Meris LVX, Does it live up to the hype? | Secret Weapons Demo & Review

[@signalpath]

first

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Nailed it

[@robertgalush6469]

@@markjohnstonofficial lol

[@bluelizzard88]

@@markjohnstonofficial if you broke this up into like 2-3 parts would the algorithm get you paid more? Cause I would watch all three. You dive through this stuff super methodically. It’s organized, straightforward, and you always land on USABLE tones. Go for 20-30 minutes then make a part 2. Release all at the same time!

[@Kyle-xk4ke]

Never apologize for the length of your videos....we love your take on pedals and the more info the better

[@sub-jec-tiv]

💯

[@lorrenaelliott161]

I have a Polymoon…. I don’t need to be watching this…. But I am because , well, auto play….. but I stuck around because A: that INTRO = B: your unscripted ability to engage through sheer obvious passion + C:your ridiculously calming voice…. Super unpretentious - many thanks 🙏 super informative and well produced 😊

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I was waiting for your video on this, Mark! Incredible work! This is legitimately my favourite pedal. Something about the workflow and sound just clicks with me unlike anything else I've tried. Also, beautiful intro track!

[@ogmakefirefiregood]

That depends... did the H90 come out this year? Im going with that. It might only have 2 "blocks" but they are the best sounding blocks money can buy. Why not get BOTH PEDALS?! I'm headed to Sweetwater.

[@stefankarlssonice]

Fantastic overview Mark - really well considered - a properly balanced review of the LVX which matches my own experience - highlighting both its strengths and limitations - the Zoia mention is very apt too - I consider both to be table-top studio devices rather than live on-the-fly tweakable stompboxes ...

[@KunchangLeeMusic]

I usually don’t like multi effects pedals - but the LVX is just so good - the U.I. The sounds , the convenience of having every possible sound you need - I run my guitar and synths through it- it’s super inspiring -

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Interestingly I don’t know that I would actually call it a multi effect, but I don’t think I’m correct. It’s absolutely a multi but it feels like it has better focus than that and I deeply appreciate that.

[@benjamincoggins6568]

@@markjohnstonofficial I think it’s better thought of as ‘modular sound builder’ than a ‘multi effects’, which explains the more intuitive, tweakable and focused nature of it. Thanks so much for your amazing rundown!

[@BrockDavisson]

I've been in love with my LVX since day one! Definitely one of the best pedals in years. I love when companies don't make just the same boring tube screamer or lame delay, chorus or something that is just simple and sounds like everything else. I love it when the few step out of the zone and give us something unique and only a few companies do such a thing in this day and age!

[@nj1255]

The first time I tried the Mercury 7 was the moment I understood that writing algorithms can definitely be an artform in itself. The algos Meris makes are just so damn good! Btw, that pedalboard has some mighty fine pedals!

[@Tyrannosaurine]

About 1 in every 3 comments: Hey Mark Could you do(meaning teach me how to get decent sounds out of) _______ (insert a pedal you don’t own, would have to buy, and have no interest in)? Also, can you suggest a pedal that costs under 40 bucks that does what this 500 dollar pedal does but with (insert insane feature that has never been done before). Because if it doesn’t have (insert insane feature that doesn’t exist) then I don’t want it. The pedal this video is about does 500 things, but because it doesn’t do (insert parameter that literally not a single other person in the world would ever want) it sucks. Also, I noticed that this delay pedal brings your loved ones back from the dead, houses the poor, and is a Michelin rated 5 star restaurant but because it doesn’t turn into a 1937 Brass Trumpet, it’s a piece of shit. I’ll never buy a delay pedal that isn’t an 80+ year old brass instrument, because that’s bullshit. Alright. I look forward to that video on how to use an Amazon Basics Tuner with the Typhon mod made by the guy that lives in the blueberry bush behind the 7-11 on Oak Street.

[@Tyrannosaurine]

30 seconds later: Hey Mark. I was wondering if you have finished the video instructional I requested for the Amazon Basics Tuna with Toast and Orange Juice mod I asked for?

[@Tyrannosaurine]

2 minutes later: Hey Mark, Why aren’t you answering me? I was wondering if you could post your phone number and address on here so I can call and talk to you about the Amazon Basics Tuner with Meningitis Mod I’ve been trying to tell you you need to do. If you don’t do the goddamn video NOW, you WILL regret it. Thanks!

[@ThePedalboardOrchestra]

So excited about this video. 🙏👏👏👏👏 I'm just at the beginning to get to know my LVX, but it is already my pedal of 2022 (and more). It sounds awesome, and the user interface is a new level.

[@vvcv__00]

Wowza, what an intro. Very new to ambient guitar work, and it only took two of your songs/pieces to make you a favorite channel/player of mine. Can't wait to see the 3rd, 4th, etc, videos of yours.

[@Hermiel]

The UI seems intuitive enough but I find it strange that there's no software editor given the number of parameters available.

[@SlowToe]

Try this with an electro harmonix mel 9. You won't be disappointed.

[@eanroad]

Love my LVX! Plug and play straight out the box! Love it!

[@SpaceBaloo]

Do you plan on sharing your LVX patches to your patreon members?

[@AmbientEndeavors]

The opening sketch, h*ly heck man.

[@dav3ry]

Are you going to upload your versions of those presets to Patch Storage by chance?

[@jerrycharles66]

Hi Mark, I was watching your great "How I build an Ambient Tone" class and noticed you are actively changing parameter settings during a loop when you add layers. So, it seems like having fairly easy access to parameters via knobs, like with the Polymoon, Enzo, Thermae, etc.,is important to what you're doing. For you personally, do you do you see the LVX as a practical option that could replace, say the Polymoon and Enzo on your board? Or is more of a "one knob per function" system (understanding there are still secondary functions on many of those knobs) too important in your music-making? Maybe a simpler way to ask would have been, is it going to find a permanent spot on your board like the Microcosm?

[@RotoSphere]

The intro song sounds like “Antarctica” by Vangelis.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Not a reference I get but they’re on my list to listen today now.

[@RotoSphere]

Only first melody/theme. Vangelis song is actually called “Theme from Antarctica”.

[@RotoSphere]

I borrowed it unconsciously many years agoo kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpDYpohjr52NjKM

[@cwwmbm]

@@markjohnstonofficial Dude Vangelis is a grandfather of amazing epic synth music. Blade Runner soundtrack is his for example. Definitely give him a listen.

[@bobflemming100]

@@cwwmbmHis “In The City” album is worth a listen too.

[@simon5255]

Awesome video. Can you review the mercury x also?

[@timcrawford9119]

I’ve been waiting for this vid since the LVX dropped! 🙌🏻🔥

[@MaTTheWish]

Mark Johnston 90 minute feature film, coming to a theatre near you. LOL, love it!

[@gambooyt]

Awesome review. All this stuff should be taught in primary school !

[@Cuefrost101]

Seven hours would be fun... Thanks for sharing your passion and heart !!!!

[@shable1436]

Orchestra in a box, sweet. I would like to hear how you incorporate it with your other pedals, or if your just using the looper and midi, and not layering with other crazy pedals

[@markjohnstonofficial]

The intro jam itself does a lot to showcase its use in a greater effect context. All the tracks in that part are making use of the big sky, Gen loss, and drives. The samples portion, for a pedal like this, tends to be a place to strip a lot of that away because there is already so much going on with it.

[@712Jefferson]

Torn between this and a Walrus Sloer to compliment my PRS w/ Quad Cortex, hardware synths and Ableton. Eventually plan to get both but can only afford to pick up one right now. Curious, which would you choose as the more essential pedal to start with? Outstanding videos, by the way! Definitely earned a sub.

[@iosifkalpaktsoglou2045]

Very interesting device but I m still skeptical about it. I feel that like all multi fx devices it will become obsolete in a couple of years, even with software updates. Back in the 90s when most musicians I knew, were selling their, rats,tube screamers,delays, flangers and so on, to purchase the newest multi fx device I just bought individual effects[ mainly analogue, apart from some digital delays and reverbs]. I never regretted this decision. I understand that the lvx is light years ahead from the multi fx I'm talking about,but with the rate technology is advancing and the amount of people developing codes and algorithms I think that I'm better off buying individual pedals and creating my own patches this way. I may be wrong...only time will tell.

[@DaniloShub-u5t]

Walker Patricia Martin Elizabeth Young Brian

[@Telorchid]

Superb demo and review. (Best I’ve seen, frankly.) Can’t wait to try some of these approaches on my incoming LVX.

[@guillecarlos]

You convinced me …. Thank you… my wallet doesn’t thank you 😂😂😂 kidding aside I am super pumped to get this sucker.

[@sons7429]

I’ve had this pedal for a while but this video unlocked some new ideas I hadn’t considered.

[@TimothyMcCary-x1c]

Rodriguez John Walker Jeffrey Walker Michelle

[@orryfishburne5326]

I was very late in trying a Timeline. I got mine in 2020, but im heavily considering buying one of these to use in its place. I love how it can be a simple delay, but also can be soooooooo much more. Im not a fan of menu diving. I never had a problem learning how to deep dive in menus, but in my own experience it takes away from the moment of inspiration, hence why im not a big fan of them, but its GUI looks easy to navigate and definitely worth learning.

[@joshuakincheloe]

I think that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard you create.

[@banwavy]

Think you could do a semi-Deep Dive on just the sequencer? There are no videos on it, at all.

[@FinderFlush-e1p]

White Robert Allen Dorothy Hernandez Lisa

[@xvirgomoonx]

Nice review! Guess I can live on mac n cheese for a little longer.

[@AVCOME]

Hi Mark, can LVX replace TIMELINE and MERCURY X replace BIGSKY because i’m planing to replace my 2 strymon by these 2 MERIS THANKS

[@blakeparadise9998]

Yes

[@aysha_qchannel]

Love the sounds.. How much it costs (usd)? Is there already such an effect in Asian countries? and which countries? thanks.

[@BettyWalker-n3r]

Martin Donna Williams Robert Clark Michael

[@13aphomet]

I just got the LVX and wow, it's f'ing amazing. A little daunting but sooo powerful. Great demo!!

[@SaylaAhamed-x6v]

Young Betty Brown Anna Perez Charles

[@greygardens81]

Your video length is appropriate for a pedal of this magnitude, but damn I just cannot be excited about something that complicated.

[@НастяЩ]

Lewis Mark Martin Helen Wilson Anthony

[@nram3930]

Honestly, I can confidently say that this is not the pedal for me, for what I am trying to achieve with my board, and especially not my budget. However, I was (and rightly so) hyped for the exquisite demos that were surely coming of this beat of a pedal. Between you and Zachary Rizer, I surely got my fill...

[@SG-4u]

Needs a companion app

[@MarcoTorskyj]

What vst plug-in could be compared with the lvx?

[@matteogazzolo1]

This video stands out!! From the amazing intro and beyond.... wow wow oh wow... all sounds are poetry.

[@BeminHania]

Garcia Donald Miller Mary Martinez Timothy

[@docbobster]

You present incredibly technical analyses but you always do so without condescension--like you're assuming that I'm either keeping up, or capable of keeping up, or I'm probably more into a direct intuitive approach and that's absolutely fine, too. Shows that some videos are just worth some extra work.

[@AmandaBeach-h5e]

Smith Jeffrey Perez Gary Lopez Timothy

[@guitarforj76]

Gorgeous! Just picked this up. Thanks for such a great review very thorough but you didn't get crazy and kept my attention. I'd be interested in what settings you have on your Ruby. Thank you!

[@BobGuido]

Thanks for the great video exploration of LVX Mark. And, thanks for going so deep into it. I'm a big fan of Angelo's work. Especially the Echo Park and Mercury 7 pedal and 500 series module. The feature sets are always a great blend of useful and creative. When it comes to digital delays, the number one thing for me is the overall sound quality and sound enhancement level they can add to the sonic picture. For this reason, I lean on the Strymon DIG as my digital delay pedal because I find that it does some very magical things sonically. It creates an extremely wide and spacious stereo image that envelopes you. The way that offset parallel delays sound with the deep modulation applied creates stereo delay magic that no other pedal comes close to sounding as good as. Only my pair of TC 2290 rack units have come close to the sound of the DIG pedal and my Fractal units have not been able to replicate the unique magic of DIG. Mark, can the LVX sound as good as DIG, if setup to do what DIG does best? Can LVX sound as wide? Can LVX's modulation sound as liquid and is the overall sound quality and feel of LVX as immersive and musical as the Strymon DIG?

[@elliotttadanier5971]

So having just gotten the LVX for my birthday, and having had my first proper hour long dive into it with the manual pulled up, I’m pretty into it? My normal litmus test for any “do it all” delay is to try and clone the sound of my Moog MF-104, which is amazing but impractical for so many reasons… and I definitely got in the neighborhood in like 15 minutes. I’m sure I can get closer when I explore the LFO options more. It’s a bit menu divey, but I actually feel like it’s a bit easier to use than either the Microcosm or Echosystem, both of which I’ve used a lot and love. Excited to fiddle with the LVX some more and get it tuned to my taste.

[@anthonyhansen8401]

Beautiful sound. Reminds me of God is an Astronaut.

[@saltstream]

Mark I watched a video earlier today going through all the factory presets and thought Not for me! This has completely changed my mind. Amazing review.

[@JacksonBandons-b5l]

Garcia Sandra Moore Daniel Wilson Amy

[@BANGKOKJUNGLE]

Handy studio tool. But nothing original sound wise…

[@MrKadidle51]

"I don't want this video to be 7 hours long" But what if we do????

[@kylekinney2257]

Can you please upload shallower to the patch share?!!!

[@Adventuresingearland]

Intro sounds like the soundtrack to Blade Runner. Wonderful stuff.

[@Frahmans5081]

I need this to pair with my H90. ❤

[@stuartgodfrey5000]

Damnit, Mark! Now I have to sell a guitar to buy this!

[@runefagereng6023]

Love the looping part. Nice!

[@vinnyguerriero5150]

If not asked or done already, how about an Eventide H90 review?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I’ve never used the h9 or the h90. No real plans to cover it at the moment.

[@jaredparsons4761]

Now this I have been waiting for. I was hoping you would do this soon.

[@ShinyShinyBlack]

This is the first pedal that's caused me to reconsider my ban on menus on my board, so I found your analysis about using it live particularly useful, and ended up wishing this was a piece of rack gear with an app to control it instead....

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Haha I had a years long ban on screens as well. My feeling these days is that a bad screen implementation will ruin your life but a good one will make your life so much better. Something like the big sky or the LVX offers a lot of great in the form of a screen.

[@headaffect]

heya i'm curious - in the edit mode how come you don't have the bubbles?

[@benjamincoggins6568]

He’s in txt mode cos he prefers it to graphical.

[@wjdavey3]

❤️🍀🎵🎶🎸🎵🎶👍🎵🎶🙏🎵🎶❤️😎

[@dewberry3043]

Can you please upload your patches on Patch Storage for LVX? It will be very helpful. Thanks!

[@average5]

Opening song is a banger. Great review.

[@jerryjohnson2421]

amazing like an amazing movie score,,,,,,, I would like that to listen to as I drive or journry through life,,,,,, or on space flights to distant stars...... like the journry of life.....epic,,,,,,huge sound unreal

[@CaidicusProductions]

The thing I hate most about pedals like this, of which I have a few myself, is that they cannot make up for a lack of talent. Videos like yours, the introduction especially, make the pedal seem incredibly amazing. However, once it gets into the hands of someone like me, it can feel disappointing to realize that it'll never sound as good as these amazing videos make it sound. That doesn't take away from how amazing of a pedal it is, nor how amazing your presentation is, for which I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to watch. :D Not a complaint, just an observation.

[@benjamincoggins6568]

Great pedals inspire your creativity, get you playing more, and so ultimately DO make you a better player!

[@andyjordan79]

Better than a strymon?

[@srwaite7]

Great stuff, Mark! Nice to see you using LUNA too 👍🏻🎸🖖🏻

[@markjohnstonofficial]

My main DAW almost since its release. I have a laundry list of gripes about it but I also love it.

[@gerardoramos1167]

How do you like the 2026 compressor Mark?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

It has the magic. I am a huge fan of it and can’t wait for the new iteration.

[@blakeparadise9998]

Hey mark! Would love your presets man! Any chance you could upload them? Your “straight ahead” presets sound great!

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Dang dude, you’re my favorite guitar KZbinr. Very dig your sounds. Also, your taste in guitars! 😂 heck yeah 🤘

[@adde65]

The comparison with Microcosm is interesting. LVX definitely strikes me as a much more daunting pedal despite offering ridiculous amounts of control (or maybe because of it). With the MC, I was using it on a gig a week after getting it - there are a lot of settings that just sound good almost no matter what you do, and are easy to tweak live.

[@funkyfurballs1078]

I would need a Sherpa to guide me through the LVX... Will the looper work on a pass through signal or is it locked to the pedal?

[@Art_by_Graves]

Vinyl strings and your Dark Strings settings are absolutely stunning! Sounds Ive had in my head forever! Question though. Can Vinyl Strings be created without downloading the patch? Thanks for another killer video, Cheers!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Yeah everything in any given preset on this is just a product of the tools built into the LVX.

[@Art_by_Graves]

Thank you, very exciting info

[@yacula-originalguitaronlya1858]

Mate, outstanding job! Ordered my LXV today. You are one of the strongest contributors to my decision to purchase this unit 😉. Thanks, and keep going doing an excellent job! Thumbs up and subsribed to your channel.

[@youtubesux6361]

I like how you kept changing guitars. Is that to prove to your wife you need them all. Lol

[@jerryjohnson2421]

informative impressed,,,,,,,how does this cpmare to big sky or the stry,oms .....

[@Zeropadd]

❤️💛💙💜💚

[@mathmusicstructure]

I hate screens. Thanks for the very thorough video though I appreciate it!

[@IDontTalkToCops]

Dude that intro song was fucking epic. Beautiful song writing. ❤

[@chrisfortson8495]

Hey great video - I was thinking about getting this for a live setting. Couldn’t we create presets and access them through a foot switch instead of creating each effect from the ground up every time we want a different effect? I hope that question makes sense. Thanks for your video man!

[@markchristianson31]

it doesn't have a ton of user slots, but you can definitely do that- I am.

[@chrisfortson8495]

@@markchristianson31 Thanks!

[@eweystewy]

Can the looper be quantised to a midi clock? Like if I tap REC before the end of a bar will it start instantly or wait until the next bar?

[@robertclarkguitar]

I'm poor but I love Valhalla super massive !!

[@atlantawestside2169]

Mark, have you found an easy way to upload presets from Patchstorage?

[@dbottiaux88]

Intro sold me on subscribing and buying the pedal lol. Well done.

[@markchristianson31]

dang it, now I'm going to have to figure out how to DL presets on this thing. Love that filter swell tone. Do you know where I left my midi/USB adapter?

[@bsbazzman]

it was this video that sold me on getting one. I finally got it and now I can't wait to use this vid for inspiration

[@mattrodriguez2517]

Mark, do you know if the Meris LVX or any of the other Meris pedals can replace what the EHX POG2 does with 1+ Octave, 2+ Octave, 1- Octave, 2- Octave, a Mix control, and just as important, a Low-Pass Filter control? I actually have the EHX Nano POG on my board which does not have an LP Filter control. I usually run it before my overdrive section. I have been hunting for a MIDI-enabled POG2 alternative and was curious if you know of any of the Meris pedals (or any other pedal in that regard) that can replace what the POG2 does. I would want to use it to beef up lead lines with an upper octave, and then for ambient tones (i.e. swells, drones, etc.). Thoughts?

[@benjamincoggins6568]

The EHX HOG 2 is what you are looking for, I believe. It’s like a POG2 that graduated with a PhD in quantum engineering. Not cheap but worth every cent (buy it used!) with full midi implementation. It’s a crazy box, and endlessly inspiring. It’s huge and expensive though, but there’s nothing else like it!

[@tarkus3004]

How about a comparison to the H90, anyone?

[@cardboardmusic]

I've been hesitating over the Microcosm Hologram. But seeing this, it's difficult to decide which would be the better option? Naturally, I see the LVX is more expensive, however, would it be fair to say this is a (sort of) programmable Hologram?

[@John-e4p1x]

Yep.

[@rikkousa]

You never cease to amaze me Mark. Terrific Tune. Should be en epic ending of a movie--think: Fight Club…

[@csharp57]

I’m trying to decide between this and the H90

[@jimmyrigs]

This is the best review, demo, walkthrough, of this pedal that I have seen. Good work