Help me decide: Line 6 Delay or EHX MicroSynth?

[Invisible_Kid]

So, being the zero-income under-legal-age-for-work teenager that I am, my father had pity on me and decided that he'd get me something expensive for my birthday. Since I already have a good amp and desire more effects, I asked him if he'd buy me the EHX Bass Micro Synthesizer ($270). He said it would be in his price range ($300), but I'm having trouble deciding between the MicroSynth and this Line 6 Echo Park Delay ($150).

I have absolutely no clue which one to get because they are equally awesome in my opinion.

"If you don't know what you need, you don't need it." That's the classic TB answer. But I call bull! Someone please give their opinion.

[Eliot L]

It depends on what kind of stuff you're looking to play. I personally prefer delay over the micro synth but they're both awesome. I like spacey sounds and I like to combine my delay and distortion to get feedback sounds so it tends to be a lot more useful for me but the synth could do you wonders in writing as well. They're both very different so just consider what it is you think you would use more. My vote is the delay...but I like the Line 6 DL4 or better yet the new M9 which has a combination of their many effects but mostly just for the array of delay. You can have numerous preset delays (for songs starting in different tempos), tap tempo, and a sampler/looper. Quite the toy as well as effective. Just my opinion though....

[bassbmx]

Go for a second hand Line 6 M9 for around $300. You won't be disappointed

[Larry Noodles]

Dude, go for the freaky Micro Synth sounds. There's lots of (less expensive, equal quality), options if you want delay. But only a Micro Synth sounds like a...

[kevteop]

What have you already got?

What sort of music do you play?

Are you in a gigging band or just playing at home?

I think for the majority of people in bands, the BMS would see more use live than the delay. But the delay could be a lot of fun and surprise you more than the BMS.

I've had both pedals and I think they are both great pedals, but I've had four BMSs so I would have to side with that one.

[Invisible_Kid]

Originally Posted by kevteop

What have you already got?

What sort of music do you play?

Are you in a gigging band or just playing at home?

I think for the majority of people in bands, the BMS would see more use live than the delay. But the delay could be a lot of fun and surprise you more than the BMS.

I've had both pedals and I think they are both great pedals, but I've had four BMSs so I would have to side with that one.

I've go an EHX Bass Big Muff Pi and a Dunlop 105Q Bass Wah.

I play a little bit of jazz, but mostly I like doing rock, metal, or some solo slap style.

I'm just playing at home now, but I'm getting a band together and we might gig sometime.

[bassman1185]

I would recommend the M9 as well. It has all the delays of the Echo Park, plus tons of other effects, including several solid sounding synths.

[old-fashioned]

I would go for a good compressor like the Diamond Bass Comp.

[Swift713]

I wasn't very impressed with the Echo Park. There are better delays in the same price range IMO (Hardwire DL-8, Boss DD-7, MXR Carbon Copy, etc.) depending what sort of features/delay time you want. I think the BMS is a really cool pedal with endless possibilities.

[Swimming Bird]

Sort of an apples and carrots choice here, I'd recommend the BMS if it isn't too redundant in your setup.

A used M9 might be cool, there's a lot of pedal for the cash. But I've tried out an M9/13 a couple times and have never been impressed by the sounds. However, the delays sound good, so it might be worth getting one as a sweet delay box with a bunch of other sounds and features tossed in. I dunno, in the end you're gonna have to decide. I'd go with the BMS.

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

I've go an EHX Bass Big Muff Pi and a Dunlop 105Q Bass Wah.

I play a little bit of jazz, but mostly I like doing rock, metal, or some solo slap style.

I'm just playing at home now, but I'm getting a band together and we might gig sometime.

That makes it a bit awkward. The BMS would fit well into the stuff you're doing and offer you a ton of sounds, but it would also largely overlap the Big Muff and the wah in functionality. Although if you've already got those two it's a cert that you will like the sounds you get from the BMS.

If you're planning to start gigging soon then I would say go with the BMS. IMO it's one of the best bass effects ever made.

[judas jedermann]

M9 Delays, synths, modulations, reverbs, drives, looper + tuner, noise gate, option for expression pedals...

[MakiSupaStar]

I'll sell you my EHX bass micro synth for 150 bucks and then you can buy the Line 6. That way you'll get both.

[Invisible_Kid]

Originally Posted by bassbmx

Go for a second hand Line 6 M9 for around $300. You won't be disappointed

I tend to dislike used equipment, even if it is almost brand new.

Originally Posted by bassman1185

I would recommend the M9 as well. It has all the delays of the Echo Park, plus tons of other effects, including several solid sounding synths.

I also tend to dislike highly complex-to-operate machinery. I mean, it's not nearly as complicated as the M13, but as much as a loop station would be cool, I don't think it would be practical.

Originally Posted by Eliot L

My vote is the delay...but I like the Line 6 DL4

After checking it out, the DL4 seems to be a pretty viable option with all of its delays and its loop station (I'm actually partial to this loop station only because it's simple), and it's certainly more extensive than the Echo Park, although the EP can be tape, analog, or digital while the DL4 is only digital.

SO! My dad has finally given in and said that I can have as many piece of gear as I want as long as their prices all fit into the range of $270.
I've also expanded my delay options to include the MXR Carbon Copy and the Line 6 DL4.
This leaves the following options:

1. BMS; $270
2. Echo Park ($150) and Enigma ($120); $270
3. DL4 ($237) and strap ($30); $267
4. Carbon Copy ($121), TC PolyTune ($100), Straploks ($15), strap; $266
5. Carbon Copy ($121), DVP1 Volume Pedal ($100), Straploks ($15), strap; $266
6. EP, DVP1, and Straploks; $264
7. EP, TC Polytune, and Straploks; $264
8. EP, Bassballs ($80), strap; $260

Tell me, my fellow TBers, which number is the best?

[Rick Brienzo]

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

although the EP can be tape, analog, or digital while the DL4 is only digital.

Nope, the DL4 also models tape, analog, and digital. The DL4 will do everything the EP will do plus a whole lot more. You can't go wrong with the DL4 I have one and always will. It is my go to delay, it's easy to use, has tons of great usable sounds, and is a lot of fun. The looper is very simple to use and a great learning tool.

Get the DL4!

[Invisible_Kid]

Originally Posted by Rick Brienzo

Nope, the DL4 also models tape, analog, and digital. The DL4 will do everything the EP will do plus a whole lot more. You can't go wrong with the DL4 I have one and always will. It is my go to delay, it's easy to use, has tons of great usable sounds, and is a lot of fun. The looper is very simple to use and a great learning tool.

Get the DL4!

That's one vote for choice three!

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

I also tend to dislike highly complex-to-operate machinery. I mean, it's not nearly as complicated as the M13, ...

Actually the M9/M13 are the easiest to use multis I've ever come across, and the M13 is easier to use than the M9 thanks to its multiple displays.

They are out of your price range though, so not worth talking about, but I'm really glad I got my M9 it has been a great bit of kit.

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by kevteop

Actually the M9/M13 are the easiest to use multis I've ever come across, and the M13 is easier to use than the M9 thanks to its multiple displays.

They are out of your price range though, so not worth talking about, but I'm really glad I got my M9 it has been a great bit of kit.

+1. The M13 is very easy to operate. There are only a few functions that require you to dig into menus. I don't have an M9, but my understanding is that it is pretty easy as well.

FWIW I would recommend a Hardwire DL8 over an Echo Park or a DL4. Those things are built like a tank and sound pretty good, too.

If you are going to dump 240ish on a DL-4, you really want to wait and get an M9 or M13. Not that much more money for infinitely more possiblilities. Worst case scenario with an M9 (if you hate everything except the delays) is still like buying 3 DL-4s and cascading them into each other.

MicroSynth is pretty awesome. You can't get its sound from an M9 or M13. If I were in a gig that I could use a lot of a BMS, I would get that and not think twice.

Sorry to further complicate your search.

[Invisible_Kid]

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

The M13 is very easy to operate.

Well, I can't imagine how hard all the other multis would be.

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

Well, I can't imagine how hard all the other multis would be.

Oh, I see. I still think it's worth the effort to learn it, but I put a vote in for #2. Enigma is easy to use, but hard to dial in. There are tons of sounds inside it, though. Patience and a keen use of the sensitivity knob is key.

Good luck and enjoy your spoils.