Best multi-effects device for Ambient sounds

[jibreel]

Just got a Boss GT-3. Designed for guitar so the stock patches are mostly useless but there are a few really nice ambient patches. Michael Manring uses one of these for his effects when he plays live.

Are there any other multi-effects devices that are geared toward ambient sounds/effects without all the overdrive/distortion/wah etc and would also be best for bass?

[wetzelman1]

I've kindof had my eye on a digitech EF7. Some people say it's great, some say it's crap, can't really figure it out, but it looks like fun.

[bongomania]

Roland's older rackmount SDE, SDX, and SRV series units are very good for ambient effects. Lexicon has made a few as well that are worth trying out.

For a pedal, check out the VonRutter Echo Ohce. He's not making them anymore, but they show up used now and then on Ebay and TGP.

[bgmww]

Line6 M13.

[jgparm]

+1 on the M13. I can't get enough of mine. I use it with my basses and my Moog LP for some very spacey effects.

[jibreel]

Originally Posted by jgparm

+1 on the M13. I can't get enough of mine. I use it with my basses and my Moog LP for some very spacey effects.

Can you create your own patches?

Thanks

[Jazz Ad]

The Korg A4 Bass is the one I always use for ambiant tones.
It has wonderful real time settings (all parameters can be accessed through knobs and sliders), it can self oscillate and feedback, the synth is super bassy and deep, reverb is fantastic. You can alter tone on the fly very easily.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

The Eventide Eclipse (and many other Eventide rack units) are ideal for ambient music, much more so than most other units. They're very expensive though.

[jgparm]

Originally Posted by jibreel

Can you create your own patches?

Thanks

Yes. Basically, the M13 allows you to create "scenes." A scene is 12 effects (of your choosing) arranged in a 4x3 grid. You can turn on up to four of those effects at a time. You can create loads of scenes using different effects. And all effects are tweakable, so there's a great range.

My typical scene involves a compressor or overdrive > mod (flange, phaser, chorus, etc.) or delay > another delay > another delay or reverb. It can get pretty spacey pretty quickly. Good times. I like delays!

When I go clean I typically use one of the compressors and a little reverb. Simple but effective.

[moles]

Jibreel,
Have you tried the GT10B yet? I don't have any experience with the g**tar version - but the bass unit has some really neat options geared toward ambient sounds. The wave modulation, dual blendable channels, modulation delay are some of the tools it gives you. It's got a couple of pretty spacey preset patches - "Coldcut" is one, if you can find it on the Boss/Roland site. They're neat to fool around with on their own, but very valuable to pick apart to see how they were put together.

Just about any multi will give you chorus, reverb/delay etc etc... but it sounds like you're looking for something a little more than that.

[G0rilla]

I guess Line6 M9/M13 would be best choice, considering size, ease of use, sound and variety of effects.

And by the way, filters are very creative tools when we talk about making ambient music with bass!

[jibreel]

Thanks All. Great suggestions !!

Time to spend some more money

I am pretty set in the bass and amp department. Now time to fill out the effects !

[Jazz Ad]

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

The Eventide Eclipse (and many other Eventide rack units) are ideal for ambient music, much more so than most other units. They're very expensive though.

They unbeatable but yeah, I didn't even think it was worth mentioning them.
They're also difficult to control live unless you use a large midi surface.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I had an Eclipse for a few week, and returned it because it was TOO ambient for me- went back to my trusty old el cheapo Boss VF-1.

[Crystalman85]

The korg ax3000b has some pretty cool ambient effects. if you're lucky enough to find one on ebay, buy one. this multi-effects processor has a large variety of effects, amp and cab models. you can easily create some ambient effects with it.

[Kosko]

Does the M9 do scenes like like the M13 does?

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by Kosko

Does the M9 do scenes like like the M13 does?

Yep. I'm not sure if it's as many but it probably has more than enough for most people.

I'm keeping an eye out for a used one ATM.

[blubolt]

Line 6 M13 - check out this video on youtube [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV_mp...eature=related ] - The guy does a side-by-side comparison of his whole pedalboard. It's probably the most useful way of assessing whether it's right for you or not. I am totally sold on this unit. It works phenomenally and sets up with no fuss. The ability to save custom sets of pedals (scenes) means that you can have whatever set of pedals in front of you with only a couple of clicks. It is well made with a steel chassis and smooth switches. I keep it in a laptop computer bag with wheels and an extending handle for transport and storage. I also keep my tools/chords/expression pedal etc. in that bag. Additionally, if you also play Guitar, this has some of the best presets ever. And it's got a great looper. Theres one for sale on Ebay for 349 right now.

[groooooove]

for me, korg AX3000b does it for floaty ambient space sounds.

[Couvy]

AxeFX Ultra