Help me buy a multi effect pedal

MichaelScott · #1 10-16-2007, 05:10 PM

I've got $400 I was going to spend on a bass... then I realized that I already have a bunch of basses but I don't have a pedal to my name.

I don't really know where to start so I was thinking about a multi-effect that can do a lot of different sounds. I mostly play funk and classic rock- but other interesting sounds would be cool to play around with.

From the search function people seem to like: the Yamaha MagicStomp EB, the KorgAX3000b, the Zoom B2.1u, and the Boss ME-20B.

Anyone have any other suggestions or pros/cons of the above selection? I'm not really interested in spending tons of time at my computer programming sounds. I'd prefer to just plug, play, and stomp cool sounds.

Yvon · #2 10-16-2007, 05:12 PM

I used to own a boos ME-50 (you can find it cheap used)
Very nice multi effects!!

Swimming Bird · #3 10-16-2007, 05:42 PM

In a multi, I'd definitely go for live usability as well as tone. Of the ones you listed, the ME-20B and the Korg look the most user friendly.

Also, I wouldn't put much stock in presets. The next criteria should be how much you can edit each effect and combine them in different orders. Any multi-effect can sound good once you go through and make your own settings with proper EQ and compression, etc, so this isn't really a battle of sounds. They should also all have similar effects.

If you want to compare features, also take a look at the Boss GT-6B (which might be in your price range).

Best of luck.

RickenBoogie · #4 10-17-2007, 09:15 AM

Or, for your $400., you could buy 2 or 3 single fx boxes, ones you think you might actually use, and be way better off for it. Perhaps a nice overdrive, compressor and an envelope filter? I'm just saying......think about it.

SteveC · #5 10-17-2007, 09:40 AM

I have always thought you shouldn't buy an effect until you really need it. I can't justify $$ for something I might use on a song or two, once in a while.

bassteban · #6 10-17-2007, 09:53 AM

I'm somewhat w/RickenBoogie on this one. A few very good effects that you totally use are way better than 40 or more not too bad ones, more than half of which you may never use. OTOH, I just got a B2.1u & love it. If the DI side of it works well, I will use it live. I've had Zoom stuff before & like the ease of tweakage, & the new stuff addresses the durability issues I had w/older stuff. My bottom line advice- & this, I think, also jibes w/SteveC's wise words: Don't walk into GC planning on leaving w/something(other than as much knowledge as possible). Do your homework- there's a ton of experience here.

Geddyfleaharris · #7 10-17-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Or, for your $400., you could buy 2 or 3 single fx boxes, ones you think you might actually use, and be way better off for it. Perhaps a nice overdrive, compressor and an envelope filter? I'm just saying......think about it.

Completely agree with the quote. I find multi fx pedals awkward to use, the pre sets usually suck and they usually do a whole bunch of things "ok" but nothing really great. I bought a Digitech BP200 about a year ago and now it just collects dust. I still haven't figured out how to program my own settings on it.

bassbrad · #8 10-17-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geddyfleaharris

I bought a Digitech BP200 about a year ago and now it just collects dust. I still haven't figured out how to program my own settings on it.

This is the reason most people have hang ups about multi effect pedals. If they would take the short amount of time to learn how to program their particular unit and explore the possibilities they might actually like the thing and use them more. & Yes for the most part the presets all suck and that is also a lot of what turns people off of multiefx units.

grovest · #9 10-17-2007, 06:20 PM

Michael-

I've had a lot of fun with the Boss GT-6B. It was not hard for me to figure out the programming, and it may not be hard for you, either. If you find a used one you could probably sell it for what you buy it for. An advantage of a multi-effect for a person new to effects is the chance to explore a whole range of possibilities, discovering what really works in different settings. Most of the presets in the GT-6B weren't for me (I liked 'Liverpool', though!), but I'd suggest thinking of presets as just starting points. I especially like this pedal's ability to program the parametric EQ with different settings _per patch_. The double chorus with crossover is neat, too.

SteveC · #10 10-17-2007, 06:41 PM

Multi effects are like a buffet. You can try a little of everything. Then, next time you go to eat, you can have an individual portion of what you liked without having it sit on a warming table, under a sneeze guard, with 20 other people picking at it.

I think most people would agree that individual effects sound better and are more versitile.

Incognitus · #11 10-17-2007, 06:59 PM

I'd have to agree with the posters who stated that you should really only buy an effect when you feel you need one. I bought a digitech hothead distortion pedal on impulse (my weakness). It's not a bad pedal but it's definitely a pedal I don't need. So I wasted 60 bucks on a pedal I don't even use. It's a nice paperweight for sure, but definitely a waste of my money.

Buy it if you know that you are going to use it more than once or twice.

My two cents

God Bless

Zappstorius · #12 10-17-2007, 09:15 PM

If you don't experiment with pedals, how would you know if you'll never use one? Bass is one instrument where the clean signal is perfectly acceptable for all kinds of music.

That's why even though I don't dig them, multi units are great for learning what sounds you like etc.

My suggestion would be to go into your local music store and demo a bunch of stompboxes...not only "bass" stompboxes, but pedals that are made for guitar.

Maybe get a used multi unti for under $100?

g00eY · #13 10-17-2007, 09:17 PM

My vote goes to the Boss GT-6B. I got my a few weeks ago and I'm still getting used to the programming portion of it, but it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. That being said, I think the presets are pretty much useless. There are also a bunch of effects that are useless (at least to me) because of the style I play and the fact that they aren't well made, such as the synth. I do like the compressor and the EQ section, though. The distortion is solid, as are the chorus, reverb, and delay. Essentially all the basic stuff is pretty well made, but the "weird" stuff like the ring mod and synth don't really cut it.

waffle puzzle · #14 10-17-2007, 09:24 PM

I would recommend the Boss GT-6B.
AND contrary to what some think, IME, there are some quite good presets.
If you do get into the programming aspect of it, the possibilities are endless.

I do agree that the synth sounds leave alot to be desired, but some can be fun with some tweaking.

This Multi does more than it's price reflects.

Swift713 · #15 10-18-2007, 05:48 AM

I tend to agree with the try out a multi approach if you don't know what you want. I have never used the presets on my B2

but have tweaked for hours finding the sounds I really like.
The Boss may be more performance friendly, or it may not matter. I find I only use a few different patches these days and, although I haven't been performing, I would probably use even less with a band.
The B2 is a cheap and flexible way to find out what you're interested in. One day I may upgrade to a few better individual pedals but I'm glad I didn't spend much figuring out which ones I want. Also, I use it for headphone practice, it has a tuner, makes a good DI, etc.

barbarbass · #16 10-18-2007, 06:07 AM

The Moog MuRF 105 is marketed as a guitar effect, but it actually works better for the bass (or keyboard). I got one about three months ago, and still haven't gotten over the multitude of squishes, squonks, and crackles it will make.

Moog also makes an MuRF 105b (bass mode) but the regular old MuRF 105 should suffice.

The other thing Moog doesn't tell you -- if you crank the "drive' knob over enough, it becomes a fuzz pedal. And not a fuzz pedal like any other -- certain frequencies distort harder than others. Beautifully made as well -- and the people at Moog are extremely helpful (even willing to answer questions about other manufacturer's gear).