VOX JamVOX Jam and practice tool for Guitar

gusmac67
April 16, 2009

Rating: 9/10

My review of this product is based on the short time I spent playing with it prior to having to leave the UK to work overseas.
I bought this product on a drunken whim after receiving a promotional e-mail telling me how wonderful it was.
Being a sucker for guitar \"gadgets\" and having reviewed the information online through my drunken eyes I decided I\'d part with my hard earned cash and see what this little box of tricks was capable of.
It arrived two days later and I was immediately surprised at how well it was constructed. I had been expecting the usual piece of plastic kit that generally comes when you order anything to plug into a computer but was surprised when I opened up the box to find a rather sturdy metal box with a set of \"idiot proof\" controls (which is the sort of kit that suits me fine !)
I loaded up the software disc, plugged the USB lead into my laptop and then got myself into a bit of a fumble trying to load the USB driver after connecting. Once I got it up and running after a couple of failed attempts I was mighty impressed by the quality of the sound from this little black magic box. I was also impressed by the volume that can be obtained from this little beauty as well.
From the pre-loaded settings my favourite was the Van Halen \"Hot For Teacher\" setting which made my USA Strat sound like the Dog\'s Dangly bits when I played it.
The only minor complaints I would have are the farting around trying to get the USB driver installed after installing the initial software disc (probably more down to my stupidity than anything else) and the accompanying CD\'s that contain 28 \"play along\" tracks. These discs aren\'t really that good but the ability to upload Mp3\'s means you can play along to any song you want (provided you have the Mp3 of course) and you can even import your entire I-Tunes library into your \"playlist\".
I only had a brief tinker with the GXT function that is available and it sounded ok but would need to be looked at in greater detail to give a more concise opinion of it.
Overall a cracking piece of kit for practicing and I can\'t wait to get back to the UK to have a serious play about with it.
The rating I gave it would have been higher had it not been for the minor problems installing the USB driver and the rather naff \"play along\" CD\'s that come with it.
My advice is to go get one today !!

Markman
February 14, 2009

Rating: 9/10

This is a great piece of kit. It\'s like having a Vox AD120VTX modelling amp in your computer! You have access to a plethora of amps and cabinets, plus every effects pedal you could think of (and some you probably couldn\'t). You can control all the settings for each component, plus mix and match and so create any sound you like. I love the software front end, very nicely done. The only issue was I ended up having to buy a new laptop as mnine wasn\'t up to the job. You do need at least 2.0GHz processor, mine was 1.8 and I just got a sound like a fax coming in! The JamVox monitor is nicely built with nice controls (like Vox amps, though not the classic chicken head shape). I would have preferred an external power supply as the unit is limited to what the USB cable can provide. It does make a neat computer speaker though, even if you don\'t want to use it with your guitar (while you rest your fingers!). The guitar extraction facility is OK, though not perfect, there is always going to be a compromise when you filter music tracks, but the fact you can pull out the guitar section and slow it down without changing pitch means you have a great tool for learning guitar parts. I am really pleased with the JamVox and a couple of friends of mine who saw it, also want one! You won\'t be disappointed (unless you are expecting gig volume of course).