Korg PX-1 Pandora

Relative to other multi-effects units the Pandora is extremely easy to use. I have owned and used many DSP boxes over the years (Alesis, Roland, AMS, dbx, Eventide, etc.) and this is the simplest to get proficient in usisng.

I've read other reviews that claim the box is noisy. It's actually one of the quietest DSP's i've ever used (assuming the NR is used properly). I have to pluck a string sometimes, just so I know the thing is turned on. The effects sound good. They are not quite as good as some of the other full-size units I've used, but I doubt that for most purposes that anyone could hear the difference in a blind test. The flip-side to the ease of use is that the edit capabilities are compromised. On the other hand, you won't spend hours programming the thing. The distortions sound as good as any I have heard, including distortion sounds from overdriving the power tubes of expensive tube amps. This is, however, very subjective. The cabinet simulations sound great, but there are only a few. The pitch-shift effects are limited also.

I've only had the thing for a couple of weeks.

Haven't needed it, yet.

The pandora is a good value...i'd buy it again. I'd say it is the zenith of the whole rockman idea. For its size and price the effects are more than adequate and the distortion/overdrive sounds are great. It would be nice to try out other peoples patch settings.

This is extremely easy to use...you don't even need to read the manual at all...Korg designed it very well.

I haven't found anything wrong with the sound at all...it is crystal clear.

I think I could depend on it. It is a bit small and you feel like you might loose it easily or step on it, but it feels sturdy and not easily breakable.

I would definitely buy it again... I love it!

This cassette sized unit comes with 20 factory presets which for the most part are very cool. A couple of the tube amp style presets just don't cut it (a little on the thin side), but they are easy to edit and fix. The manual is o.k. but not really required reading since operation is very intuitive.

All of the effects (distortion,tone (EQ), chorus, flange, phase, trem, pan, envelope filter (auto wah), random step filter, and various delays, echos and pitch shifters) are very good. I have not found noise to be a problem except on a couple of the over the top distortion settings (as is usual with ANY guitar effect). The cabinet resonator is just awesome! The room, hall, and pitch shifter cannot be used in conjuction with modulation type effects (ie. flange, etc) but again I haven't found this to be a big deal since the echos and delays (which can be used w/ modulation effects) are more than adequate. The distortions are subdivided into 2 groups: one group for use with an external amp and one group for use headphones). This makes a big difference in the sound. The amp settings sound good thru headphones, but the headphone settings leave something to be desired when played thru a tube amp. In previous reviews, folks have complained that the metronome is too loud. I have not found that to be the and like the sound much better than the digital "ping" I get from my current metronome. Past reviewers have also complained that the volume control doesn't go high enough. Again, I have to disagree. It's plenty loud (especially for practice) and if you want volume you should be playing thru your amp anyway.

N/A. No problems so far (1 month)

I really like this box! It's compact, the sounds are for the most part great and the tuner and metronome are excellent additions. It will fit in even the smallest guitar case. I mostly use this unit for practice, and I think this is where the Pandora excells. Although it could be used as part of your live rig, I think there are certainly more road worthy and versatile units available (like my Peavey Tube Fex). I think the Pandora would also work as part of a minimalist home recording studio.
I would definitely buy it again!

Getting started was pretty easy, Just select a patch and play... Editing was a little confusing, and the tiny manual didn't help at all.

Sounded OK, the distortion patches were kind of weak compared to other multi effects boxes i've tried... There was also a annoying crackling sound whenever i play... probably because I was using an adapter to connect my mini-headphones to it. Speaking of headphones, the volume was way to weak! Even with the overall level turn all the way up, it wouldn't even get up to a small roar... I compensated for that by going into the patches and turning up the single levels for the patches but that made it too noisy.

Its really small, and I'm afraid I might step on it and smash it into a gazillion pieces, However, I've dropped it many a times and it still working fine. Wouldn't go without a backup though.

I've only had it a couple days.

Its pretty good considering all the things you get in that little box, especially the tuner and metronome. Another plus is the direct recording capabilities. It definately could use a couple more patches. But for all the stuff it's got and its tiny size, its a pretty good deal. I'd probably buy it again.

Couldn't be easier

Excellent sound quality. Practically noiseless output (thanks to the internal NR system). Distortions are good, everything works perfectly ... great!

There's nothing to compare with Korg Pandora! This unit is a must.

If you've used these computer gizmos before its pretty easy to use the presets but programing it is a little more difficult

As others have said it's very quiet, too quiet in fact. I purchased this for use as a really good headphone practice amp since I'm having problems with the neighbors. But the Pandora just isn't loud enough. With my AKG K240 headphones it was barely audible. With another cheaper pair of headphones it was better but my Walkman is louder....much louder. This may be some sort of impedence problem but after spending about $250 for a headphone amp I'm be damned if I'm going to buy headphones too. I also thought that too many of the effects, particularly the distortion effects just sounded too much alike.

This is a light duty rig that wouldn't be appropriate for a gig. Way too fragile. But thats not what it's intended for. For the short time I had it it functioned ok.

Just not load enough for my purposes. I wanted a headphone amp that would let me play the way I would if I didn't have any neighbors. So for my purposes it wasn't too good.

It has good and bad qualities. The presets are great, although there are only 20 of them. Unfortunately, the only way to get from program 1 to program 6 is to hit + 5 times. So if you are recording and need to switch sounds, you had better program the unit in order. Nice feature: you can always get the original factory presets back (combination of powering up and holding some semblance of buttons). I wish I could say that about my M1. As for editing, it's limited, which could be beneficial or disadvantageous depending on how many hours you like to spend crafting effects.

Fantastic. Sure, some of the Zoom and Art floor pedal units make it easy to switch, but none that are even close in price can match the clarity and warmth of the PX-1. I was amazed when I first heard it. The cabinet resonance feature really provides an almost three dimensional depth to the sound quality. There is zero noise, which you may or may not like, but I appreciate the cleanliness.

I've only owned it for a month and change, but so far so good. I've played at least 12 hours on one set of batteries; it has great staying power. Its compact size makes it easy to protect. Other Korg products I've owned have been flawless.

I've never needed to use it with any Korg products.

Amazing sound for the price and size. My only request? Footswitch option for changing programs and more settings (20 is adequate, 40 would be better). I use this unit for recording (not live performance) and it really shines.

Exceptionally Easy to use

There are 20 presets which come standard on the unit, and they are all usable and tasteful, with the exception of the pitch transposer (which I would never use).
In particular, there is a "Warm" overdrive which is pretty impressive for gritty rhythm guitar lines. Delay, Reverb and Chorus are all good but limited. I like this because it keeps me focused on playing guitar rather than programming an effects unit.

NA - I've only had it for two weeks.

NA

Definately worth buying for many reasons, including the overall sound, the fact that it is smaller than the average tuner, it is relatively inexpensive, and has a stereo headphone jack for practicing without an amp.
We'll see if it replaces my completely ART.