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Jumping in the world of multi effect

baxter_x

baxter_x

Nov 27, 2013
4,990
5,357
EU
www.hellofaride.fr
#1
Hello Everyone,

Let me start with my first post on the website.
I'm currently looking a bass multi-effect to start in the world of effect. I've always considered I would never nedd any effect and would only use my sound chain (Fender precision Deluxe V -> Ampeg SVT4 Pro -> two SWR Goliath III).
But I'm starting feel I should add some spice to my sound. Especially with effects like drive/disto, flanger, chorus and compresor.
I want to start with a multi effect as this will give me an idea of what I really want and need, then I will switch to single pedals.

However the is only one condition that will make my choice for a multi effect!
I absolutly want it to be a real true bypass. If I bypass it I WANT to hear the sound I'm used to hearing as if the multi effect had never existed.

I was aiming for both the Line 6 Bass POD XT or the BOSS GT6B. But both of these devices don't seem to have true bypass capabilities.

So I'm waiting for you advices :D

Rock on
 
#2
The Line 6 M5/M9/M13 are true bypass and are more recent than the Pod. The GT-6B is true bypass.

The Zoom B3 (or smaller MS-60B) seem to be current favourites for bass multis - with sounds more tailored to bass than the Line 6 M*.

However they're not true bypass. I've just got the MS-60B and it's extremely quiet and clean - way quieter than any of my analogue pedals.
 
#6
I haven't tried the GT-6B, just going on what I remember, that the 6 is the last Boss with true bypass.

My MS-60B is really solidly built, as good as any of my other pedals. Only time will tell if there are problems with the footswitch, knobs etc.

I think you've got the right idea - the B3 would be a really good introduction to which pedals you want to buy in the future. And you will probably keep it anyway. I use the MS-60B to add some extra effects and preset chains to my existing pedal board. It wouldn't replace my other pedals but extends them nicely.
 
#7
Both the Zoom pedals you mentioned seem quite good. The thing is I would also like to use these effects on stage as I tour pretty much. And I'm afraid both of these units might not be easy enough to use on stage nor won't be robust enough. That's where the GT6B seems to clearly take a big advantage.
But I might be wrong.
 
#12
I haven't owned a multi since the Boss ME6B, but I have tried them regularly.

Now I have the MS-60B, my feeling is that it and the B3 are a big step up from previous multis, and other people here seem to think the same. Wooten is endorsing the B3 now.

In my opinion, the improvement in sound quality in the new Zooms is worth more to me than the true bypass on the older multis. It might be different for you of course.

I like a clean signal path too. I use a Sadowsky bass into Epifani amp and cabs. I have reasonable ears, and to me this thing is super quiet and doesn't suck tone at all. Most of the effects have a blend parameter that lets you mix them with your dry bass tone, which is important for me.

At the end of the day, a B3 is cheap enough to take a punt on, and can be sold on fairly easily if you don't like it.

I'd recommend the Zoom B3 for you, if you want to get experience with different pedal types - the interface is easier to use than the MS-60B. The MS-60B has an extra effect slot though.
 
#14
Of course, if you want true bypass, you could just put the Zoom into a true bypass looper pedal so you can switch it in/out cleanly. This would be very useful later when you start buying analogue pedals - they're much noisier than the Zoom!

Here's a few:

MXR 197
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Keeley True Bypass Looper
https://robertkeeley.com/products/keeley-pedals/true-bypass-looper/

JHS Mini True Bypass Looper / AB Box
Invalid Link Removed
 
#15
Ok, I'm then going to reconsider my choice though if the zoom is worth it. Would you say the GT6-B is now a bit outdated?

Phagor, I've always heard disto/overdrive don't work well in effect loop...
'Cause I've thought about that "solution" many times but was told it would'nt work great. Definatly, if it does work I can afford myself any peice of gear as I'm 100% sure I'll be able to have my sound anytime.
I've tried once to add a boss MT-2 in my effec tloop just to try. I've noticed a little difference that I've managed to compensate with the level on the pedal. Still, it sounded a bit better in front of the amp.
But as I mentioned, it was a Boss MT2 ;)
 
#18
I quite liked the GT6-B but not enough to buy it. From my short time playing in shops, I felt the Line 6 M13 was better, and the Zoom B3 is better than the M13. Of course the GT6-B has got some other functions like a volume/expression pedal, MIDI etc.

Also, I think the B3 will be better for you as it models specific effect pedals that you might later replace with the real thing or equivalents. In many cases, the B3 is more tweakable than the pedal it's simulating.

I don't think many effect pedals will work well in your amp's effect loop. They are expecting a instrument level signal, the amp is giving a line level signal. The exception might be 'clean' effects like delays, chorus or studio rack-type gear like compressors, graphic eqs etc. I've no idea why they call it an effect loop, it's pretty misleading. I put everything before the amp.

I like the Boss MT-2 in small doses. The Zoom has a model of it - you will be able to compare them! The Zoom lets you blend it with your dry bass which makes it more usable for me.
 
#19
bassgod0dmw said:
Zoom B3

True bypass is overrated. Don't let that be the absolute deciding factor when looking for a pedal. If a pedal has a good buffer you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

I think that a single MFX would benefit more from having true bypass. Buffered is good for when you're running loads of individual pedals that drag down the impedence and need to boost the signal back up a bit...

My 2-cents. I'm by no means a pedal guru.
 
#20
The zoom B3 is by far some of the best effects money I've ever spent. The amp models sounds great, super intuitive interface so you don't have to memorize a manual just to figure out how to use the thing, DI Out with pre and post selection plus you can independently blend cab emulation, the effect itself, and even the patch with your dry tone for endless tweak ability of tone. The effects sound good, you can split hairs all you want about comparing it to the real deal but in a mix and for the money I defy you to find better.

The only things I wish it could do in a perfect world is 6 effects at once so I could set up an amp model, comp, and maybe noise gate, and then have 3 effects on the front page that I actually want to turn on an off, being able to assign the cab emulation for just the DI and have a raw pre tone coming out to my amp, and then I'd just die if there was a mic in with an independent level control so that it could receive a monitor mix from a snake and I could run in ear monitors off of it. I would be tickled pink if that happened. I would be willing to spend at least 100 bucks more on the box if they updated it to include those features.

As it is though, great tool for the money.
 

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