Half Rack Space Multi-Effects Processor

gus1894 · #1 11-16-2009, 11:18 PM

So I am looking around a bit for a Multi-Effects Processor that only takes up a half-rack space. I typically use chorus, overdrive/fuzz/distortion, octave down, sometimes octave up, occasional flanger, phaser and wah-style effects.

Thing is that I see a lot of older units, but nothing relatively new. I'd be open to guitar-centric units that happen to translate to bass - I know TC Electronic stuff often does - just needs to be a half rack space.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

Grimoire · #2 11-17-2009, 06:54 AM

http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/products/en/VF-1/

gus1894 · #3 11-17-2009, 07:11 AM

I owned one of these a while back - didn't have much luck with it. Maybe I will give it another whirl now that I have more time. It seems ridiculous that nobody makes stuff like this these days - with the onslaught of Class D lightweight heads...

Mo'Phat · #4 11-17-2009, 08:34 AM

Boss also made the SE-50 and SE-70 processors. Analog distortions, digital everything else, and before the COSM technology.

Arguably more 'natural' sounding.

But, Boss is really the only company that made 1/2 rack processors that were decent.

...

Do you use a floor controller for your switching? Consider a Line 6 M13 or one of the floor-based Boss units.

gastric · #5 11-17-2009, 09:56 AM

The VF-1 are easy to find. You have to really play with the programming though to get them to retain low end and apply to bass well. But virtually every effect has some control to help sculpt the sound spectrum it effects with either a DI mix, "manual" control to center the frequency effected, or EQ. I haven't spend much time with the octave/harmonizer portion but it seems a little lackluster with performance and fatness of sound for bass.

I've always wanted to try an SE-70 for comparison but they're harder to find. I'd hope the fact they have analog OD/distortion that it'd be more usable in that sense.

pbd · #6 11-17-2009, 10:02 AM

I'm interested to see what comes up on this, something small would be nice . ..

Todd

Mo'Phat · #7 11-17-2009, 10:19 AM

There are currently no in-production 1/2 rack multi-effect processors.

stflbn · #8 11-17-2009, 10:24 AM

I had a VF-1 and really loved it.

Yes, you need to dig into it if you want to get the most out of it. It's not like a Korg Pandora or such where you can dial up a patch and run with it. But once learned you can get some great things out of the VF-1.

Crystalman85 · #9 11-17-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gus1894

So I am looking around a bit for a Multi-Effects Processor that only takes up a half-rack space. I typically use chorus, overdrive/fuzz/distortion, octave down, sometimes octave up, occasional flanger, phaser and wah-style effects.

Thing is that I see a lot of older units, but nothing relatively new. I'd be open to guitar-centric units that happen to translate to bass - I know TC Electronic stuff often does - just needs to be a half rack space.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

For distortions and modulation effects, try the rocktron blue thunder bass preamp rack mount. I've read some good reveiws on that rack mount.

gus1894 · #10 11-17-2009, 07:02 PM

thanks. its full space though - trying to see if I can squeeze something into an available half-space. I've also owned the new floor units... utopia, I believe. Not thrilled with them.

Thanks though!

Jazz Ad · #11 11-17-2009, 07:03 PM

Roland's SE-50 sounds really dated. SE-70 and VF-1 are both great in their own way.
Sony released this little wonder in the 90's and to me it is the best half rack you could think of. Good luck finding one though.

MooseLumps · #12 11-17-2009, 07:10 PM

I'd say bite bullet and go floor based or full rack unit. Half racks just aren't that practical, even if you do have a half space.

How do you plan to mount it? if it's on a shelf, you have to be sure that it won't then be too tall. They often don't heave ears, so are you going to use an adhesive to affix it to another unit? You will have to deal with cleaning it off to re-sell it. Is it even a half unit wide? if it's even a hair too wide, you have just screwed the pooch.

Really, there are better sounding, more practical options out there in different form factors. Cheap racks come up on the classifieds here all the time, or you could buy one from www.rondomusic.com

gus1894 · #13 11-17-2009, 07:56 PM

Yea, I hear. I am figuring that might be the best route to go. I am waiting for the arrival of a Zoom B2.1u. I've read good things - inexpensive enough to give it a whirl.

I don't know - I've tried out the Rocktron, Line 6, Boss floor boards. Found that all of them left me wanting. Maybe I'm missing something. I will try with the Zoom, we'll see.

MooseLumps · #14 11-17-2009, 08:08 PM

What sort of things are you looking for, and what areas do you feel let down in?

Mo'Phat · #15 11-17-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gus1894

Yea, I hear. I am figuring that might be the best route to go. I am waiting for the arrival of a Zoom B2.1u. I've read good things - inexpensive enough to give it a whirl.

I don't know - I've tried out the Rocktron, Line 6, Boss floor boards. Found that all of them left me wanting. Maybe I'm missing something. I will try with the Zoom, we'll see.

I've done the Boss SE-70, VF-1, Rocktron Intellifex, Replifex, Alesis Midiverb 4, Quadraverb, Quadraverb 3, Line 6 Bass Pod Pro, Bass Pod XT, and a TC Electronics G-Major.

All with either a Line 6 Floorboard or Digital Music Control Ground Control.

Now I use a Line 16 M13 and am the happiest I've ever been with a multi effect.

I found that I didn't need any amp modeling, cab modeling, or any of that stuff. I just wanted stompboxes, and for the price of 4 or 5 decent ones, I get over 100 accurate representations, plus a kickass looper.

EDIT: I should also add that I've tried the Boss GT-6B, ME-50b, some Digitech floor multi, some Korg floor multi, AND the Zoom B2.1u.

stflbn · #16 11-17-2009, 08:45 PM

I'm with ya... but for me it's the M9. I need few effects, and use them subtly, but find I need different ones for specific different reasons. The M9 allows me 3 on at a time, and 6 different sets (scenes) of 6 effects. Enough for my needs. The new 2.0 update additions made it more than worth it for me.

gus1894 · #17 11-17-2009, 09:11 PM

Yea, I've checked out the M9, I am definitely interested. But at half the price, the Zoom is worth a shot (can always make the round trip back if it doesn't deliver). I've read so many positive reviews on the Zoom, I figure I owe them that much on my quest for a satisfying multi-effects unit.

We shall see...

gus1894 · #18 11-25-2009, 12:26 AM

Thanks for all the advice here - I ended up going with a floor unit after all -- the M9 -- nice!