I use an old Line6 M13, and it works fine for live stuff. I'm hoping to upgrade soon, but I've used it for years with no problems.
Bass ---> EB VP Jr ---> M13 ---> GK MB212
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Who is actually using a multi-FX live, and is happy with it?
- Thread starter JJP_1984_LB50
- Start date
Bass ---> EB VP Jr ---> M13 ---> GK MB212
I used a good dozen of multis on stage. They all have different advantages.
So far the Zoom B3 remains the one I use the most. It's a very complete tool that you can use as 3 completely separate pedals or with preset tones.
So far the Zoom B3 remains the one I use the most. It's a very complete tool that you can use as 3 completely separate pedals or with preset tones.
I never use effects on gigs but do own an MB50B for a long time. I use it at home with the headphones. Great value and lots of options. I use the sound hold feature often.
Zoom MS100-BT
SA Spectrum
Here's my chain:
TC Electronic Spectrum (always on)
Donner Harmonic Square (because I sold my tender octaver mk1 like a dummy)
SA Spectrum
Solidgoldfx BETA
Zoom MS100-BT (noise gate -> chorus -> 2 delays -> reverb -> and preamp when needed)
Boss LMB-3 (when needed)
The Spectrum, although technically not a multi, I use it for envelope, octave (even for that -1 OC2 tone), phaser/synth effects. Surprisingly the octave replaced my Boss OC2 "Octaver". It tracks AMAZINGLY!
To answer your question, I've really taken advantage of these 2 pedals as multieffects pedals. I really like them for their sound quality, ease of use, and saving real estate (I probably could narrow it to just 4 pedals on my board). I like to adjust with my feet/toes on the fly once in a while, which I can't do with the Zoom but those are set-and-forget effects.
SA Spectrum
Here's my chain:
TC Electronic Spectrum (always on)
Donner Harmonic Square (because I sold my tender octaver mk1 like a dummy)
SA Spectrum
Solidgoldfx BETA
Zoom MS100-BT (noise gate -> chorus -> 2 delays -> reverb -> and preamp when needed)
Boss LMB-3 (when needed)
The Spectrum, although technically not a multi, I use it for envelope, octave (even for that -1 OC2 tone), phaser/synth effects. Surprisingly the octave replaced my Boss OC2 "Octaver". It tracks AMAZINGLY!
To answer your question, I've really taken advantage of these 2 pedals as multieffects pedals. I really like them for their sound quality, ease of use, and saving real estate (I probably could narrow it to just 4 pedals on my board). I like to adjust with my feet/toes on the fly once in a while, which I can't do with the Zoom but those are set-and-forget effects.
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Fractal has added a TON of bass amp models and effects? What are these you speak of? Last I checked, it was only a few additions, not a lot, and many key bass requests still having gone unacknowledged, unfortunately. Am I mistaken? Love Fractal, but bassists go begging for the most part.
You inspired me to dig mine out and fire it up tonight. It’s been parked under my desk since February of last year. I played it live and at one or two practices, built a rack case for it and the Crown power amp it’s paired with, and then parked it since band times came to a halt. I’ve been DI boy since then.
Well, it was fun to crank up that clean, fat, smooth sound through a big power amp again. Thanks for the nudge!
I used to run a helix live, and it sounded pretty good and certainly passable live, but I've since switched to an analog preamp with some "multi" effects, namely a Source Audio C4 and a Meris Hedra. Reason being, I didnt like tweaking the Helix live and usually had to make some realtively simple EQ and gain staging adjustments. I found that if I adjust it semi -frequently, I prefer it to have a knob showing WYSIWYG. For delays and weird synthy sounds, I want to never have to adjust them live, since they are not really room dependent.
Hummergeist
Commercial User
- Jul 21, 2020
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- Tutorials, reviews, and interviews for Future Publishing.
I've tried a few modelling solutions for guitar and bass, and it's so different now than just a few years ago. It seems each one, though, has a speciality. I have not been lucky enough to try the real high end stuff like Fractal and Kemper. When I get a bass I like the sound of, it seems that more processing occurs, the worse it sounds. I've used various software amps, Eleven Rack (had a good SVT on it), Helix, Pod HD 600, Fender Mustang floorboard, Boss GT 6B, Helix Native plugin, Zoom Multistomp, Logic and GarageBand amps, Sansamp VT Bass rack, Sansamp Blonde. And now I'm using Tech 21 VT Bass DI with Boss GT-1000 Core. Every one of those products has had at least one killer sound in it, but at the moment I feel like the VT/Core combo is the best I've had. HA...sorry for the long list. EDIT if I had to go back and use one of the older ones, it'd be the VT rack, which isn't a multi fx of course.
I am not trying to shill for the ME-50B. However, just to pass along my experience:
The unit has two modes. The first mode is where each of the three switches acts an individual "pedal". The second is a "programmed patch mode" where each switch is programmed with a specific set of sounds.
I tend to just use the first mode. It allows me to tweak each effect on the fly. If everything sounds good at soundcheck, I will save them as patches. It gives me the best of both worlds.
Because the OD/distortion/fuzz is the weak link, they tend to be one I like to mess with a bit during soundcheck. The synths I generally leave alone... but they are rarely used.
That's what I ended up doing. An auto-wah for one funky tune, a slight bit of crunch, and a flanger for one song. It worked OK, but not great as far as the tone goes. I also didn't care much for the compressor for the same reason.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
I replaced a 12 space rack and a huge pedal board with a Lexicon MPX G2 about 18 years ago. It was the best sounding multi-effects unit I've found but they are old and not so reliable. So, I've tried a number of newer ones, including Fractal and Line 6, but nothing sounds as good to my ear as Lexicon, especially the reverb (it had one Lexichip dedicated to reverb). I even dialed in a very analog sounding Mutron III effect, which sounded better than my old Mutron III. It's also very flexible in terms of routing, but most of the newer ones are. I really wanted to like the Fractal FX8, but it just kills the tone.
The search continues.
Harmon screwed up Lexicon, like so many other companies.
The search continues.
Harmon screwed up Lexicon, like so many other companies.
I have a pretty extensive pedal board but I tend to just use the Boss ME-50B. Straight to one of my various GK rigs. I love how simple it is to use and I think it sounds great!
We're using Line 6 since the Line 6 Bass PodXTLive days....
Very happy with TONS of TONES.
Currently using HELIX.
Routing depends on venue and size, FOH or not, etc.
Usual routing:
No FOH: Line 6 G50 wireless-->HELIX-->line level out to 10 band MXR pedal(allows EQ amp/cab to room)-->BOSE rig(usually as we all have 1)
FOH: wireless-->HELIX--> XLR to FOH & Line level out to 10 band MXR-->provided backline OR my rack rig OR my IEM system
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Interesting results; thanks for posting this. Now I have more gear to research 
Thank you for your work. Now I'm thinking about replacing my AX3000B with B3N.
