Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

[wickenspoet]

Lately, I've been thinking about checking out some multi effects units.

The Line 6 and Digitech RP 500 and 1000 units have been catching my eye because of their stompbox like functionality and simple design compared to the other stuff that's out there.

From what I've seen, the Line 6 m13 looks as if it would be easier to tweak on the fly than the two Digitech boards (I want to spend more time actually playing that I do fiddling with adjustments)... but I also know Line 6 has a reputation for making products that malfunction and break, and that scares me.

The two Digitech units look like they might be harder to make quick adjustments, but they also look pretty sturdy.

I was just curious if any of you have tried any of these 3 units, and if you have any opinions on the sound quality, ease of use live, and durability. (I don't trust harmony central, sometimes I think they write biased reviews)

Any thoughts?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

The M13 is amazing, and built like a tank. There are some very long threads over at the gear page, and over at Line6's website, with lots of participation from the M13's product manager. It is easy to tweak, and I *cloned* the sound of my entire pedalboard with it, so I'm keeping it.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

I have a RP500 and love it. I use it mainly at band practice right in to the PA with the amp/cab modeling but it can be used with that disabled and go just for the effects. The effects are nice and it actually is pretty easy to adjust on the fly. I've had to do it a few times at rehearsal while tweaking my presets.

Like anything like this, there is a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's very easy to adjust.

My bandmate evil twin has the M13 and the times he's used it at gigs I've been very impressed with it.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

They're not really designed to do the same thing.

The M-13 is designed to go in the front or effects loop of an amp and work like a bunch of stomp boxes in one giant box. Good for players who like their basic guitar / amp tone because it's true bypass and when you turn the effects OFF, they're OFF..

The Digitech stuff sounds great but it was more designed to REPLACE your amp...it sounds okay fronting a normal guitar amp but it excells when you run it straight to a PA and come out the monitors. If you're looking for that uber-model totally-digital rig, I'd go for the Digitech.

Of course message board rock-n-roll tone logic dictates that a floor modeler going straight to the PA can never, ever ever sound as good as a few stomps in front of a full stack but your mileage may vary.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

For my money I'd look into the Boss ME-50 or whatever the newest version of that unit is.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

There's review of the RP1000 on Musician's Friend's site. It does quite a bit more than the RP500.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

For my money I'd look into the Boss ME-50 or whatever the newest version of that unit is.

For practicality sake, I agree with you. Out of all the multi-effects I've owned the ME-50 is the least hassle. It doesn't have any of the menus or parameters (or the long owners manuals) of the Line6, Digitech, or higher end Boss units.

If you're looking for an the fly tweak-as-you-go with enough memory for multiple set-ups and easy interface go with the ME-50. I've played the m13 and owned the Digitech RP-500 and they were way cool units with quality effects, but I didn't have the patience to mess with them. The real-estate of the ME-50 is also a HUGE plus because it's so tiny and can fit in any gig bag with a front flap!

If I had to pick one of the two you're looking at, I'd go with the m13 for ease of use and compatibility with a regular set-up. Just stick a wah at the end of that thing and you're set for life!

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

The coolest thing about the ME-50 is that the new ME-70 with updated effects and a looper is only $5 more.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

Don't forget the X-Edit software that can be downloaded to use with the RP500/1000. It allows you to modify and save settings right there on the computer without going through the RP menues. Very easy to use.

The Boss stuff is OK. I never thought their multi-effects units were as good as the standalone pedals.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

Don't forget the X-Edit software that can be downloaded to use with the RP500/1000. It allows you to modify and save settings right there on the computer without going through the RP menues. Very easy to use.

The Boss stuff is OK. I never thought their multi-effects units were as good as the standalone pedals.

That's another thing that makes the RP better for straight-to-PA stuff...you'd have to have an amp with perfectly flat EQ for your computer settings to sound the same thru your amp.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

That's another thing that makes the RP better for straight-to-PA stuff...you'd have to have an amp with perfectly flat EQ for your computer settings to sound the same thru your amp.

Cool thing is, you can hook the RP up to a PA while editing the presets. USB to the computer, then XLR or 1/4" line to the PA to monitor the changes.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

I have played the M13 & ME70- the ME70's routing is fixed, and only certain parameters can be controlled with the exp pedal. You don't have the freedom to say, put a delay into a fuzz into another delay into another fuzz. It is set up like a real pedalboard where all of the effects can be in any order at anytime. If you want to set up a scene with access to 12 different delays, you can, although you can only use 4 at a time. Plus, the software is updateable (good luck getting that from Roland) so that in the future, you can have downloadable effects, or the ability to create your own via software and send them to your M13.
BTW, the manual for any line6 product is better than the badly translated Japanese of the Boss. And I like Boss stuff too, it is just not nearly as user friendly, or upgradeable over time.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

I have played the M13 & ME70- the ME70's routing is fixed, and only certain parameters can be controlled with the exp pedal. You don't have the freedom to say, put a delay into a fuzz into another delay into another fuzz. It is set up like a real pedalboard where all of the effects can be in any order at anytime. If you want to set up a scene with access to 12 different delays, you can, although you can only use 4 at a time. Plus, the software is updateable (good luck getting that from Roland) so that in the future, you can have downloadable effects, or the ability to create your own via software and send them to your M13.
BTW, the manual for any line6 product is better than the badly translated Japanese of the Boss. And I like Boss stuff too, it is just not nearly as user friendly, or upgradeable over time.

As far as the flexibility goes I absolutely agree with you.

Personally, and I think the same may go for other guitarists looking in multi-effects, I don't have any situations where I would set a crap load of different delays nor would I need 8 different kinds of flangers. What I do want, though, is two or three different flanges and a vintage type delay and a forward/reverse, but I don't want to shell out a bunch for 6 single function pedals.

If you want the flexibility of multi-effects without all the menus and options, I think the ME-50 is for you. If you like the options, the menus, and will actually use everything it has to offer I think the m13 and the RP500/1000 units are worth it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

actually there are no menus on the M13...at all. it is set up just like a bunch of stomp boxes.
although, i love having lots of delays at once!

 

[wickenspoet]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

I'll have to read up on that Boss Me-70. Can it plug direct into a PA system without an amp, like the Digitech can?

 

[James Rock]

Re: Line 6 m13 or Digitech RP 500 / 1000?

The is also the Nova System and the other Nova pedal which I forget what its called. Not sure if its in the same price range but I see that as the direct rival of the M13