOR STICKING WITH THE AX30G...

I CAN DEPEND ON IT AND HAVE USED IT EXCLUSIVELY TO WIN 6 GUITAR CONTESTS IN THE MIDWEST...

KORG HAS ALWAYS BEEN GREAT, MY SYNTHS WERE PURCHASED FROM KORG AS WELL, THEY HAVE ALWAYS HELPED ME..

I PLAY SPEED\TECHNO METAL AND HAVE ALSO USED THE EFFECTS ON THIS BOX TO PRODUCE SOME HEAVY "F*&I&N" ACID TRIPHOP MUSIC USING THE GUITAR, ROUTING A TALKBOX EFFECT ALA CRYSTAL METHOD, I HAVE BEEN PLAYING MUSIC SINCE I WAS 4 YEARS OF AGE STARTING WITH PIANO AND VIOLIN, I ALSO OWN 8 LAYLA 24 UNITS, A DIGITECH 2120 ARTIST, BBE 482, ALESIS DUAL 31 BAND EQ, VEGAS PRO, FRUITY LOOPS ECT..
IF THIS UNIT WAS STOLEN OR LOST I WOULD BUY IT AGAIN IN AN INSTANT.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS THING IS THE DISTORTION CIRCUIT, IT'S NOT TOO HARD OR TOO SOFT, IT'S PERFECT, WHAT I HATE IS, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO REALLY TWEAK THE TECHNO SOUNDING FACTORY PRESETS TO MY LIKING..
MY FAVORITE FEATURE IS THE DISTORTION AND DIGITAL DELAY, I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE JAMES MURPHY VIBE WITH THE DIGITAL DELAY AND A LITTLE BIT OF OCTAVE DIVIDER EASILY, THIS THING IS CAPABLE OF SOME AWSOME TALK BOX SYNTH SOUNDS, SYNTHS THAT PRODUCE THIS KIND OF SOUND CAN COST THOUSANDS AND I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THESE SYNTHS AT 125 BUCKS!!
I COMPARED THIS UNIT TO DOD, ZOOM, SONY AND DIGITECH FLOOR PEDAL UNITS, IT BLEW THEM AWAY..
THE ONLY THING I WISH IT HAD WAS A CHAIN ATTACHED TO MY STUDIO FLOOR, I NEVER SHOULD HAVE SOLD IT..
THIS UNIT WAS EASY TO WORK WITH, ALOT EASIER TO WORK WITH THAN MY STERILE SOUNDING 2120 ARTIST, I WAS ABLE TO TELL RIGHT AWAY ON THE SOUND QUALITY I LOST, I COMPARED 2 GAME MUSIC SOUND FONT LIBRARIES I CREATED, THE DIFFERENCE WAS LIKE NIGHT AND DAY...

I have used this off and on for 2 years now. At first it seemed to complicated while on stage, but in time, I developed some very nice patches for the type of music I play which ranges from soft & mellow to "in-your-face" thrash rock. I did buy an expression pedal because the "pressure" pedal which is built in seemed "cheap" !

I use either a '72 Strat or PRS McCarty with this device. The guitar first goes into a Thomas Cry Baby, then thru a Sonic Maximizer, then into the Korg AX30G and out into a Mesa DC-5 with cabinets stacked.
Sometimes I split cabs on stage for nice panning. I like the noise gate, without it maxed, this unit gets pretty noisy !The factory presets are good, but even better after modified and renamed. For example, "Black Sabbath" factory patch without pitch shift, gives a nice Jeff Beck "Wired & Blow by Blow" tone. The best factory patch is the AmbiChorus without a doubt !!!

The "FAT" lady could sing and dance on this unit and I believe it would still work. It is built rugged a la John Deere Tractors...!!!

I've never needed factory support....yet....

As I mentioned earlier, I use this "off and on". Sometimes I just run guitar thru Crybaby and 60's MXR+ into amp, but in the 20 years I've been playing, this is the best multi-effects device I've heard.
Sometimes, I'm "lazy" and don't wanna mess with the wall wart, expression, etc..setups.

This effects pedal is _very_ easy to use. It has basic menu based effects parameter setting, four pedals, a bank switcher, and buttons to control individual effects with ease.

This is running from my Ibanez S470 to the effects return of my Crate GX-130C. It sounds much better that way than through the input (always a good idea to not double up on preamps). The board has some really nice distortions, a good reverb, nice delays. The wah is tolerable, but the pitch shifting is definitely not to be used. :) The chorus leaves some to be desired, as it's kinda synthy and not too warm. Overall a decent sound for what was a $250 pedal new 5 years ago.

i wouldn't depend on this much, I use it for home practice, will probably get a boss GT-3 or a roland VG setup for playing out. the pedals are plastic and the pressure pedal is plastic too! luckily you can hook up an external expression pedal for the wah or pitch, etc. Also my power connector has gotten loose over the years and randomly cuts off/on.

haven't dealt.

I play all sorts of music, but generally stay around the blues/classic rock/metal areas, although i am delving into bach piano sonatas a bit. :) It suits my needs, although i don't like the chorus one bit. It's good for what it is, no more.