[jtkung]

One idea for a compact pedalboard that can go direct into a mixing board is the following:

1. Pedal or gear that can create the necessary overdrive or distortion tone. Example is the Zoom G3. $150
   
2. Logidy EPSi for Impulse Response (IR). $200
   
3. Zoom MS-70CDR for chorus/delay/reverb. $120
   

#1 can be a multi-effect unit like the Zoom G3 or a serial line of your favorite distortion pedals. If it's the G3 or something that has amp emulation, be sure and turn off the cab simulation since this will be handled by #2.

#2 handles the guitar cabinet/mic simulation. This contributes greatly to a guitar's sound.  It also supports full stereo so that you can have either a mono or stereo guitar signal pass through separate IRs and out to pedal #3.

#3 supports stereo in and out and is what creates the sense of ambience and space. The Zoom MS-70CDR has an amazing number of choruses, flangers, phasers and modulation effects as well as delays and reverbs -- some modeled after famous units. 

Out of all these units, #2 costs the most, but it is professional grade. It reproduces IRs with stunning accuracy and low latency -- as good as any digital modeling unit (Fractal, Kemper, Line6, Torpedo, etc.) which costs much more. 

So for under $500, you can have a pro-sounding pedalboard ready for direct recording or into a mixing board and PA.  You can forgo #1 if you already have distortion effects, pedals, etc. since those can be used as the source into the Logidy. 

Zoom G3


Logidy EPSi


Zoom MS-70CDR