Alesis AirFX

For the price this kit is awesome, it plugs into your master output on your mixer, it doesn't have any detrimental effect on your signal. It sits on any microphone stand, but I don't recommend table mounting it on a 5 inch stand because you can't operate the selector properly, as it falls over when you press the button down.

The select effect button is easy to use, you simply spin the wheel to the required sample and press the button down (which requires a bit too much force - see bad points) then when you are ready - move your hand over the dome at varying heights and speeds to alter the effect.

There are 50 effects and most of them you will never use, but once you start to remember the ones you like they are easy to find, they are all printed on the underside of the unit (useful???) or on a bit of card which is big and I have still lost it.

My main gripe is that the effects are active as soon as you power up and you can get an unwelcome surprise if you or someone else comes within range of the sensor, as effect zero - (the default position) has the effect of a turntable break and is not subtle in the least. If the machine started in the inactive state it would be more useful, be careful where you mount the unit also, it doesn't like shelves and some lighting effects over the dome.

This is one of my least used toys but it has got me out of the Guano on more than one occasion when my mixing has gone a bit chunky and I have thrown in a quick flange effect to smooth over the offending galloping horses.

It is also really funny when you use it with a microphone or on vocal tracks, and my four year old nephew has mastered it and now thinks he is a DJ, thats how easy it is to use.