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This or that: multi-FX vs standalone pedals
- Thread starter modularblur
- Start date
They both have advantages and disadvantages, and there's no right or wrong answer.
Individual Pedals:
Pros:
* You can get the exact FX you want instead of what's provided in the Multi-FX.
* You can replace an individual FX if sg you like comes up.
* If a pedal fails, you can still use the rest.
Cons:
* It will most likely cost signifiantly more (not a problem for the OP).
* It will probably be bigger and heavier to carry.
Multi-FX:
Pros:
* You will most likely get a lot of FX.
* You can experiment with different FX to figure out what you like and what you don't.
* It will most likely be cheaper.
* it will most likely be smaller and lighter to carry.
Cons:
* If the pedal fails, it fails.
* Even though you'll get a lot of effects, you might not like all of them.
So my advice is:
If you know exactly what FX you like and because $$ is not a problem, get Individual pedals and you'll have everything you need, and nothing you don't.
If you're new into FX and/or want to experiment, and not sure what to get yet, get a Multi-FX unit and play with it until you figure out what you like.
Individual Pedals:
Pros:
* You can get the exact FX you want instead of what's provided in the Multi-FX.
* You can replace an individual FX if sg you like comes up.
* If a pedal fails, you can still use the rest.
Cons:
* It will most likely cost signifiantly more (not a problem for the OP).
* It will probably be bigger and heavier to carry.
Multi-FX:
Pros:
* You will most likely get a lot of FX.
* You can experiment with different FX to figure out what you like and what you don't.
* It will most likely be cheaper.
* it will most likely be smaller and lighter to carry.
Cons:
* If the pedal fails, it fails.
* Even though you'll get a lot of effects, you might not like all of them.
So my advice is:
If you know exactly what FX you like and because $$ is not a problem, get Individual pedals and you'll have everything you need, and nothing you don't.
If you're new into FX and/or want to experiment, and not sure what to get yet, get a Multi-FX unit and play with it until you figure out what you like.
Last edited:
I have two nobles set up with different levels so I can switch between two basses seamlessly.
Both... multi effects are great. Programming and menus are not. I use pedals to do the common things.. things that are getting switched off/on often. The multi-fx do the rest and fill in for what pedals I don't have (or want to buy). I program the FX channels either by which bass I'm playing or by the CAB simulator I wanna hear.
I had this debate 20 years ago with myself and ultimately went with the BOSS GT-6B. No regrets.
Not sure what I would do today. There are so many options.
Not sure what I would do today. There are so many options.
I tried a bunch of pedals, in the end, almost everything was Boss, so I returned them and got the Boss GT1000. Now I have a DI, expression pedal, looper and countless new things to try. I’ve spent many hours getting the patches I like where I want them, but I enjoy doing that. It took almost as long to arrange a pedalboard neatly. In the end, the cost was a wash, but no more trying to find patch connections that come loose.
I'm not an expert enough in pedal lore to really even know what models I'm using. I just tinker until stuff sounds how I like.
But I'm in several bands including playing at our church where I frequently have to cover a lot of sonic territory like giving background pad sounds and other ambient stuff when keys or electric are not in that band. It helps to have ALL the sounds in one box so I can cover vast territory quickly each week depending on the needs.
