Demystifying Multi-FX: Navigating the Digital Guitar Effects Landscape with the NUX MG-30

Guitar effects can feel like a secret language. Pedals, amps, cables — it's a lot to navigate! But what if there was a simpler way to get those killer sounds without the confusion and hassle? Enter the world of multi-effects processors and amp modeling with the NUX MG-30. This little powerhouse might seem daunting at first, but with the NUX MG-30, unlocking incredible tones becomes an effortless journey. It's your all-in-one solution, making the complex world of guitar effects easily approachable.

In this blog, we'll dive deep into digital guitar effects, focusing on how the NUX MG-30 Multi-FX and Amp Modeler can be your gateway to mastering tones effortlessly. We'll unravel what it's for, how they work, and most importantly, how they can empower you to craft your desired tone without a fuss. Plus, we'll guide you through your first steps in creating tones and presets on the NUX MG-30. From choosing and tweaking amp sim models to layering effects, we'll show you how to harness this versatile tool, giving you the confidence to sculpt your own tones.

Get ready to demystify digital guitar effects and discover how the NUX MG-30 makes tweaking tones and crafting personalized presets a breeze, opening doors to a new level of sonic possibilities!

Bridging The Analog and Digital World

The Multi-FX setup mirrors the structure of an analog rig. Imagine setting up your favorite stompboxes and amps, but now it's all digital. This familiarity is the key to embracing digital processing—just approach it like an analog setup!

To set up your digital effects chain on the NUX MG-30, employ the same meticulous approach as you would with your analog rig. Envision each block on the MG-30 as the digital counterpart to its analog equivalent. The amp simulation takes on the role of your amplifier head, the cabinet impulse response (IR) faithfully mirrors your physical speaker cabinet, and the various effects blocks seamlessly represent your pedal lineup. What makes the NUX MG-30 truly shine is its embrace of familiarity. For guitarists who have dedicated hours to tweaking knobs on analog pedals and amps, the intuitive layout of this digital powerhouse feels like second nature. Moreover, the added familiarity extends to the digital graphics representing each effect and amp, further enhancing the user experience.

The process of dialing in your tone, balancing effects, and fine-tuning your sound remains fundamentally akin to the analog world.

Moreover, the NUX MG-30 seamlessly integrates into various performance and recording settings. Its compact design and versatility enable access to a plethora of tones without the need for an extensive array of physical pedals and amplifiers. Quick setup and consistent tone recall makes it an invaluable tool for guitarists across all skill levels.

Crafting Your Personal Preset

Creating your own preset from scratch is where you truly make the NUX MG-30 your own. Think of it as painting a sonic masterpiece, starting with a blank canvas and gradually adding layers of color and texture.

The MG-30 offers 96 built-in factory presets crafted by artists and industry professionals like like Vinai T, Choptones, Pete Thorn, and others. But amidst this variety, your personal preset is your chance to make your mark, to create the sound that defines you.

Are you ready to sculpt your own sonic masterpiece on the NUX MG-30? Here's a step by step process to help you out with your journey toward your signature tone!

BEFORE YOU START! 

Set the Initial Volume:

Before delving into the world of effects and tonal sculpting, it's essential to establish a solid foundation with your initial dry signal on the NUX MG-30. This process involves setting a comfortable and safe volume level, bypassing all effect blocks, and gradually layering your desired blocks for sonic experimentation.

Begin by bypassing all effect blocks and focusing solely on the dry signal. Adjust the MASTER knob gradually from minimum to your preferred volume level, ensuring it's comfortably audible without causing discomfort to your ears.  With your dry signal established, it's time to introduce various effect blocks like AMP simulations, IRs (Impulse Responses), and dynamic effects.

The depth view of Boost pedals features NUX Boost Core Deluxe.

Blog Contribution: Monk Li (Taiwan) Marketing Director NUX | Cherub Technology.

The depth view of Boost pedals in my own words.

I still remember that more than 20 years ago, many guitarists would put more overdrive pedals in the pedalboard to boost the main drive sound. More than ten years ago, everyone's definition of Boost has become more clear, so there are more and more brands specializing in the development of Boost effects. As for so many types of Boost on the market, which one is right for you?

Today I will analyze Boost from a deeper perspective based on the circuit principle, which may be helpful for you who are thinking about how to choose Boost!

Before that, I would like to recommend you to read an article:


Okay, then let's cut into the topic I want to talk about today.
According to the circuit principle, we initially divided the following Boost lines:
1. Non-inverting OP-Amp
2. Inverting OP-Amp
3. MOS-FET
4. JFET
5. SRPP / Mu-amp FET
6. BJT
*Here I quote the video content of Brian Wampler | Boost Pedals

Non-inverting OP-Amp

The most classic representative of OP-Amp type is the MXR Micro Amp, an extremely simple circuit with flat frequency response.

The overall frequency response is very flat, basically a faithful amplification without any rendering. As for whether it sounds good or not, then the judges should obey your ears to judge.

Inverting OP-Amp

For the Inverting OP-Amp type, the most classic representative is the RC Booster. Without EQ modification, the original circuit appears as the low frequency is slightly attenuated (this part may not be heard because of the lower than 80Hz in the guitar performance), and the intermediate frequency is slightly elevated.

MOS-FET

The MOS-FET type Boost classic representative is Z VEX's SUPER HARD ON, and the obvious feature is that there will be a lot of noise when rotating the potentiometer. (Crakie Okay)



From the frequency response analysis, the overall frequency response curve is also quite flat.

JFET

This category of Boost is often referred to as Preamp Pedals, perhaps because the microphone preamp usually uses JFET for amplification. The classic model in this category is the EP Boost.


When the JFET boost meets a powerful pickup or the pickup is too close to the strings, it will sound crappy.

SRPP / Mu-amp FET

From the frequency response, SRPP JFET boost is designed with obvious Low Cut.

BJT

The most classic of BJT type is the early Rangemaster, which is the Top Boost type most often said. This kind of Boost is the easiest to squeeze full Gain.

Let's feel the classic tone of early Brian May ~


From the frequency response, it is indeed Top Boost. Basically, the mid and low frequencies are cut wildly!

In fact, there is a special Boost method later, which is to use two FET single tubes to amplify the cascaded Boost. I personally like this type of Boost, but this is not the focus of our discussion today. I will find another opportunity to introduce this type of Boost in the future.

NUX Boost Core Deluxe

Based on the above, I believe everyone has a deeper understanding of Boost, but I also believe that many viewers have been dizzy. So next let's talk about the straight article with some goods.



NUX Boost Core Deluxe integrates two circuit forms of RC Booster and AC Booster, and adds a circuit similar to Treble Boost before these two Boost circuits, which can be amplified at full frequency when switched to Spark mode through a 3-way toggle switch in case of overdrive, increase the brightness of the sound.

The Clean mode (RC Boost) retains a very transparent Boost signal, just like the original RC, which is very suitable for pushing the first-stage tube of the vacuum tube amplifier. Use high and low bass EQ to tweak the sound of the tube amplifier.
Note: Maximum amplification 20dB

The Dirt mode (AC Boost) will increase more gains (asymmetric diodes cutoff to produce overdrive sound similar to vacuum tube amplifiers), but at this time due to RC filter to remove some excessive high frequency Harsh. Two high- and low-frequency EQ controls of the Baxdall type further shape the enhanced overdrive sound of various frequency bands.
Note: Maximum amplification 35dB

In the Spark mode, a high-pass filter is used to simulate the frequency response of Top Boost, and through the AC circuit, the classic tone of Top Boost is obtained, which is a very prominent guitar tone.
Note: Maximum amplification 35dB

Let's check the demo of boosting the distortion pedal in Clean (RC) mode!



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NUX Optima Air development introduce ( Acoustic Guitar Impulse Response)

Blog Contribution: Monk Li (Taiwan) Marketing Director NUX | Cherub Technology.

Optima Air means the best Acoustic Impulse Response loader ever.

Q: How to get a good micing acoustic sound with a line out pickup signal?

A: It's a dream for guitarists. I tried to figure out the way and got inspired by 3 Sigma Audio. I noticed using IR is the solution.

According to IR theory, IR is the way to measure the system frequency response.

The traditional IR way is using an Impulse to attack the system and measure the frequency response. It·'s ridicules to use a hammer to punch the acoustic guitar.

The convolution of IR in mathematics is similar to multiplication in Fourier integral. 

Pickup(f) * IR(f) = Mic(f) 

So we could do deconvolution as Mic(f) division Pickup(f) to get IR(f).

Q: What's the preamp in Optima Air?

A: As replication of acoustic guitar with micing. It means we need a good mic preamp. Rupert Neve is the legend in this industry, so I discussed with engineers to develop a white box algorithm ( physical modeling) of Neve 1073 with user-friendly controls.

The beauty of an analog circuit is chaos makes the muse. While you tweak the knob, it affects itself and also other parameters. For a linear digital system, the parameter is independent. So using a white-box algorithm could replicate the chaos in a compact size and features lots of advantages like USB audio stream, Reverb function, and IR Capture.

Q: What's the Capture?

A: As we talked about Impulse Response theory, convolution & deconvolution. So we think it should be a good point for musicians to Capture their own favorite acoustic guitar IR profile. We did a similar thing on our Solid Studio, but acoustic guitar IR uses deconvolution. So you have to play a while to let the pedal learn the frequency response.