What multi-effects for me?

For versatility and modeling accuracy I say an M9 for multi-fx or an old Line 6 Bass Pod XT.


Edit: I didn't realize the newer units (HD500) didn't have all the bass stuff.

 

I love the Line6 stuff, (although, the HD500 only has one (1) bass amp simulator). Very sturdy, well built stuff.
I use a Pod XTLive with the added on BassPack software, it is really nice. Or you could go with a used BassPod XTLive, there are a few on the GuitarCenter.com Used section - they range from $125 - $200

 

I have a Boss ME-50B.

You can store 24 different patches on it, and it's fully programmable and easy to program. The 24 patches are divided into 8 banks of 3 each. The three patches within each bank correspond to the three pedals on the unit. So within each bank, you can change patches at the touch of a foot. However, if you want to go from one bank to another, you will need to do some scrolling.

One drawback to the unit is a very short cut in your signal when you switch from one patch to the other, a fraction of a second of silence, so you kind of have to plan your parts around that. If you need instantaneous switching, you won't get it with this pedal.

Built in expression pedal? Check. It does wah, divebomb, and some other stuff too.

Built in noise gate? Check.

Strong? I'm not sure if you're saying the noise gate needs to be strong, or the whole unit needs to be built solidly. The noise gate works fine for me, but I'm not a metal dude, so YMMV. As for the build quality of the pedal, I'm pretty sure you could drop it off the back of a truck and use it on a gig that night.

Price? I got mine used for $200 US.

Compared to the B3? Not sure. I've never tried the B3, but I used to own an older Zoom multi (the 506) which the Boss replaced. I'd say the Zoom did some stuff better (autowah and synth come to mind) while the Boss does a better job with distortion and modulation effects.

 

It's as old as dirt now but always check eBay! Just got a used Peavey bass-fex for $25! Works great even though it's older. Has programmable bi amping that you can put anywhere in the fx chain! Nice for the price! Only single complaint is if you like using a pitch shifter the low works great but going up not so much!

 

By the way. Opened for Living Colour 2 nights ago. Here's a shot I took of Doug Wimbish's pedal board. Holy crap!!!

 

Well, it kind of depends. Basically, there are five "sections". One is a selection of compressors. One is the expression pedal. The others are the three "pedals" I mentioned earlier. These are labeled "Filter/Tone", "Drive/Synth", and "Delay/Modulation". You can use one effect from each of these sections, for a total of five. But if two effects you want to combine are in one of these sections, you're out of luck. In my case, the octaver and autowah are both grouped under "Filter/Tone", so I can't use them both at once, a big drawback for me.

Chorus, reverb, and delay are all grouped under "Delay/Modulation", so your options for combining them are limited. However, there are a couple of settings under "Delay/Modulation" which are actually combinations of effects. One of them is "Chorus+Delay" and the other is "Chorus+Reverb".

One thing that's cool about this unit is you can tap in the tempo for ANY effect in the "Delay/Modulation" group; not only delay tempo, but things like chorus tempo or flange tempo too.

Pitch shifting is accomplished in two different ways. Under "Filter/Tone", there is octave up and octave down, like a traditional octave pedal. And the expression pedal is capable of either pushing your note up an octave, or dropping it down an octave, depending on the setting you use. One criticism here too: the octave-up sounds pretty unnatural and "warbly" by itself. It fattens up nicely, though, if you add some distortion and reverb to it. Like you, I play 6-string, and I used to be in a band with two bass players. My job was primarily "lead bass" and the sound of this unit pitch shifting up an octave (via the expression pedal) with fuzz and reverb became my signature soloing sound, something I ended up dubbing "the scream bass".

Another thing worth mentioning (or clarifying). The unit can function in one of two modes: manual or memory. In memory mode, you're using the pedals to select patches that you've stored. In manual mode, you're using the pedals just as if they were separate effects units. I mentioned earlier a latency in switching patches, causing a short silence. This is only an issue in memory mode. In manual mode, the pedals switch on and off instantaneously just like a traditional effects pedal.