Bought an M9 and.......

Quick Storm · #1 12-26-2010, 09:13 PM

I'm not happy with it. I did update it and went thru and played around with all the sounds. I bought it after extensive reading all over this forum about it and I guess its just not for me.

I would really like to geet into using some effects but i don't know what or where I should start. Going to take it back tomorrow.

fitz420 · #2 12-26-2010, 09:17 PM

do u have experience with the analog versions of the pedals that the m9/m13 are meant to emulate? i've thought about buying one for a while but i've never liked a single digital processor. i know this is one of the best, but i still don't know if i can do it...

cybersnyder · #3 12-26-2010, 09:32 PM

Anything in particular you didn't like?

Swift713 · #4 12-26-2010, 09:42 PM

I use the M9 with a couple of analog pedals and it covers the things I use occasionally and the things that I like digital. The filters in particular are not so great. The dirt is ok, as is the compression, but I have filter, od, and comp pedals that I prefer. The modulation, delays, looper, and tuner are good. It is pretty good bang for your buck, especially if you don't pay the full $399. I don't know how accurate the modeling is in general. The Muff model is in the ball park (as I suspect the rest are), the enhanced eq is more flexible but the overall response is maybe less variable.

You may want to give it more time.

iamdenialNJ · #5 12-26-2010, 09:48 PM

What did you not like about it?

cheapbasslovin · #6 12-26-2010, 09:50 PM

In order to get the effects to sound and respond right for me, I have had to drop the volume on all three of my basses. I find this dials in my distortions, compressors, filters and triggered effects better than if I just crank the volume and figure it out at the pedal. The easiest way I've found to dial this in is to choose the Tron up and dial down your volume while playing until you get a good, clear up and down on your filter response. You may still not like it, but once I got that dialed in it made all of my tones much more usable and easy to dial in.

YMMV.

Explorer · #7 12-26-2010, 09:58 PM

Although the OP hasn't yet responded about likes and dislikes, he/she did mention a wish to start using effects. I suspect that means that there is no experience there in using any effects, and therefore no experience in how to dial in usable sounds, or even any expectations as to how the individual effects should sound.

But, until the OP shows up again, that's only speculation....

Quick Storm · #8 12-26-2010, 10:00 PM

I'm not sure really, I couldn't put my finger on it. I guess it would be that I don't know how to use effects per se. I play for my church(10+ yrs) so I'm not sure how I would incorporate effects. I play into a SansAmp Bass Driver DI.

Its an excellent pedal, beautiful too, and full of tons of stuff, but I only really liked the octaver and some of the distortion models. other than that I don't see spending $399 for it.

iamdenialNJ · #9 12-26-2010, 10:05 PM

Maybe you don't need any effects in your bass playing?

IMO if you use 3 or 4 effects ONLY you already got your moneys worth.

cheapbasslovin · #10 12-26-2010, 10:15 PM

If you are looking to experiment, a Zoom B2 is an inexpensive way to decide if you want to go all in or are just looking for a few fattening tools. The beauty of the M9 and the M13 is the way you are able order your effects and combine them in interesting ways. A B2 will not be able to change the order of your effects, but will give you a basic idea of what each one sounds like, and the sounds aren't too bad on the whole. Figure out what you like (if you like anything), and then upgrade then if you feel you need to.

A good sign that you need to upgrade (or want to really bad

) is having an effect that you kind of like, but just can't quite make work. I've had phasers like that, and octaves as well.

Good luck.

**jmattbassplaya** · #11 12-26-2010, 10:22 PM

Don't give up on effects just yet. I had a Boss GT-6B (it's a multi) for a while and really disliked it. I ended up selling it, and I used the money I got to get a few individual boxes. IME, there's no comparison. Individual pedals are much better sounding than multies.

LeonD · #12 12-27-2010, 05:58 AM

It's very easy to get overwhelmed with the M9. Take it slowly.

Pick one or two effects that your interested in and stick with that. For bass, let's say the tuner and a chorus. Learn how to use the tuner and find a chorus you like. Get familiar with the different sounds you can get from that one chorus effect.

Once you're good with that, add another effect. And on and on.

The M9 is a quality unit with good sounds. In a live setting, I doubt a listener could tell the difference between the M9 or individual effects. It's so easy to have all these effects under you foot that you can do more to harm you sound than help. Go slow and have fun.

treyplaybass · #13 12-27-2010, 09:05 AM

I purchased an M-13 a few months back and the more I use it the more I love it! However, I'm into effects and have been for a while. I already owned a MM-4 and a DL-4 when I started doing some research on different kinds of distortions. I really dig the slightly over-driven and over the top distortion tones that Eddie B. (Thrice) gets on the newer albums. I found out that he, along with Dustin and Tepi, use M-13's. The distortion mods are more than substantial and were a big selling factor for me. Not to mention all the delays and modulations I already had. It's a great pedal, but as said before, take it slow. ...highly recommend the tube screamer and comp boost!

cybersnyder · #14 12-27-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quick Storm

I would really like to geet into using some effects but i don't know what or where I should start. Going to take it back tomorrow.

If you really want to get into effects, the M9 is a great place to start. You get just about every major type of effect, can place them in any order, easy editing, etc. Don't expect to unlock all the secrets in one day.

Just a thought.

Quick Storm · #15 12-27-2010, 10:00 AM

I understand, what you guys are saying. But like I said before, I have no idea where to start with incorporating effects into my sound. I did like the octaver, comp, and a few of the distortion models. I don't know if any of the delays, filters, verbs etc... would be useful.

I guess I can tool around with it, maybe you guys can give me some models to try and full around with. I am a complete noob when it comes to any sort of effects other than my bass driver DI. thanks guys I may hold onto it a little longer.

Swift713 · #16 12-27-2010, 10:15 AM

Don't feel that you have to use everything in there to make it worth while. If you use only 3 effects it's probably worth the price of admission. You may find that you use more in the future. That's part of the benefit of a multi effect, if one day you decide you want to use a tremolo on one song it's in there. Until that day, it's not in your way.

cybersnyder · #17 12-27-2010, 10:30 AM

Here's a good thread:

M9/M13 Tricks

Diddii · #18 12-27-2010, 10:52 AM

to me it's mostly what i was listening to and made me want specific pedals.

like "on call" a song by kings of leon made me love Delay's on bass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYOW5uoyKl0

Bass drive - alot of bands that i listen to have dirt on their bass

N.I.B. by Black Sabbath - Wah pedal (i have dunlop bass wah now)

it's just something you listen to and find interesting and wanting to explore your self, just listen to alot of music and listen to the sound of the bass

iamdenialNJ · #19 12-27-2010, 01:55 PM

I think the OP is trying to hard to fit in around here and using effects. Listen to your favorite songs and more than likely you will hear a clean bass. Why? Most songs don't need any effects especially if you're in a church.

Quick Storm · #20 12-27-2010, 04:44 PM

Well I'm really satisfied with my clean tone right now, but I'm looking to get into and begin incorporating effects into my overall sound. Like I've already mentioned I'm completely new to effects. I guess I have to take it slow and easy to learn about this unit.

I'm a big metal head, obviously mainly christian, and my worship leader is an amazing musician, so I can bounce ideas off of him and get feedback from him on effects.

So I'm gonna keep it and learn how to use it.