I'm not much of a pedal guy, but looks like I need to get one. The three things I really need it for are a compressor to do some slapping on a couple songs, distorting for a couple of others, and a sustain for some ballads. Any advice for me? The two I'm looking at are the SansAmp Tech 21 Deluxe. I like that the NYC has two inputs, so I can switch between my two basses, I'm just not sure it has the range of sounds I need. Does it have a good sustainer and compressor? I'm also looking at a Zoom B3n which has a tone of patches and probably has the sounds I need, but looks complicated and cumbersome, and only has one input. I guess my other option is to get two separate pedals, but it would be nice to have the DI option as well. Any one have any advice on those or any others, given what I'm looking for?
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Good multi-effects box?
- Thread starter Haugenbp
- Start date
Howdy stranger, seems you are new to these parts and lucky you kicked the hornets nest first time out. This is always a hot topic with a broad range of responses. The Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig is a nice simple solution for someone not into a lot of effects and would likely suit your needs. My advice grab one and depart these most dangerous of lands post haste.
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Only multi-effect I would consider is a helix.
In my experience cheaper units do a lot, but none of it very well...
In my experience cheaper units do a lot, but none of it very well...
Yep, I think the Helix HX effects is the best thing out there. It's more expensive, but a bargain for what it is and what it does. So much better than the B3n. I think it's converting a lot of folks that don't like digital or multi effects.
My personal solution is a Zoom B1on for some stuff (comp. Eq, some envelope and other stuff) and separate pedals for specific sounds I'm loving (bassballs, etc.). Way cheaper then a multieffect that does everything I dream of, yet enough to make me smile.
YMMV
YMMV
I like my B1on a lot. But I've never had any of the zillion pedals it has in it, so what do I know?
Had good experience with line 6 M5 and i'm really gassing for an Helix, or at least the HX-Effects. But it's too much money for now, so I took the cheap route and had to choose between Zoom B3 to the boss GT-1B. I chose Boss as it were available locally, and I don't regret my decision.
I have a Zoom B3 and a Zoom MS 60-B. The B3 is better for performing since you can turn effects on & off individually. However, the MS 60-B will run 4 effects at once versus the B3. Both have built in tuners. The B3 also has a looper.
- Jan 26, 2014
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- I teach lessons and perform live music in and around San Diego CA. Sometimes I even make money doing it!
A little outside the box here, but for sustain, overdrive, and slap compression, I've used the Route 66 pedal for about 2 decades now. I have the first model of it, but based on reviews, the new versions are still great and have even more flexibility- even an internally switched buffering amp, pretty interesting. It's a guitar pedal, but has a bass boost for the OD side, and it's the best sounding bass overdrive pedal I've ever used. I've actually had a sound guy applaud when I kicked it in, they're not often too thrilled to deal with bass players who use effects. Worth trying for $180, especially from a retailer with easy returns.
The zoom b1on would be a good choice. it has a large variety of effects, amp and cab models, and preamps. you can find one on amazon. the vox stomplab 1b or 2b would be another good choice.
I prefer the individual pedals if for no other reason than it's extremely simple to tweak an effect simply by turning a knob. With multi-effect pedals you have to dig through menus to change any parameter of an effect. One night I may want a bit more overdrive or a little less gate. The next night I may want something else.
I also like that if I have a problem with a pedal it's easy to take it out of the chain. If you have a problem with a multi-effect pedal, you don't lose one effect, you lose them all.
I also like that if I have a problem with a pedal it's easy to take it out of the chain. If you have a problem with a multi-effect pedal, you don't lose one effect, you lose them all.
I agree with the post about buying individual pedals. The majority of the time they will be better than most multi-effect pedals.
Even though the Zoom pedals are very popular on this forum, I found them to be very cheap and artificial sounding, nothing like the pedals, amps, or cabs they try to mimic. If you really want a multieffects pedal, I would avoid anything Zoom and go with the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig.
Even though the Zoom pedals are very popular on this forum, I found them to be very cheap and artificial sounding, nothing like the pedals, amps, or cabs they try to mimic. If you really want a multieffects pedal, I would avoid anything Zoom and go with the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig.
I've never been one of those guys that turned his nose up at a digital modelers. But then I never really believed that I could use them in place of an entire board. I've had the Zoom stuff, the 60b, the B1Xon and the 70CDR. I liked them well enough. They arent bad at all for the price. But I got that HX FX when it was released at I was totally blown away. Still am. The models in it sound very awesome IMO and I have ditched almost half my existing board for that one unit. I could probably get away with just using it on it's own if I was forced to. Or just get the full Helix.
The latest version of that has a clean blend too.
Radial Bassbone V2 2-ch Bass Preamp and DI
[EDIT]
I just threw this out b/c no one else had...
To elaborate, if it was me, and I wanted something I could set up with 2 basses, it would be this or something like it. Levels c/b set individually, so if one bass is active and the other passive, you can adjust accordingly. If you got Zoom ms60b x2 (one for each bass) you would have a tuner for each as well as up to (i think) 4 effects (but for sure 3...) in a chain with a single pedal. Pretty cost effective...
Downside - you lose one of your pedals and that's the ballgame. Zoom is very reliable stuff, so no huge worry from quality standpoint. Also - digital pedals aren't always the perfect analog of the pedal they are made from. (sorry fro the poor grammar there and forthcoming...) Opinions on how bad/big of a deal that is will vary. To me, in small venue live situations, it's not a big thing and would be fine.
[EDIT]
I just threw this out b/c no one else had...
To elaborate, if it was me, and I wanted something I could set up with 2 basses, it would be this or something like it. Levels c/b set individually, so if one bass is active and the other passive, you can adjust accordingly. If you got Zoom ms60b x2 (one for each bass) you would have a tuner for each as well as up to (i think) 4 effects (but for sure 3...) in a chain with a single pedal. Pretty cost effective...
Downside - you lose one of your pedals and that's the ballgame. Zoom is very reliable stuff, so no huge worry from quality standpoint. Also - digital pedals aren't always the perfect analog of the pedal they are made from. (sorry fro the poor grammar there and forthcoming...) Opinions on how bad/big of a deal that is will vary. To me, in small venue live situations, it's not a big thing and would be fine.
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