We continue with the Rocktron family, this time with the Intellifex rack multi-effects unit. It is a unit far removed from the "battle" of its sister, the Voodu Valve, since the former covers only the range of clean, crystal-clear effects. It strikes me as an interesting option if we take advantage of its MIDI capabilities, since I believe the unit can color quite a few types of instruments, not just guitar. Perhaps as a complement to the Voodu Valve, or to a good amp instead.
Front panel
The control layout is very similar to that of the Voodu Valve. We start with the power switch, the recall button (to lock in the selected patch), the preset wheel, the config button, the information display, the compare button, the parameter adjustment wheel, the store button, the parameter selection wheel, the function selection wheel, the bypass button, the LED signal meter, the input level pot, the output level pot and a button that switches the signal between -10 and +4 dB.
Rear panel
Outputs and inputs on 1/4" jacks, in both cases left and right (or mono if you need it). MIDI In and Thru, power input and another 9V power connector that I assume supplies power to another device if we wish (this is an assumption). I am surprised not to find an input for connecting a modulation pedal.
The range of effects
This is a multi-effects unit that does not cover distortion or any kind of saturation. It spans the range of chorus, flanger, octavers, reverb, delays, etc. It obviously more than meets the goals it was built for, as the clean stereo sounds are of high quality.
With the Intellifex you can manipulate and edit the effect in fine detail however you like. The approach (in terms of editing and operation) is identical to that of the Voodu Valve, except that with this unit you do not have the power that characterizes the "Tube Series" on high-gain sounds. That is why I said a little earlier that I find the module practical if, in addition to using the guitar effects, we take advantage of its MIDI possibilities and even add effects to other tracks in our recording sessions.
With the wheels we select the different editable sections of each preset and the parameter we want to manipulate in each patch, and change the value of each setting. This way we can lengthen or shorten delays, change the stereo image, vary the mix of each effect level and, in short, all the things these kinds of units usually do.
Internet access presets
As with the previous model, we can load new presets into our multi-effects unit via the Internet. I visited the company's website and browsed the patches. Not only can you download updates, you can also upload your own. If you are an editing "fanatic" and like to spend hours tweaking effects, you can show off your talent and dedication by leaving your presets on the website, trading hours of work with other musicians.
Conclusions
Personally, I think it is a complementary unit, or a complete one only for those who want clean sounds exclusively, or for those who are perfectly satisfied with their amp sound and just want to add a repertoire of good "crystal-clear" effects. It seems like a studio unit (in addition to being rack-mounted), because I don't see a connector for a footswitch to control the unit while you keep playing. As for modulation, you can insert a volume or modulation pedal between your jack-to-jack cables.
Although I know that great guitarists hold this unit in high regard, personally, considering its high price, I think it is a "luxury" unit for reinforcing clean effects and the odd quirky/personal effect (the latter hard to use in conventional songs). Compared with the Voodu Valve it falls quite short (although it is a different concept), since the latter has, in addition to all the clean effects, footswitch control and a perfect high-gain simulation, if you want it, that will take you all the way to hell.
