Nux MG-50Li: Flagship Multi-Effect with DeepImage Modeling Technology
The new budget multi-effect king?
News from the world of budget multi-effect amp-modelers! Alongside Harley Benton, Hotone, Headrush, and Positive Grid, Nux is one of the most popular manufacturers in this category. With the MG-50Li, the company is introducing a multi-effect packed with features that models amps even more realistically, thanks to newly developed modeling technology.
What features does the MG-50Li offer?
When it comes to distinguishing between different products, things can get a bit confusing in Nux’s MG series. There’s the tiny MG-101*, the super popular MG-30*, the more streamlined MG-300 MKII*, and then the slightly larger MG-400*, which is actually smaller than the MG-30. Based on the naming convention, you’d expect the larger numbers, like 30 and 300, to come with more features, not fewer, right?
The new MG-50Li is intended to be the flagship model of the MG series. Visually speaking (but also in terms of the sheer number of features), Nux new multi-effect seems to takle aim at the Helix family. The centerpiece of the pedal is the five-inch color display, with five knobs for effect settings below it and additional knobs and buttons for navigation.
96 presets with complete rigs are included, plus an additional 201 memory slots for user effect chains. Processing and conversion are handled at 48 kHz / 32-bit with a minimum latency of 3 ms.
You select and switch presets using the four footswitches at the bottom; above them, there are two separate dedicated footswitches for switching preset banks. No additional long presses, no footswitch dance, pretty useful!
What does the DeepImage Modeling Technology in the MG-50Li Offer?
A fully equipped floorboard like the MG-50Li naturally also offers high-quality amp models. This multi-effect features two technologies. First, there’s the “White Box Physical Modeling Algorithm,” also known as “TS/AC-4K Amp Modeling.” This technology is already found in the other Nux models like the Amp Academy Stomp, but here, Nux has apparently doubled the level of detail. It includes 28 amp models, ranging from classic Fender amps to Rectifiers and Plexis.
What’s new is the so-called “DeepImage” modeling technology. With it, you can not only create your own amp profiles (or those from your guitar-playing friends), but DeepImage also comes with 30 amp models. In addition, there’s an IR loader called “Cyber IR,” featuring 42 preloaded impulse responses and space for 60 more.
As for effects, each preset offers up to 14 effect slots, including noise gate, compressor, wah, modulation, reverb, delay, and more. The effects can be arranged in a simple chain, but also set in two parallel signal paths. You can even frequency-split the signal to create effect chains to process different frequency ranges separately. Awesome!
What I/O does the MG-50Li Offer?
As far as connections go (all on the back), the MG-50Li is well-equipped. There are two FX loops for inserting additional pedals, plus a stereo output to your amp(s), a pair of XLR outputs (with an optional ground lift) to the PA, an Aux-In for connecting your phone or tablet for backing tracks, and a mini-jack headphone output.
The MG-50Li also offers MIDI functionality, with one input and one output via mini-jack. The multi-effect also comes with two USB-C ports. One is to connect the floorboard to your computer for firmware updates and to use it as an audio interface. The second port is meant exclusively for the included Bluetooth module. This allows you to control the multi-effects unit via smartphone using Nux’s dedicated app.
And finally (the Li in the product name might have given it away), the MG-50Li comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to five hours on a single charge.
How much does the Nux MG-50Li cost?
By Nux standards, the MG-50Li is not cheap at €419. But the number of features and sound quality it offers is a strong statement against multi-effects from direct competitors like Hotone, Valeton, and Headrush.
You can order the black version* and the white version* from Thomann now. The multi-effects unit will be available in eight to ten weeks.
More on the New Pedal from Nux
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