Getting a new reverb unit. Alesis Microverb IV?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Krakit
  • Start date Start date
Honestly, it is THESE responses that I was afraid of.

I was really hoping that I had overlooked some unit that met my needs outside of Alesis and Zoom.

Back when I was making $80,000 a year, I wouldn't have even started a thread like this.

But with money tight, I need to search under every rock to save a few dollars here and there.

I did search Google exhustively before starting this thread.

Rats.

I do feel stuck with the Alesis. I honestly do. Oh well, guess that's what I'm going to be getting for now anyway. Maybe the future will brighten up and I'll be able to buy whatever I want down the road. Right now, I have a project with a deadline and no spare cash at all.

Thanks for the useful responses.

Carl
 
MOFO Pro said:
I've owned three Alesis components...
Click to expand...

I suppose I should add that I've owned some Alesis gear over the years too:

A Quadraverb Plus, two Wedges, a DataDisk (which I still wish I had), a Nanoverb, A Microverb II, Micro Limiter, and one other micro series unit of some sort. I don't own any Alesis gear now though.

Actually, if you really want to save some money, you might take a look at the Alesis Nanoverb. It's much smaller and lighter than the Microverb 4 and in my opinion sounds as good or maybe even a little better. I used a Nanoverb for a while as my monitor reverb on live gigs. It worked well for that and I really appreciated how small and light it was. It's also dead simple to use, which I like. You can easily figure out some way to secure it to the inside of your rack.
 
SonicAlbert said:
I suppose I should add that I've owned some Alesis gear over the years too:

A Quadraverb Plus, two Wedges, a DataDisk (which I still wish I had), a Nanoverb, A Microverb II, Micro Limiter, and one other micro series unit of some sort. I don't own any Alesis gear now though.

Actually, if you really want to save some money, you might take a look at the Alesis Nanoverb. It's much smaller and lighter than the Microverb 4 and in my opinion sounds as good or maybe even a little better. I used a Nanoverb for a while as my monitor reverb on live gigs. It worked well for that and I really appreciated how small and light it was. It's also dead simple to use, which I like. You can easily figure out some way to secure it to the inside of your rack.
Click to expand...

Well, the depth of the Nanoverb is beyond my limitations. Even the new Picoverb is too deep.

Also, they way I have my rack set up, my aux sends have to go to an internal unit so desktop reverb or outboard reverb is not an option.

If I did buy a Nano or Pico verb, I would have to get a shelf which themselves don't come in a shallow version and I lose again.

Carl
 
You reminded me... I also had three of the Alesis Nana sound modules... I sold them years ago... but really missed the Nano Bass mod after it was gone... but I moved along to an Akai hardware sampler, then since then, right into the box for sampling.

The Quadraverb was the very first effect box I ever purchased about 20 years ago... everything else but the Masterlink was purchased while Alesis was in Chapter Eleven and GC was blowing out their entire inventory for ridiculous money.

The sound modules were actually DOA, and I got them for just a few dollars each... but the company that Alesis contracted to do their service work honored the warrenty because they were purchased as new demos.
 
Krakit said:
Well, the depth of the Nanoverb is beyond my limitations. Even the new Picoverb is too deep.

Also, they way I have my rack set up, my aux sends have to go to an internal unit so desktop reverb or outboard reverb is not an option.

If I did buy a Nano or Pico verb, I would have to get a shelf which themselves don't come in a shallow version and I lose again.

Carl
Click to expand...

The Nanoverb is 4 1/2 inches deep, I just noticed that. I'm just curious, why is your rack so shallow? I'm not sure I've ever seen a rack that shallow.

As far as a mounting shelf, I was thinking more along the lines of velcro and gaff tape. It's worked for me many times! :D

Just for kicks, here's a *new* Lexicon MPX-110 from an authorized dealer on eBay for $159.99 with free shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lexicon-MPX110-...373239817QQcategoryZ23790QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They have a great feedback rating, and the unit comes with full warranty. I'd take this over the microverb 4 anyday. If you don't do eBay, just give them a call on their 800 number and I'll bet they'll give you the same deal over the phone.
 
SonicAlbert said:
The Nanoverb is 4 1/2 inches deep, I just noticed that. I'm just curious, why is your rack so shallow? I'm not sure I've ever seen a rack that shallow.

As far as a mounting shelf, I was thinking more along the lines of velcro and gaff tape. It's worked for me many times! :D

Just for kicks, here's a *new* Lexicon MPX-110 from an authorized dealer on eBay for $159.99 with free shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lexicon-MPX110-...373239817QQcategoryZ23790QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They have a great feedback rating, and the unit comes with full warranty. I'd take this over the microverb 4 anyday. If you don't do eBay, just give them a call on their 800 number and I'll bet they'll give you the same deal over the phone.
Click to expand...

If I can raise the extra cash before this auction ends (five days) I'll get that, thanks.

This post shows with photographs why my rack is so shallow:

Post from another thread about my rack: <click me>

Carl
 
Hey Krakit... Why the midi express on the gigging rack... you running a floor board, or is that Roland also a sequencer?
 
MOFO Pro said:
Hey Krakit... Why the midi express on the gigging rack... you running a floor board, or is that Roland also a sequencer?
Click to expand...

Actually, I just recently replaced the XT with a UM-880.

I use upwards of four MIDI keyboards at a time. As many as eight sometimes.

I do use this rack for recording, but not the reverb. I plan on using plug ins for that.

The Roland and QSR are the modules in that systme. I also have a short tier on my USS A frame for a Yamaha AN200.


MIDI routing is indispensible for me.

What are the exact dimensions for that Lexicon anyway? The photos look like it will fit, but I'd rather know exactly how deep it is. Can't find it on Google.



Carl
 
These guys are right, if....IF......IF......you can possibly scrape, steal, or borrow the extra $50, the Lexicon will be 50 times better than the Alesis.

Ya know, I'm not above connecting 2 or 3 nylon cable ties together and using that to strap on a small box like the nanoverb or microverb to some out of the way palce on the side or top of my rack. If you secure the ties with a pair of pliers you can get it as tight as any rack screws will hold it. Nobody on the dance floor will notice or care if you are using a "strap on"...LOL!

If you only have one deadline to worry about, maybe you could ask your friendly music store to rent you a verb unit for a week or a month. The return it and keep saving some extra bucks for the Lexicon.....??
 
Krakit said:
If I can raise the extra cash before this auction ends (five days) I'll get that, thanks.

This post shows with photographs why my rack is so shallow:

Post from another thread about my rack: <click me>

Carl
Click to expand...

Okay, gotcha on that rack. That's actually insanely clever!

The thing about that MPX-110 seller on eBay is that they are a dealer, so they may have more in stock beyond those they are auctioning at the moment. If you are interested, you might want to give them a call and see if they can lay one away for you for a couple weeks or whatever.

The Lexicon MPX-110 is 4 inches deep. Go here and follow the links to download the manual:

http://lexiconpro.com/mpx110/index.asp
 
I plan to save for the Lex.

Hopefully the transaction will go smoothly, I'm a bit wary of getting something like this on eBay.

The Lex definately towers over the Alesis in quality?

Carl
 
Krakit said:
I plan to save for the Lex.

Hopefully the transaction will go smoothly, I'm a bit wary of getting something like this on eBay.

The Lex definately towers over the Alesis in quality?

Carl
Click to expand...

"Towering" over the Alesis may be overstating it, but it is definitely an improvement that you'll be able to hear and one that is very much worth the extra money.

As far as eBay, the whole reason I suggested that seller is that they are an authorized dealer. If you don't want to do eBay, just give them a call on their 800 number and buy it direct with a credit card. I've not bought from them myself, but it seems from what I can tell that you will be buying from a legit store. Look at their feedback, 99.9% positive with over 3,500 transactions. That looks pretty safe to me.

The thing to remember is that a lot of stores now sell on eBay as a form of advertising. eBay is not just individuals selling junk out of their garage. If you think about it, where else can you get national and international advertising for a product for only a few bucks?
 
Okay, I just bought the Lexicon unit. Hope it arrives in a timely manner, I need it in less than a week.

Carl
 
Is that you, "robotfan"? :D

Anyway, I think you made the right choice. Please keep us informed as to how it works out.
 
I try to keep all my online identities seperate, but yes that's me.

Carl
 
In a previous thread I promised to post pictures of my current rack system.

Here they are:

0c25495e.jpg

This is the system on the whole. It is entirely self contained.

12f27f29.jpg


In this shot I will point out the components that make up the face of my rack.

Starting from top to bottom.
  • Blank Panel
  • MIDI/Phono patch panel. Custom built by myself. I have pictures of that gory project as well if anyone is interested.
  • Ventalation panel. (No that's not some nifty paint job, those are the colored cables inside)
  • Lexicon MPX 110. This was newly installed because my previous reverb died.
  • Rackmounted Powerstrip. This replaced a regular consumer power strip that I modified to fit in a rack space. Never thrilled with that so this is there now.
  • Alesis QSR
  • Custom built rack panel with PC style AC inlet. The other side I wired up with a female three prong power cord about six inches long. I plugged the powerstrip into that.


36b1aa95.jpg


This last shot is the top of my rack system. It holds the following:

  • Roland Super JX MKS70
  • Behringer Eurorack line mixer.
  • Edirol UM-880 MIDI router. Very useful and a recent replacement for my MOTU Express XT

I can travel with this rack sealed and plug in wiring as needed.
Anyway, there's the rack for you to inspect.

Carl
 
I'll be honest I'm still trying to find the sweet spots on it. It seems to me that there are two extremes with this unit.

One is a far too subtle ambient reverb effect while the other is exactly what I didn't want. A metalic sounding unnatural reverb effect. Granted I may still be using it wrong and lord knows there's a lot to get to know for a reverb.

As I understand it the Microverb would have been turn it on, dial up and forget about it. I may still regret my decision not to get the Alesis after all.

Again, I'm still playing with the Lexicon and trying to get a feel for balance on it. There's a lot to explore in a box that I really only wanted for just one single, solitary, satisfactory reverb effect out of.

Carl
 
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