M9 - tell me why I "need" one - or not.

[SteveC]

I have been going back and forth on this in my mind for a while. I generally haven't used effects. Maybe some compression, maybe chorus, and tuner - I know it's not an effect. Anyway, I don't want a big board. I play in a jazz trio, jazz quartet with a little more of an edge fronted by a guitar, a pop/acoustic/rock cover 4 piece, a 9 piece horn band and at church.

I think there are times I could use effects, but generally my bands call for pretty straight forward bass. That may because I haven't tried otherwise.

I like having my options, and I like it in a small package. I'm not that picky - I don't need the best of any effect. Modeled is good enough.

What say you - spend and experiment or save and keep it simple. None of my bands are pushing for effects.

[Spacelordmother]

I think that if this is a question that plagues you then it doesn't matter if your bands are calling for effects. Like you said, experimentation made lead to increased usage.

The M9 may be a little steep for dabbling, but if you can afford it, then you can't do better in such a small package.

Also, you say you don't need "the best" of effects, but many people who actively seek "the best" are using one. I'm not saying it's the "be all, end all", but for what you get in the box it's pretty incredible.

[stflbn]

I use the M9 for subtle effects needs. I've found I like the compressors. The Flangers and Phasers are fantastic and the Chorus's are nice.

I'm most impressed with the Bass Octave and Pitch shift functions on it and find I'm using them quite a bit in subtle manners in both my bands. (Harmonica Blues, and Country/Classic Rock). It can do a very nice PoG type setup using an octave down and an octave up... use both subtle along with your full strength normal signal and you can do some serious filling out of space during solos and such. Modulation effects are also nice but I've never been much for poit poit myow myow boing boing funky type effects.

Once I stopped trying to overcomplicate it, we're getting along fine. Just think of it as a 6-pedal effect board where 3 can be on at a time. Then you have the opportunity to have 24 total pre-setup pedal boards at your disposal. The M9 isn't as much about 'preset patches' as it is about how you use each individual effect and how you use them together.

[sonic assassin]

well the upside.. you can have as little or as much as you want. patches for songs.. banks for songs, whatever you need. all delays preset, no tap dancing. if you use if for more than 3 effects, its a pretty solid piece of gear.

[AleemRadunzel]

dahm right - the m13 has replaced *nearly all* of my rig.. and the stuff it hasnt replaced is mostly due to convenince. i find the gain very dry. i personally find the effects i can keep the same but how much gain i can get away with varys due to the venues p.a.

i am a coward though i still use a master bypass switch

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Spacelordmother

The M9 may be a little steep for dabbling, but if you can afford it, then you can't do better in such a small package.

I'm not saying it's the "be all, end all", but for what you get in the box it's pretty incredible.

Well, I am known for a overkill in my gear. I use a Max 12 head for jazz trio gigs! It juts sounds so good. I like that the M9 is all in one and anything I would ever need. - even though I'd only use about 2-3 on a regular basis.

[SteveC]

I've answered my own question. Visiting with one of the guys I play with (who is in sales) we decided that I just wouldn't use it. We've tried before and we always end up liking my clean tone best.

They did have a VS H20 chorus/Echo which I took to try. It sounds great on bass. I may get this as I can use it in church and possibly some other places.

[bassbmx]

To echo what the others have said, it's a really great piece of gear and could quite easily replace a lot of the pedals I have.

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I've answered my own question. Visiting with one of the guys I play with (who is in sales) we decided that I just wouldn't use it. We've tried before and we always end up liking my clean tone best.

If you're a proper tone-head, incorporating effects can be a real nightmare. I've yet to find a buffer I can put on my board that will still deliver the tone of my bass to the amp. Consequently I use effects in one band, and absolutely none in the other.

[SteveC]

Yeah, sorry for wasting everyone's time. I tend to use the forum as a "sounding board" to think out loud. I am usually better off not doing anything.