From what I understand, the bad news is the only good compression is tube comp, and the filters aren't too great (volume spikes, not really bass oriented). The good news is that the overdrive, delay and modulation are top notch.
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Want to replace individual stomps with mulit-effects
- Thread starter clubdude
- Start date
I use filters hardly ever. In fact, I'm just starting to use it in a manner like "All She Wants To Do Is Dance". Like someone said earlier, live quality doesn't have to be quite studio quality, anyway. The comp might be another thing, if it's really bad. But if it's acceptable, I'm cool. I only use 20-40% settings anyway. I like most of my effects to be subtle, not over the top. I really like the sound of my bass rig, after going through dozens and dozens of amps, string types, pickups, and basses. So, I don't want to cover that up, just enhance it, sometimes by making it a "bigger" sound, and sometimes just to cover something from an original recording.
I'm glad to hear from someone who's recently demo'd one.
Thanks. CD
I'm glad to hear from someone who's recently demo'd one.
Thanks. CD
One thing to note after messing around with it tonight is to get a Midi to USB cable right away to update the firmware if you dont already have one. I dont have a midi cable (anyone know where I could get a decent cheap one???) so I couldnt do it.
Try these (I get my hdmi cables from Amazon):
http://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Cable-Converter-Music-Keyboar/dp/B001LJUVO4
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?LH_BIN=..._sc=1&_sop=15&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m301
Link Removed
Don't get ripped off. Digital cables either work perfectly or they don't work at all. Unlike analog cables, buying expensive (overpriced) digital cables will not improve your performance. (Same with hdmi cables)
http://www.amazon.com/MIDI-Cable-Converter-Music-Keyboar/dp/B001LJUVO4
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?LH_BIN=..._sc=1&_sop=15&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m301
Link Removed
Don't get ripped off. Digital cables either work perfectly or they don't work at all. Unlike analog cables, buying expensive (overpriced) digital cables will not improve your performance. (Same with hdmi cables)
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
FWIW, I also like the Vetta Comp and the Blue Comp and Boost Comp have some uses I like. The biggest thing I've found is that you have to find the M#'s input sweet spot to get the best sound out of the comps and filters. The triggered effects also sound best with the right input signal.
Of course, I really like mine well enough for most everything I do. Not everyone will. I just find that when people say that 'this effect isn't very good' that it usually isn't good for their situation unless more specific criteria is given about what is good or bad. For example, the way I usually use filters is a mid range peaky sound with a blend or in parallel with an octave. The filters on the M# work well for that. Another sound I like is a deep bassy throbbing sound I can get out of my QTron+. I can't get that out of the M#. YMMV.
ok so after messing around with it briefly for the last few days, my initial thoughts are that this M9 is starting to grow on me. The first night I fired it up Ill be honest, I wasnt that impressed and I was making sure I knew where I put the receipt. But since then, Ive found some really good and useful effects that will work well for me.
I started out trying to find a decent overdrive and I think this is what got me off on the wrong foot. For some reason I overlooked the Tube Drive "patch" (or whatever you want to call it) and was using the Overdrive one, and I was not happy at all. I like some warmth with a little bite but still on the tame side. The Tube Drive really sounded great. Then I moved onto working on a cool funky filter and smooth chorus, and I did well there too.
The real test will come at my gig next weekend and it stinks that I wont get another practice in with the band to test it full bore, but, Im thinking it will work out well now!
I started out trying to find a decent overdrive and I think this is what got me off on the wrong foot. For some reason I overlooked the Tube Drive "patch" (or whatever you want to call it) and was using the Overdrive one, and I was not happy at all. I like some warmth with a little bite but still on the tame side. The Tube Drive really sounded great. Then I moved onto working on a cool funky filter and smooth chorus, and I did well there too.
The real test will come at my gig next weekend and it stinks that I wont get another practice in with the band to test it full bore, but, Im thinking it will work out well now!
I dig my ME-50B, though I can't plug the bass straight into it--it will distort. So, you need either a buffer before it (I used a Radial Loopbone) or you should put it in the effects loop. BIG bummer. The loopbone cost more than the ME-50B!
My basses are active so if you are passive it may not distort.
It is really easy to use; I have stickers all over the thing to save my settings manually, and I have created some great patches saved to memory as well. If you want it EASY to use, this thing is great. I think it sounds very good, as well. You can plug into two more FS-5U's for comp on-off/bank up, and tap-tempo/bank down (depending on which mode you are in; presets or manual mode)
That being said, I went back to individual stompboxes/pedalboard
Though I envision bringing the ME-50B on the fly to smaller gigs where I don't want to lug the 35lb pedalboard.
I didn't like the GT-6B, sold it and dig this one waaaaay more (though I am lazy when it somes to programming)
I hope they come out with an ME-70B
My basses are active so if you are passive it may not distort.
It is really easy to use; I have stickers all over the thing to save my settings manually, and I have created some great patches saved to memory as well. If you want it EASY to use, this thing is great. I think it sounds very good, as well. You can plug into two more FS-5U's for comp on-off/bank up, and tap-tempo/bank down (depending on which mode you are in; presets or manual mode)
That being said, I went back to individual stompboxes/pedalboard
Though I envision bringing the ME-50B on the fly to smaller gigs where I don't want to lug the 35lb pedalboard.
I didn't like the GT-6B, sold it and dig this one waaaaay more (though I am lazy when it somes to programming)
I hope they come out with an ME-70B
okcrum
in your chest
Interesting. I have a late model ME-50B and it doesn't distort with either active or passive basses straight in, or in the effects loop.
The noise level isn't excessive. The octave tracking is good too. I have a funny feeling that later models upgraded the firmware and possibly some of the electronics.
Edit: It still looks like it's up on the Boss web site, too. Was there a discontinuance announcement from Boss?
The noise level isn't excessive. The octave tracking is good too. I have a funny feeling that later models upgraded the firmware and possibly some of the electronics.
Edit: It still looks like it's up on the Boss web site, too. Was there a discontinuance announcement from Boss?
Although I think I would probably be ok with a ME-50b, I know now that I would always be jonesing for a M9 or M13, so I think I will skip that step.
John, thanks for the report on your M9. I hope you will enlighten us all as you play with it some more. Be nice to hear your "discoveries" a step at the time. I know I will have one in a matter of weeks. Glad the overdrive worked out for you, too. CD
John, thanks for the report on your M9. I hope you will enlighten us all as you play with it some more. Be nice to hear your "discoveries" a step at the time. I know I will have one in a matter of weeks. Glad the overdrive worked out for you, too. CD
I did an experiment last night to get some different tones out of the distortions. Maybe it will help....
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9437143&postcount=92
Good post, cybersnyder.
That's what I'm talking about! I play with the octaver a lot, but am inhibited a bit because if I get below C on my bass, the synthed ocatave down starts getting garbled. Being able to play 5ths, etc, will be awesome. Being able to add o/d or another effect to it, will be awesom-er.
Do you run any compression with that configuration?
Thanks, CD.
That's what I'm talking about! I play with the octaver a lot, but am inhibited a bit because if I get below C on my bass, the synthed ocatave down starts getting garbled. Being able to play 5ths, etc, will be awesome. Being able to add o/d or another effect to it, will be awesom-er.
Do you run any compression with that configuration?
Thanks, CD.
Nice! Thanks for that.
And the smart harmony as an octaver sounds great to me, I think you will be happy with it. I was also experimenting with the compressors and I liked the tube compressor patch alot (although I dont use compression a whole bunch)
Good post, cybersnyder.
That's what I'm talking about! I play with the octaver a lot, but am inhibited a bit because if I get below C on my bass, the synthed ocatave down starts getting garbled. Being able to play 5ths, etc, will be awesome. Being able to add o/d or another effect to it, will be awesom-er.
Do you run any compression with that configuration?
Thanks, CD.
I played around with compression with it, but I was going for more of the effecty-squash than "nice" compression. Looks like a late night tonight at the office, so I'll try something tomorrow night if I can.
Cool, cyber.
I'm asking because if one were to use the two harmonies, o/d, and want comp, that would be more than you could do with a M9, but not a M13. Of course, you don't really need comp with a good o/d.
Have fun. We'll enjoy it vicariously. CD
I'm asking because if one were to use the two harmonies, o/d, and want comp, that would be more than you could do with a M9, but not a M13. Of course, you don't really need comp with a good o/d.
Have fun. We'll enjoy it vicariously. CD
Oh, and don't forget to use pitchglide with +1 at the heel setting of an expression pedal and +2 at the toe setting. Run that into your favorite distortion and then into mod/delay. Guitar-wanna-be-wankery!
waiting for confirmation due to the pay as you play plan , but ordered a blemished m13 from zzounds last night!
Hey guys....so i finally got my M9 last night and thought I would share my initial experiences with you all as promised. Now I have tried and owned digital multi-effects before and I have to admit, this is the least digital sounding digital effect ive ever tried. To my surprise all of the modulation, reverb and delay effects responded just like their analog counterparts would.
1. The volume issue- I played with a passive jazz bass (my G&L JB-2) and actually it responded fine to me at full volume. You guys that had to find the sweet spot: were you using active electronics?
2. DELAY/REVERB: awesome! Particle reverb is a LOT of fun. Deciding which delay/reverb to use for my solos is going to take a while though. So many choices!! Again, I would have never noticed they are digital. Some of them are only very subtly different though. Had to use headphones to really hear the difference. But then again, I only have my combo at home. Once I try it in rehearsal with my cab it may sound different.
3. SYNTHS- The tracking on some of the synths seems to have a delay. I pluck the string and the sound comes out a bit later. Anyone else notice this? Seems like it will make it hard to use any of them in a band setting. Also, I was really looking forward to the slow filter sweep synth for an intro to one of my bands songs but Line 6 and me seem to have entirely different definitions of the word "SLOW". Also, all of the synths seem like the would sound awesome on guitar but are NOT at all tailored to those of us in the lower register. I was really hoping I wouldn't need a SYB-5 or another synth pedal in addition to the M9 but i dont know if these synths will cut it.
4. Expression pedal usage... Okay so i was really excited about this but it seems to be a bit of a pain to use one. For some reason I could never get the pedal to just adjust ONE parameter despite doing exactly what the directions said. Also the only way to "undo" your expression pedal settings is to unplug it and plug it into the unit again. I dont want to have to do that in the middle of the gig. I bought this so that i WOULDNT have to mess with nobs and plugs between songs....
5. Overall- seems like it was clearly made for guitar. A lot of the effects just dont sound good with bass. I have not actually used a real fuzz or distortion pedal before so I am not going to comment on that subject since I have no experience.
6. My bad luck- nothing relating to the pedal but of course the day I get this pedal my ampeg combo starts buzzing so much that you can barely hear the bass. Anyways, I'm just hoping i wont have to return the M9 and buy a new combo.
Lemme know if you guys have any other questions about any of the effects...
1. The volume issue- I played with a passive jazz bass (my G&L JB-2) and actually it responded fine to me at full volume. You guys that had to find the sweet spot: were you using active electronics?
2. DELAY/REVERB: awesome! Particle reverb is a LOT of fun. Deciding which delay/reverb to use for my solos is going to take a while though. So many choices!! Again, I would have never noticed they are digital. Some of them are only very subtly different though. Had to use headphones to really hear the difference. But then again, I only have my combo at home. Once I try it in rehearsal with my cab it may sound different.
3. SYNTHS- The tracking on some of the synths seems to have a delay. I pluck the string and the sound comes out a bit later. Anyone else notice this? Seems like it will make it hard to use any of them in a band setting. Also, I was really looking forward to the slow filter sweep synth for an intro to one of my bands songs but Line 6 and me seem to have entirely different definitions of the word "SLOW". Also, all of the synths seem like the would sound awesome on guitar but are NOT at all tailored to those of us in the lower register. I was really hoping I wouldn't need a SYB-5 or another synth pedal in addition to the M9 but i dont know if these synths will cut it.
4. Expression pedal usage... Okay so i was really excited about this but it seems to be a bit of a pain to use one. For some reason I could never get the pedal to just adjust ONE parameter despite doing exactly what the directions said. Also the only way to "undo" your expression pedal settings is to unplug it and plug it into the unit again. I dont want to have to do that in the middle of the gig. I bought this so that i WOULDNT have to mess with nobs and plugs between songs....
5. Overall- seems like it was clearly made for guitar. A lot of the effects just dont sound good with bass. I have not actually used a real fuzz or distortion pedal before so I am not going to comment on that subject since I have no experience.
6. My bad luck- nothing relating to the pedal but of course the day I get this pedal my ampeg combo starts buzzing so much that you can barely hear the bass. Anyways, I'm just hoping i wont have to return the M9 and buy a new combo.
Lemme know if you guys have any other questions about any of the effects...
