midi multiFX with amp switching relays, choices?

[Ki swordsman]

hi, i'm in the market for a quality multieffects unit that has a switching relay or two
so that it can change my amp channel and incorporate that into the patch so on my midi pedal it all happens with the push of one button

TC's Gmajor is the first obvious choice(nothing above gmajor price please), but only things holding me back from that are rumours of reliability issues? and the fact it has no midi phantom power for the pedal(not a big problem but i'd like to see what else is avaliable anyway..

so it'd be great if anyone could just name a few options that also have amp switching or give some advice?

[bduersch]

First off, I've owned two G-Majors (never had any problems with 'em) and am about to buy #3... I think it's a great FX unit for the money, rather easy to program, and (as mentioned) has switching relays. Everything else I've tried over the past few years has left me disappointed.

Don't sweat the phantom power issue... Rocktron makes a 5 to 7 pin MIDI cable that effectively allows you to send phantom power from devices with 5-pin MIDI IN jacks. That's what I've used with G-Majors in the past to provide phantom power to my Ground Control/Midimate.

I also believe the Rocktron Replifex and Boss GT8 have MIDI-enabled relays. I've also owned both of those, and was not as impressed with the ease of use (on the Rocktron) or tone (on the GT, but both have their fair share of supporters around here, so don't rule them out on my opinion. From the vintage camp, I'm pretty sure the Roland GP8 has relay switching, too, but that's based on what I remember reading, not personal experience with the unit.

Other options could include buying a dedicated relay switcher (generally worth it if you have 3+ relays to switch), and some MIDI foot controllers have switching relays built-in as well (believe the Lexicon MPX-R1 and Behringer FCB1010 both fall into that camp).

--B

[Ki swordsman]

brilliant reply, just what i was after

can you explain the rocktron midi cable thing a bit more? are you saying i use that cable from gmajor to pedal and it somehow phantom powers it?

edit- nevermind, i just looked it up, amazing simple idea

[eviltwin]

I can confrim the Behringer FCB1010 footcontroller has two relays for switching amps etc. Not only are they programmable, they can also be controlled by separate footswitches!

It has two mono jacks, but my JCM900 uses a stereo jack to switch channel and reverb, no biggie tho'.

[rgr]

The Rocktron MultiValve also has switching jacks. It's basically a Replifex with a tube in the signal path.