Multi-effect / all-in-one pedals for bass?

[lokikallas]

B3n is the best bang for your buck to start with. Stomp xl is better but way more expensive.

 

[singlemalt]

If you want less learning curve and ease of use, the Zoom B3 or B3n is it.
The Line 6 stuff is an ecosystem that takes a lot more learning. You might even resort to the manual and YouTube videos.

The Zoom units have a very nice looper, very easy to use.

 

[SteveCS]

...
configure it with a couple of tones and leave it alone. Not interesting in tweaking out, or doing my own IRs, etc.

Just want solid vanilla effects with some good amps specifically for bass?

Money is not an issue, I want to optimize for ease of use and flexibility. Great question.

Then I would say take a closer look at the Zoom B3n. Taking each of your requirements in order:

1. Configure with a couple of tones : In 'Memory' mode you have 3 presets available with a single press of a dedicated hardware footswitch. Switching is very fast, slient and glitch-free.
   
2. Not Interested in tweaking out : Most of the effects only have 4 parameters, and there is no additional deep editing available from software plug-ins or apps - everything is available from the front panel without endless navigation. That said, the parameters and ranges are well-chosen, intuitive and useful so tuning to your needs without getting lost or distracted is easy. All parameters have dedicated hardware knobs so it is a lot like using actual pedals.
   
3. my own IRs : No separate IR editing or user files. The built-in cab simulators all have 2 microphone emulations which can be used in any combination, and a mix control. And they are pretty good.
4. solid vanilla effects : Not sure what you mean by this. If you mean the presets can be used out of the box, I would say no - a lot of them seem like they have been devised to create the 'wow!' factor in the shop. So you will need to tweak for practical use in an actual band setting. But see '2' above. If you mean the basic effects themselves are solid, then by and large they are:
   
   • The Modulation and Delay effects - chorus, reverb, flange, phase and so on - are very good and could rival the best, IMHO.
     
   • The Compressors range from good to useable, but never as good as a decent dedicated pedal.
     
   • The Filter effects are good and some of the time-based 'specials' such as sequence filters, slicers and the like can be inspiring, especially with the looper.
     
   • The Drives are OK at subtle settings, but then I don't generally go in for much dirt.
     
   • The Pitch Shift effects are the weak-spot - they tend to sound very synthetic and don't always track very well. They work better in low-level blends, but are not so good as 'front-line' main effects, IME.
   • The Synth effects are OK, but again, IMHO, they are better in small doses and at low-level blends - YMMV.
5. some good amps specifically for bass : Yes, there are plenty and most seem good. Most of the amps use 2 effect slots, which means 8 parameters, so you get input gain, full range EQ with semi-parametric mids and a second 'Solo' output level which can be selected via footswitch. Any of the built-in cab sims can be used with any of the amp models.
6. Ease of Use : Every effect has a dedicated display panel and every parameter has a dedicated knob; the footswitches are positive and well-spaced even if you have huge hooves; displays are bright and clear; knobs and buttons are positive and tough; patches can be backed up and re-loaded using the GuitarLab software.
   
7. Flexibility : You can have up to 7 effects in a patch, in any order, without restriction, until you run out of DSP resource. You can even have multiples of the same unit with different settings in each if you wanted to.

In terms of sound quality, the B3n is not at the pinnacle of studio quality, but it is very good and is a vast improvement over the original B3 and MS-60B generation of devices. The effects have a natural quality about them that previous generations did not have.

On the downside, there is ...

1. no master dry blend;
2. no external effects loop;
   
3. no parallel processing.

... all of which you do get (AFAIK) with the Helix devices. So if you need any of these things it might not be for you. But as a package I think it fits your brief quite well and it won't break the bank.

 

[andruca]

I have both an "orthodox" bass preamp (SansAmp RBI) and also have a Kemper Profiler amp in my studio. Still, only use Zoom boxes live. I have 2 guitar ones (MS-50G and G1Xon, FX list tuned with all relevant stuff from their bass counterparts) and 2 bass ones (MS-60B, B1Xfour). Also have both a G3 and a B3, but I don't use them live, but as an interface for home recording guitar or bass. I've had trouble getting the B1Xfour to sound as good as the previous gen (all in all it's boxier and noisier, and messes a lot with the instrument's timbre, turns it generic), but with enough A/B and tweaking (parameters in equivalent models don't react the same at all) I'm getting almost there.

For me it's not much about the effects themselves but about carrying my "mastered" sound in a box so I plug in any amp/desk and just sound nice, compressed and balanced. I usually loop thru' 3 presets with different gains (have a set for each of the basses I use live): one "clean" for fingerstyle (my clean is not so clean really) and two flavors of dirt for picking (SansAmp and DarkGlass).

With enough time and A/B you can tweak your way to any tone out of these cheap Zoom multiFX (if you're OK with tweaking, I know navigating menus is not for everybody). I wouldn't advice anyone spending any more.

 

[Jogobass]

A cheap option (if not the cheapest) would be the Zoom B1 Four, they have come a long way in the budget multieffects. I don't use effects much, but if I need them it has all the things I would want and more. It's also a cool practice device as it has headphones out and aux input. The 40 preset patches are not very good as they try to be generic purpose, but you can change them or create new patches to your personal liking.

 

[el murdoque]

The Headrush stuff is solid, too.
They do not offer a wide range of bass amp simulations, but you get the SVT+Fridge and B15 and a Fender Bassman, plus a few others.
It is super easy to set and navigate because it is super intuitive.

 

[StompyJ]

Turns out my bro-in-law actually has a neural DSP quad cortex, so he let me borrow it last night. After playing with it I’m not super into a ton of amps/cabs or IR responses, and what I really wanted was a one-piece-of-gear I could bring to rehearsal and gigs with all effects, tuner, pitch shifter, etc in one box. That, plus the comments here had me thinking I wanted a Stomp XL, so to try and somewhat future proof myself I just got a Helix LT since the price gap was small-ish.

Thanks for all the amazing replies everyone! As someone who’s new to this stuff, it’s so hard to parse out what does what quickly and y’all were super helpful!

 

[StompyJ]

Just a heads up, I was using my bro’s Quad Cortex last night, and while that pitch shifter works, it introduces a ton of latency. you could practice with it, or maybe even play rock 8th notes with it live, but any parts where you need to sync with the drummer and the rhythmic timing is super important you’ll have to force yourself to play like 20-25ms ahead of what you are hearing.

Think 1990s DAW latency levels, I don’t know the actual number, I just know I was like “What’s wrong with my setup” when I started playing.

This one effect video convinced me that I want a Quad Cortex -

 

[Acoustic356]

There have been a lot of converts to the Zoom B6. As a gigging bassist, I prefer the B6 to the Helix series. It's designed for bass and easy to dial in the tone that you need and it just fits into the mix easier.

It's best to treat it as its own thing instead of directly trying to emulate your board.

It will get you through most gigs and sessions with little headache... and this is coming from someone that has invested thousands in trying to get that consistent dialed on sound venue to venue.

 

[Spent]

I’ve been using a TC Plethora X5 for a couple of years now. It’s the only multi effects I’ve stuck with. I went back and forth between the HX Stomp and Plethora, but finally settled on the X5 since I was already using a few TonePrint pedals already. I also wasn’t concerned with an amp sim as use a Torpedo CABm. The one thing the Plethora lacks is distortion/overdrive/fuzz, but that’s by design. I don’t mind since it’s one of the effects I’m constantly cycling through (although the Source Audio Aftershock has kept me happy for quite a while). The flexibly was another selling point as I play with a few radically different bands and you can store almost 100 different boards. TC has also made a few very useful updates based upon user feedback. It’s not for everyone, but it’s perfect for my needs.

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

For a single complete system I like the old Oberheim GM-400 (Also part of that project was a firm called Viscount, in Italy). It has a 24-bit audio process, and while complex to set up, is great when you want to get a sound you can rely to stay put so long as you play it right on the instrument.

It was aimed at guitarists and bassists and had several contributions from established performers providing patches to help sell it. I liked the sound far above what I heard a friend doing with a Line6 Pod at the time I made the decision.

The main problem with the Oberheim GM-400 is finding one, it's rare now, and they usually need some repair and maintenance if you do get lucky enough. Finding one with its foot pedal board is even rarer.

I ignore most of the presets, I just explored what methods it offered and made it go as close as I could to what I wanted. It got there well enough. Tweaking the EQ is probably the most tedious bit but that's ok if you're going to leave it when it's done, then use the guitar's own controls for rapid tone changes.

 

[Cave Puppy]

Oldie but a goodie - Boss ME 50b.

 

[darwin-bass]

I just switched over to a Line 6 HX Stomp XL for electric guitar, acoustic and bass. I couldn't be happier. I go direct to FOH and use IEMs.

This is me 100%.

BUT the HX Stomp is not as intuitive to tweak live as a bunch of pedals are. You have to menu surf the thing. It is great if you dial in your settings at home so all you have to do at the gig is step on switches.

 

[SirMjac28]

I just got the Zoom B6 and it's the best they've made so far love the Darkglass tones they are really spot on.

 

[hrodbert696]

Most of the time I use a board of singles, but for basics really most of what I need is in the bass FlyRig. Preamp, compression, EQ/DI, a tuner, its chorus and envelope filter work well but the fuzz/octave does not. And for my sensibility, I like that you can click them all in separately, rather than scrolling through presets.

 

[Hummergeist]

Sorry for the annoying question, but for folks who've experimented with the Line 6 / Kempler / Neural DSP, etc all-in-one boxes.


Is there one that stands out for bass? I play mostly r&b/soul/funk and rock in a band, I don't have many single pedals yet, and I'd like to just buy one thing, configure it with a couple of tones and leave it alone. Not interesting in tweaking out, or doing my own IRs, etc.

Just want solid vanilla effects with some good amps specifically for bass? Any sites or videos or recommendations you all could make?

Focusing on your question, you could use something like the Boss GT-1B, which has a group or thread here, I think. Cheap, compact, set-and-forget. Will hold its own sound-wise.

 

[Thegreatzambini]

I went with the individual pedals because it seemed currently nothing in the market multi effects wise seems to be bass specific in a solid, roadworthy and high processing power form.... I rocked the boss GT6B and 10B for over a decade and I would love if Boss or really anybody would come out with a dedicated bass one, preferably made out of some lightweight metal ,not a plastic casing and be a bit more knob orientated rather than menu orientated

 

[getBAK]

I've been really shocked at what Ian Martin Allison can do with his HX Stomp. So many of these boxes seem really good, it seems to be more of a matter of being willing to futz with them than the quality of the hardware

 

[Ric5]

Sorry for the annoying question, but for folks who've experimented with the Line 6 / Kempler / Neural DSP, etc all-in-one boxes.


Is there one that stands out for bass? I play mostly r&b/soul/funk and rock in a band, I don't have many single pedals yet, and I'd like to just buy one thing, configure it with a couple of tones and leave it alone. Not interesting in tweaking out, or doing my own IRs, etc.

Just want solid vanilla effects with some good amps specifically for bass? Any sites or videos or recommendations you all could make?

I still use my old bass pod as part of my pedalboard

 

[JonathanPDX]

I have both a big bulky pedalboard with some boutique pedals on it, and a Line 6 HX Effects unit. There are very few things my pedalboard can do that the HX cannot. The biggest issue would be adjusting things on the fly at gigs. I use the app to set all the HX sounds on my computer, save them into the unit, and on stage I just stomp switches and use an expression pedal to control a few parameters.

If you're a total knob-turning freak then maybe it's not the ideal solution for you, but if you are the type to spend some time really dialing things in at home, and then want to take it to the gig and use it as programmed, it's a great unit with a ton of flexibility. You can set each bank of 6 "pedals" and toggle between them, so I use one bank for normal gig stuff, a second for solo-specific tones, a third for weird spaceship nonsense, etc.

20+ years ago you really had to find pedals that wouldn't eat the low end from the bass but that's not an issue with 99% of the modern-day pedals out there. Units like HX Effects aren't marketed to a specific instrument but they do have "bass" patches and "guitar" patches, though I don't hear any real difference between the two beyond their preset tones. Most of my boutique stompboxes aren't bass-specific and they still sound great with any instrument.