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Need Help with Choosing a Multi effect Pedal

CharlieK

CharlieK

Aug 10, 2019
5
5
74
Central NY State
#1
I am looking for a multi effect unit that has great amp/cab modeling and has DI. I would like some effects as well. Compressor is a must have. Others maybe chorus, octaver. Synth. But those are not as important as the modeling and compressor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't mean to be fussy but I don't want to have to take out a mortgage to be able to pay for the thing.
 
#2
TONEX is a more affordable option to Helix etc. I have a Helix Stomp and a TONEX that I set up and use for different purposes. Zoom and BOSS for even more affordable options and of course there’s the Donner stuff. Guitar player in one of my bands uses the Donner and it has constant issues. For me, TONEX and Helix Stomp have been trouble free and can produce decent results for bass guitar. Stomp is more useful than TONEX when needing to kick effects on and off during a song.
 
#3
Avid Eleven Rack can be found for $200, if you like Ampeg SVT models. Really good sound and easy to program with front knobs.

On the cheap: Boss GT1B, Zoom B3, Line 6 Pod Express Bass
Better: HX Stomp, maybe Headrush Gigboard

HX Effects: It doesn't have amp models but it has IR loader. I use it direct to FOH and I don't need amp modelling as it has Tech 21 BDDI, Nobel preamp, Darkglass B7K and some nice bass effects and compressors. As easy to use as analog pedal on a pedalboard, plus preset and midi control.
 
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#4
HX Stomp sounds great and I think the amp modeling is among the best. I like the interface. The amps feel right as well as sounding good. It took me a few days to learn it but now it makes sense.

The new zoom ms-b60+ isn’t as dynamically responsive as others but the sound is pretty much dead on. And it’s only $130. It’s easy to use but patience is required in building patches as the order is right to left, just like most pedalboards and it’s a bit too easy to hit the wrong thing and mess up, so I wouldn’t necessarily use it live unless I practiced with it a lot. For 1/5 the HX stomp cost I think it’s a great value.

Then there are the samplers. I don’t have things to sample nor do I want to download samples to a kemper etc. I like building sounds from scratch so I prefer modelers like the Hx, two notes opus, and zoom. If not those I’d rather just use something like an origin effects bassrig and single effects pedals or just go straight into a tube amp.
 
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#5
The HX Stomp is very popular, because it packs it all in a tiny package.
I had one for a while and I must admit that the two effects that I was underwhelmed with were Compression and Dirt.
I've seen many mini boards where the HX Stomp was accompanied by a tuner and a compressor pedal - so it seems I'm not entirely alone with that verdict.

The products from the Headrush series are a tiny bit below the more expensive alternatives in terms of sound, but can make it up with their ease of use. They have a touch screen and are super simple to set up and modify. The learning curve is practically done after half an hour.
 
#6
I’ve been trying out multi Fx units since the 90’s and I’ve felt that they all really didn’t deliver like their analog counterparts. The most annoying thing to me was the thin and sterile sound they produced for bass. I also didn’t like the digital artifact that seemed to linger after each note was played.

Last year I bought a PodGo for church. I loved it. So I bought a stomp, and I have to say it is the best gear purchase I’ve made this decade. The compressors and drives are really good in the stomp, and the main reason I use my Becos Stella is because I can, and I also like the metering which the stomp doesn’t have.

I am IEM only these days and I absolutely love this board. It has about 10 gigs on it since this past July 4th as it sits.

I got mine for $711 out the door from Seetwater with Helix Native included as well as a power cable and some other software bundled with it. I highly recommend the HX Stomp.
IMG_2833.jpeg
 
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#10
CharlieK said:
I am looking for a multi effect unit that has great amp/cab modeling and has DI. I would like some effects as well. Compressor is a must have. Others maybe chorus, octaver. Synth. But those are not as important as the modeling and compressor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't mean to be fussy but I don't want to have to take out a mortgage to be able to pay for the thing.
Click to expand...
HX Stomp for sure. Great modeling, very usable compressors, and everything else on your list with ease.
 
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#11
FronTowardEnemy said:
I’ve been trying out multi Fx units since the 90’s and I’ve felt that they all really didn’t deliver like their analog counterparts. The most annoying thing to me was the thin and sterile sound they produced for bass. I also didn’t like the digital artifact that seemed to linger after each note was played.

Last year I bought a PodGo for church. I loved it. So I bought a stomp, and I have to say it is the best gear purchase I’ve made this decade. The compressors and drives are really good in the stomp, and the main reason I use my Becos Stella is because I can, and I also like the metering which the stomp doesn’t have.

I am IEM only these days and I absolutely love this board. It has about 10 gigs on it since this past July 4th as it sits.

I got mine for $711 out the door from Seetwater with Helix Native included as well as a power cable and some other software bundled with it. I highly recommend the HX Stomp. View attachment 6994829
Click to expand...

That's quite the board you have there! Sushi Box content 😍
 
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#13
I enjoy the Zoom B6. It has all that you mentioned. Good amp modeling, compressors, numerous synth, Wah, delays, reverb and chorus options. The dirt is ok.... tweeked SVT seems to work best for me, when I use it by itself. But If I really want dirt, I use my Blower Box with it.
The B6 really shines with its numerous other options...
Muted tuner
Looper
Drum tracks
Endlessly customizable.
Dual inputs
Auxiliary imput
Direct out
Headphones out

Got mine used with original box. And instructions for $ 150 less than new. It didn't have a scratch on it.
 

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#14
I'm pretty much brand new to effects so take my opinion for whatever it's worth, but I've loved my new Zoom MS-60B+. I've had it for only about 3 weeks and just done a handful of gigs. So far I absolutely love it. I don't fiddle with it a lot during gigs, but I have a handful of presets that I built that I really like. The Fliptop model with the gain boosted just sounds great! I also really like the Aguilar DB750. The more I use the pedal, the more I like it.
20240721_102543.jpg
 
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#15
I did briefly try the Line 6 POD Express. I liked a lot of the sounds I was able to get, but I just didn't have the patience to get comfortable with it's operation. I returned it after a week and went with the MS-60B+ and have zero regrets.

The ability to use the Zoom with a tablet makes all adjustments easy peazy. I even let my young children help me create patches. I'll play and I'll tell them to just start turning knobs and seeing what we can create. All of the kids have a patch named after them. They're some pretty wacky sounds but it's been a ton of fun!
 
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