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Ibanez multi-effects

This UE303B is part of the range of three multi-effects processors from the 9 series (along with the UE300 and UE305). Here we have the auto filter, and the compresseur from the 9 series, and a chorus/flanger. This UE303B was designed with the bassist in mind and was endorsed by bass virtuoso Tony Levin, who is trying to make a comeback these days... Still with a moustache though. This particular exemple does not have its original knobs.

Anyway, the auto-filter is particularly cool with wide ranging and extreme effects. It works for bass or guitar with equally good results. The compressor does what it should and the chorus/flanger is quite usable. The flanging side is good, although not as powerful, deep and tweakable as the FL9, which I particularly like.

The UE300 was aimed at guitar players with the same compressor that has enough output to overdrive an amplifier, the ultra-famous Tube Screamer, and a chorus based on the CS9. I am not into chorus at all but by setting the BBD clock fast enough with the inside trimpot, it can go into flanging territory. The modulation lacks depth for this kind of effect and there is no feedback control but the tone is good enough nonetheless.

There is also an effects loop on these pedals but unfortunately, it is only switchable with the general footswitch: ie. you can't switch it out when any of the three effects is in use. It's a shame because a dedicated loop switch would have made this multi-effects even more usable.