JOYO Guitar Multi Effect Processor with Expression Pedal with 157 Effect, 61 Preamp Modeling, 40 Drum Machine, IR Cab Simulation, Looper, Tap Tempo (GEM BOX III)

Build quality… Like a TANK!!! Great sounds! Easy to learn and operate. On-par with the other name brands. Our other guitarist has a new Headrush. This is right in the zone, but for a better price point. Joyo makes great gear, period! I am still a Mesa guy when I need the “big guns,” but the quality for value is a huge win. Also, excellent owners manual. Looking forward to building my own tones. Look into Laney self-powered cabs for a perfect paring. Highly recommend!!! 🤘

The JOYO GEM BOX-II Multi Effect Processor is an excellent choice for guitarists who want a wide variety of tones and tools without spending a fortune. It packs in an impressive 66 effect types, including distortion, delay, reverb, chorus, and more, which makes experimenting with sounds a lot of fun. The 7 amp models are a nice touch for players who don’t always want to lug around heavy gear but still want versatile tone shaping.The built-in expression pedal adds great flexibility, letting you control wah, volume, or other effect parameters in real time. It feels responsive and adds a lot of playability, especially for live performance or jamming. I also appreciate the tap tempo function, which makes syncing delays and time-based effects much more precise.One of the biggest highlights is the 180-second looper. For practice, songwriting, or layering sounds, this feature is incredibly handy. Combined with the 40 drum rhythms, it turns into a full practice station—you can build backing tracks on the fly and solo over them without needing extra equipment.Build quality is decent for the price. The unit itself is lightweight and portable, though not as rugged as some higher-end pedals. It’s best suited for at-home use, studio work, or small gigs rather than heavy touring. The interface can feel a little crowded at first, but once you get familiar with navigating the menus, it becomes much more intuitive.Sound quality is very good considering its affordability. While it may not rival boutique pedals or high-end processors, it provides more than enough depth and variety for most players, especially those looking for an all-in-one solution.If I had to nitpick, the factory presets aren’t always the most usable out of the box, but with some tweaking, you can dial in tones that fit your style perfectly. Also, players who want extremely high-fidelity modeling may find it a bit limited, but at this price point, it’s hard to complain.Overall, the GEM BOX-II offers tremendous value with its wide range of effects, looper, drum machine, and expression pedal. It’s a great practice tool and a versatile unit for anyone looking to expand their tonal palette without breaking the bank.

I’ve tried more expensive multi-effects units with more polished tones, but for something under 90 bucks, the GEM BOX II from JOYO is actually kind of wild. You’re getting 80 built-in effects, and not just filler either. Some are average, some are forgettable, but a good chunk of them are way more usable than you’d expect.Clean tones come out the best here. They’re glassy, smooth, and easy to dial in. Reverb and chorus patches are especially strong. Some of them hit harder than actual standalone pedals I’ve reviewed. There’s even a few octave and spacey ambient tones that make this fun to explore. Distortion patches are alright. You’ll get some crunch and decent leads, but it leans a little artificial depending on your amp setup. Still, for what this is, it holds its own.You’ve got everything you need built right into the unit: amp sims, tap tempo, a built-in tuner, a looper, rhythm patterns, and expression pedal control for wah and other effects. You can save presets, tweak parameters, plug in headphones for late-night playing, and navigate the whole thing without reading a manual. It just works.Physically, it’s better in person than it looks in some online pics. Not flashy, but solid. Way better than other budget options like the Flatsons KMF-1. That one has a similar build but the tones here absolutely blow it out of the water. This actually sounds like a real effects unit, not a toy.I was hoping to try the GEM BOX III or even the K8, but this was the only one I could get my hands on. Still glad I did. JOYO has always been reliable in my experience, and this one just adds to that track record. I’ve used a ton of pedals and multi-units, and for this price, it’s easily one of the better bang-for-buck options out there.Not something I’d gig with regularly, but for practicing, writing riffs, recording rough ideas, or just jamming out, it absolutely gets the job done. And it’s the kind of gear that surprises you once you actually plug in and start messing around.If you’re trying to get weird with tones, push some creativity, or just need a reliable all-in-one practice tool that doesn’t sound like cheap garbage, this thing’s definitely worth trying out. I’m keeping mine for sure.

I really wanted to love the JOYO GEM BOX-II. On paper, it’s a dream: 66 effect types, 40 drum rhythms, 180-second looper, amp modeling, tap tempo—the whole works. In reality, it’s a mixed bag.The distortions? A bit too distorted for my taste—like they skipped “gritty” and went straight to “fuzzy chaos.” The amp modeling is… fine, but nothing that’s going to replace my favorite amps. The looper works, but it’s not very intuitive; it took me longer to figure out than I’d like to admit.Now, the good stuff: the modulation effects—phaser, chorus, flanger—are gorgeous. They shimmer, swirl, and sound like they belong on an actual album. The built-in rhythms are plentiful, maybe too plentiful—40 patterns feels more like an endurance challenge than a practice tool.Overall, this is a great pedal for practice sessions, noodling at home, or exploring new sounds. But for serious playing, I’ll stick to my pedalboard. Then again, maybe I’m just not a multi-effects kind of person.