EX-7 Expression Factory Review

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(More customer reviews)As of writing this review, I've now owned the EX-7 Expression Factory for about 6 months, and I personally feel it has been worth every penny I spent on it.
I've played music semi-professionally for the last few years, and my biggest problem concerning effects has not been what is affordable (though I do believe this pedal is affordable for what you get) but rather how to save space. Trust me, you may think it would look cool to have tons of effects spread out onstage, but it is a hassle in the high-intensity, low-light environment.
This pedal puts together the highest quality combination of effects and distortion models of any multi-fx unit I have ever seen.
First off, the distortion modelling is impressive. You can adjust the level, gain, and distortion pedal/speaker combo when you enter the distortion setting mode. You can tweak these settings to get everything from crunchy death metal to just barely noticeable overdrive a la Hendrix. In fact, lately I have set aside any real guitar amplifier/speaker cab combo in favor of running my guitar directly into my PA system with the pedal in the effects chain because it sounds just as good as any dedicated amp distortion would (makes me the envy of guitarists anywhere within a 10 mile radius).
It is true that you can't turn off the "clean" effect, such as wah, chorus, etc., while using the distortion models, but it isn't a big problem. Most of the effect parameters can be controlled with the pedal. You dial in a setting in the regular effect mode so that when you back the pedal off, you no longer have the effect running. In other words, with the pedal all the way down, the effect is running full, with the pedal all the way up, the effect is essentially off. Then you can have the distortion on its own.
The wah is the only effect that may cause some difficulty in switching off. However, it isn't too difficult to simply adjust the pedal in the right position so that the wah effect isn't too present. Besides, in a live setting no one would notice if there is a slight envelope filter on the distortion.
I find the wah works well with the distortion by setting the dials so that the distortion sounds pleasant when the pedal is all the way down, then I just back off the pedal into the up position to engage the wah effect when I want it. That being said, I have considered using a separate wah with the pedal, however that decision is based on a personal preference of feel more than the sound of the pedal.
The quality of the effects and distortion models is high enough to make this a worthwhile purchase, even if you should decide to add one or two other pedals along with it. I have experiences that run anywhere from so-so to disastrous when dealing with multi-fx units (Digitech RP-200, RP-300, misc others), but this one holds up. I A/B'd the pedal's effects (such as Rotary/Leslie) with other dedicated single effect pedals and the quality was just as good if not better.
If you are willing to tweak the dials and learn how to shape the tone in this somewhat beast of a pedal, it will give you more bang for your buck than anything else like it out there. And should you come across one or two effects that you just don't quite like enough, well then, if you're THAT picky you can afford to spend another $100 on one extra pedal.
There is also an optional footswitch that most stores will carry that allows you to switch between distorted/non-distorted modes and to move up and down through effects, just makes it that much easier to play this awesome pedal during the bedlam of live performance.

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Digitech is inspired by 7 of the worlds classic expression pedals and introduces the Expression Factory. This pedal lets you metatarsally modulate a whole pedal board of classic expression pedals. From Wah and Whammy to rare, sought-after pedals like the A/DA Flanger and our own highly collectable Space Station Synth Swell. Its a $1000 dollars worth of pedals in one unit.

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