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Yamaha Magicstomp EB review - It ROCKS!!!

#81
Bongolation said:
I'm sorry, but this whole thing is really confusing and there's virtually no Yamaha online support.

I'm still getting conflicting information from users on this, and my own experience is both limited and perplexing.

In addition to the differences in the software, there also appears to be a firmware issue. More or less to my original impression some time ago, the EB and the MkII appear to have different firmware. Trying to run the bass patches in the v2.10 editor on the MkII violently crashes the unit, though the Acoustic settings seem to work fine. The question seems to be if the the EB's firmware is back-compatible with the MkII's.

Naturally, the largely-defunct Magicstomp.Com site only has the ancient firmware from several years ago, not even for the current devices. The site became moribund even before the EB version came out. I believe their latest firmware is v1.8 and the firmware that comes in the MkII is v2.00. I think the EB's firmware is v2.10, but I am not positive.

The Magicstomp's firmware is user-upgradeable, but only if you can find it somewhere. :hmm:

I'm thinking that the EB (bass) Magicstomp, which is a later device, may be back-compatible to the previous MkII and AG Magicstomps, but perhaps not the other way around.

If you buy one of these, I'd say go for the EB. What I find amusing is that MF is still selling the AG for $150 and the v2.10 editor will make the $80 MkII (and probably the EB) do the identical functions.
Click to expand...


hmm... when I get it, I'll play around if/when I have time... I think I'm going to mainly use it as a multi fx to hook up w/ the chorus and od pedals I already have to create even more weird sounds. I'll def see what I can come up (as regards the downloading) w/ whenever I get the thing. Thanks for the help although w/ the last post I'm more confused then before :smug:
 
#82
I've had the EB unit for about a month now and have found the unit to be extremely usable and extensive. Loading the software WILL essentially give you all 3 magicstomps with your EB version. A definite plus considering it's the cheapest of the models now!

The software, which I found very intuitive, will contain all 3 libraries w/in a single window (tab for each unit). I personally found the software to be about as easy as it could possibly be.

The application's library(s) loads all 3 units presets. Simply clicking on the corresponding tab ie: (Bass, Guitar, Acoustic) will load all 99 presets for that unit. You can then edit the presets and drag them to your user list, which then can be downloaded to the physical device. You can even compare them to the original while your editing. You also have the ability to upload your device's user programs to the software for further editing and backup.

Do not discount the pedal until you have used the Deep Editing software included. It offers VERY extensive parameters for editing for some of the effects. However, attempting to edit the effects as a standalone unit is extremely confusing and frustrating. Don't even try! In fact, if you do not have the ability to connect the unit to a PC I would discourage anyone from buying it. Some of the application's displayed parameters w/in the effects seem endless (multiple pages) and are very easy and efficient when used on a PC.

I bought it for that "Yamaha" reverb and again it is wonderful! There are high and low pass filters w/in the reverb parameters that really clean it up, especially for bass guitar when used properly.

Chorus is great too. Some of the other effects are good ie: phaser, limiter, bass preamp, (that's about all I'll use) but I still have been unable to get the Sub Harmonic (Octaver) to track well.

I'd bet the bass preamp would be great for direct recording. PLaying w/the some of the settings sounded real good through the amp.

The default presets are not great but no pedals presets will do it for everyone. All multi effect pedals should be tweaked anyway. Just like any other pedal, I know what I like and want and I attempt to bring it to life. So far, this one works well for me.

HTH
 
#83
tim oconnor said:
Loading the software WILL essentially give you all 3 magicstomps with your EB version. A definite plus considering it's the cheapest of the models now!
Click to expand...
The MkII and the EB are the same price.

The software, which I found very intuitive, will contain all 3 libraries w/in a single window (tab for each unit). I personally found the software to be about as easy as it could possibly be.
Click to expand...
This is the v2.10 editor and firmware. The MkII has v.2.00 firmware and ships with the v1.0 editor, which is a lot less intuitive and useful.
However, attempting to edit the effects as a standalone unit is extremely confusing and frustrating. Don't even try!
Click to expand...
Yes, it's ridiculous. You have to program & run a device of this extreme complexity with...three knobs?

I'd bet the bass preamp would be great for direct recording. PLaying w/the some of the settings sounded real good through the amp.
Click to expand...
I do not think the MkII can access this one feature, assuming it's even in the v2.00 firmware.

I have written to Yamaha's support address to see if I can get the latest firmware for this device. The firmware is user-upgradeable, you just have to find it. If they set me up with it, fine. Otherwise, I'm sending back the MkII and getting the EB.
 
#86
Fernando F said:
Hey, anybody can help me?
I want to know if anybody have tried the Magicstomp comined with another stompbox, and if it works fine as a single effect stompbox.

Anybody?
Today is supposed to be the last day on the Musiciansfriend for shopping the Magicstomp!

thanks
Click to expand...

Step 1.

Read the other posts.

Step 2.

Buy the Magicstomp.

Step 3.

If you don't like it, you have a month and a half to return it. the end.
 
#87
Fernando F said:
Hey, anybody can help me?
I want to know if anybody have tried the Magicstomp comined with another stompbox, and if it works fine as a single effect stompbox.

Anybody?
Today is supposed to be the last day on the Musiciansfriend for shopping the Magicstomp!

thanks
Click to expand...

There are several preset sounds I'd buy for $79. :D As far as working with other effects, with it's plethora of output options, this should be no trouble.
 
#88
I don´t have the chance to return it
I´m from Brazil, and I would buy it and a friend of mine would bring it to me.
Here in Brazil I didn´t find it, so theres no way for me to try it.
I´d like to use it for envelope filter effect in my pedal chain.
And so I would use it for another purpose as a multieffect.
So I´d like to know if it works fine in combinatio with another stompboxes.

thanks anyway
 
#89
1) mine was free shipping even though I didn't order anything else (musiciansfriend, $79.99)

2)blows door of my old zoom 506. Quieter, better quality effects, and the effects can be adjusted to be very very subtle (or over the top...). I find that a little bit of reverb and chorus-phase-flange effect goes a long way. In fact, if I were to have a complaint it would be that too much stuff is adjustable, as this allows me to infuse tons of operator error.

3) apparently, the only differences between the guitar, bass and acoustic versions is the presets. On your computer you can access any of the presets from any of the three 'stomps, tweak as you see fit, and save them to your 'stomp. And it's all on the CD, so can be also on your hard drive. How cool is that! Great for those doing recording. Learning curve for using the computer for editing and saving kind of sucks; the manual isn't the greatest and the help menu on the computer makes you go back to a previous page way too often.

4) Only problem I've had is that when I plug the output of the 'stomp into the input of my Symetrix 201 EQ/preamp, the preamp automaticaly lights up the 'overload' light and shuts down, even with the master volume of both the 'stomp and the Symetrix all the way off. This doesn't happen when I plug in my Zoom 506. I'm usually pretty good with this "goes-inta's" and "goes-outa's" thing, so I'm a little stumped. No problems plugging the 'stomp into my home studio, Carvin PB150 combo, Peavey Hernia 300, or anything else so far. Ideas, anyone? I haven't put it into an effects loop yet, but the Symetrix preamp doesn't have one anyway.

5) Haven't noticed any change in tone in the bypass mode.

6) I dig the tuner. Easiest tuner I've used. Auto-mutes at the same time.

7) wall wart is a pain in the axe. I forget what it is, but it's a non-standard voltage and polarity; luckily I had an extra one that is close enough to work for my "away from home" rig. Evidently, these computer based boxes are a whole lot more fussy about power than the good old fashioned ones.

8) Besides being long winded, I'm diggin' the stereo effects and may have to consider changing my rig to accomodate this.

Thumbs up, baby. Money well spent at this price.

Peace
Paul K

EDIT MODE!!! OOps! since posting this I realized that this thread is five pages long, not one page......I'll bet too much of my post is duplicate of other info...sorry!
 
#91
Sean Baumann said:
So if I buy the magicstomp for bass, I can use it with guitar as well? That would be a cool solution for laying down quick tracks. I own no guitar effects at the moment, but would love something to use when trying to put down ideas to share with my band.
Click to expand...
Yup! I uploaded some of the acoustic presets into the user patches on my Stomp and it sounds great with my Taylor!
 
#94
Hi,
I have read this thread and notice one or two mentions of playing direct with these boxes. Are you guys using an external direct box to go to the board balanced or are you going direct (line level?) unbalanced right from the Magicstomp to the board? Does this pedal have enough output to drive most power amps directly?

Thanks,
S
 
#96
Finally got mine, it rocks!!

I haven't done any hardcore tweaking or anything of the sort, but I really enjoyed the spacebass effect for some reason.

I can see me and this box going places :D

I am especially lovin the fact that I can practice at night w/o having to turn on the amp. Even on it's lowest setting it's still too loud!

This box rocks, can't wait to load up the comp program :bassist:
 
#98
I got a Magicstomp today, and I'm underwhelmed.

It's got a few nice presets, but most are useless.

Compared to the Behringer V-Amp I have, the sound clarity is not as good, amp modeling is much less extensive, and the editing is cumbersome.

I was expecting better.
 
#99
BobWestbrook said:
I got a Magicstomp today, and I'm underwhelmed.

It's got a few nice presets, but most are useless.

Compared to the Behringer V-Amp I have, the sound clarity is not as good, amp modeling is much less extensive, and the editing is cumbersome.

I was expecting better.
Click to expand...

I still have yet to use it through my cab, I've mainly just been using it to record on my laptop and listen through headphones, so you might be right.

I thought a lot of the presets were useless too, but when you go into deep editing, you can make them a lot more subtle and get a better use out of them for your sound.
 

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