• 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-effects pedal or not?

gsprice696

gsprice696

Feb 7, 2014
82
25
Southeast Georgia
#1
So I'm at a crossroads and really need some opinions... I currently have an Eden WTDI DI box, a Boss bass chorus pedal and a poly tune 3. Well my DI went out after only a couple of months and I'm getting it replaced for free. However, I know I also have the option of just getting store credit and getting either the Boss GT-1B or 6B. Question is what would be better? I'm really aiming to build up to a sound like Tully Kennedy has (Jason Aldean's bassist) he runs a couple of Aguilar pedals. Thoughts?
 
#3
I wouldn't bother with the GT6b, especially if you like drive sounds and amp sims which don't sound great in this unit. It's a veritable vintage unit as far as multi-fx units go (nearly 17 years old design) and there are much better sounding, affordable devices available nowadays.
 
#4
If you aren't fussy about how your pedals sound exactly or how they can be adjusted then a multifx is a good option.
All your effects are in one box which is convenient to carry/set up, but if something goes bad, everything goes bad.

If you like to fine tune things over time or get the best out of each effect then individual pedals are the way to go.
Changing settings is as simple as tweaking a knob and modularity means easy swapping/replacing.
 
#6
The Tech21 Bass Fly Rig is a different approach since it's not a digital simulation but more or less a bunch of pedals that share one housing. It has all you have now, plus more - that one might be worth a look. I always liked the Sansamp thing as a DI - and the FOH people I work with love me for that.

The Zoom B3 (the old one without the n) has a usable DI with ampsim and is quite cheap for what it does. Used ones go for less than a hundred bucks in my neck of the woods.

Apart from that, the new generation of digital multi FX boards is here. Line6 Helix, Headrush, you name it.
Pricey, but very usable. I toyed around a bit with a Headrush board and found that it was very easy to use.

A board like that feels like placing a home computer on the grimy floor of a stage and trampling around on it for the duration of the gig, expecting it not to crash. YMMV, though.
 
#7
IMO, a lot depends on what you want to achieve with your set up.

Do you want to run the DI into the PA and gig without an amp, or do you want to continue to use your amp, but just with the added control over your DI'd sound at gigs?

If you want to run without an amp (or alternatively an FRFR rig), then units like the Helix, Kemper, AxeFX & Headrush will do the job admirably, give you tons of scope regarding effects, routing options etc., etc. Even units like the HD500X or the B3n will give you plenty of options.

If you want to run your amp with an effects only board, then something like the GT1B, GT6B, GT10B, B3/B3n would be ideal as well. You're not using them for their amp sims, merely as an effects board. Yes, the GT6B/GT10B are limited if you're wanting to DI, but they do have loads of scope with their effects.

The Bass Fly Rig would also be a great choice, a tried and tested DI, along with effects from a manufacturer with plenty of experience and knowledge in this field. The only drawback is if you want to "chop & change" your effects. AFAIK, there is an effects loop on the Fly Rig, but that's adding more pedals.
 
#9
Multieffect units can be fun and useful and the sounds in them have improved over the years but... my personal experience is that I always end up shelving them because:
- there’s only a few effects I end up using on a multieffect.
- I always end up using single pedals apart from the multieffect because they always end up weak for a category of effects or another.
- I always end up missing using only single pedals at some point.

I’m keeping the last multieffect I bought as a reminder, and because I like sounds in it, that I could use on occasion without needing the unit on my permanent board.

YMMV
 
#12
Get the best DI your store credit can give you (other than the Eden, once bitten...), but if they don't have the DI you want, spend the credit on something else and get the DI you want somewhere else.

Nothing like having a quality DI when your amp releases the magic smoke, the show can go on.

After the DI, consider a semi-modular MFX setup:
Empress MultiDrive or Source Audio AfterShock or MultiWave or... some other mega-diverse-dirt pedal.
Dr Scientist BitQuest
Southampton Utility Knife
Zoom MS-60B

Why, with those four pedals and a good DI, you could ...


large.jpg


TAKE OVER THE WORLD...
 
#14
Crystalman85 said:
If you want a multi-effects processor mainly for gigs, the boss gt-1b would be good for that. it's affordable and you can pretty much program what ever effects you want. the zoom b3n would also be a good choice for gigs.
Click to expand...
I have had both of these pedals and my personal preference was the Zoom B3n however both are excellent and you really can't go wrong with either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crystalman85
#16
Skybone said:
... AFAIK, there is an effects loop on the Fly Rig, but that's adding more pedals.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, the Bass Fly Rig doesn't have an effects loop.
I'm about to make the transition from a BFR to a Boss GT-1B. I bought the BFR to use as an ampless solution to certain gigs that don't justify bringing an amp. I really liked the preamp section, the tunner, booster and the chorus. The compressor is a bit tricky and every setting that I used gave me a "poppy" sound like it smashed instantly to a wall by attacking a note. The filter/octave/fuzz is unusable for me with every isolated effects. It has the worst octave that I've ever tried. But all together give a nice sounding synth tone.
It was quite usable, but I found that I had to add more pedals to cover all the songs that I play with my band and my purpose was to simplify my rig and have a really portable solution. So I sold my BFR and now I'm expecting to receive a Boss GT-1B that I believe will better adapt to my purposes. With the preamp and cabinet simulations, along with a Radial DI that I have, I expect it to get the job done. And I won't need to drag more pedals with me.
 
#17
Nunovsky said:
Just to clarify, the Bass Fly Rig doesn't have an effects loop.
I'm about to make the transition from a BFR to a Boss GT-1B. I bought the BFR to use as an ampless solution to certain gigs that don't justify bringing an amp. I really liked the preamp section, the tunner, booster and the chorus. The compressor is a bit tricky and every setting that I used gave me a "poppy" sound like it smashed instantly to a wall by attacking a note. The filter/octave/fuzz is unusable for me with every isolated effects. It has the worst octave that I've ever tried. But all together give a nice sounding synth tone.
It was quite usable, but I found that I had to add more pedals to cover all the songs that I play with my band and my purpose was to simplify my rig and have a really portable solution. So I sold my BFR and now I'm expecting to receive a Boss GT-1B that I believe will better adapt to my purposes. With the preamp and cabinet simulations, along with a Radial DI that I have, I expect it to get the job done. And I won't need to drag more pedals with me.
Click to expand...
Very interested to hear your opinion about GT-1B.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back