We Try The Cheapest Guitar FX - And Its GREAT!

In today's video Paul from The Studio Rats is joined by Lee Abraham to try the LEKATO CUBE BABY Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal 8 IR Cabinets Simulation Delay Chorus Phaser.
This inexpensive pedal is available on ebay for around £30 and Amazon for around £50. It is the cheapest guitar multi fx you can buy, but is it any good?
About this item
Supports Third Party IR Files Cube Baby Guitar Multi Effects support 8 third-party IR files, so if you want to cover the original IR file, use the USB cable that comes with the product to import the third-party IR box simulation file. Please download the software "Cube-Suite" from LEKATO official website.
Built-in Battery This Mini guitar effects pedal has a built-in battery and supports charging by a power bank or mobile phone adapter. It takes 2 Hours to fully charge one time, and can work 6-8 Hours. It supports Charging and Working at the same time
3.5mm Headphone Output The multi effects equiped with a 3.5mm Headphone Jack Output for more clear listening and monitoring, convenient for daily practice without disturbing family members and neighbors..PC/Phone Recording Guitar combined effects pedal supports music playback via Bluetooth function, convenient to playing the accompaniment; It also can record to PC or Mobile phone (cable included) for your daily practice.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@Superjet113]

The digital stuff just keeps getting better and cheaper.. Great review guys. The Studio Rats RULE!

[@michaelflagulant]

it helps to create cheap stuff when you have SLAVES in china chained to tables working factories and hooked on drugs. average 12 hours days, 7 days a week with no way out ever. i feel bad buying this stuff but i also know that it would continue without me. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@monmixer]

That Cube is probably ok for the price that reverb is nowhere close to a good stomp box and nor is the Chorus.

[@davidmcquillan4754]

My son would have a blast with this. Think I’ll get one for him. Won’t tell him the price, let him think it’s expensive 🎸🎸

[@kcfreakster1]

I think Paul can make anything sound amazing. Awesome review, which is the standard for the Studio Rats!

[@zazoomatt]

You RAT-ED this right out into the Crowd did you ! Great Job MEN. Hats are OFF. thank YOU BOTH.

[@EasyHeat]

Absolutely brilliant! Getting one ASAP!

[@JoshuaMilrad]

Just ordered one. You guys are a great team. Cheers from WAY across the pond in Cali!

[@AllanGildea]

Lovely playing, Paul and Lee! Fab stuff. 35 knicker?????? Wow!

[@adairo16]

Love that! I used mainly for practice songs through Bluetooth with my cellphone and sometimes to record some videos with my cellphone camera. I plug my hx stomp to input on bypass mode.

[@paulcopemusic108]

Thanks Paul, great demo and lovely playing

[@douglasnewman4163]

After watching a bunch of YT vids yesterday, I *RUSHED* to purchase one of these ”Cube Babies"!! How could I miss with it?? You simply can’t, for the little money spent! And, I’m also here to say, I love The Studio Rats vids!! Great stuff!

[@88namiller]

I've been using this pedal for a few months now. If you take the time to load in IR's that match the amp models then you can get pretty good results. I've used it for recording on my own little projects. Playing live I've used it as a direct amp moddler as well as just an IR loader along with a JOYO AC tone. I've been pretty happy with the results. My only complaint is that there is a noticeable sound dropout when you change patches or turn an effect on and off. But for that price I can live with that. If you pair this with a cheap overdrive and a cheap distortion pedal, you can make a poor man's fly rig 5. And it can be totally battery powered! Just make sure you set the volume of the IR's close to the bypass volume so you can have your presets volume matched.

[@pipipermusic]

I keep hearing this unit is fairly noisy, do you find it so and if you do what gate do you use ?

[@sroelit]

Love the outro, where you’re playing multi-thousand dollar Suhrs through a multi-effects unit cheaper than the tremolo arm on the guitar.

[@plotin2009]

Excellent review, guys! Thx for saving me bucks $$… 👍👍👍👍

[@TheStudioRats]

Happy to help

[@brendanflaherty6696]

This is my break-glass-in-case-of-emergency gig-saver device. I don’t go to a gig or even a rehearsal without it. I’ve also found it to be an incredibly handy practice tool… the rechargeable battery and Bluetooth connectivity see to that. The fact that it is (at least in theory, I haven’t tried the software) an IR loader too? Crazy, crazy value.

[@sebs.989]

what you played at the beginning...just super good

[@Stefan-]

I think this sounds much better than a lot of sounds from modelers that i have heard surpricingly, i would totally at least use it as a backup. The reverb was pretty bad but probably usable if its not used loud in the mix.

[@LiveToPlayGuitar]

I could see myself using this on my desktop Daw and for practice but that’s about it…I have very little faith in the build quality of these “affordable knockoffs” while gigging…as always another great demo video from you guys! Thanks! 🎸🔊🎶🤘✌️♥️🤟

[@Docksidestudio1]

It’s made out of steel and built like a tank

[@chriscromelin413]

I watched several videos about this pedal and I just ordered one off of Temu for $35.00 US. I'm not a big effects guy. I use a touch of reverb and Chorus for my clean tone, That same clean tone with delay for one song, and a good Marshall sounding distortion.

[@rockingstar3534]

People often go for brand. This pedal is one of my favourite. Cheap and it gives good tone. The distortion effect out of the box is very usable for rock rhythm part. Pair with a nice booster or overdrive pedal and you can get a nice lead tone. This is definitely worth buying.

[@paultaylor2968]

Lee that riffage was ace.

[@LuchoFerro]

I like this series, keep it coming. Just for fun, it will not replace my GT-1000 😂🎉

[@orionktulu]

As well as also being an audio interface, the preamps make great boosts when used as such. Just turn the tone and gain down. It would be super easy to make a corrective EQ IR to put in it, too.

[@hollywoodactress]

Great to see Lee again. Through my headphones, the pedal sounds great . Tech is getting better every day. To Lee when you next on the live studio rats stream and are you still using the GT1 and jet guitars for your gigs ?

[@6969jezabel]

I own one. It solved a problem for minimal cash. I run it through the effect loop of the trio plus. Now I can loop different patches.

[@benzuckerman]

Good review. Think I'll buy one. Not risking much.....

[@TheOfficialManuelBurnett]

MAN! those drive tones are incredible! This would absolutely work as part of a budget flyrig I’m building. I might run this into an hd500x or m13 for post fx (probably the hd for the stereo balanced outs)…Might even experiment with Ownhammer IR’s if possible!

[@minkorrh]

Trying to do the same but portable as in a small stereo practice amp without the $350 price tag. I have the actual solid state 30W amp board which I can mount into a small cab with a pair of 5" speakers....kind of like the Spark amp or the latest Mooer SD30i but for less than half the price. I just want to know if the headphone output is stereo because if it isn't then this won't work for me. I also have an HD500x and could just use that I suppose but it's the form of the Lekato being so small.

[@otter5555]

i just got one and it really, really sounds good. it will never replace my kemper-tonex-etc, but it stands on it's own . the gain and clean sounds are very good ...just don't overdo the fx.

[@ianbrown5486]

Some of them tones are great i would like one

[@scottg8660]

I have one going through a joyo zombie , 1x12 and it sounds great.

[@sunnytaufiq07]

Got myself 2 of this Cute Baby. One at my garage & in my room too. Small & compact plus built-in rechargeable batt make this a great easy going pedal. It's maybe a cheap china gadget but it sure makes a lot of noise...

[@DisruptedSinner]

After watching this, I just went and bought one online for $55.56 Canadian shipped. 🎸🧡 Going to also try it with my Katana MKII-100

[@borzas]

I've had one for quite a while now, it is pretty great. We rehearse with headphones on, with electronic drums, for that it is perfect, for making recordings as well. I once tried it through a PA in our previous rehearsal space, it got a bit lost in deed, as you guys supspected, so I stopped trying, that's not why I bought it anyway.

[@deanrobertnoble138]

I have the Valeton Dapper mini which is pretty much the same thing. Like Sonic cake and many others, they are all very similar. Probably all use the same DSP. The Dapper is awesome. £50 and it is a really good, capable sounding multi FX. All i need into my Blues Cube Artist.

[@hanovergreen4091]

I use a Valeton GP-100 as a backup stuffed in my gig bag. This is 4x cheaper than that and sounds as good or better. Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@iurigrang]

If you know what you’re doing with EQ on a PC, you can bake that into an IR, and put that into the pedal. It’s an annoying way to EQ, but you can for sure make it work live that way. Compressor is honestly the most sad omision, especially for clean tones, it could do wonders. The quality of the reverb is also a shame, and the fact that it has only 3 presets is a bummer. But honestly, I think they nailed the core of it. Decent enough drives, IR loading is just insane, good delay, has reverb, phaser and chorus for if you truly need it, and it’s so small, it fits nicely in the guitar bag itself. For sure my main rehearsal pedal moving forward

[@circleVI]

was not expecting THAT sheesh

[@keithboddy]

This dood got me to buy a Jet guitar to try out... Now I might have to hunt this pedal down.. heheh

[@Davefranzin]

OK Paul you would also make Hello Kitty's guitar sound good... but I also have the same multi effect... in Italy they sell a similar one but with 8 selected and of quality IR loaded. and believe me it sounds even better ... ideal for study and playing in the hotel with headphones and to keep in the guitar case as a spare.

[@topavelka]

I have two. First is cca 3 years old . . . new one is cca 1/2 year old. The older one has automatic NOISE GATE, the new one has not. Exact same like LEKATO :-) but name is the Cube Baby. Bluetooth works, battery has long durability. Reverb is relatively good, delay im not using, chorus+phaser . . .both is bad. Amp types - good. IRs - good. Very small ALL in one solution :-) and its in metal house :-) good for practice . . .

[@RameshRamloll]

Hey, I have a question, when charging the Cube Baby, how do we know when charging is completed? Does the red light turn green or turn off? or does it blink when battery is low? I could not find any information.

[@matthewstearle7395]

Hi,Just bought a Boss GX100 and finding it complicated,would a few pedals be better,the Boss sounds great but its confusing to me,thanks.

[@bf2err]

I have one. The high end buzz makes it unusable for anything but practice. I'm surprised you didnt mention it

[@BS-gj5ot]

The cheap stuff keeps getting better and better. Won''t be much longer until you can't hear the difference between this and the pricey stuff. Will be interesting to see how stuff like this will impact the fancy-dancy stuff.

[@gavincrispin1436]

cheaper on temu and called the cube baby wave,love the bluetooth function as well. for 35 bucks a lot of fun.

[@MRxr400]

well, i think it sound amazing. I'd gig with it with a back up or as a back up. but mostly, great little practice tool.

[@TheStudioRats]

Agreed

[@user-zh1wt9pg6r]

@@TheStudioRats Hello! Please tell me: *a.* What length cable do you connect from LECATO to the guitar? *b.* What length cable do you connect from LECATO to the audio card? I *want to do like you.* *Thanks for answers.*

[@ogmakefirefiregood]

I have one of those duct taped to the back of my 56 Les Paul.

[@nicksantus5307]

apparently if u wish to change the rev, chorus, etc you need to do it in the software

[@12vessels]

I got one and it’s going to Rwanda with me this summer.

[@TheStudioRats]

Enjoy

[@craigsmith9456]

£35 multi effects.... £million playing!!! great video

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks.

[@swervature]

I'm 52. $100 is a lot of money to me mow, lol. Let alone as a teen. Great video, guys.

[@FrankFurther]

£35 is about $50

[@jasoncookston]

At 13:00 it sounds great!

[@bennobassosaurus7078]

Great review guys, Just picked up the bass version for $6 on Temu ❤ but unfortunately no bass reviews as good as this. Bravo

[@TheStudioRats]

$6 wow

[@james9789]

6 dollars ...they seen you coming

[@bennobassosaurus7078]

@@james9789 The product arrived early and is SUPER handy. So how did they see me coming? Keep your baseless comments to yourself.

[@james9789]

@@bennobassosaurus7078 calm down please .....it was meant to be a warm hearted joke because you got it at an extremely low price

[@bennobassosaurus7078]

@@james9789 apologies then bro, it's pretty easy to get comment triggered these days 😂 so many keyboard warriors! Peace ✌️

[@Mcgiver699]

You forgot to mention that the unit is an audio interface too, plus the battery lasts up to 6 hours and it is rechargeable.

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

It sounds only as good as the playing..you guys make these bits of gear all sound good 🎸🔥.but it's getting to the point where you could record full on product with these new amps...It's a Great time to play music

[@Mcgiver699]

@@alchemysticgoldmind4164 indeed, their latest is a bigger version of this tiny pedal that competes with the SansAmp Flyrig. Like you said, it's a great time to make music

[@basicforge]

I'm not sure why he said it would get lost in the mix used live. How so?

[@marcinzienkiewicz4427]

I agreez it's fun, but there's a problem with mine. Sometimes, when i turn it off, it just wont turn on for some time:/// it happened to me twice during band rehesal, first time probably due to low power level, but second time i just don't know why did it happened:/ So fun thing for home, maybe not the greatest for rehesals

[@gwugluud]

I'm stunned with the sound quality of inexpensive gear as of late. I ordered a $20 "Movall JFET High Gain" from Temu, just randomly. Once received, it proved to be one of the best dirt boxes I've ever heard. It's two distortion modes in one stomp, even. And my cheap digital "Flamma FX 100" sounds...Better..? Than my Line 6? In some ways. The amp models which have high gain available do this uncanny thing which made my really cheap Glarry strat copy with weedy single coils, sound like I was playing a git which had hot humbuckers. It seems to be part of the algorithm. Unless I'm just wrong in the head, lol? But I could swear it does. I've now collected a few more various efx and dirt stompboxes from them, and none so far have been disappointing. I'm this close to declaring that Temu and their like are "revolutionary" or something. Man, the devs in China have done thorough homework. I'll try to shut up now, lol. Nice demo, helpful and informative; thx for posting this. Greets from Texas.

[@alexforget]

The IR/Amps sound great. Make me sad that zoom didn't do something like this in their lines of affordable product. They have awesome system for effect config, the screen, the button, way better navigation and configuration but anemic IR

[@ZeginMakesMusic]

With this pedal, sit at the beginning or the end of my chain. I use a busking PA.

[@Margilio5150]

I love mine (Re branded as CUVAVE) but I just don’t recommend using the presets live 😅 but you can put an OD in front of it and yeah, it can rip 😎

[@2Xboti]

I use it as a standalone monitor :P ... a split before the last chain of my pedalboard...one to the amp and another to this pedal, and there you go.... standalone monitor mix to your guitar :P

[@rjlupin96]

​@@2Xboti hows that

[@Amazon10101]

How do u record it????

[@cocolisito]

Fantastic video.... how does it works with Boss Katana Amps ? IRs, effects, ...

[@user-sn3ch4mt4i]

Can you crank it up? The most common question we ask 😊

[@timothy5974]

Nice to be a guitarist today, I have an iPad that’s lightening. Will this connect via lightening or the new usb c cable.

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Tim, it’s just mini USB

[@modscientist9793]

Try the Flamma fx10

[@casim8842]

I bought one. Plugged into your favourite combo, or into headphones, not great. Reverb is VERY noisy, unusable. Drive and cab IR tones are nice and varied. FX are usable but basic. But last resort plug-n-play? £30, yep! Happy purchase.

[@cristianmazzotta]

Donde esta enchufada. Por favor ayúdame

[@monmixer]

The Cube Baby sells on Temu for 35.00

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Have you ever reviewed the Mooer GE300?

[@TheStudioRats]

I haven’t I’m afraid.

[@soonerscooter3249]

What Amp are you running this into?

[@Docksidestudio1]

We’re not. You’re hearing it direct

[@Maturin500]

Can pay another £5 and get my own Lee to tweak the knobs for me?

[@minkorrh]

Is the headphone output in stereo?

[@TheStudioRats]

no

[@toneydavis9802]

I dont know why anyone is surprised. What is surprising is that people will pay huge money for a pedal that might be a fraction better in some way or have a nice graphic or have the cable and power plug ins in the desiresd location. Paying hundreds for a pedal is madness.....I am now finding out:)

[@juliusbeljera1991]

Is it direct to daw or an interface?

[@TheStudioRats]

It’s plugged into an interface

[@Adventuresingearland]

Sounds tasty enough for the money doesn’t it!

[@TheStudioRats]

It does Greegoor

[@Docksidestudio1]

Hmmmmm that is a tasty burger!

[@kevinmyles6369]

This product is nuts eh. I'd buy it alone for the IR-loader for that great price if the rest sucked holy cwap

[@orionktulu]

It's also probably the cheapest audio interface you can get. That's mostly what I use mine for.

[@TheStudioRats]

I didn’t realise you can use it as an interface. Great tip thanks.

[@douglasnewman4163]

But here’s the thing… Isn’t the kind of sound coming out of this device. what perhaps MOST young rockers are looking for??? Well, it is for THIS 74 year old rocker!! Haw haw haw!!

[@user-ho4lc7eo3y]

This thing has 5 volts. Are you sure all those sounds really came from this device?🙂

[@modscientist9793]

Donner arena 2000

[@mr.timebombman2230]

So what is this like 50 bucks USD?

[@FrankFurther]

Yes

[@giancarlomartinez5630]

I don't understand how it would get lost in a full mix when it has all the midrange needed to cut through.

[@ksharpe10]

I think you can retire the matchless independence now. ???

[@twentydollarwedding]

Why don’t you use a clean sound so you can hear the effects? It’s all about distorted guitars with you guys!! 😅

[@kens.5095]

Even funky, weird, cheesy sounds can be useful, eh?

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

"I don't know how they do it" You need to see the bigger picture. They get valuable currency, they get industrial activity. 'We' end up unemployed, they buy the resources like gas and oil, so 'we' have to pay more for our energy. In the end we're off far more expensive than we think. Even more so because the affordable gadgets we buy are mainly dopamine stimulating 'kicks'; we need new stimulants everyday, so keep buying stuff, and the things we buy end up unused, in thrift shops or in the garbage can. In the end we pay more for having, for instance guitar effects by buying cheap stuff than by buying good stuff. It's not about how they can make it so cheap (local wages, lack of, for instance, environmental regulation, health and safety, human rights etc) but why they sell it so cheap. It's about creating economic power (like EU/Brexit is).

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

And one of the main causes it's so hot these days is the amount of huge bulk containers ships cruising the oceans to get all this stuff over here, as well as all the cardboard and vans used to deliver them.

[@AndyDrudy]

On these product reviews across KZbin one thing is becoming obvious to me. The piece of gear only ever sounds as good as the player reviewing it. Frankly Paul could plug into a washing machine and make it sound amazing and have us all running down Curry's to plug one into our pedal board. If this video proves one thing its that Paul can make a piece of cheap rubbish sound amazing! I think I'll be keeping my cash and NOT buying this thing.

[@matthewedwards1089]

Sounds awful. Give me one decent pedal for that money.

[@TheStudioRats]

I think that’s the point, what individual pedal can you buy for £35.

[@riffmondo9733]

@@TheStudioRats Exactly.

[@V081WLBlue]

WTF is an IR? Also can't find it on ebay!

[@TheStudioRats]

Only available on Ali express

[@FrankFurther]

Is available on amazon. I don't know what ir stands for either but means you can load your own presets onto it