If you had asked a few months ago, I'd say the HeadRush MX5 as it was $399 with probably the best hardware in/out and DSP capability along with the easiest to use touch screen for editing and the best Looper of all the $300-600 price ranged Multi-FX... however it's now listed at $499 (which is more than I'd spend on any of these things to be honest) so I'm not sure. If you want the MOST iconic patches, you'd have to stick with one of the more heavily installed bases of users... so probably Line 6 something... but I'd seriously be looking at what has the most features that apply to your needs over "user patches".
Thanks Ujn,
I think why I’ve been through several of these kinds of units over the years is that they tend to be gadgety in the end instead of something I really use. A way of saving a set up on a pedal board for specific songs I like to play.
I went through my analog/boutique pedal phase back in 2010, then into the TC Electronic GSystem (which I absolutely loved but TC just failed to support it in the end and talk about complex, noisy unless you ran the 4 line TRS rig with hum eliminators, etc. ridiculous), then into the Zoom G5n, which albeit was the easiest of all to use and play live. I kind regret selling it now.
Maybe I’ll go back to Zoom with the G11? Or just splurge and go for the Helix, which seems to be the defacto standard with lots of universal support… just flagship priced And super complex.
OR maybe I should just go back to individual pedals. I usually know what sound I’m looking for: delay when playing 70s and 80s (cure, Pink Floyd), chorus only occasionally, compressor, OD/Dist/Muff (I still own my fav OD by MXR “78 Badass Distortion” and I have a NYC (BIG BOY) Big Muff), reverb pedal? Tremolo? It can get costly thinking of all the things I might use (and likely never do!) before budget is empty and board is full…
Dilemma: Digital MFX for a little bit of everything or Analog pedal board for essentials?