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Multi effects pedals

R

rainbownorth

Aug 14, 2006
373
0
42
Auckland, Aotearoa
#1
Im currently looking for a couple of pedals to buy (admittedly not with much luck, because I want to buy second hand, as my local rock shops are damned expensive). I personally wanted an envelope filter type just to play around with, and maybe an overdrive pedal for the band i jam with. Our guitarist suggested I could just get the whole lot in one with a multi effects. But hes a real bad example, because hes had one - a Boss ME50- for a couple of months, and hasnt been able to work out squat.

So, are they worth it, or is our guitarist just too lazy to work it out properly? I have this feeling that they on the whole have pretty average effects at best,obviously depending on brands, and arent really worth the money. Am I right? Should i just wait for the right pedals to come along eventually, or fork out lots of money now and get one of these bad boys?
 
#3
Effects are cool, but you have to remember they are just EFFECTS...

...if you want an envelope filter, get one and have fun with it.

If you end up getting an entire effects processor you run the risk of going 'effects crazy' (in an irrisponsible way) cause you've got all these effects...

...and if you have the self control to use only the envelope filter on a processor then you're carrying around a huge board & power supply when you could have 1 small little box w/ a 9v battery...

just some stuff to think about :|
 
#4
jasonhafer said:
Effects are cool, but you have to remember they are just EFFECTS...

...if you want an envelope filter, get one and have fun with it.

If you end up getting an entire effects processor you run the risk of going 'effects crazy' (in an irrisponsible way) cause you've got all these effects...

...and if you have the self control to use only the envelope filter on a processor then you're carrying around a huge board & power supply when you could have 1 small little box w/ a 9v battery...

just some stuff to think about :|
Click to expand...

These are good points. The reason im interested, is because at the moment i have absolutely nothing in the way of effects pedals so far, and theres only so much you can alter your sound with the levels on a warwick sweet 15. Ultimately, the idea behind wanting some effects was for me to get an idea of what i can potentially do with some different pedals, more than to overload my tone with crazy effects.

But i see your point, that carrying a huge multi-effects around and not using it is pointless, and using it to its full potential can be way too over the top.
 
#5
As a former owner of a Boss multi-effects unit, I can give you some info, but it is certainly biased.

Of course, everyone will tell you that "gear doesn't make the player" . . . "tone ultimately comes from you" etc. And they are right. But for me personally, and for many other bass players I've talked with, effects do often lead you down new creative paths. Sometimes I've even written basslines after fooling around with effects and then not even used that effect(s) (or using different effects) when the song was ultimately recorded. They can be a ton of fun and a source of inspiration.

That being said, the only multi-effect I've used was an old Boss (ME-6B I believe) which I sold a few years ago. While it was a lot of fun to play with, I ultimately didn't like many of its sounds. To be fair, I don't like many single Boss bass pedals either.

On the other hand, if you like Boss single units, the multi-effects certainly seemed comparable, if not as flexible. I did find some usable sounds (and a number which others seemed to like even if I didn't) and used it a good deal with my old band. If you go the multi-effects route, be prepared to spend a great deal of time learning its ins-and-outs. I probably spent more time than most because (1) reading manuals and fiddling with gear is interesting to me and (2) I didn't like many of the factory presets.

As for me, I've decided to go the single pedal route. I'm going to test out and buy one effect every 3 or 4 weeks. This will give me time with each effect to see how it works best and where it should go in my chain. That's what I think will work best for me.

There's certainly nothing wrong with multi-effects. I know a couple guys who have the new Boss setup (GT-6B?) and dig it. The most important thing is that you are happy with the sound. This is a MUST. IMO, one effect that you really like and use often is MUCH better than a ton of effects that you are only moderately happy with. And that's why I'm taking the approach I am.
 
#6
It's all on how you use a multi.

I haven't edited my GT6B since I programmed it for each and every song I need FX for. I didn't create effects to select with the pedals, I programmed complete effects sets for each song from my setlist.

While we're talking env. If my set list has 5 songs that need 5 distinct env filter settings + different mods + ODs then all I have to do it program them all in. Compare this to turning knobs and stomping on pedals between songs or just making do with where the knobs happen to be on the singles.

A good multi like the ME50B will really open your mind to playing with effects. Your guitarist' experience with his multi is probably due to his lack of creativity.
 
#7
I have a friend in local Funk/Experimental band that has the ME-50 (guitar) and he gets alot of sounds, so I think that ur guitarist bud just hasnt really sat down on the toilet and read the manual yet (thats how I do it lol).

A plus of multi FX is that you get SOOO many different things and can pretty much invent any sound in ur head and certainly any sound from a song. As long as u dont go crazy its wonderful, and saves u thousands compared to buying singles.

The downside is that I really think that when U run ur bass through a digital multi FX u lose alot of ur basses sound. It had been my experience that when I switch from a distoriton unit, compressor, chorus, delay, DI, etc. to a multi FX i lose alot of the natural tone my bass has.

The best advice I can is get the basic boxes. A distortion, delay, compressor, chorus, etc. And really learn how to use them, so u can manipulate them to get the desired sound while retaining the feel of UR bass.
 
#9
jasonhafer said:
If you end up getting an entire effects processor you run the risk of going 'effects crazy' (in an irrisponsible way) cause you've got all these effects...
Click to expand...

or you could turn into justin chancellor lol



if u really want a multi effects pedal, id suggest a zoom b2.1u

look into it, its an amazing pedal with tons of cool features. the expression pedal it has makes things so much cooler too
 
#11
Daytona955i said:
Get an inexpensive used multi pedal so you can test out what pedals kind of sound like. Any good multi fx is obviously going to be better than on the pedal, but at least you can feel it out.
Click to expand...

That was the plan, if i could find a good one for cheap. Im looking at an online auction for a boss ME-50. Bidding starts at 150 NZ. I cant remember the exact retail price here, but it may be somewhere around 700. Are these any good though? Its pretty much the only multi-fx ive seen for sale here.
 
#12
rainbownorth said:
That was the plan, if i could find a good one for cheap. Im looking at an online auction for a boss ME-50. Bidding starts at 150 NZ. I cant remember the exact retail price here, but it may be somewhere around 700. Are these any good though? Its pretty much the only multi-fx ive seen for sale here.
Click to expand...


seriously, do some research on this one...

p35011h-05c9dbde0cbe81bab382aa6f5e0560e5.jpg


zoom b2.1u

retails for just under 200 i think
 
#13
A multi-effects unit will often be more trouble than it's worth. Try a few single effect pedals, buy the ones you like, and chain them together. That way, you're not paying for any sound that you dont need or want. Multi effects pedals seem to be the easy way out to most people, but more often than not, you end up with an encyclopedia of useless sounds, and you will sell the thing for half what you bought it for a month later on ebay. Sad story...I've been there
 
#16
justinb515 said:
A multi-effects unit will often be more trouble than it's worth. Try a few single effect pedals, buy the ones you like, and chain them together. That way, you're not paying for any sound that you dont need or want. Multi effects pedals seem to be the easy way out to most people, but more often than not, you end up with an encyclopedia of useless sounds, and you will sell the thing for half what you bought it for a month later on ebay. Sad story...I've been there
Click to expand...

I have too. Of course, the other alternative is to try out a decent multi for a good amount of time at the store. If you like it - great. But if you don't, at least you can play with the individual effects and see which ones you could see yourself really using.

Then just make a plan to buy those pedals one by one.

On my old multi, I didn't like the sound of the Boss Flange, but I liked the IDEA of a flanger. I found one that I like, but I'm still looking to upgrade. Again, you may find a multi that is exactly what you want. If not, at least playing with it will give you an idea of the individual pedals you would eventually like to have.
 
#17
rainbownorth said:
That was the plan, if i could find a good one for cheap. Im looking at an online auction for a boss ME-50. Bidding starts at 150 NZ. I cant remember the exact retail price here, but it may be somewhere around 700. Are these any good though? Its pretty much the only multi-fx ive seen for sale here.
Click to expand...

i picked mine up for $500 at the rockshop in wellys. they have specials on the me-50b all the time.

dont buy it for the synth sounds though.

other than that, good little unit. mines proving useful
 
#18
justinb515 said:
A multi-effects unit will often be more trouble than it's worth. Try a few single effect pedals, buy the ones you like, and chain them together. That way, you're not paying for any sound that you dont need or want. Multi effects pedals seem to be the easy way out to most people, but more often than not, you end up with an encyclopedia of useless sounds, and you will sell the thing for half what you bought it for a month later on ebay. Sad story...I've been there
Click to expand...

yeah i agree, im just in denial
 

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