The Ultimate Question About Effects

[Gadgetjunky]

Originally Posted by Swift713

Yes

well, that kind of what I have acutally, but with a M5. But my example is more like a GT-10b or a B9, something big, then have to add a power supply and pedals. A b3 or m5/M9 on a pedal board with other pedals does seem to be a popular arrangement.

[Thaos627]

im typically not one for popularity, having a multi & pedals seems dumb imho.

after all this im inspired to just grab a korg pandora mini & if that doesnt work im just gonna quit playing bass.

the sound i want isnt difficult to get when i do recordings but getting it live is impossible without spending $1000s.

until the day korg makes a bass with built-in synthesizer effects im obviously not going to sound the way i want.

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by Thaos627

im typically not one for popularity, having a multi & pedals seems dumb imho.

Why? Multi's don't suck anymore. There's lots of good usable tones in small packages. The multis of yesteryear were gigantic, crappy sounding, or both and that has by and large been rectified. They're far from perfection, but they're not the useless piles o' crap they once were.

So for the specific tones that you just can't find in a multi-effect and can't live without you buy your specific boxes and fill in all your random whims with the multi. It's the best of both worlds, the box that does everything reasonably well next to the boxes that do one holy grail tone that nothing else can touch. And all of it can fit onto a Pedatrain Mini with little trouble. I call that a win.

[odineye]

Originally Posted by Gadgetjunky

But my example is more like a GT-10b or a B9, something big, then have to add a power supply and pedals.

That's the route I've gone, GT-10b with individual pedals to augment it. It does make for a somewhat larger board, but IMO it's worth it for the versatile sounds I'm getting out of it.

[odineye]

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

Why? Multi's don't suck anymore. There's lots of good usable tones in small packages. The multis of yesteryear were gigantic, crappy sounding, or both and that has by and large been rectified. They're far from perfection, but they're not the useless piles o' crap they once were.

So for the specific tones that you just can't find in a multi-effect and can't live without you buy your specific boxes and fill in all your random whims with the multi. It's the best of both worlds, the box that does everything reasonably well next to the boxes that do one holy grail tone that nothing else can touch. And all of it can fit onto a Pedatrain Mini with little trouble. I call that a win.

Pretty much the same response I was going to give. The quality and versatility of a lot of multi's now days just crushes what used to be available. But yes, they still can't do everything. Which is why I have and love the GT-10b but still augment it with individual pedals. Besides the quality of the effects, one thing I really dig about this setup is the ability to run across the stage and stomp one pedal to turn on 6 or 7 effects at once. Lets me save the dancing for the show...

[Flux Jetson]

If you go the digi-multi route, go Line 6 M13. No doubt about it. I have an M13 and an M9 .. wonderful for creating synth-like sounds.

But to be honest, I'd go with the individual module method. You have the option of changing any one module (pedal) with that setup, and you also have unlimited routing configurations available to you as well. If the multi-FX thing has a problem with one teensy little part, the entire rig goes down. If something goes wrong with one of the pedals in a modular setup, you still have the rest of the rig at your service while you deal with getting the problem-child pedal taken care of.

Admittedly, I am heavily biased towards modular systems, many of my reasons are listed above. The main thing is the ultimate freedom you end up having. No-one selects which flanger you have except you, no-one decides which octaver you have except you. With the all-in-one gizmos you're at the mercy of whomever decided what was to be installed in it as far as FX and processors go.

Kinda like some spiritual beliefs ... you're at the mercy of whomever published a given set of rules and stories to follow.

Yup, modular analog .. the only way to fly! But if you just have to go with a digi-multi, then the M13 owns it. Best octaver in the business btw. Five wahs, a whole shipload of synthy-type filters and modulators, five or six EQs, double digit numbers of delays, to handfuls of reverbs, and some ~meh~ distortions. Plus TWO FX loops and TWO expression pedal inputs with nearly every single parameter of all 109 FX available to be modded by the expression pedals, in either plus or minus values no less!

Here's my multi FX pile ....








Three of these things ... indispensible! Each one is so powerful ..... with just one you have the power to do, One stomp and ten FX light up ... one more stomp and ten more come on line .. yet another stomp and another path ignites. And that's with just ONE of these things. Not to mention two 20db clean boosters AND 1meg-ohm input impedance!




More of my little friends ..... Two Boss DD-20 Gigadelays, Boss SE20 Space Echo, Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress and Poly Chorus (the old big stainless steel ones). A dozen or so DIY FX (Od's, comps, distortions, fuzzes, three DIY tube amps ....). Three wah pedals, numerous foot controllers, two midi bass pedals (in construction). There's more, but this is beginning to get embarrassing. All of that but only two basses.


So yea .... go modular. Design a pedalboard, y'know one of the stairstep type with two (three?) levels. A little black truck bedliner spray to give it all a nice look. Then you can add, change, arrange, rearrange, configure, reconfigure your processors ... and set it up in any configuration you might ever need. Wire them all up to a patchbay and use little patchcords to change the normalized signal paths any way you need in a moments' notice. So, a new gizmo by Bad-N-Funky pedals came out? No problems mang .... just add it. But admittedly I have a serious DIY madness.

Me? Biased? Pfffftt! Naw ... not me!

[Flux Jetson]

Originally Posted by Thaos627

im typically not one for popularity, having a multi & pedals seems dumb imho.

after all this im inspired to just grab a korg pandora mini & if that doesnt work im just gonna quit playing bass.

the sound i want isnt difficult to get when i do recordings but getting it live is impossible without spending $1000s.

until the day korg makes a bass with built-in synthesizer effects im obviously not going to sound the way i want.

You need to start playing keyboards .... plain and simple. A modular synth is nearly limitless and endlessly expandable. Angst killers, they are.

[Waterpilot]

If the decision is between a multi or cheap single pedals... I'd go with the multi. You'll always be able to use it as you get more pedals. Cheap singles you'll end up replacing many of them.

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by Thaos627

im typically not one for popularity, having a multi & pedals seems dumb imho.

after all this im inspired to just grab a korg pandora mini & if that doesnt work im just gonna quit playing bass.

the sound i want isnt difficult to get when i do recordings but getting it live is impossible without spending $1000s.

until the day korg makes a bass with built-in synthesizer effects im obviously not going to sound the way i want.

It might seem dumb, but there is not a single multi that does everything, and at that, perfectly. If there was, we'd all have one. Also, what is perfect to one person, isn't right for someone else. I have augmented a couple of multi fx units with a couple of stomp boxes in the past, nothing wrong with that.

However, it's your second sentence that really bothers me. That you'll just quit playing if you can get the sound you want out of a budget unit. Playing bass and getting the tones you want takes commitment, both professionally and financially, you can do either overnight (unless you win the lottery) so you'll need to do what every other bassist on these forums has done and make do with what's available to you for the time being and hone your craft. Be the best you can with what you have.

[peakdesign]

Best to go to a store with a 30 day return, and after trying some out in the store, buy a multi-effect unit to try at home that sounds good, fits your technical needs (e.g. easy changes live vs. preset flipping) and budget.

Couple o' thoughts.
1. Most effects don't do much for bass. Most effects units sound harsh and unmusical. A good touch, the right strings and complex tone between bass + amp rules. Varying technique is then the best effect.
2. A modern multi-effect unit will have some delay-based chorus/slap/reverb effects, and a bunch of junk fuzz effects. They all do that easy stuff. And some amp models. Turn off ALL the effects and focus on the amp models alone. That's where the developing technology is. Look for a unit that has amp models with character and that complement your bass(es) and amp(s). I think Vox has some of the better ones. Consider the effects gravy, to use sparingly, rarely, not worth spending a lot on, but hey, you got 'em.

Return the contraption and repeat as needed until you find one that's cost-effective and more than just a pile o' fuzz tones.

If you want synth type sounds, play a synthesizer.

[Thaos627]

is it just me or does everyone want to give their opinion but never listens or answers the questions?

i ****ing hate line 6, shut up you retards.

like i said earlier, im just going to grab the korg pandora mini & hope its not crap.

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by caeman

Yes.

I personally agree with this young man.

[odineye]

Originally Posted by Thaos627

is it just me or does everyone want to give their opinion but never listens or answers the questions?

i ****ing hate line 6, shut up you retards.

like i said earlier, im just going to grab the korg pandora mini & hope its not crap.

And you sir, have a nice day as well...

[Jools4001]

Originally Posted by Thaos627

i ****ing hate line 6, shut up you retards.

like i said earlier, im just going to grab the korg pandora mini & hope its not crap.

I sincerely hope the korg pandora mini is crap, then (as promised earlier) you'll quit bass. I don't think you'll be missed.

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by Thaos627

i completely hate line6 stuff, i never had an actual problem from their amp or effects but they sound horrible to me.

I'd never liked their stuff before but I bought an M9 a few years ago and it's still on my board, there are a lot of things it does very well.

Originally Posted by Thaos627

im typically not one for popularity, having a multi & pedals seems dumb imho.

Thinking about it in terms of which types of boxes you have is dumb.

If you're smart, you'll have the sounds you want in a format that is as convenient as possible to carry, set up and tear down. If that means having a multi (or two - I've got an Octavius Squeezer on my board too) plus some individual stomp boxes then why not do that? I don't see what's dumb about it.

[Floyd Eye]

Each have their uses in my opinion. For the sake of this discussion, let's leave high end multi FX out of the equation and concentrate on units costing $500 or less. That said, it's my opinion that a multi FX unit is good for someone who wants to try out different effects in order to see what they may like. Effects newbie if you will. It may also be useful for someone who rarely uses effects and only needs a couple things, very briefly. Some Multi units have a couple decent effects in them and usually a usable tuner. Separate pedals are better for guys like me who prefer to try out individual pedals until we find the one we like best for any given effect.

Again, this post does not take into account expensive high end models which may have multiple studio quality digital effects.

[Swift713]

Originally Posted by Thaos627

is it just me or does everyone want to give their opinion but never listens or answers the questions?.

No, it's not JUST you.

[caeman]

Originally Posted by Thaos627

is it just me or does everyone want to give their opinion but never listens or answers the questions?

i ****ing hate line 6, shut up you retards.

like i said earlier, im just going to grab the korg pandora mini & hope its not crap.

There is a lot of experience with effects in these posts. One would be be wise to show a little respect for the people that took the time to answer your question and offer -- potentially -- too much advice about your options. But, none the less, all of the options were given with a good spirit of helpfulness.

Originally Posted by mjac28

I personally agree with this young man.

Thank you for calling me young.

[Gadgetjunky]

Originally Posted by odineye

That's the route I've gone, GT-10b with individual pedals to augment it. It does make for a somewhat larger board, but IMO it's worth it for the versatile sounds I'm getting out of it.

cool. I'd like to see a pic of that. I think it would be cool since the GT-10b can also be a midi controller, but just seemed like it'd be a large rig

[Thaos627]

show respect? why? you only get respect if you earn it.

respect to those who were actually helpful thank you: cheapbasslovin, crater, adamixoye, fraublugher, Swift713, toastfuzz, MSUsousaphone, RDUB, Floyd eye, Peakdesign, ga_edwards, Waterpilot, Flux Jetson & Gadgetjunky.

basically what i got from you is just buy the multi & buy decent pedals when you have the money to add to it. honestly im debating between korg pandora mini, vox stomplab IB/IIB & deltalab DBFX1.