Re: Vortex features?

[Anton Chovit <antonc@earthlink.net>]

Hey there mate!  As one who just purchased a vortex, I will try to
describe my first impressions.  To preface, I must say that I demoed one
of these a year or so ago and was totally unimpressed.  I couldn't get
it to sound good for anything at the music store with someone else's
setup (and a guitar I didn't like).  This summer my brother bought a
unit and has been doing some really incredible things with it.  So I
finaly broke down and got one.  

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF A VORTEX

ðIt is weird.
ðNot like other effects.
ðThe presets suck without tweeking (especially the MIX parameter) and
proper stereo set-up.
ðThe interface is actually simple and somewhat intuitive: Since I am
used to completely unintuitive, awkward interfaces like an R8M or a DX7
it took me a while to realize this.
ðWith tweeking, it is capable of some of the coolest sounds are I have
ever created.
ðCan sound like a complete pedal effect layout gone quite crazy.  Way
more interesting than the typical DDL/reverb/multi effects I've used.
ðThen I tried morphing; Whoa!! I've never done that before!
ðNext I plugged-in an expression pedal and things got really twisted.
ðBetween morphing and the real time expresion pedal control, I know of
no equal effect unit. (I've used an ART SGX2000 with the x-15 MIDI
controller w/expression control, etc., but that is apples to oranges)
ðSounds like an orchestral mix between simultaneous envelope filters,
delays, and modulating flange & chourus effects.
ðAllows me to play the effect as much as/(and as if it were) the
instrument(s)
ðThis is going to take a long time to figure out.
ðThis is going to be fun to use for a long time!
ðBottom Line #1:For $150 what do you want?  THIS THING ROCKS!!!!!
ðBottom Line #2:I want another one.