Product: Korg AX5B
Price Paid: USD 80
Submitted
05/08/2008
at
10:57pm
by
kreider204
Ease of Use
:
5
Takes a bit to get used to. The unit itself is not intuitive, you definitely need the manual. After about 15 minutes, I managed to get the hang of it. You still need the manual around as a reference list of all the effects and parameters, since there's not much of a display on the unit itself. The manual is not great -- it doesn't explain the effects or parameters, and some you couldn't know even if you know a lot about effects. For example, one of the parameters of the classic chorus effect is "type," and the options are 1, 2, or 3. Huh?! I finally downloaded the manual to the AX3000B (this is basically a stripped down version of that), and it explained everything. There's also an "Easy Start" guide on the Korg website that's helpful, I definitely recommend getting that too.
Sound Quality
:
8
Very good. I'm focusing on the wah, the modulation effects, and the delays, and it all sounds great so far, and everything is very tweakable. I haven't used the distortions or amp sims, and don't plan to. I'm sure it doesn't match up against much more expensive professional equipment, but for the hobbyist or weekend gig warrior, it's a great choice. Not noisy, and has a good noise reduction to boot (I assume you'd want that for use with some of the distortions).
Reliability
:
7
Plastic, but pretty sturdy. I'd be more careful about it than if it had a metal chassis, but it's well made and should last with a little care.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
No idea, hope not to have to find out. :-)
Overall Rating
:
9
My gigging days are long behind me, just a hobbist now (and the occasional jam), mostly playing along with my CDs in my den. I don't use too much in the way of effects. I run my 1970 Univox Lucy short-scale 4 string into a SWR LA12, and 90% of the time play totally clean. Most of the other 10%, I use my Boss LMB-3 limiter / enhancer, or my Behringer BOD100 Bass Overdrive (both great pedals, by the way). But once in a blue moon, I need some chorus or wah or some such thing. A dedicated bass wah pedal runs $100+, so I figured I'd get this instead -- even if all I ever used was the wah, it would still be cheaper, and I've got the extra effects when I want them. On the whole, very happy with my purchase, and I'd recommend it for the non-pro.
