I need a _____________! (help!

[TimWilson]

My church rotates between three bassists, each of whom uses different gear, so it's impractical (and impolite) to leave any one bassist's gear at the chair.

I bring along a small multiFX pedal (DigiTech BP200), but honestly, even THAT modest unit is more than I need. I want to downsize! No BassPODs, no BOSS giants...

I don't change sounds during services and I don't need to access the unit once I'm tuned and checked. I don't need any kind of modeling or crazy envelope filters.

I just need a very small, dependable multi that gives me a tuner and BASIC effects: compression, chorus, etc.

I like the Korg Pandora, but again, TOO COMPLEX! I don't want a NASA flight control station in a box! Tuner and compression, that's all! If the Bass RockMan had a tuner, it'd be JUST what I want.

Does anyone know what I should be looking for?

[Jazz Ad]

Strange that you don't like the Pandora. It sounds great and it's dead simple to use. You will have a hard time finding something else that small to cover your needs.

[loend68]

Grab one of the small Zoom multieffects. Pretty good sound and easy to use...

[TimWilson]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Strange that you don't like the Pandora. It sounds great and it's dead simple to use. You will have a hard time finding something else that small to cover your needs.

It's not that I don't like the Pandora, it's just too complex. At least, that's what I've read/heard. I'd only use a tiny fraction of it's power...

But I'll look around for one. Maybe I dismissed them too soon...

[bassman1185]

Why not do what I do: get a small pedalboard and set it up with a DI/preamp, tuner, and whatever else you need? Most multi's will have a lot of extra stuff compared to what it sounds like you need, and the single effects will be more versitile and cost effective in the long run.

[NortyFiner]

Unfortunately, all the small multis I know about are menu-driven RC flight controllers for the Space Shuttle, as you say. But if you want everything in one little box, you have to accept some level of user-unfriendliness and complexity in that regard.

That said, I think your first stop should be the Digitech BP-50. It is basically the same as your BP-200, but with fewer gadgets and no expression pedal, so it is somewhat smaller. Another advantage is that the BP-50 is very similar to your BP-200, so you would be instantly familiar with how it works.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....dal?sku=150844

Hope that helps.

[THand]

Pandora has presets. You could use the existing ones or make your own. once you have it like you want, all you have to do is plug in.

[stflbn]

Existing presets in the Pandora are very very decent. Find one you like... use it.

About as simple as you can get. Also easy to tweak if you choose to.

[cybersnyder]

Line 6 M9. The effects are killer, it's built tough and the size is right.

[68Goldfish]

Another vote for the pandora. I just got a PXd5 and it's got great built in presets(and sooooo much more, I really wish I had this thing twenty years ago). All you'd have to do is plug it in and press one button. Or two buttons if you wanted to tune up. They make these things to be user friendly, it ain't that hard.

[SteveC]

I am in a similar situation. There is a Pod at church that we all use, but I often bring my Genz Benz combo and use that. All I need is my tuner and a DI - not even a preamp really. I also use a compressor sometimes.

I tried the M9 for a while today. It's nice, small, easy to use, but again - more than I - and you - need. I am thinking about a small board. It's more than a multi, but a multi will always have more than you want. A PedalTrain Mini is pretty small, but you can still have a few pedals on it. The case is also nice.

I'm thinking Boss TU-2, BBE Optostomp, and a DI. That's really all I'd need for church and my other gigs. If I wanted to add something later, there's still a little room.

[TimWilson]

I looked for a Pandora in the classifieds here and all of 'em are sold.. I'll keep my ear to the ground for one. I didn't think they were as user friendly as that, but I'll give it a go. Thanks, fellers.

[dannybuoy]

Not sure what the newer ones are like, but the PX4D is just as complicated as most other cheap multis... Plus most of the presets are for guitar and I found the unit excessively noisy. If you want simple to use, by separate pedals and a Pedaltrain Mini! Wouldn't be cheap though...

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Why not do what I do: get a small pedalboard and set it up with a DI/preamp, tuner, and whatever else you need? Most multi's will have a lot of extra stuff compared to what it sounds like you need, and the single effects will be more versitile and cost effective in the long run.

I like this idea. The NYC Lunchbox would have enough room for a tuner a comp and a chorus. If you need more than perhaps a Pedaltrain Mini.

[68Goldfish]

I've read about the PX4 bieng noisy but with good headphones I can't really hear any excesive noise with the Px5. I just bought one used of of TB a couple of weeks ago. Keep your eye's peeled.

[MaxMaps]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I like this idea. The NYC Lunchbox would have enough room for a tuner a comp and a chorus. If you need more than perhaps a Pedaltrain Mini.

+1 , better to have the option of switching and taking an effect out rather than ditching the entire pedal.

[kevteop]

Personally I'd use this as an excuse to stop going to church.

[Planet Boulder]

Originally Posted by kevteop

Personally I'd use this as an excuse to stop going to church.

Well I would too , but seeing as how he probably wants to continue to attend, I recommend either the Zoom B1 or B2.

If a schmuck like me can use it with ease, the OP should be able to do so as well. It's cheap, it's small, the effects are QUITE good (even for a multi) and it's durable.