Nux MG-30

Current latest firmware: 2.5.06
Buyer be aware -- update your firmware as soon as you get the unit. If you make your own effects and then update the firmware, unit resets to stock effects.

NUX recommends you use the QuickTone editor app to backup your effects before updating firmware. However, my (and many others) QuickTone app could not recognize the MG-30 until I updated the firmware. So it was a catch 22 and I lost the 1 effect I had fine-tuned (not a huge pain, thankfully)

Pros:
+ FX Loop for 4-cable method for cheap -- I think the next MultiFX with a Loop is 50% more expensive
+ USB C, welcome to the future
+ This thing has an Uberschall, which sounds pretty convincing, and a Diezel, which sounds pretty crushing
+ Stock IRs are OK -- you can definitely dial in something fun and popping
+ Accepts 3rs party IR -- I already have my favorite IR on this thing and I am happy

Cons:
- Can NOT split L / R to have IRs on one end and off on the other (to connect to amp and line out separately). I wish they would add it with firmware -- if you need that, follow dev updates, I guess. The NUX Cerberus has this, come on :(
- Using it in the FX loop with 4-cable method degrades the sound a little bit. Steals high-end sparkle and adds a small upper-midrange hump. Forgiven, due to price, but beware if you want pristine signal!
- Can only load one IR at a time! Yes, when you are using the QuickTone app, you can set up a full library of about 20 IRs, but once you disconnect the NUX MG-30, it is left with the last custom IR you were using! Not a huge deal -- you are likely to pick the one IR you like best for playing live with. But, it does feel a bit stingy.
- As an interface -- I am not super-happy with the latency
- As an interface -- can't get true stereo, it seems the unit only goes to stereo for rotary effects
- As an interface -- Not enough options for USB and signal mix. I wanted this to double as an interface for my iPad (samples) as well as an FX unit on stage. However, USB signal mixing options don't allow for this. Can't be too mad at this price point! I was pushing my luck.
- I am worried how long those directional knobs will last
- Tiny wah pedal is uncomfortable for precise swells

I ended up returning this as it doesn’t meet my demands for live performance. It’ll do great for a starting musician or someone who plays mostly at home.

I am quite confused that NUX let the "youtuber presets" pass QC, if there was any type of QC?

The majority of the presets sounded so bad that I honestly thought my unit was broken. I was gonna contact Thomann after the weekend and request a return.
After that I decided to try and build some patches myself and imported some that I found in a Facebook group.
To my surprise the unit wasn't broken at all and the patches from Facebook were way better than the default ones.

So if you buy this and you think it sounds like crap... Try and import some patches or build your own. You might be surprised.

I have kept my unit and I'm happy with the sounds now when I started removing almost all the default patches. It as a lot of potential but you need to be willing to invest some time into building patches or finding other ppls patches to import. Also custom IR's make quite a big difference so I recommend trying those too.

This is an amazing effects unit!
I have used and played with several effects units but none had the sound quality this NUX MG-30 delivers. I didn't even need the manual to get around with this unit. It's that simple.

The amp modeling is next level. You can choose from 25 different amps which is less than most other units but the quality is spot on. The definition and dynamics of your playing are so well presented.
I used a clean deluxe amp combined with the T Screamer style overdrive and could get such a warm creamy sound out of it. Also the Morning drive impressed me and the AC30 amp gets so close to the real thing too.
It even has 3 bass amps and 2 accoustic amps. I didn't try those so I don't know how good these are.
The reverbs and delays have a realistic sound and the chorus did very well too. The Shimmer reverb sounds so beautiful.

The problem with multi effects for gigging I faced in the past is that it's difficult to switch sounds in the middle of the song as you need to go patches up and down which is complicated. But NUX added an extra foot switch. So I dialed in a clean sound with reverb and a compressor as my base patch sound. During the song I could engage and disengage 3 other effects like overdrive, echo or phazer. (2 on the external foot switch and 1 on the pedal board) This makes this unit so versatile.
There is also a very clear tuner integrated which lights up so even on a dark stage you can easily tune your guitar. This seems such a small thing but it makes a huge difference when playing live.

For practicing there is also a looper of 60 seconds and a drum machine. A lot of multi effects have this these days but almost non of them let you access the drums and looper in 1 screen. I could activate the drums with 1 foot switch and loop with the other. It looks so easy and this makes this unit even more complete. Also if you are doing gigs alone or with just another person and you want to spice up your songs with rhythm and layer some loops and bass lines.
After 1 week using it I am so excited bout this unit already and still I feel like I only scratched the surface of what this thing can do.

I never thought I would say this but this unit will probably replace my amp and effects.