Rocktron Intellifex

It's easier to use than the Lexicon LXP-5 (the unit it replaced in my rack), but not much!
Some paremters must be saved before you can go end edit others (or you will lose your changes). I also haven't found a way to copy a patch to a new location without editing at least one parameter first.
Yeah, this unit needs some real improvement here. I wish Rocktron offered editing software for computers. This unit is a natural for a small Visual Basic applet that would give graphical sliders for editing all parameteres at once.

This is why you should consider this unit. Close to Eventide and TC sound at a fraction of the price. Very atmospheric. I don't generally like choruses because they obscure the note attack. These are terrific.
Totally agree about the factory presets being too wet and too extreme. Although, I was able to dial in a REALLY convincing Eric Johnson "Dover" emulation using the Stadium reverb patch. I normally hate most large hall emulations (I prefer plates). This one had a lot of personality, almost delay-like, very smooth.
The overall sound is extremely musical and very atmospheric. Never harsh or raspy. It even accepts too hot signals without misbehaving too badly.
It's not an Eventide or TC, so it doesn't get a 10.
A word about the LTD model. Supposedly, the LTD is much quieter than the original Intellifex's. This unit is DEAD quiet.

So far so good.

I give it a 10 purely based on value. Unless you are a VERY discriminating studio musician, no one will notice that you haven't spent three times as much on an Eventide or TC. Other low-end units (even low-end Lexicons) are tone-sucking pigs compared to this.
Lacks some features such as Intelligent Pitch Shifting that are becoming fairly routine. But I'd rather have a few good effects than a bunch of mediocre ones.
It's worth the trouble to spend the time to tweak your own patches.

The only short-coming the Intellifex has is the number of parameters you need to adjust in order to obtain the sound you are looking for. It is definately designed for the experienced programmer and not the beginner. Another commentator at this web site said it was his fault that he could not program a usable chorus. I have a lot of experience programming effects processors and it took me a good deal of time before I managed to creat the two choruses I was looking for.

The Intellifex is one of the clearest most "transparent"(sorry to be cliche') effects processors in existance (in the under $1000 price range).

I have never had a problem with it in the ten months of constant giging and recording that I subjected it to.

N\A

If you are looking for a quick-plung-in-and-play-out processor, this is not it! If you have programming experience or some patience and can't afford a Lexicon, t.c. electronics, or Eventide then this is what you want. The Intellifex works best with guitar, keyboards, and pro audio. It does not work as well with bass guitar. In addition, the pitch shifter is not great for anything except octaves.

Editting is very easy with the three knobs (no buttons get repeatedly pressed while adjusting the patches)
Most of the default sounds seem very wet. Its pretty easy to get a more usable sound by simply decreasing the amount of the effect. The manual is acceptable, and available via Rocktron's www page, should you wish to take a look at it prior to owning the unit.
In my opinion, the most of the pitch-shifting effect is useless. It doesn't seem to be intelligent (just stays a certain interval above or below what you play). It is handy to be able to tune your guitar down a half step via the pitch shift, though.

Pristine sound quality. What drew me to this unit was the degree of "clean" it seems to allow. I often play with lots of gain, but I want my time-based effects to be clean.
Chorus effects(up to 8 voices) are impressive. Again, the presets tend to be too wet for my tastes. When you get over the fact that this is best used to enhance your existing sound, not replace it, it is very usable.
The Reverb options are incredible. I haven't even begun to customize them, the presets are so varied.
The pitch shifting sounds wierd. I can't imagine much of a good use for it. There are some interesting things, but you will probably not want to use it for most of your music. (unless you're an alien)
This unit delivers extremely clean effects! When changing patches, the effects are breifly interrupted, but the dry signal is still present, so its not nearly as disturbing as the total dropout other units have.
They effects are added in a parallel fashion, so your entire tone is not ruined by the digitizing process. You can control the mix of effects to vary per your taste.

The unit seems solid, but I can't vouch for its reliability.

When the effects are toned down, this provides extremely pleasant and effective reverb, chorus and delay. Its not that the effects sound bad out of the box, just that they are too prominent for practical use( probably to try and sell more units in the music store)
I would appreciate a headphone out, but that is really beyond the call of duty for a device like this. Stereo inputs should make it very useful for vocal effects as well. Be very careful when you consider this unit! I love what it does, but it is very specific. No distortion, no compression, no speaker simulator. Stricly time-based or domain effects. This box will not make you want to play guitar if you've been getting bored. :) It will however provide fantastic domain effects...

It's quite easy, with some editing of the factory presets- they all suck, to get great tone. There are a lot of perameters to scroll through but the tones are good. The manual is ok. It explains the basics pretty good but doesn't go into the practical things that well (i.e. troubleshooting)

Not noisy at all, effects sound great once programmed. I haven't been able to program a usable chorus, but that's my fault.

I blew a fuse, but that has been my only problem. It is a reliable piece of gear.

I sent a previous unit in for repair and it was done in a timely manner. The guy on the phone suggested the fuse thing when it wouldn't power up.

I would buy it again, maybe if it had some more practial presets and less perameters.

I'll start by giving my usual layout guide. The front panel boasts power and recall switches, preset selector, config switch, a large LED (in tasty blue!) compare switch, parameter adjust, compare switch, Paramete rand function selectors, bypass switch and input and output levels. A +4 -10 db selector completes the lineup. The rear panel covers Midi in, out and through, left and right input and outputs, 9v input and a seperate 9v 'phantom' to power the Midi Mate via a special 7 pin Midi cable.
The preset patches are a good place to start tweaking, but there are just so many parameters making up each sound it is very easy to get into a hell of a mess. Each patch is made up of a 'configuration' These range from Hush+Reverb (dead easy!) to Hush, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Ducker(woah!!) Each of the sections of a configuration has an associated set of parameters, eg chorus level, rate balance (left & right), delay, dry level etc. Add the mixer (common to all) into the equation and you soon realise that you're looking at a very complex piece of professional level kit.
The inclusion of a 'compare' switch lets you play with parameters a little at a time, and compare them back to the original patch settings This is a god-send when it comes to creating your own patches.
I'll have to be ruthless and say that if you've not used studio quality rack gear before, this is NOT the place to start. If, on the other hand, you're more than comfortable with the complexities that this type of unit throws at you, you'll not a find a better piece of kit.

Is this a great unit? Does Winnie the Pooh shit sawdust? This has to be the best FX processor I've ever had in my rack, and probably as good as anything I've used in a studio. one of the secrets of it's 'transparancy' as people seem to quote is that there is no EQ to get in the way of you amp's settings. This means that the only thing you add to your basic sound is the effect itself.
The reverbs are lush, and the damping on low and high frequencies can make a lot of difference if you're looking for reverbs that sound like different finishes, e.g. a carpeted room lacks a little of the high, so knock it down a touch, and so on.
The chorus section is just out of this world, and what else would you exect when you have 8 voices, each with it's own delay and mix? The Pitch Shift also boasts the multiple voice approach, but you are limited to 4 voices (the arpeggio I mentioned above).
Delays are as good as anything you can get your hands on, and the HUSH just finishes the whole package off.

I've not had any problems with the unit, but like most things, you just can't tell. I'll keep you posted regards reliability.

I'm looking at getting the software upgraded, so again I'll keep you posted.

If you had to pay half as much again, it would still be a must for the pro-minded player. The quality of the effects combined with the flexibility that only comes with pro gear make this little 1U unit the best Multi-FX unit that I have ever used. It is definitely NOT one for the beginner (stick to your little toy Digitech's) or for the musician who doesn't like too much technology, but for the serious semi-pro or pro musician. it's the business!!

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