Mooer GE150 Max Amp Modeling

Verdict:

This device feels like it covers the absolute basics of what you need. There's nothing exceptional and no way to really go beyond what the device already offers you. Don't expect to be able to easily add additional amp models and don't expect being able to use NAM files. It does not replace the need for a Wah pedal. Overall, I feel like I should have spent more money and gone for a different device.

The Good

Overall, the provided amount of options and the 4 preset switches allow for quite some flexibility away from your computer. The device is somewhat easy to use and should cover most of the basic use cases. It also works fine on Linux if you are looking to use it as an audio interface.

The Bad:

The Manual/UX: This device does not come with a manual. It's not easy to find through search engines and even when finally finding the PDF, it's very superficial. Many things are not explained and not obvious (Wah setup, uploading additional amp models). You need to really sit down for multiple hours and figure out how this device works, it's not plug and play.

Charging Cable: No type C usb cable makes this a pain to replace the charger.

Presets: There are 200 presets that can be cycled through with 2 buttons: they move a 4 preset window which requires a second selection with the A-D buttons on the bottom row, meaning that whatever you are going to play on stage will need to fit into those 4 buttons. There is no way to move these presets on the device! You need the software for that. Most of the presets lack a Noisegate and fine tuning, meaning you will need to dig into it before you can use it seriously. Think of them more as an example of how to set up your own presets.

Wah Pedal: Very, very confusing to set up. Existing Wah effects don't sound great. Using the Wah pedal locks you out of other effects. The foot switch to activate it is especially painful since it requires way to much pressure initially to turn it on (calibrate that first!).

Tap button: the upper right button is used to set the tempo by stepping on it which is very imprecise and constantly blinks in the selected tempo. There's no way to turn it off.

Software: Out of the box, this device works just fine as an audio interface on Linux, but the software doesn't, but that does not really change much. The software itself basically does the same thing that the device does, except for the following:

* Uploading new amp models
* Downloading/Uploading your presets

Swapping presets is not possible without downloading the ones you want to switch onto your computer first, then deleting them and uploading both at the desired locations. Out of the box, there are no free slots.

There supposedly are additional amp models that you can download from their incredibly slow website, but I haven't really found more than a handful and they are locked behind a login only accessible to customers (requires serial number). They advertise NAM support but that is implemented through a conversion script to their own format which people do not like (lossy conversion). I couldn't verify that because it never really worked for me (failed with exceptions). If you manage to upload amps, you only have space for a couple more (around 20?)

If you buy this device hoping to have access to a wide array of sounds that aren't shipped on the device, don't bother.