Help me choose a Multi-Effects, or go with pedals?

duke2004 · #1 05-02-2009, 10:12 AM

I know there are tons of threads on multi-effects, but i need someone who's been down in the trenches with them to give some intuitive advice Looking to stay new or used under $200-250. I already own a tube screamer, digital delay, boss phaser and flanger...i would like to get wha, octaver, something with Lovetone Meatball type sounds in it if possible.
No need to amp or cabinet simulation, though i guess most units include that, and it can be bypassed. Easy user interface is essential! so more knobs are good.

Cant be huge, maybe 10x7 inches max?, integral expression pedal optional to keep size down. I am leaning toward a Line 6 used product, as i just got rid of my Behringer and Digitech multieffects.
On the other hand, might it make sense to invest more than the 200 in a few more individual pedals?

gribuski · #2 05-02-2009, 12:27 PM

Honestly, I've had some experience with multi-effects and haven't come across I like. Yeah, it's convenient having all of those effects convenient, but they're usually marginal quality, especially in the 10 x 7 size you're looking for.

Seems like you've already got a pretty good start with independent pedals, and I think you should keep going that route. It'll cost more in the long run, but if you really want good quality sound, that's the way to go.

Plus, it's so much more fun making separate pedals interact with each other by moving them around in the chain and so forth....

vikingur · #3 05-02-2009, 05:40 PM

it really depends on how many effects you need and how finnicky you are. if you just need a basic and/or distorted sound, a compressor, distortion, and maybe a delay or reverb pedal should fit the bill,esp. if your a tone snob. if you do needa bunch of assorted effects then a multi-effects is perfect.

Swift713 · #4 05-02-2009, 09:05 PM

If you're looking for basically wah, octave, and filter type effects I would imagine you'd get better sound from singles. I haven't heard people raving about digital filters and wahs the way they talk about the various Meatballs, Grinders, etc.

Mudfuzz · #5 05-02-2009, 09:30 PM

The "fact" [well to me] that multi-effects sound bad beside the point, for the most part you can't make fast on the fly adjustments easily with most of them, so if something isn't coming out right you can't just twiggle a knob or two you have to hit buttons, than make adjustments, then save, who has time for that. Sure if you get it perfect then no prob but...................

duke2004 · #6 05-02-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfuzz

The "fact" [well to me] that multi-effects sound bad beside the point, for the most part you can't make fast on the fly adjustments easily with most of them, so if something isn't coming out right you can't just twiggle a knob or two you have to hit buttons, than make adjustments, then save, who has time for that. Sure if you get it perfect then no prob but...................

Anyone want to comment which multi-effects pedals or brand are the most user friendly for live tweeking?

ryognbass · #7 05-02-2009, 09:51 PM

sacrifice space saving needs for amazing usefulness. my vote's on the BOSS ME50B

all knob based, yet allows for saving presets.

sikamikanico · #8 05-03-2009, 01:37 AM

If you really want a multi, I'd try the old Boss units (6B or 8B). Stuart Zender of Jamiroquai used them live so I guess they're not all that bad... If I remember correctly, Les Claypool also used a multi (Korg?) for his filter sounds, right?

anyway, but I agree with others - invest a little more and buy yourself some more pedals... they can even be cheaper than a multi...

also, it'd be easier to find a multi with nice delays, flangers and phasers, so if you're not a "power user" of those three effects, I'd sell them and invest the money in a nice filter pedal... maybe you can find one with an exp.pedal input and get a volume pedal to satisfy your wah-wah needs, but I wouldn't spend too much on an octaver - a good old OC-2 will do most of the tricks

JimmyM · #9 05-03-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikamikanico

also, it'd be easier to find a multi with nice delays, flangers and phasers, so if you're not a "power user" of those three effects, I'd sell them and invest the money in a nice filter pedal... maybe you can find one with an exp.pedal input and get a volume pedal to satisfy your wah-wah needs, but I wouldn't spend too much on an octaver - a good old OC-2 will do most of the tricks

Funny you say that...I just bought a Whammy Pedal and a Micro Pog, and I like them both a lot, but I'm still craving that OC-2 tone for some reason.

When I got back into effects for bass last summer, I bought a multi...a Zoom B2. Then I bought pedal versions of the effects I decided I could use the most, and I keep the Zoom on my board for the stuff I don't use on a regular basis. I think it pays to have a nice multi, but ultimately, pedals are almost always better.

kyral210 · #10 05-03-2009, 05:55 AM

Quote:

ultimately, pedals are almost always better

I have used Boss, Zoom and digitech multi effects and I really didn't like them at all! That is until I got my Line 6 Bass Pod Xt. I LOVE IT!

I agree that pedals are better than simulated. I have a Boss ODB-3 overdrive plugged into my pod because although it has 5 types of overdrive/ fuzz pedals, it just doesn't sound as whole as the pedal.

That said I love the in built effects sound and the amp/ cab sim is a dream! I no longer use an amp live, just pod into the PA and away! I can now take the bus to any gig in the country AND go out drinking afterwards (no need to drive a car).

So I strongly recommend a bass pod.

One unit I have not tried, but have heard good things of (Jeordie White used it in Nine Inch Nail) is Korg Toneworks. Then again, Justin Mendle Johnson (a pro on this forum and current bassist for NIN uses a Pod Xt).

sikamikanico · #11 05-03-2009, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Funny you say that...I just bought a Whammy Pedal and a Micro Pog, and I like them both a lot, but I'm still craving that OC-2 tone for some reason.

well, i think the OC-2 tone is in our (bassists') collective subconsciousness

we all want it, it's just a matter of finding out what we want :P I think it's too cheap and too cool not to have one, hehe

though, I never really cared for digital octavers and pitch shifters. I spent some time with the EHX HOG and the Bass Whammy, but non of them worked for me. It's just the sound that I don't really care for, especially on the bass...

JimmyM · #12 05-03-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyral210

One unit I have not tried, but have heard good things of (Jeordie White used it in Nine Inch Nail) is Korg Toneworks. Then again, Justin Mendle Johnson (a pro on this forum and current bassist for NIN uses a Pod Xt).

Justin has 5 of everything, though, so he doesn't count

duke2004 · #13 05-03-2009, 06:54 PM

without amp and cabinet simulation, i would really like to know peoples opinion on a line of multieffects which tend to do less tone sucking than others. Im leaning toward adding a small multi-fx into a larger stomp box pedal board.

Swift713 · #14 05-03-2009, 11:10 PM

I hate to say it but I don't like the Zoom B2's bypass. It has some nice subtle overdrive from the amp models and the various delays are nice but it does suck a little tone

**jmattbassplaya** · #15 05-04-2009, 09:22 AM

I`d go individual pedals. I thought I was doing the smart thing when I was younger by getting a multi-effects board... yeah... biggest waste of money.

Although it(the Boss GT-6B) was fun for a while, I quickly got very tired, very quickly at how long it took just to dial out a decent tone, and from the preset to preset there was no volume equalization. You`d switch from a nice smooth tone to a distorted one and literally, all hell would break loose because the volume level would jump or dip uncontrollably. Yeah, you could spend some time changing the settings around to make the volume more even from set to set, but even that would take me(and I thought I was fast at it) a good 15-20 minutes. Multiply that by at least 20 different patches.. no thanks.

Do what I`m going to start doing and just by individual boxes. Although a bit more pricey, you get better control, a better sound, and a sense of mind knowing that they are easier to work with.

duke2004 · #16 05-04-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I`d go individual pedals. I thought I was doing the smart thing when I was younger by getting a multi-effects board... yeah... biggest waste of money.

Although it(the Boss GT-6B) was fun for a while, I quickly got very tired, very quickly at how long it took just to dial out a decent tone, and from the preset to preset there was no volume equalization. You`d switch from a nice smooth tone to a distorted one and literally, all hell would break loose because the volume level would jump or dip uncontrollably. Yeah, you could spend some time changing the settings around to make the volume more even from set to set, but even that would take me(and I thought I was fast at it) a good 15-20 minutes. Multiply that by at least 20 different patches.. no thanks.

Do what I`m going to start doing and just by individual boxes. Although a bit more pricey, you get better control, a better sound, and a sense of mind knowing that they are easier to work with.

Im convinced at this point; would like a delay/reverb box which can be programmed for a couple of separate settings, and put that in the chain of pedals, thats why i was looking for a smallish multifx which wont squash the tone

Mudfuzz · #17 05-04-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke2004

Im convinced at this point; would like a delay/reverb box which can be programmed for a couple of separate settings, and put that in the chain of pedals, thats why i was looking for a smallish multifx which wont squash the tone

You might also look into a midi patchbay as well like the Switchblade, Rocktron PatchMate ect too then use what ever FX you want sound wise and then get the control you want as well.