Best multi FX unit

MDS

MDS

New member
Hey guys,

I'm doing more recording session and variety type gigs and my pedalboard isn't flexible enough to cover all the different tones I need on a specific gig. I've never been a fan of modeling or multiFX in general, but I think it might be time.

I used to have a GT-3, and it was pretty cool, but I didn't need all the stuff at the time and my Mesa and Fulldrive covered my distortion needs. Line6 stuff has never blown me away, and the POD is pretty expensive and awkward in a live setting. I have a hard time believing the V-Amp is any good, though I've never really used it. I mostly need usable distortions. The session stuff is often done direct, so I need something that'll go into the board well.

I've been leaning towards the ME-50 becuase its easy to use, smallish, and cheaper and a GT-6 or POD. I haven't spent enough time on it to see how professional the sounds are, but it seemed pretty cool for the few minutes I've dinked around on them.

So whats the verdict? Should I make a poll and see what everyone thinks?

Thanks!

Mike
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

I´ll probably end up grabbing myself a Digitech GNX4 in the next few months, I´ll post a review as soon as I have it and understand what all it can do ;)
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

You can hear my ME 50 on all of my tunes on my link. I use it for phase, delay, and on Butter Face I use it for wah ( I left my crybaby at home) and I was extremely pleased with the results. I think finding the right reverb level can be a bit iffy, it gets to soupy way to soon. The ring mod is the best I have heard, I can get very cool synth sounds with a real 3D voice and it works great with the expression pedal.

My big issue is that the preset patches you create have a 1/2 seconds delay ( or so) where the signal completely cuts out when you hit a pedal for another preset. Drives me batty. I won't sell it because the ring mod is just too good to pass up so I mainly use it for delay,verb,wah, or ring mod for live play. I just keep it on one one patch and I still use a line 6 modulator ( you mess around enough you will get great sounds, it takes some time though) as the Line 6 stuff does not have a signal cut when switching presets. If you can live with the cut it sounds very good and can be dialed in to some great sounds.
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

Msawitzke I have a Rocktron Intellifex and a POD 2.0. The Intellifex works good for just effects only. Boo Koo effects! It has plenty of space to save user presets, so it is all at a push of a button or midi pedal. I have just purchased it, so I'm still in training. The POD is a strong modeling tool also. Make sure you use the Sound driver software with it though. It makes life easier and it has WAY more modifications that you can do to your sound than the dials on the outside. The dials in my opinion are hard to dial in a good sound. The POD is good if you need a certain amp and cab to be played through also. The effects side is a little weak, but compared to the ME-50, it will blow it away. My opinion :) Plus, with the POD they have a sound library on there site. You can download allot of good files. I found the POD easy to use. For recording you could have your sounds preset, and use a footpedal to change channels. I am not sure if you can only use the Line 6 POD footpedal with it, or a midi pedal also. Hope this helps :)
 
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Re: Best multi FX unit

Thanks guys....the PODs are a ton of money. Is the XT version worth it? I don't like that after I spend a bunch of cash on the unit I need to buy a foot controller as well(though it's nice that if you don't need the controller you dont have to bring it). Are the PODs better than the ME-50/GT-6? I'm sure its not that black and white, but general impressions will help.

Any others worth considering? MagicStomp? I guess I could combine a Line6 AM4 with some delay and reverb box, but that'd probably put me close to a POD....

Mike
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

The ME-50 and the GT-6 have the same sound. The only differce is the gt-6 has amp models built in it.
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

The GT-6 has mic and cab modeling as well. These features are only important for direct recording or direct to PA type stuff. Because of that, I might be better off with a GT-3/6 instead of the ME-50. Anyone have complaints about the direct to tape/board/PC sounds from the ME-50? What if it was teamed up with a Sansamp gt-2 or something similar?
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

hi msawitzke ... i recommend the yamaha DG stomp (and by extension, the magic stomp) .. very good clean sounds for recording and nice cab modeling too .. very tweakable and nice sounding effects .. many of marinblues's clips are recorded with one (enough reason to get one right there!)
you can get a DG on ebay for cheap ... the magic's are cheap new

the 'stomp' part of the DG makes it nice for live use and no lag in patch changing

good luck
cheers,
t4d
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

I would buy a DG stomp if I were in the market for a live-use modeler. There was a bit of a learning curve but too many good features to pass up.
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

Thanks guys....the Magicstomp looks interesting, but the need to use my computer to edit could cause problems in the studio. Most of these gigs are in other peoples studios and I don't know what I'll be playing when I get there, so I need to be able to tweak on the fly. I COULD bring my laptop for this purpose, but it feels pretty inefficient.

The DG Stomp might be better for that. Does it pause when you change patches? I've heard its noisy, but there are sites that go through how to ground it better and that is supposed to help.

I'm still considering a POD, though the XT is so expensive. It is the same price as a GT-6, which comes with foot pedals, etc. Does the POD XT sound significantly better or offer other features the GT-6 lacks?

Mike
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

The ME-50 is really great for phaser, flanger, etc. and the delay is one of the easiest to adjust that I've ever used.
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

the Korg AX 1500 is worth checking out If you don't want to spend too much. I've used it live with a marshall and it can give you some convincing sounds, and has A function that puts "space" around the virtual amp when recording it also has an A/B stomp switch to jump between for example clean and a lead. I understand that it was the bassis for the modeling in the Vox amp's.
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

Spend the extra $100 and get the GT-6 over the ME-50. Not only does the GT-6 have modeling, but the menus on the different effects are much more in-depth and the editing options are much more extensive.
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

^^ yeah but he might be like me and not want to waste alot of time turning knobs. And also I dont need the amp modeling I love the tone of my XXX. I use it for the effects. The ME-50 is simple to work and has great tone.
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

the magicstomp only needs to be hooked up to a computer for patch management / editing ... once you fill it up with patchs you dig, you can flip through them well enough for studio use .. you might not be able to switch between patches on the fly too well .. my dg stomp isnt noisey at all and there is no pause when you switch among the three patches in any given 'bank' of patches

cheers,
t4d
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

Ok, so I went to GC to try some of this stuff out. It was very difficult to figure if I liked anything between the blaring music over the PA and the Metallica coverband rehearsing in the back. That said, the best thing I played through was a Fulltone DP-1!!! I guess I got sidetracked. :D Other than that I played with the PODs....they seemed pretty cool. I'm kinda of thinking of getting 2 of the cheaper units instead of one $400 one. Like a POD and an ME-50 or DG Stomp. I know these things all have strengths and weaknesses and 2 units might cover more ground. Whatever I do, I better do it quick because I've got a 4 night a week stint starting tomorrow where I need to do a ton of different styles. :nervous:

Thanks guys,

Mike
 
Re: Best multi FX unit

I'm investing in a TC GMajor with a footcontroller for my multi-needs.

I'd go with the ME50 if you just need something simple, but the GT6 should cover every need you have.

I don;t like Digitech's multi stuff... the sound is kinda filmy to me plus they seem to try to load too much extra crap (8-track recorder, drum machine, looper) into the unit.
 
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