One more bass FX thread: gig-friendly multi-FX

[tomilchik]

Hi fellow TB'ers!
The subject is super-new - nobody really brought it up yet

But here it is:
I'm looking for your collective wisdom, thoughts and advice on this:
Bass FX solution specifically for _gigs_.

Overall: looking for gig-friendly FX setup/package.
Not 100% happy with anything I've tried or read reviews / watched videos of.

Main requirements:
#1: easy to carry. For that: a pedalboard with individual pedals can be an awkward (or even back-breaking) piece of equipment, unless I go minimalistic.
#2: FX combinations ready-to-be-used in one stomp. Gig is not really a good time (for me at least) to tweak knobs or stomp on several things. That would work for "creative situations": like someone calling an unexpected tune and I have to quickly dial in the sound that matches. I'm talking about a gig with known-upfront tunes; I had time to dial/program sounds for each song; all I have to do is stomp on the "second-from-left" button - and my sound is ready. Scrolling thru menus - rather not; so a board with 5-6 assignable stomps would be ideal.
#2a: FX can be pre-dialed and stored (as homework).
#3: staple FX. At minimum: comp, octave, dirt, envelope, chorus.
#3a: FX need to be of at least acceptable quality.
#4: _very_ nice-to-have: synth-like capability to make sounds that 1)sometimes can be heard in pop music, but 2)are tricky to dial using simple combo of diff FX; expression pedal;
#5: nice-to-have extras: tuner, delay, reverb, looper, pre-amp (this one somehow is not high on my list - all my basses have enough ways to vary their sound: switches, active EQ, etc.; although to have ability to pre-dial some extra gain for solos/etc. is nice)

Tried so far:
* anything I've tried (shortlist below): no dial-and-store (#2a). I know there are plenty multi-FX that do that - just don't know how they fare on all my other a-must items, esp. #2;
* my current custom pedalboard. Has most FX (#3,3a,4,5), but: (#1) heavy! And (#2) no single-stomp capability
* Tech21 Bass FlyRig. Staples (#3), super-compact (#1). No single-stomp (#2). Octave glitches (#3a) with all my basses: MTD, Lakland, Dingwall.
* Valeton Dapper Bass. Staples (#3), super-compact (#1). No single-stomp (#2). Envelope (#3a) makes one sound, and not a good one (to my ears). Dirt (#3) is only ON with the envelope, but not separately, and there's no stomp for it.

Reviewed/read about:
Lots.
Including big/expensive units (e.g. Neural) that pack lots of amp simulations, let you create super-unique sounds, support dial-and-store (#2a) etc. (that, for just a gig-friendly board, seems to be an overkill).
TC Electronic Plethora: looks good, but lacks any dirt (#3) - I wonder why.


Your thoughts? Please.

 

[bassbrad]

You don't mention budget but I think that the newer Zoom B6 and B2 Four are worthy of consideration as it does tick all your boxes. The dirt section is certainly passable for live and the rest of the effects are very good including some useful synth sounds.

 

[jvanoort]

Since most people are going to recommend the gear they own themselves anyway I’ll merrily join in: Boss GT1000 Core (or its bigger non-Core sibling).

I use this myself, admittedly more because of convenience (don’t feel like putting together and carrying a pedalboard) than anything else. I don’t use many effects anyway. Could probably easily have been a Line 6 Helix Stomp or a smaller Fractal, but the Boss it is.

It does everything you mentioned and then some! Quality is top notch, as you might expect and there is lot’s of info to be found. It is programmable with your computer but you can also do it stand alone, a little more finicky, but very doable.

You can even use it to go completely ampless if you prefer, but I use it merely as a small portable and programmable pedalboard in front of an amp.

If you find it has too few buttons for your taste you can buy and add extra ones, but to me that defies the idea of being an alternative to a pedalboard.

Others will chime in and elaborate, no doubt.

 

[tomilchik]

You don't mention budget but I think that the newer Zoom B6 and B2 Four are worthy of consideration as it does tick all your boxes. The dirt section is certainly passable for live and the rest of the effects are very good including some useful synth sounds.

Budget is ~500+ USD. A bit higher - the box must be really worth it. Climbing into 1K - likely not; that’s already big leagues

 

[stubbsonic]

I don't own the GT-1000 Core, but I completely agree that it would meet your requirements. I have an Boss SY-1000 with some similarities-- and it's a nice balance of capabilities and sounds. It has a mode where you can set up the rig as a set of stomps you can turn on/off. I expect the GT-1000 core also has this ability.

If your needs are simple, and you don't need amp sims, you could look around for a used RP-360. The fx (especially reverb) are great. It has a mode where you can have three FX modules as "stomps" for the three buttons. The one downside is you can only have one mod FX at a time (so no flanger plus chorus).

I think the Zoom B2 Four looks promising as well.

 

[tomilchik]

I don't own the GT-1000 Core, but I completely agree that it would meet your requirements. I have an Boss SY-1000 with some similarities-- and it's a nice balance of capabilities and sounds. It has a mode where you can set up the rig as a set of stomps you can turn on/off. I expect the GT-1000 core also has this ability.

If your needs are simple, and you don't need amp sims, you could look around for a used RP-360. The fx (especially reverb) are great. It has a mode where you can have three FX modules as "stomps" for the three buttons. The one downside is you can only have one mod FX at a time (so no flanger plus chorus).

I think the Zoom B2 Four looks promising as well.

Thank you! Adding those to my list to check out.

 

[tomilchik]

Since most people are going to recommend the gear they own themselves anyway I’ll merrily join in: Boss GT1000 Core (or its bigger non-Core sibling).

I use this myself, admittedly more because of convenience (don’t feel like putting together and carrying a pedalboard) than anything else. I don’t use many effects anyway. Could probably easily have been a Line 6 Helix Stomp or a smaller Fractal, but the Boss it is.

It does everything you mentioned and then some! Quality is top notch, as you might expect and there is lot’s of info to be found. It is programmable with your computer but you can also do it stand alone, a little more finicky, but very doable.

You can even use it to go completely ampless if you prefer, but I use it merely as a small portable and programmable pedalboard in front of an amp.

If you find it has too few buttons for your taste you can buy and add extra ones, but to me that defies the idea of being an alternative to a pedalboard.

Others will chime in and elaborate, no doubt.

Thank you! Goes into my list to check out.

 

[jvanoort]

I don't own the GT-1000 Core, but I completely agree that it would meet your requirements. I have an Boss SY-1000 with some similarities-- and it's a nice balance of capabilities and sounds. It has a mode where you can set up the rig as a set of stomps you can turn on/off. I expect the GT-1000 core also has this ability.

Indeed, you can put the Core in 'manual' mode too, so that all three buttons toggle specific effects within the selected patch. If not in manual mode the first two buttons move resp. up and down to other patches and only the third operates as an effect toggle.

This is convenient: I use the manual mode mostly, because my basic sound is always the same; I just need to toggle the occasional phaser, distortion or compressor.

But if you use lots of different sounds the non-manual mode is also great, because you can have a complicated patch per song and more easily move between them.

Also: the Core has an effects loop that you can use in your patch (or not), so you can add external effects and use (and toggle) them from your Core. I don't use that, but many do.

More info on the GT1000 here: Boss GT 1000Core

Oh, and regarding the gig worthiness: most multi FX units (the ones I mentioned anyway) are easy to use on a dark stage. They all have luminous buttons, the Helix even has a different colour for each one!

 

[Zooberwerx]

I use the Zoom B3n as it "explodes" into the individual pedals within a particular patch, each can be activated or defeated via a dedicated stomp switch.

Riis

 

[klattman]

You don't mention budget but I think that the newer Zoom B6 and B2 Four are worthy of consideration as it does tick all your boxes. The dirt section is certainly passable for live and the rest of the effects are very good including some useful synth sounds.

I had the zoom B2 and never liked the thin sound with noise (had to use the gate or it was a mess) .
But that’s 2-3 generations back. The new ones look interesting.

 

[LowActionHero]

Depends on how many effects you need at a time.
I use a Zoom B3 (3 at a time per patch)

I added an aftershock for easier access to 3 levels of dirt, and boost pedal for soloish stuff and boosting Palm muted parts, and a cathedral reverb to fake keyboards on 'big endings'.

Everything else was through the B3, still only sparingly, but it had everything I could need.

 

[ga_edwards]

A Line 6 Helix or a smaller HX Stomp or Stomp XL would do everything you want.

You have a plethora of comp, dirt, octave, envelope and chorus options that are very musical and sound great.

A recent update added a slew of synth models. Whilst it's not a Deep Impact or C4, I've found them to be quite useable.

Snapshots is a very useful feature once you get your head around it and would be a great fit for you. Whilst presets are like having a number of different pedal boards that you can pull up as required. Snapshots are like being able to change the settings of lot of pedals on a particular pedalboad and recall them as required. Really powerful stuff. And the command centre takes this even further.

 

[skyline_01]

I got the Zoom MS-60B recently to add effects to a few songs, and also to explore other effects I don't have the $ to buy separately. It works pretty well for my needs so far, and I'm pretty sure it has all the effects you listed minus the looper.

You can use up to 3 effects at a time, and also put your rigs/patches in any order you'd like and cycle through them. There's only one footswitch but I don't find it too restricting with this unit.

The Zoom B2 Four and B6 also seems like nice units - I feel like either would do a great job for your application.

There's always the modeler route too (Headrush, Helix, etc) but some feel that they have limited effects specifically for bass. Personally, I'm very interested in this concept and they seem to be adding more bass stuff with each software update.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

People are going to start thinking I work for BOSS, but the GT1-B is my go-to. It can still be had for under $300 (USD), I think.

 

[G On Bass]

I've gigged with Zoom pedals for years. Currently using the B3N, pre-set up. What I like is that I have the option stomp each pedal on and off mid song, and not have to switch whole patches or banks. But I wish it had an XLR out like my B3 and B9.1ut did.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

The GT-1B has most, if not all of your requirements, although the multiple effect on/off requirement isn't a default. It needs to be set by the user, easiest via the free download Tone Studio and USB. Tone Studio is a PC application, and may be available for Mac. It isn't a phone or tablet app or bluetooth.

All switches can be easily reconfigured via the software. I think it's possible via the front panel, but Tone Studio works so well I don't bother to do anything beyond basic adjustments with the knobs. You can also add two additional external pedal switches, such as a Boss FS-5 or FS-6, or another expression pedal, simply by connecting it via 1/4" TRS cable.

 

[JoeDoe]

Pickup a secondhand HX Stomp with a $20 two-button FSW and call it a day!

 

[Altitude]

Zoom B3n here. I only use scratch made patches though; the delivered patches are very loud and a little silly.

The unit is great for compression, autowah, and although opinions vary I think the SVT model is quite good. The least good are the pitch shift/octave effects - I wouldn’t record with them but fine for a loud little club.

Nice small form factor, fits in the same case as my amp head and all my cables.

If I were to upgrade it would be to an HX, but honestly I don’t need to.

 

[bigthemat]

I've been gassing for the new Zoom stuff. The B6 looks really cool, and the B2 Four does too. Not sure which one I'd get if I were to get a new multi FX. But I was using my Zoom b3 for YEARS until it started crapping out on me. I still use it as a recording interface and practice/headphone amp. The Avalon U5 pre clone is pretty sweet as well as some of the other comps and pres. I also found their monopitch octave pedal sounded and tracked better than my MXR octave deluxe, and I had a really cool patch to give me a sweet fretless-ish chorus (two choruses and and their defret). The envelope filters were cool too, not sure how they compare to my mxr as I haven't A/B tested it yet. BUT, I love Zoom stuff. I wish my B3 was still gig worthy.

 

[skyline_01]

I've been gassing for the new Zoom stuff. The B6 looks really cool, and the B2 Four does too. Not sure which one I'd get if I were to get a new multi FX. But I was using my Zoom b3 for YEARS until it started crapping out on me. I still use it as a recording interface and practice/headphone amp. The Avalon U5 pre clone is pretty sweet as well as some of the other comps and pres. I also found their monopitch octave pedal sounded and tracked better than my MXR octave deluxe, and I had a really cool patch to give me a sweet fretless-ish chorus (two choruses and and their defret). The envelope filters were cool too, not sure how they compare to my mxr as I haven't A/B tested it yet. BUT, I love Zoom stuff. I wish my B3 was still gig worthy.

I agree that the Zoom effects are really useful. I got the MS-60B to add some effects to specific songs when playing live, but I was also very interested in the U5 clone. I used it on the last couple tracks of a prog album project with great results, and have used it live as well.