Line 6 M9 - my review

[OshKoshJoash]

Just got my brand new M9 for a really great price and its a a blast! It looks like its gonna take me many hours to really dial in my sounds and set up my scenes, especially since I've never really used effects before other than overdrive and a touch of chorus.

I have a rack that includes a Shuttlemax 12.0, DBX 166xl, Aphex 204, and a Korg dtr1000, so I don't really plan on using the M9 for the EQs, compressors, noisegates, or the tuner. However, that just leaves me more slots to save for other effects!

Fyi, I use an 08 Fender Am.St. Jazz V, and the rack feeds two 4ohm Epifani UL410's.

As others have mentioned, there are indeed effects that really don't track as well with bass. Actually, most work pretty well down to the E string, but there are many that just aren't able to track the low B.

This really isn't an issue for modulations, filters, and some of the more funky/crazy stuff because I don't plan on using them too often, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed with the number of gain/distortion effects that are usable with bass. I lose a lot of low end, especially on the lower notes on the E and B string. However, there are a few that get the job done, like the boost/comp effect. When I boost/comp into my already grindy tube channel on my Shuttlemax, I get a nice overdrive. Now I need to figure out how to achieve a distortion/fuzz with enough of low end. Tips?

One of the things that I wish were different sometimes, is the ability to only use one of the two effects in each column, limiting the available combinations of the 6 effects in each scene. I guess I understand why they did that, and it makes sense. For example, on column A, I could have a mild overdrive, then a distortion. Column B could have a flanger, and then a phase shifter. This way, you don't have to turn one off to turn the other one, and it makes sense to set each column up with effects that you probably won't use together.

The delays are fun, and I'm having a fun time exploring how I might be able to use them in the music that I play. The looper is also a ton of fun too, and being a fan of Minus the Bear, I'd love to try using the "one shot" feature.


Needless to say, at this point the M9 has more features than I can or need to tap into. I don't even want to start thinking about how I can utilize an expression pedal for all the available effects, at least not until I figure out the effects as they are. Stereo delays, and stereo effects... probably won't use them. Incorporating a midi controller into my rig? That'd be crazy, but probably won't happen anytime soon. I really have to stop myself from trying to get too crazy with all the effects all at once because we already have two electrics that get pretty crazy with their effects, and our keyboardist often utilizes a ton of synth and delays.

I've already ordered a cheap usb to midi cable so i can update it. It's currently at 1.01. I look forward to the update, but it'd be awesome in the future if Line 6 could incorporate some more effects specifically for bass, such as a model of the bass big muff pi, and maybe improve on tracking for effects on the low B string.

-------------------------------------------------
Cliffs:

Awesome pedal, some effects can't really track low B, tons of fun, limitless possibilities, well worth the money, and definitely a keeper!

[Line6Aaron]

Thanks so much for the feedback! Rich and I really want to hear how we might dial this unit in more for bassists.

I also highly recommend upgrading your M9 to the latest firmware to check out the Bass Octaver and a host of other FX.

Another thing that blew my mind was how useful hooking up an expression pedal was for quickly exploring the range of parameters on any given effect. So, I've actually found that an EX-1 *helped* me understand the range of tones for a given M9 setting. Just a thought.

Would anyone change the I/O on the unit?

Originally Posted by OshKoshJoash

Just got my brand new M9 for a really great price and its a a blast! It looks like its gonna take me many hours to really dial in my sounds and set up my scenes, especially since I've never really used effects before other than overdrive and a touch of chorus.

I have a rack that includes a Shuttlemax 12.0, DBX 166xl, Aphex 204, and a Korg dtr1000, so I don't really plan on using the M9 for the EQs, compressors, noisegates, or the tuner. However, that just leaves me more slots to save for other effects!

Fyi, I use an 08 Fender Am.St. Jazz V, and the rack feeds two 4ohm Epifani UL410's.

As others have mentioned, there are indeed effects that really don't track as well with bass. Actually, most work pretty well down to the E string, but there are many that just aren't able to track the low B.

This really isn't an issue for modulations, filters, and some of the more funky/crazy stuff because I don't plan on using them too often, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed with the number of gain/distortion effects that are usable with bass. I lose a lot of low end, especially on the lower notes on the E and B string. However, there are a few that get the job done, like the boost/comp effect. When I boost/comp into my already grindy tube channel on my Shuttlemax, I get a nice overdrive. Now I need to figure out how to achieve a distortion/fuzz with enough of low end. Tips?

One of the things that I wish were different sometimes, is the ability to only use one of the two effects in each column, limiting the available combinations of the 6 effects in each scene. I guess I understand why they did that, and it makes sense. For example, on column A, I could have a mild overdrive, then a distortion. Column B could have a flanger, and then a phase shifter. This way, you don't have to turn one off to turn the other one, and it makes sense to set each column up with effects that you probably won't use together.

The delays are fun, and I'm having a fun time exploring how I might be able to use them in the music that I play. The looper is also a ton of fun too, and being a fan of Minus the Bear, I'd love to try using the "one shot" feature.


Needless to say, at this point the M9 has more features than I can or need to tap into. I don't even want to start thinking about how I can utilize an expression pedal for all the available effects, at least not until I figure out the effects as they are. Stereo delays, and stereo effects... probably won't use them. Incorporating a midi controller into my rig? That'd be crazy, but probably won't happen anytime soon. I really have to stop myself from trying to get too crazy with all the effects all at once because we already have two electrics that get pretty crazy with their effects, and our keyboardist often utilizes a ton of synth and delays.

I've already ordered a cheap usb to midi cable so i can update it. It's currently at 1.01. I look forward to the update, but it'd be awesome in the future if Line 6 could incorporate some more effects specifically for bass, such as a model of the bass big muff pi, and maybe improve on tracking for effects on the low B string.

-------------------------------------------------
Cliffs:

Awesome pedal, some effects can't really track low B, tons of fun, limitless possibilities, well worth the money, and definitely a keeper!

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by Line6Aaron

Would anyone change the I/O on the unit?

The M9 fits well on a board with other pedals. I would think it would be more suited to an effects loop than stereo paths, but I don't know if I'm in the majority. There are some people here (I think Smallequestrian is one) that are looking to get a pedal switcher to move the M9 from the front of the chain to the back and having an effects loop would limit the need for that.

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

The M9 fits well on a board with other pedals. I would think it would be more suited to an effects loop than stereo paths, but I don't know if I'm in the majority. There are some people here (I think Smallequestrian is one) that are looking to get a pedal switcher to move the M9 from the front of the chain to the back and having an effects loop would limit the need for that.

I totally agree with this assesment. One of the main things that is holding me back from the M9 is the lack of effects loop. A big part of that is that "MY" sound relies heavily on my Pigtronix Disnortion and Tech21 VT Bass, pedals that I don't see being included in the M9 software any time soon. I wouldn't be willing to let those go, but I would want to be able to run tracking effects (pitch shifter, octave, synth, etc.) before the dirt and time based effects (chorus, delay, tremolo, etc.) after the dirt. An effects loop would be perfect for this.

It seems to me that it would be easy to make a tweak in the software of the M9 that would allow the Right set of I/O to be used as an effects loop, with internal effects being able to be routed entirely left or entirely right.

Also, I think that a blend function would be helpful for a lot of bassists. Even if a distortion holds the low end, the ability to blend in a clean attack helps keep your tone focused and defined.

One more thing that would be REALLY, REALLY cool might be the ability to run parallel effects. Part of why I love the Disnortion is that it lets you run fuzz and overdrive in parallel. Also, certain modulations let you run flanger and chorus in parallel, like the EHX Electric Mistress.

[stflbn]

First and foremost should be updating to the current v2 firmware. Immense difference in what you can do bass-wise. Really.

Get that done before you give judgement on the unit.

Also... always remember that with the Scenes setup on these units, if an overdrive or dirt isn't as meaty as you want... just add one of the new EQ's to the scene set however you want.

And honestly, regarding the tracking... I've not had an octave or pitch unit that would track reliably below an E string. And even if it did... having a rig that would play an actual octave below a low B is pretty unrealistic in most situations.

[Jehos]

Originally Posted by Line6Aaron

Would anyone change the I/O on the unit?

An effects loop would be nice, as others have said, or even just the ability to pan an effect to the left or right channel only so that you could fake the loop would be great.

Also, I'm running my M9 in the sidechain of my Eden Navigator preamp and it's EXTREMELY useful for bass in that setup. I retain a lot of my low end because the effects are run in parallel. Having a per-scene setting to blend in a dry signal would be another way to make the M9 more flexible for bass.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by Line6Aaron

Thanks so much for the feedback! Rich and I really want to hear how we might dial this unit in more for bassists.

I'll pick the easy ones since you already have the models:

Bass Driver
BrassMaster
Bass synth from the LowDown line

For new models, I'd love to see a bass-specific compressor. My wish would be for the EBS Compressor, and a lot of guitarists use it so it would be a win-win.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by OshKoshJoash

Just got my brand new M9 for a really great price and its a a blast! It looks like its gonna take me many hours to really dial in my sounds and set up my scenes, especially since I've never really used effects before other than overdrive and a touch of chorus.

I have a rack that includes a Shuttlemax 12.0, DBX 166xl, Aphex 204, and a Korg dtr1000, so I don't really plan on using the M9 for the EQs, compressors, noisegates, or the tuner. However, that just leaves me more slots to save for other effects!

Fyi, I use an 08 Fender Am.St. Jazz V, and the rack feeds two 4ohm Epifani UL410's.

As others have mentioned, there are indeed effects that really don't track as well with bass. Actually, most work pretty well down to the E string, but there are many that just aren't able to track the low B.

This really isn't an issue for modulations, filters, and some of the more funky/crazy stuff because I don't plan on using them too often, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed with the number of gain/distortion effects that are usable with bass. I lose a lot of low end, especially on the lower notes on the E and B string. However, there are a few that get the job done, like the boost/comp effect. When I boost/comp into my already grindy tube channel on my Shuttlemax, I get a nice overdrive. Now I need to figure out how to achieve a distortion/fuzz with enough of low end. Tips?

One of the things that I wish were different sometimes, is the ability to only use one of the two effects in each column, limiting the available combinations of the 6 effects in each scene. I guess I understand why they did that, and it makes sense. For example, on column A, I could have a mild overdrive, then a distortion. Column B could have a flanger, and then a phase shifter. This way, you don't have to turn one off to turn the other one, and it makes sense to set each column up with effects that you probably won't use together.

The delays are fun, and I'm having a fun time exploring how I might be able to use them in the music that I play. The looper is also a ton of fun too, and being a fan of Minus the Bear, I'd love to try using the "one shot" feature.


Needless to say, at this point the M9 has more features than I can or need to tap into. I don't even want to start thinking about how I can utilize an expression pedal for all the available effects, at least not until I figure out the effects as they are. Stereo delays, and stereo effects... probably won't use them. Incorporating a midi controller into my rig? That'd be crazy, but probably won't happen anytime soon. I really have to stop myself from trying to get too crazy with all the effects all at once because we already have two electrics that get pretty crazy with their effects, and our keyboardist often utilizes a ton of synth and delays.

I've already ordered a cheap usb to midi cable so i can update it. It's currently at 1.01. I look forward to the update, but it'd be awesome in the future if Line 6 could incorporate some more effects specifically for bass, such as a model of the bass big muff pi, and maybe improve on tracking for effects on the low B string.

-------------------------------------------------
Cliffs:

Awesome pedal, some effects can't really track low B, tons of fun, limitless possibilities, well worth the money, and definitely a keeper!

Nice and fair review.

Like Aaron said, when you update to 2.01 you will have a bass octaver inspired by the EBS but with our tracking.

Could you let me know one or two FXs that don't track well with a 5 string so I may check that out?

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I'll pick the easy ones since you already have the models:

Bass Driver
BrassMaster
Bass synth from the LowDown line

For new models, I'd love to see a bass-specific compressor. My wish would be for the EBS Compressor, and a lot of guitarists use it so it would be a win-win.

\

Put that in as a feature request over here. http://line6.com/company/contact/productFeedback

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

I totally agree with this assesment. One of the main things that is holding me back from the M9 is the lack of effects loop. A big part of that is that "MY" sound relies heavily on my Pigtronix Disnortion and Tech21 VT Bass, pedals that I don't see being included in the M9 software any time soon. I wouldn't be willing to let those go, but I would want to be able to run tracking effects (pitch shifter, octave, synth, etc.) before the dirt and time based effects (chorus, delay, tremolo, etc.) after the dirt. An effects loop would be perfect for this.

It seems to me that it would be easy to make a tweak in the software of the M9 that would allow the Right set of I/O to be used as an effects loop, with internal effects being able to be routed entirely left or entirely right.

Also, I think that a blend function would be helpful for a lot of bassists. Even if a distortion holds the low end, the ability to blend in a clean attack helps keep your tone focused and defined.

One more thing that would be REALLY, REALLY cool might be the ability to run parallel effects. Part of why I love the Disnortion is that it lets you run fuzz and overdrive in parallel. Also, certain modulations let you run flanger and chorus in parallel, like the EHX Electric Mistress.

I understand everything you are asking for. Can you put them in as feature requests here. http://line6.com/company/contact/productFeedback

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by richrenken

\

Put that in as a feature request over here. http://line6.com/company/contact/productFeedback

Done. Thanks!

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by richrenken

Nice and fair review.

Like Aaron said, when you update to 2.01 you will have a bass octaver inspired by the EBS but with our tracking.

Could you let me know one or two FXs that don't track well with a 5 string so I may check that out?

I have no problem with low B tracking except for the pitch shifters and that's to be expected since there isn't a lot of frequency information to sample.

[judas jedermann]

Originally Posted by richrenken

Could you let me know one or two FXs that don't track well with a 5 string so I may check that out?

I have found that sub octave fuzz does not track as good as bass octave. And I am not talking about low E or Low B strings. Sub Octave Fuzz just warbles easier. It tracks better with p-bass but with j-bass it is picky. Could it be fixed?

[Smallequestrian]

Here is the previous incarnation of my board. Note the Black box with the single switch. That flips the order of the M9 and the Source Audio Multiwave Pro Bass Distortion. I use it when I want to put the MPBD after one of the octave effects of the M9.

My favorite part about the M9 is just how flawless the Smart Harmony and Bass Octave effects track. I've been using the Smart Harmony set at -8th on one song. Here is an unmastered recording that my band did two weekends ago using the smart harmony:

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8733661

Towards the end I kicked on the MPBD but forgot to set the order switcher before I did it, so the distortion is being fed into the M9 at the end. This did not effect tracking of the Smart Harmony, however the tone was a bit different than I wanted and it was too late to go back and rerecord.

Here was the board. I've actually further simplified it and moved the VP Jr. on the board itself, removing the Flipster, the Tuner and the Crossdrive. I'm very happy with what this is giving me.

[cybersnyder]

Interesting. Where did you get the order-flippy-device?

[Smallequestrian]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Interesting. Where did you get the order-flippy-device?

From this guy. It took about three weeks. He has a lot of references on the Gear Page. Really easy to deal with.
http://this1smyne.com/pedals.html

[cybersnyder]

Thanks!

[stflbn]

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

My favorite part about the M9 is just how flawless the Smart Harmony and Bass Octave effects track. I've been using the Smart Harmony set at -8th on one song.

Yup. I've been raving about the Octave and Pitch tracking on my M13 and the v2 update. In my opinion it trackes as good or better than anything I've owned. And the ability to control it with an expression pedal is fantastic. I do use that ability a lot to swell the amount of octave to add dynamics and such. Very functional.

[Swift713]

How is/are the filter(s) on this? Can anyone post some clips?

[stretchcat]

How well does the LA-2A compressor emulation work on the M9 with bass? Does it kill the B string or does it have a hi-pass detection filter that let's the really low notes breathe?