Multi-Fx Rack/pedal for 80s metal.

[jgcable]

SGX2000, GSP2101 for rack equipment. Boss GT-8 or POD XT Live for the floor.
Personally, right out of the box the GT-8 does metal really good.
I also had an SGX2000 and it was great. YOu need a midi controller for it though if you want to use it live.

[Soap]

I also had an SGX2000 and it was great. YOu need a midi controller for it though if you want to use it live.

That was the hardest thing to figure out - learning how to use the X-15 midi floor controller.
It was rightly frustrating to me to get handle on the basic use of it.

It was on a weekend the wife was away (Friday - Sunday) and it took all Friday evening and part of Saturday to learn that thing and I still don't use all of what it's capable of doing.

If you except the default pre-programed effects/setting your good to go.
Which there are plenty to choose from and go with and that's a good thing.

However, configuring and creating your own effects takes alot of time BUT it sooooooo worth it once you do. Creating an acceptable VH1 and VH2 tone that took some tweaking and alot of patience and time. Creating an acceptable VH1 tone was easier than the VH2 tone.

Again, a great piece of rack gear and when you have a good one you have a jewel.

[Inazone]

I'm a big fan of the ART DST-4. The effects are more limited than on some of the other ART units, but the preamp itself is awesome and has a great EQ. I use mine for more of a melodic death metal style, but did some guest solos for a "traditional heavy metal" band (described themselves as Metal Church type of sound) and it fit the Marshall vibe they wanted with ease. It can be operated via MIDI or just a two-button footswitch.

[damon1]

Iv'e had the digitech gsp-21 legend and didnt care for it. They are dirt cheap but hated the distortion. also had the gsp1101 and it was like a previous post said, sterile sounding to me but i have heard really good clips on youtube of it so it could have been me not tweaking it right. The line6 pod xt was great for me. If you dont like the bean go with the live model or the rackmount. Couple others to mention that I have never used but heard good clips from are the rocktron preamps. The prophecy, voodoo valve and chameleon should give you the sound your looking for. Another is the Sansamp psa-1. Worth looking into. Hard to beat the line6 stuff for the price though. I do think the rocktron preamps would sound better in a live situation though.

[straycat]

I have to say Rocktron rack units are really cheap right now and for OD and hush they do a great job.Look for a G.A.P. or Maxe rack unit.They have great 80's metal OD and you can tweak all you want to get your sound.
The multi verb you mentioned is great for delay and chorus but has no OD.
You can't beat the Line 6 pod XT for the price.
Look for a Johnson J station those are cheap now as well and the rectifier setting is killer.British stack is awesome too.