Yamaha UB99 Magicstomp Effects Processor

Feature:
This unit has a lot of usable tones. I like that each setting on the unit has up to 3 fine tuning adjustment knobs that can be used to tweak the tone and amount of each effect. It comes with software and a USB cable but we haven't tried this yet. The unit works great alone so we haven't felt the need to install the PC software to see what it can do yet.

Quality:
It's made of metal, it's solid, and it doesn't have to go on the floor. We set it on the table and push the buttons by hand. Everything feels solid and well made.

Value:
I own a Fulltone Octiva, a Fulltone Blues pedal, a Boss DS-1, a Boss 535Q, an Ibanez TS-9, and a Digitech Screamin Blues pedal. I fell this Yamaha effects box gives different sounds but the sound quality is comparible to any of the other pedals I own. It may not make the same sounds as the specialty pedals but and makes many different effects sound very good and it does it all for a lot less money!

Desirability:
It ain't flashy and won't impress you flashing lights or other things. It's easy to use and easy to read and it gives very good sound without having to be an expert. I believe it has enough capability to keep two of us interested in it for some time to come.

Sound:
This is the first multi-effects pedal I've bought. I have a Fulltone Octiva, Fulltone Blues, Digitech Screamin Blues, Boss DS-1, Ibanez TS-9, and a few other single pedals. I feel the sound coming out of this unit is different but comparable in quality to any of these specialty pedals. We are new to learning guitar but this unit gives good distortion for playing Iron Man. It has a good clean channel for playing Stairway to Heaven. It has a few weird sound effects that are cool to play with but most sounds are very useful and sound very good without having to be an expert. This unit sounds great connected to Ibanez and/or Fender guitars including a semi-hollow body while connected to either a $100 Radio Shack guitar amp or an expensive 65 watt Marshall Chorus. It's very impressive how easy it is go get great sound out of this unit.

Support:
Yamaha is a reputable company and we've never needed their support department.

Overall:
This unit has very good effects including distortion, crunch, clean, as well as some very way out effects. One even makes every note sound like a cat meowing. Most of the effects are very useful. A few are way out there and interesting to play with. There is more meat than flash. I bought this unit as a gift for my girlfriend. We are both learning to play guitar and we both love this unit. I'd by another one without question it is that good.

Feature:
Features are many and extensive. Assignable knobs for different effects, edit on the fly (to an extent), small footprint, website to download new sounds and program updates (if they get it updated) and many others. However, you wonder why they left out stuff like tap tempo and direct access from, say, patch 5 to patch 9 without having to hear 6,7 & 8 along the way.

Quality:
Appears solid. I gig without a taking a backup, though I have backups.

Value:
Excellent "useful sound per buck" value.

Sound:
Sounds are excellent. I have AB'd my Tubescreamer, MXR Dynacomp, MXR Phase 90, Boss Chorus with this thing and have created excellent simulations of each. This is a wonderful box.

Support:
Get the website fully functional.

Overall:
I expect to use this box a couple of years. I'm a gear nut and am always looking for new stuff. However, if the support folks do their job and make updates available....keep this box up with new sounds and software upgrades, it could very well be the last box you need to buy.