Do you want a modeler that fits into your backpack and is well built, but also sounds great and offers great functionality both for studio and live use? The NUX MG-30 that and much more for under 300€.
Disclaimer: NUX MG-30 was provided to me by NUX. However, the company has no say on the things I mention in the video, nor do they get to see the video/post before it is published.
Highlights
- Pro-Level Amp Modeling with Bias Tweaking.
- 11 Independent moveable signal blocks with optional parallel post-efx routing.
- 4″ large colorful LCD with intuitive UI.
- 1024 samples IR resolution and 3rd party IR loader slot with each user patch.
- Versatile application scenes and global settings.
- Ultra-low system latency(2ms) and 2 powerful DSPs.
- Comes with NMP-2 LITE for external foot control.
- USB recording interface, firmware update, QuickTone™ edit software.
What Is NUX MG-30?
The NUX MG-30 is NUX’s top-level modeler, both in terms of features and processing. Its solid metal construction, big display, and vast connectivity options make the unit feel ‘premium.’ The updated processors allow the use of 1024 samples IR resolution with an ultra-low 2ms latency.
In terms of amps and pedals, NUX adopts a ‘less-is-more’ approach, focusing on the classic amps and cabinets you would expect in a unit like this. Like many other NUX products, the MG-30 ships with everything you need: a power adapter, patch cable, two-button footswitch, a cable to attach it, and a USB cable.
Hardware overview
The first thing that stood out to me was the relatively big, high-resolution display. Even though there are many buttons and switches, the overall design feels clean.
The buttons next to the expression pedal engage and disengage different blocks of your rig, and the big knob on the right both rotates and serves as a four-way selector that you can also click. The four buttons underneath the display both rotate and are clickable.
If you feel limited by the three footswitches on the unit, NUX has included an additional 2-button footswitch and a stereo cable to connect it. The MG-30 ships with a power supply. Because the unit runs on 9v/400ma power, you can power the whole modeler with many external power supplies.
Inputs And Outputs
The I/O on the MG-30 covers most guitarist’s needs: GUITAR IN, AUX IN, HEADPHONES OUT, SEND, RETURN, STEREO OUTPUT, EXPRESSION IN, and USB-C port.
The USB-C port allows you to install updates, use the QuickTone desktop editor, upload your impulse responses into the unit, and use the MG-30 as an audio interface for recording and reamping.
Using MG-30 With Hardware Controls
It might take a few minutes to remember what to click when, but once you familiarize yourself with the MG-30, you’ll be tweaking sounds in no time. Almost everything you can do in the desktop editor can be done from the pedal itself, which is a nice touch.
The big display makes editing your individual signal blocks and reordering effects easy.
Global settings
To me, it’s funny that I get excited about a settings page, but the one on the MG-30 comes with options I haven’t seen on other modelers:
- Pre-EQ allows you to adjust the incoming signal before it hits anything in your signal chain
- Output mode sets the correct levels for all the inputs and outputs depending on your setup. (4-cable method for example)
- Expression pedal configuration
- USB routing settings
- Display brightness
- Parameter follow. Makes sure that if you navigate to a different screen when tweaking the sounds, when you get back, the changes your made stay.
- Snake game for those moments, where your drummer takes ages to set up.
- System restore page
- Info, where you see the firmware version of your unit
QuickTone App & How The MG-30 Sounds
I have played dozens of different modelers over the past decade or so, and what sets the MG-30 apart from many of them are the presets. These sound good right out of the box!
Browsing the artist and influencer-created sounds gives you a good glance at what the MG-30 is capable of and what kind of setups you can create with it. Everything from metal amps to acoustic simulator sounds good to me. I started to come up with riffs and lead lines inspired by the sounds I was hearing, which is always a good sign.
NUX’s decision to focus on the classic amps and effects means there’s nothing new or exotic tonally to discover here. I don’t see that as a problem though, as most guitar players gravitate towards classic sounds anyway.
Setting Up And Using The MG-30 Live: How the presets and scenes work
As part of the MG-30 test, I used it live at our church as well. This gave me an opportunity not only to hear how it sounds in a band context but also to see what it’s like to use in a live situation.
Each of the presets in MG-30 has three ‘scenes.’ With those scenes, you can trigger one or several blocks in your signal chain on or off. You can scroll through the three scenes with the CTRL switch.
If you plug in the external footswitch, you get 4 switches in total (CTRL switch, two on the external footswitch, and you can toe-press the volume pedal to engage a pedal, for example).
To recap: up and down switches on the left change the preset. Ctrl, external footswitches, and pressing the volume pedal trigger up to 4 different functions. You can configure those in the modeler or using the desktop editor.
Besides triggering things on or off, the footswitches allow you to, for example, increase the delay level. With so many options, it took me a while to find the best way to set up my live tones.
I had a few songs where I was using several different kinds of sounds. For those, I programmed scenes to Clean, Drive, and Lead, for example. For other songs, all I needed was a clean sound with an option to add some tremolo.
The live set went well besides my floor monitor not working for several songs, but that’s a different story to tell.
Is NUX MG-30 Good?
The best things about MG-30 are that it’s compact, well-built, relatively affordable, and it both sounds and feels good to play. The amps, pedals, and cabinets all sound great, and after trying to use several different external IR’s, I ended up using just stock cabinets with great results.
Some might find the linear signal chain limiting, but for me, it worked great. I was also positively surprised how well the tones of the MG-30 sat in the mix of the intro song (in the video above). For the price of roughly 299€, you’re getting a gig and studio-ready guitar (and bass) setup that not only gets the job done but does it convincingly.
If you’re interested acquiring the NUX MG-30 and support what I do, you can find affiliate links here:
►►Get The NUX MG-30 Here: https://thmn.to/thoprod/511135?offid=1&affid=394
►►The guitar I’m using is the Sterling JP-150: https://reverb.grsm.io/sterling-jp
►►Get The Preset: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fx52kgzzgjl96yc/AAA3MmjhRiExrUBy6vRxABNla?dl=0
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