Less is more or more than less?

[Sarah5string]

I did a search and nothing came up so apologies if this has been covered before... just don't chase me away with pitchforks.. lol

When it comes to pedals... what do you prefer? More pedals that you may not use or just one or two that you use all the time?

Personally I've got one.. but it's a Zoom B2 which acts as a tuner and effects in one with lots of different kinds... I was thinking the other day if it's better to have lots of seperate pedals that an all-in-one?

What do you guys think?

[Fine Cut]

currently i use none, hopefully i'll have a Fender tuner pedal in the next couple weeks, and that's prolly all i'll need...effects and i dont go well, cuz if i like one, i'll wind up using it unnecessarily lol

[MaxZolt]

I have a multi-effect unit as well, and I like having a lot of options without having to deal with a bunch of individual pedals.

I rarely use effects, as I can get the vast majority of the tones I want through technique, EQ, etc, but I like the multi-effect for the times when I do use effects because it's usually something way out there.

For example, at my last gig I was playing a weird synth/violin line in a song, using a combination of a slow attack effect, reverb, and some sort of strange delay (I don't remember which specifically). I wouldn't want to buy specialized pedals for that.

I also like the amp/cab modeling available on my unit--I'm not sure if that's available on your Zoom, but they come in handy from time to time.

Bottom line, I'm content with the multi-effect. I know individual stompboxes sound better, but I seriously doubt that the drunken partygoers I usually play for would be able to tell the difference, so I'm not willing to shell out the extra dough.

[The BurgerMeister]

i'm into the single effects, and as little as possible to fulfill my needs. my board consisted of about 14 pedals at some point, but i've since whittled it down to 4 that i use all the time (tuner, a/b/y box, compressor, overdrive). i have a second board that has drives, fuzzes, an octaver, a flanger, and a delay. i usually bring both boards to the studio and the smaller one live.

it really depends on the circumstances, though. i was using more effects in my previous band. it was a power trio, and i need to fill out the space left by the lack of guitars. now, i'm in a four-piece with two guitarists, so i need to find the best tone for the mix. bottom line: serve the music.

[kaputsport]

I love them. I have:
Russian Big Muff (fuzz)
Russian Baseballs (fuzzy vowel synth tone)
Akai Intelliphase (Analog Phaser)
Boss OC-2 (Octave pedal)

I recently put a big muff in front of a Proco RAT in the studio.
I also have an SYB-3 bass synth pedal.

I think if you use the effects way too much, it is distastful, however, if you find the balance, you can make effects take you far.

[Swift713]

I've got the B2 as well and I'm pretty happy with it. However, I often think it would be better to have a couple really nice pedals as well or instead. Right now I'm obsessing about a compressor. Some day I'd like to get a real tube OD and maybe an envelope phaser . I do use a couple other pedals as well, Lazy Sprocket and RC-20xl. The multi is very convenient but the linear scrolling through patches feels a little awkward, sort of. It seems more intuitive to just step on what you want. Always a trade off.

[ehque]

The reason why im going single pedals is because of 2 things. Parallel signals and feedback loops. Can't do either with multieffects, although the new POD X3 can do 2 parallel signals, if i am not wrong.

[CincyBassMan]

Originally Posted by MaxZolt

I have a multi-effect unit as well, and I like having a lot of options without having to deal with a bunch of individual pedals.

I rarely use effects, as I can get the vast majority of the tones I want through technique, EQ, etc, but I like the multi-effect for the times when I do use effects because it's usually something way out there.

For example, at my last gig I was playing a weird synth/violin line in a song, using a combination of a slow attack effect, reverb, and some sort of strange delay (I don't remember which specifically). I wouldn't want to buy specialized pedals for that.

I also like the amp/cab modeling available on my unit--I'm not sure if that's available on your Zoom, but they come in handy from time to time.

Bottom line, I'm content with the multi-effect. I know individual stompboxes sound better, but I seriously doubt that the drunken partygoers I usually play for would be able to tell the difference, so I'm not willing to shell out the extra dough.

+1

I started with the early Zooms and I liked some of the sounds but more for muting/tuning. Then I started having problems with in/out connections which forced () me to go to a pedalboard (cuz they don't make 2 or 3 connection daisy chains!). Then I got an Aphex Aural Xciter and I have a Dano mini reverb pedals that just does something for my sound. So then I picked up a DigiTech BP50, but the tuner in it is CRAP! Got a Sabine tuner, too big! Got a Fender PT100 and a Korg AX3B. Then I started experimenting with compressors. Got a Line6 Compactor, too big! Dano Surf & Turf, too small (well it was O.K. but wanted...?!?), Behringer Comp/Limiter (pos). I have settled with the DigiTech X series.

Then I started to pair down. Got a Nathan East NE-50 tone box (O.K. but left me wanting something...) then the Behringer SansAmp clone (again pos and it was really noisy!), finally got a Hartke VXL.

So, now with one band I use a pedalboard (Comp>AX3B>Xciter>Reverb>Amp), with my blues band the VXL only and when I do caberet stuff either the NE-50 or the VXL. However, as stated above, I don't believe my audiences know or care what I use as long as it sounds good.

Sorry for the long response/vent/rant, I feel much better now...

[bassbrad]

I sorta do both, my board has 7 single efx and a multiefx at the end. IMO multiefx all do some things pretty well and I don't use the thngs i don't like so that's what the singles are for.

[Geddyfleaharris]

Originally Posted by jetpackbassist

i was using more effects in my previous band. it was a power trio

power trio............drool...........gotta love power trios. You never hear "power fourers" or "power 5ers". Power trios just induce sonic mesmerization in my head.......Budgie, Rush, Motorhead........

Anyways back to the thread..........I use single pedal effects. A wah, fuzz, and a Micro Pog. I have an MXR Auto Q but it is coming off my board. I just don't use it much.

[Swimming Bird]

I have a huge board (~12 single pedals, plus a midi unit, some loop stations and a Kaoss Pad) and I use everything, sometimes all in one song. I love the way pedals interact, so I tend to run a whole bunch at once (though I do play clean on occassion ). Then again, I usually play solo.

[JanusZarate]

I prefer to stick to only what I need nowadays (chorus/flanger, fuzz, wah, overdrive). But for a long time, I had a sizeable effects arsenal.