Multi-Effects Wish List

[CaptainWally]

Reasons for multi over a pedal board are generally known/understood. Velcro, cable rat nests, expense, etc.

Closest I've found/owned to what I'm looking for (per criteria below):

• Tech 21 Bass Fly v2
• Boss ME-50B
• Helix effects - but I dislike USB/software/scroll menus

Am I missing anything that is out there? What do you think?

Don't want:

• While tech savvy, I don't want to mess with scroll menus and USB cables
• Expression pedal - unwanted space-taker

Want:

• Effects: Drive/Distortion, Octaver, Compressor, Chorus, Reverb, Envelope Filter
• Very simple configuration knobs. Like the Chorus on the Bass Fly V2 rig.
• Would like a clear "default" volume level for each effect, like a center detent. It shouldn't be a challenge to try and set your effects levels at the gig such that they are not louder/softer than your unaffected signal. Why does this not exist on pedals or any multis?
• Tuner.
• Battery capability.
• A single, standalone button for bypass.

Nice to have, but I'm happy w/o:

• Boutique quality sound - I only need good sounds, e.g. Chorus on Bass Fly V2 is squarely in the 'good enough' category
• DI
• USB recording capability
• Headphone jack - if it has one, 1/8" please

Nice to not have, but I can live with - it's added complexity I don't care about

• "Patch" creation - don't care about patches -- want it to be simple like a pedal board
• Looper
• Drums machine

 

[skycruiser]

There's also the Valeton Dapper pedal - looks a bit like a Tech 21 knock-off.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

To my knowledge this wish list doesn't have any cross-section that fully matches it up. Zoom b3n or Line 6 M13 or the TC Plethora or maybe a Jam Pedals Pink Flow seem like they're the closest, but I'm not sure what you value most so I could be wrong there. I do want to address one thing:

• Would like a clear "default" volume level for each effect, like a center detent. It shouldn't be a challenge to try and set your effects levels at the gig such that they are not louder/softer than your unaffected signal. Why does this not exist on pedals or any multis?

This doesn't exist because perceived volume doesn't line up with an actual voltage output. It changes with frequency as well as how it fits in a mix, so trying to set a magic center spot doesn't work in actual practice. Put another way, if they put it on the pedal it would just make users angry.

 

[CaptainWally]

To my knowledge this wish list doesn't have any cross-section that fully matches it up. Zoom b3n or Line 6 M13 or the TC Plethora or maybe a Jam Pedals Pink Flow seem like they're the closest, but I'm not sure what you value most so I could be wrong there. I do want to address one thing:

• Would like a clear "default" volume level for each effect, like a center detent. It shouldn't be a challenge to try and set your effects levels at the gig such that they are not louder/softer than your unaffected signal. Why does this not exist on pedals or any multis?

This doesn't exist because perceived volume doesn't line up with an actual voltage output. It changes with frequency as well as how it fits in a mix, so trying to set a magic center spot doesn't work in actual practice. Put another way, if they put it on the pedal it would just make users angry.

Thanks! Most important is not fiddling with USB/scroll menus. And to avoid velcro and wire rat nests.

Yeah, had the B3N. Nice unit. Some super goofy effects, and super-annoying volume disparities.

Good point on the volume, although my Bass Fly V2 EFX have no level settings, and that seems just fine?

I would be happy if the center detent was some capable person's BEST effort to set volumes commensurately across the effects, and then I could tweak from there.

 

[Dave W]

You don’t need to use a USB cable for the HXFX if you don’t want to. The unit is perfectly capable without it.

You just can’t update it or do editing from your PC without it.