Line 6 M5

Bassmike62 · #1 03-14-2013, 05:08 PM

Thinking about going the multi way for modulation. Search didn't come up with much on the 1st page anyway.

How does it work out on bass ? Can it be powered by something else than its walwart ?

Dazonbass · #2 03-14-2013, 05:15 PM

it requires a large current and an ac power supply so the wallwart works best. I am sure people have gotten around this but not sure what was used.

Consider also the M5 is awkward to switch between settings. I use an M9 but the size is its disadvantage.

zwkoch · #3 03-14-2013, 05:15 PM

I use it and like it very much. I power it with the one spot. Some of the synth sounds don't track with bass, but the other 95% do. It is really awesome with the hot hand sensor. Pitch sweeps, drive modulation, etc. Every function can be modulated with the hot hand. It also has a pretty nice Muff, Tonebender, and tube screamer sim.

zwkoch · #4 03-14-2013, 05:22 PM

It is awkward to switch between sounds. I believe Gadget Junkie uses midi designer on his IPad to streamline things. I already had a ton of pedals, and I bought this to get more out of my hot hand.

Gadgetjunky · #5 03-14-2013, 05:43 PM

I like it a lot, but it is tricky to control. you gave to push both buttons, scroll (which seems backwards to me) then click to activate. A midi controller totally fixes that, but most people don't have extra space. A midi-mouse is a great mini-controller.

All that said, it sounds great on bass. Octave, pitchglide, phaser, delay, chorus and many other goodies. Only one at a time. For the money, a B3 may be a better choice. I havenot played thru one yet, but 3 fx at a time and easier interface plus a DI make it hard to ignore. But it doesn't have midi. Once you go midi....well.

cybersnyder · #6 03-14-2013, 05:49 PM

Basically it's the size of about two pedals on your pedalboard. It has a tuner, so if you use it to also replace your tuner then it's effectively taking the footprint of one pedal. You can power it with a OneSpot, I recommend using a dedicated power supply because I've had some power supply crosstalk in the form of a high pitch whistling that's fairly quiet but you can hear it if you're running it into an 800W head and cabs. Putting the OneSpot on its own power supply, either the supplied or a dedicated OneSpot took care of the problem. It is possible to power the M5 in a chain of effects using a OneSpot. The OneSpot provides 1700mA and the M5 uses 500mA.

I had JHV3 mod my M5

http://www.jhv3.com/m9-mods/

The results were awesome. Functionally there is an added bank switch so you don't need to step on two switches at once to switch effects. The upgraded switches are also a plus. Far more reliable than the stock switches. Not that I had a problem with the stock switches, but these feel more robust.

Anyways, the M5 is my favorite pedal out there. It doesn't do everything, but it's like Jello after you eat a big meal. It fills in all the holes leftover.

canshaker · #7 03-14-2013, 05:51 PM

Hold off, for now. There MAY or MAY NOT be something coming out SPECIFICALLY for bass players, verrry soon.

cybersnyder · #8 03-14-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canshaker

Hold off, for now. There MAY or MAY NOT be something coming out SPECIFICALLY for bass players, verrry soon.

Something Zoom? MS60B?

mcrawfordmusic · #9 03-14-2013, 06:09 PM

It works okay on bass, but i haven't been able to justify leaving it on my board because i can't find a preset usable for my needs and i have limited space.Its still a great pedal for the cash though!
I've had no issues running it off a gator bus supply (similar to a Pedal Power) or its stock supply. I haven't tried a 1spot or a generic 9v.

Bassmike62 · #10 03-14-2013, 06:12 PM

I'm wondering if it can feed off a black DC Brick

TorontoAlex · #11 03-14-2013, 07:11 PM

I don't know how I feel about helping a Hab's fan, but I had a M5, sold it and got the B3. The bass octave and modulations sounded fantastic, probably better than the B3 even, but like previously mentioned the interface was a pain. The B3 is much easier to use, plus has an XLR and USB, which are much more important to me as I don't use MIDI. IMO go with the M9 if you want to go the Line 6 route.
Go Leafs.

Bassmike62 · #12 03-14-2013, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorontoAlex

I don't know how I feel about helping a Hab's fan (...) Go Leafs.

And I certainly don't expect any less from a Bud's fan. See ya April 13 !

zwkoch · #13 03-14-2013, 07:25 PM

I also bought this for the octo verb setting. I do a lot of ambient chords and this setting is very similar to the shimmer setting on a Strymon Blue Sky.

taurus1 · #14 03-14-2013, 07:48 PM

I bought one at Long and Mcquade for $135.00, if you hurry they might still have some left at that price. I've only used it for reverb but it's working out well, no complaints.
lifelong Habs fan here as well.

canshaker · #15 03-15-2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Something Zoom? MS60B?

Be sure to check the presets.

Gadgetjunky · #16 03-15-2013, 08:57 AM

sweetwater.com, $129. Show me a better multi-fx for that price!!!

Adamixoye · #17 03-15-2013, 01:20 PM

Oh man...that is an amazing sale. On GuitarCenter.com the used ones go from $100-150, with $130 very typical.

I don't need one of these right now, but man...tempting...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadgetjunky

sweetwater.com, $129. Show me a better multi-fx for that price!!!

**jbybj** · #18 03-16-2013, 12:15 AM

I leave my as an octave. It has the best tracking, tone, and adjustability of any octaver I have tried.

Rockin Mike · #19 03-16-2013, 12:33 AM

I have the M13, the guts are the same but with the M13 you can have 4 effects going at the same time. The interface is nifty, it's just like 4 pedals sitting side-by-side. No menus to get from one effect to the other. It has 12 footswitches so you can instantly go to any of 3 effects for each of the 4 channels.

There are a lot of interesting things you can do with the models on any of the M5/M9/M13 boxes. There is a thread on it here:
M9/M13 Tricks

The quality of the effects is good for what it is. If you want the best of the best quality you don't want a multi-effect pedal of any type, you want to go buy your favorite boutique pedals and build a pedalboard, and get into the cycle of buying a pedal, selling it, buying a different one, in an endless and expensive quest for the perfect tone.

For me, the M-series sounds great for onstage. I might look for something different for recording.

Bassmike62 · #20 03-17-2013, 08:55 PM

Guys, Thx for the replies. After reading and thinking, I'll on the multi. I believe that it'll be more hassle than benefit, at this point anyway.