Wanted another digital multi effects box for my ambient projects, that has a lot more modulation possibilities than a standard multi effect box... something that could modulate FX parameters in realtime via envelopes, LFO's, noise generators, envelope followers, velocity, MIDI note etc.... Did not know if such a thing existed, but it did... the T.C. Electronics FIREWORX multi effect machine.
What I like about this box is, that I can plug the MIDI out of my Waldorf Blofeld, into the FIREWORX, and then have it's MIDI Thru go to my DAW, and this way I can make sure that I get MIDI note-on/off into the FIREWORX for realtime manipulation of FX parameters... this open up a whole new world of FX creation where parameters can be changed according to key position, velocity and CC controllers.
On top, T.C. Electronics is known for professional sounding reverbs, so I'm quite happy with this one. And it's build in routing matrix allowing for the most weird routings is just incredible... you can even use one of the unused i/o plugs on the back for a "loop insert" into another FX box that will be routed back into the FIREWORX, and thus can be placed anywhere in the signal chain.
It also has a host of interesting FX... mini synthesizers, fractal noise generators, normal noise generators, filters, phasers, flangers, ringmodulator, panner, tremolo... the whole lot... all in all a really powerful FX device.
It even has ADAT i/o, S/PDIF i/O and analog i/o to choose from... this allow me to use it via my E-MU 1212m ADAT connection, and still have my Lexicon MX400 connected via S/PDIF, so that I keep everything in the digital domain... no analog convertion.
This completes my FX chain in my setup... The E-MU 1212m has a plettora of unique FX as well, and with the way I've set it all up, it is VERY powerful... I record in Audio layers these days, so I can change effects on the fly in my projects, so that they are specific for any sound I want... All synths are connected dry to my RANE mixer, that is routed directly into the 1212m for audio recording... but in 1212m control panel, I can insert any 1212m FX before recording... I can also make an insert that sent the signal out of an output, and then back in (loop like on the FIREWORX)... so I can just route the signal to either Lexicon MX400 or T.C. Fireworx as I see fit... in any serial or parallel configuration I want.
I may even get another FX box if I can find one with unique FX, and connect that to the FIREWORX S/PDIF i/o for inserting into the routing of it... just not sure what that box would be yet.... maybe Kurzweil's Mangler or similar.