Multi effects and compressor

[bobulibobium]

ive heard good word about the aphex compressor. Tim from ratm uses one

 

[Grimoire]

Because multis usually cut corners in each individual effect to get as many as possible into the box, which appeals to newer, less-experienced players(no offense; we all have to start somewhere). Pros often have more-focussed wants in this direction & will go for something that does moreles exactly what they want, w/o frills or unneccesary options. Again, in my experience.

Of course there is the other side of the coin, with something like a GT6B - it's infinitely tweakable, and well beyond most intermediate players in that respect, let alone beginners. I wont say I couldn't replicate every sound I make with stand alones, because I could - I would just need a pedal board as big as the average stage. I use a bunch of boutiques with the GT6B as my 'hub', so I guess I have the best of both worlds...
My main gripe is the often cited reference to multi's being for beginners...that is overlooking the power of some of these units imho.

 

[bassbrad]

My main gripe is the often cited reference to multi's being for beginners...that is overlooking the power of some of these units imho.

I agree with you, there are lots of goddies hidden in many multifx units that never get found by the... oh shall we say,
gear snobs.
For example I would never spend the money to get a ring modulator but I have had more than one occasion to use the ring mod in the Zoom B2.1u.

 

[forceman]

Hi Chris,

Check out http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229874

you'll get way too many answers about Compressors.. that's how I learned about it. Bongomania is an expert on that and he had tried and reviewed almost all of them.. you won't get wrong..

Very cool thread indeed! Most highly informative.

 

[honestjohnny]

Because multiFX usually cut corners in each individual effect to get as many as possible into the box, which appeals to newer, less-experienced players(no offense; we all have to start somewhere). Pros often have more-focussed wants in this direction & will go for something that does more or less exactly what they want, w/o frills or unnecessary options. Again, in my experience.

OTH, if you're willing to tweak and don't have a lot of requirements you can get good to great sounds out of these boxes. I have had several. I really only use the Amp/Distortion models, Compressor/Limiter, EQ, Tuner, and very rarely, Chorus, Reverb/Delay. Price out those first 4 FX in individual boxes and you'll see why MultiFX are still on the scene. Personally, I have liked the Zoom and Digitech offerings. The Line6's are very nice, as are the Boss and Korg products, but for me, not worth the price. But then I'm probably tone deaf, etc. Go try some of these things out and see what works for you. I use mine with a 3-way full range powered PA cab, so when trying these out, try them out with the bass to the MFX's input and it's output connected to the power amp input of your FX Loop. Good luck!

 

[Rando McNally]

The Multi effects are thought to be for beginners because it's one-stop shopping for someone new to the effects world. They can see (really, hear) the difference between a modulater, chorus, flanger, phaser, OD, synth, etc.

This is why beginners use multis more often (IMO)

I use a Boss GT6B for a lot of stuff on stage, and it's weak points are supplemented by standalone pedals. I don't like the OD, so I use my BDDI for that a lot. I don't really care for the compressors, so I have a sweet aphex expressor rack unit.

For any given song I might rather have standalone pedals delivering my tone, but once that song ends, I need to start another one. I can't bend over and tweak the knobs on 5 different pedals between each song.

SO, what I like multi effects units for is the patches. I have a different patch for each song, and I'm there with a couple of toe taps, and no bending over.

Dig?