• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Multi-Effect w/out MENUS!

Green Knight

Green Knight

Oct 18, 2016
3,557
7,410
#1
Hi there,

I have a BOSS MD-500, which is pretty intuitive for what it is, but I just hate menus, and I think it's time to admit to myself I'm never going to get the max out of a pedal like that.

I was interested in a Keeley Mods Workstation or a Wampler Terraform as alternatives but heard the former sounds bad with bass and the latter super noisy without a buffered signal. I just want a row of knobs, maybe a dial for selecting effects, and the bare minimum in terms of parameters and editing option--and, of course, total bass compatibility.

Any Luddite-friendly multi-effects for bass out there?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassaga
#3
It seems you are looking for a Fly Rig from SansAmp.
Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig v2 Bass Multi-effects Pedal | Sweetwater
It even has a tuner.
fly.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: woodyng2, Evets1987, SmokinJoe992 and 10 others
#10
cheapbasslovin said:
I'm paralylized with indecision on what of theirs is my next thing. If I plan on recording guitar ever I need more reverb and modulations, but the Pixelwave is calling, and I haven't had a proper synth pedal in a while.
Click to expand...
i'm doing the old octave ++ plus modulation trick to get "guitar" and doing ok, but selecting a sound from the plethora on the MD-500 is for me a counterproductive process ... any pedal that combines a few of them, or even just chorus and one other, would be fine for me. I always liked going to convenience stores to rent VHS tapes and DVDs --guess my age!--because fewer choices meant less indecision and a lower potential for fighting over the selections with your girlfriend.
 
#11
Green Knight said:
i'm doing the old octave ++ plus modulation trick to get "guitar" and doing ok, but selecting a sound from the plethora on the MD-500 is for me a counterproductive process ... any pedal that combines a few of them, or even just chorus and one other, would be fine for me. I always liked going to convenience stores to rent VHS tapes and DVDs --guess my age!--because fewer choices meant less indecision and a lower potential for fighting over the selections with your girlfriend.
Click to expand...
I mean, when the money comes in I'll make a decision :D.

But in the vain of reducing options I have restricted my buying options to Portland makers, which is still an awful lot of choices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Green Knight
#14
Every now and again, I go through this cycle where I believe I need to have the latest multi-FX unit and so I dive in with gusto and spend an extraordinary amount of time digging through menus and using apps and beaming information from my computer/phone to the gadget only to be left with this feeling that the only thing this particular unit has done is make my life more difficult. Then I sell it, redo my pedal board and live with as little knob-tweaking as is necessary until the cycle starts again. I don't necessarily have a solution for you other than to say less is typically more when it comes right down to it. I identified my indespensible items and bought the best stand alone versions of those effects I could and then dabble with other effects only as necessary...which is rarely. I have a TC Electronic Plethora X5 whenever i'm looking to try something out but it doesn't live on my board. I wish you luck in your quest.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bassgeer, Eruso, chuck65 and 3 others
#15
Have you looked into the older Source Audio Orbital Modulator?

That is what I use for a multi modulation pedal.

Same algorithms as the newer pedals. No menus and everything is on the pedal. Has a few Chorus, few flangers, vibrato, and a few phasers. And 2 presets.

Very versatile pedal.
 
#16
Green Knight said:
I just want a row of knobs, maybe a dial for selecting effects, and the bare minimum in terms of parameters and editing option--and, of course, total bass compatibility.
Click to expand...

what type of effects options are you looking for? There are a bunch of preamp pedals that have tone shaping, a drive/boost and comp/limiting, many already listed.

Going beyond that into the realm of special effects is the rub here. Chorus, Flange, Phaser, Pitch shifting, Octave, synth, envelope filter/wah, delay/reverb...the list of possibilities is pretty vast, so help us out with your must-have effects options.
 
#17
  • Like
Reactions: Nuage420
#19
Green Knight said:
Hi there,

I have a BOSS MD-500, which is pretty intuitive for what it is, but I just hate menus, and I think it's time to admit to myself I'm never going to get the max out of a pedal like that.

I was interested in a Keeley Mods Workstation or a Wampler Terraform as alternatives but heard the former sounds bad with bass and the latter super noisy without a buffered signal. I just want a row of knobs, maybe a dial for selecting effects, and the bare minimum in terms of parameters and editing option--and, of course, total bass compatibility.

Any Luddite-friendly multi-effects for bass out there?
Click to expand...


Check out the Boss ME-50B......its a multi effects with knobs...no menus to scroll through. Has been out a few years but has great sounds....and KNOBS hahahah
 
  • Like
Reactions: GrooveCaptain, kreider204 and 6-3-2

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back