Peavey QFX 4x4

This is an article culled from archive material, circa 1997.

The QFX 4x4 is a product of Peavey's Audio Media Research division, although I believe it's identical to the Multifex effects processor, except for the styling. It provides four independent effects processors, each with its own audio inputs (stereo, summed to mono) and stereo outputs. In terms of the MIDI functionality, the unit shows its age; apart from system exclusive, it only believes in program changes, although all four processors can be addressed individually (or as an entire patch, which is where the wet/dry mix is programmed). MIDI program change response is a little touchy: in particular, program changes sent too quickly in succession will be ignored.

The QFX is partly a preset-based machine, although effects patches can also be programmed; some have several screens' worth of parameters. It has never been clear to me how the presets and RAM patches relate to each other, and neither the manual nor the system exclusive specification gives much away. Either the presets are dedicated, parameterless algorithms, or else they are ROM-based sets of parameters.

The actual effects on offer, although basic, are very usable and sound remarkably good. The gated reverbs in particular are excellent, and there are some useful algorithms such as parametric EQ. There are even some multi-algorithms (such as reverb/chorus), with both series and parallel combinations.

I recommend the QFX/Multifex as an excellent bread-and-butter effects unit, if you can still find one for a reasonable price.