The Boss multi pedals do a great job as "pedals" IMHO, I had one of them and did a video for GMC. Where they fall down is Amp/Cab emulation, at least as far as my ears go. Run through an amp, they are great, but even though you can record direct from them, I've always found the direct sound very fake/harsh. But having a multi is much easier than putting batteries or cables in 10 pedals!
Todd
I would like to compare the sound of fx pedals with a multi fx like this one... I wonder if the flanger, chorus, delay effects sound the same...