Cheap rackmount multieffects?

Infiltration12 · #1 03-16-2010, 11:06 AM

Hey guys, I'm looking for a cheap multieffects processor for my rack. It can be 2U or 1U. And recommendations?

superbassman2000 · #2 03-16-2010, 11:43 AM

it depends on what you mean by "cheap" but i'd say ART Nightbass if you can find one used--i think there was one for sale here a little bit ago

bassman1185 · #3 03-16-2010, 12:27 PM

Why do you want a "cheap" multi-effects unit for your rack? Why not a multi-effects pedal? A rackmounted ME setup will be very difficult to use in a live situation without an additional MIDI controller pedal. Also, the vast majority of PA-style multi-effects will mainly concentrate on reverbs and delays, neither of which will be very useful for most bassists to just leave on, and without a controller pedal, you won't be able to turn them on or off midsong. Also, they will generally not have any sort of fuzz, OD, envelope filters, sub-octaves or synth effects, which are sort of staples for most bassists.

Red Planet · #4 03-16-2010, 12:35 PM

They may be a little hard to find but look out for an Art Mutiverb III.

The III version have a fix on them that all the other units do not have (including the Night Bass), that avoids the dreaded Data Corruption problem they all had.

I have found the MVIII to be a fantastic Multi Effector unit that can be had really cheap.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #5 03-16-2010, 12:41 PM

The Boss VF-1 is a great el-cheapo rack multieffect (it has envelope, OD, synth, etc. effects as well). I sold my Eventide Eclipse as I preferred the VF-1. It will require either a MIDI foot controller or at least a small dual footswitch.

Infiltration12 · #6 03-16-2010, 03:10 PM

Ok, I will shop around for the Boss VF-1 and both Art units.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Why do you want a "cheap" multi-effects unit for your rack? Why not a multi-effects pedal? A rackmounted ME setup will be very difficult to use in a live situation without an additional MIDI controller pedal. Also, the vast majority of PA-style multi-effects will mainly concentrate on reverbs and delays, neither of which will be very useful for most bassists to just leave on, and without a controller pedal, you won't be able to turn them on or off midsong. Also, they will generally not have any sort of fuzz, OD, envelope filters, sub-octaves or synth effects, which are sort of staples for most bassists.

Cheap: I like my money

Rack Mount: I like rack mount effects because I know that as soon as I buy one pedal, I will end up buying more pedals, a pedalboard, power supply etc. I want to avoid my own "addictive" personality and keep everything in my rack.

superbassman2000 · #7 03-16-2010, 03:49 PM

also some people have mentioned a preference towards the boss SE-50 over the VF-1 as well (SE-50 is somewhat of a precursor to the VF-1)

i believe the reason was the sound of the distortion--both units are awesome though

Red Planet · #8 03-16-2010, 05:05 PM

Here is my MVIII

gastric · #9 03-16-2010, 05:09 PM

I haven't tried other rack multi-effects but I do like the VF-1 a lot. I don't like the dirt in it, but all of the other effects sound really great, and there's tons of controls over all of them with 4 customizable assigns per preset. Note they're 1/2 rack so you'll need a rack shelf and appropriate screw to mount them. Or the special Boss rack adapter which I've never personally seen, it could simply be a shelf for all I know.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #10 03-16-2010, 05:13 PM

The shelf for the VF1/SE70 is a short rack shelf (probably about 5" deep) and it has two convex circles with a hole in the middle of each, to fit into the concave circle with a screw on the bottom of the units.

**garmenteros** · #11 03-16-2010, 05:35 PM

I owned a couple of Ibanez 70s multieffect UE400s. They also made the ue405. Good rack units.

Humblerumble · #12 08-19-2010, 10:54 AM

Just wondered if you had ever found the multi effect unit. I am thinking about getting one myself and getting rid of my pedal board.

LiamPodmore · #13 08-19-2010, 11:05 AM

Decent cheap rackmount bass multi is a Line 6 Bass POD XT Pro, but you need a foot controller also.

Liam

Rocks · #14 08-19-2010, 02:14 PM

I've been kinda looking at this here: http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....dal?sku=582837 I wish there were more reviews on it though.

joel3000 · #15 08-19-2010, 02:21 PM

I'd check out a used Bass POD XT Live. Those are real nice. It's like a rack unit with a built in foot controller.

Personally, I use a Digitech BP-80 for all my effects. It has decent sounds, a tuner and was only $90 new. I'm sure boutique pedals would sound better but I don't care because I've been able to program a few good patches into it.

Here it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/Line-6-POD-XT-Li...ar_Accessories

superbassman2000 · #16 08-20-2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocks

I've been kinda looking at this here: http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....dal?sku=582837 I wish there were more reviews on it though.

here's a good rule to stick by--take the price, and then divide it into the number of different effects and look at pedals at a similar price +/- 30 bucks and thats the quality that you are looking at

kevteop · #17 08-20-2010, 06:33 AM

The Digitech Quads have some decent effects, interesting patching options and they go cheap. They aren't much fun to program though.

Humblerumble · #18 08-20-2010, 06:49 AM

Can the Line 6 or any of the other mentioned rackmounts be bypassed? I know that I played a church gig years ago with a line 6 and and there was no bypass of amp models etc.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #19 08-20-2010, 07:09 AM

Both of the Boss ones can.

Swift713 · #20 08-20-2010, 07:10 AM

The original PODs had no bypass for the amp models. The xt and x3 do have bypass.