As a guitarist, you always want to sound your best. Especially when you get up on that stage to wail out some tunes to the fans. Along with playing your heart out and doing what you love up there, you want to give your best performance every time. Just about every electric guitar player has at the very least fiddled with some effects to get the sound that they’re looking for. Most guitarists utilize their effects while performing on stage with pedals. A lot of the time multiple pedals are used to enhance a performance with a number of different effects and sounds. But what if you could get one pedal board that utilized all your effects right in one place?
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Line 6 Helix |
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2 | 2 | Boss GT-1000 |
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3 | 3 | Fractal AX8 |
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4 | 4 | Mooer GE2000 |
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5 | 5 | HeadRush |
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The Top 5 Best Multi Effect Pedals for Live Performances
The Line 6 Helix is considered by many guitarists to be the best of the best when it comes to a multi effects pedal when playing live. There are tons of excellent features to leave you geeked about the next time you get up on that stage. 1,024 preset locations is what you are going to get with the Helix. That is absolutely massive and dwarfs a lot of the competition. They organized the preset locations into 8 setlists, which contains 32 banks that include 4 presets each. There is so much that you can do with this pedal that you can spend literal days exploring every nook and cranny held within one device.
Line 6 has done its users a huge favor by providing editing abilities that are simple. It also includes a joystick and touch sensitive switches that generate a shortcut to parameter changes. The pedal is very high tech with a ton of adjustments and options that create unique sounds while giving its user an opportunity to play with ease. No more will you have to worry about stringing together multiple effects pedals to get all the sounds you want. The Line 6 Helix is our most highly recommended option.
What We Liked
- Includes comprehensive connectivity that sets it apart from other competing options
- Includes ace sound from effects as well as models
- The visual display that appears on the device is more innovative than other options
What We Didn’t Like
- Some guitar players may see this options connectivity features as overkill
Boss has had a long line of predecessors that came before the GT-1000. Each preceding model had massive success with many guitarists due to its ease of use and plethora of effects that each has had to offer. Boss took the three prior models that came before the GT-1000 and effectively combined the three to create the behemoth of them all. The design is sleek, modern and the unit has a wide variety of different effects and combinations that can be used to generate the exact sounds you want your instrument to make.
Although the editing features of the GT-1000 aren’t the most intuitive when it comes to effects pedals, a seasoned pro can usually find their away around the device for editing purposes. It can be difficult for beginners to navigate, but if you’re determined to learn how, there is always a way. It includes 32-bit, 96khz sampling that allows the pedal board to generate amazing sound that can be defined as a hard-hitting. When it comes to effects, that is a huge variety of different effects, sounds, reverbs, and more. There is a ton you can do with just one device, and the GT-1000 has a lot to offer in the realm of effects pedal for live performances.
What We Liked
- The amp models that are included with this pedal board are exemplary
- The range of effects with the GT-1000 are huge and far outweigh some other competitors out there
- The design of the pedal board was made to be durable and resist damage
What We Didn’t Like
- Many guitarists see this pedal board as advanced and may be difficult for beginners to navigate
The Fractal AX8 is considered by many guitarists to be the best amp modeler when it comes to floor-based pedal boards. It also includes 512 onboard presets that you can journey through and discover all sorts of different sounds or effects. The device offers a way to edit your sounds easily so you can generate the sounds you’re looking for while you play. It also makes it simple to set up your board so you won’t have to worry about getting the wrong sounds. It also has editing software that you can utilize when you connect the board to a computer. These parameters can also be physically edit on the unit itself, so you have options when it comes to programming and editing. The AX8 offers 11 footswitches that you can program and set up exactly how you want so you can make your on-stage experience a smooth one. Each switch can be programmed to hosts of tasks that continue making the live playing experience a good one. Fractal’s AX8 has amp tones that can certainly be defined as realistic and stand up next to any amp rig. It also has rock solid construction so the device will maintain its integrity and physical damage will be minimal.
What We Liked
- This pedal board is considered to be a durable option that is also easily transportable
- Easy to use with a simple setup that makes it easy to program and play
- The fractal amp models and effects that are included set this option apart from other competitors
What We Didn’t Like
- You cannot run dual amp signal chains on this pedal board
Although the Chinese company Mooer may be one of the newer additions to the guitar effects pedal game, they have done a lot to create a name for themselves by providing reliable pedal boards to their consumers. The GE2000 is probably their best option and it has a lot to offer its users. Although they started as a company that offered lower-cost versions of already existing, big name pedal boards, they have since carved their own niche to become an affordable option that’s easy to use. The sounds and effects that the GE2000 can generate are absolutely comparable with other options that can be seen higher up the food chain.
The Mooer GE2000 is the option on our list that gives you the most bang for your buck. It’s the most affordable option while providing legitimate sound to guitarists who choose to use it. It comes with an all-in-one amp and cab modeler. The board also includes an effects processor, as well as a drum machine and looper. This option is definitely worth taking a look at and considering, regardless of the fact that it’s the most affordable option. It is completely capable of performing and providing the effects any guitarist may need.
What We Liked
- This pedal board is very easy to use and a great option for beginning guitarists
- Sounds excellent and can compete with higher-priced options
- The most affordable option on our list
What We Didn’t Like
- May not include every feature that a seasoned pro may be looking for in a guitar effects pedal
What We Liked
- Includes exemplary amp modeling
- The touchscreen function that’s included sets this pedal board apart from most options that are available
- Also functions as an audio interface
What We Didn’t Like
- Has limited routing and model options
4 Components to Look for When Purchasing a Pedal Board for Live Performance
When it comes to looking for a high-quality pedal board for live performances, there are a few specific features that stand out above the rest and they’ll let you know if you’re getting the best product for the money being spent.
