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Musicom Lab EFX Routing System Review
Hello everyone.
Here is a small review of the Musicom Lab EFX routing system
(http://www.musicomlab.co.kr/). I
thought you would be interested in reading about this device.
Features:
The Musicom Lab EFX Routing System is the definition of the term “user
friendly”. It is extremely
easy to program, set up and use. It has flexible routing options, with 8
loops for effects pedals
or other devices and 128 memory locations divided in 32 banks of 4 presets
each - plus a global
preset, common to all banks. So, you have more than enough memory
locations to program any
combination of the eight loops you ever wish.
Each loop has a red led that indicates whether it is active or not. The
presets have also their
own status leds. Moving from bank to bank is easily done via two dedicated
switches. The EFX also
features a display that shows the active preset and provides visual
information during programming
or editing.
A very welcome feature is a special loop to connect a volume pedal of your
choice. So, you don’t
have to occupy a loop just to place a volume pedal between effects. The
volume pedal loop is
placed after the first four loops and is then followed by the remaining
four loops. This way, it
is easy to set up “pre volume pedal” and “after volume pedal” effects
without any compromises.
Besides a fine audio routing system, the EFX can also double as a midi
foot controller if you
wish. It can be set up to transmit 2 midi program changes on 2 midi
channels and 8 midi control
changes on a midi channel. Additionally, it features an EXT port, though
which the EFX can be
operated to transmit 1 midi control change on one midi channel. For
example, you can tap the tempo
and control an external device.
The manual is very explanatory and covers the whole set up process, the
operation modes, the
program change and control change editing, buffer activation or
deactivation, the EXT port setup
and the midi implementation. A basic block diagram of the device is also
included in the operating
guide, so you can immediately understand the routing and the options.
The power requirements are flexible. The EFX works with either 9V AC or
12V DC and needs
approximately 400 mA. The power jack is a standard barrel jack, like the
ones most effects pedals
use.
Sound quality:
The EFX absolutely deserves to be called a transparent routing system.
There is no noise. No
artifacts. No hum. No pops. No static. No distortion. No crosstalk between
the loops. What you
hear is the instrument through any effects or other devices in the loops.
It has two buffers to prevent any loss or degradation of the instrument
signal. But, the input
buffer can be bypassed if you wish to use any high impendence pedals.
Impendence mismatches are
avoided this way, without having to leave your favorite fuzz pedal out of
the setup. The buffers
sound fine. All the parts, connections and circuits are of high quality
and do not affect the
sound of the instrument in any way.
Switching between the presets or the banks is a smooth and silent process,
without any kind of
noise. There is also no change in the signal level when you switch from
preset to preset or from
bank to bank, unless of course what is connected to the eight loops boosts
or cuts the signal on
its own because of its gain structure. The EFX has more than enough
headroom and is able to
control any kind of effects without a problem.
Construction and reliability:
The EFX is clearly designed and build to become a working musician’s best
friend. It is small and
can easily fit in any pedalboard, in any studio or live set up. It is very
light and will not add
much to the total weight of a rig.
It features a heavy duty enclosure that ensures a long happy life without
problems. The
construction is perfect, with top quality parts, nice compact set up and
routing. Cabling,
soldering and shielding are excellent. The EFX feels dependable from the
very beginning.
Support:
Musicom Lab is a company that shows that it cares about customers and
really sets a higher
standard for customer service. The support is fast, efficient and
reliable. Ordering and shipping
is handled in the most professional way and the support is always
available to provide information
and help. Packaging is excellent and ensured that the device will be
delivered safely to its
destination.
It is practically impossible that the EFX will ever need repairs or fail
in action, since it is
build like a bank, but even then there is no doubt that Musicom Lab will
be there to offer help
and support.
Costas Andreou
http://www.costasandreou.com
contact@costasandreou.com