Multi fx units

[Nightburst]

Could you educate me on these things guys!? :smokin:
I know some guys who use the Boss GT6 but it seems really complicated to use! I do think the fx they get are of nice quality.

I'm looking at good units like Line6 POD xt live, Korg Ax and Boss GT series.
Are they worth the cash? Do they suck tone? Which one is the one to get?

I don't want to waste my time and money on digitech, zoom or behringer or any of that, I'm looking for good affordable stuff here!

Not a big time fx user and looking to use a couple of different fx in a subtle way into my music on stage.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Multi fx units

Could you educate me on these things guys!? :smokin:
I know some guys who use the Boss GT6 but it seems really complicated to use! I do think the fx they get are of nice quality.

I'm looking at good units like Line6 POD xt live, Korg Ax and Boss GT series.
Are they worth the cash? Do they suck tone? Which one is the one to get?

I don't want to waste my time and money on digitech, zoom or behringer or any of that, I'm looking for good affordable stuff here!

Not a big time fx user and looking to use a couple of different fx in a subtle way into my music on stage.

I think if a guy wants to use effects,he is still better off picking a specific single pedal....When you do this you are getting each individual effect that you specifically bought to suit your needs...Some of the multi-effects setups like the ME-6 etc...have alot of menus and though some of the tones might be great,you'll also find stuff that you will never use and also tones that aren't so great...

Decide on what specific types of effects you need and then let us guide you from there...Most common after overdrive/distortions and fuzz are chorus,delay/echo and a wah pedal...In my case anyway..

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Multi fx units

A few years ago, I'd have recommended that you buy specific pedals. After owning a couple Line 6 products and a Boss GT-6, I'm singing a different song. The GT-6 is especially awesome, and I'd put the effects in it up against any individual Boss pedal any day of the week.

Having said that, I decided to part ways with it because of the tendency to spend 95% of my time tweaking tones, and the other 5% deciding I wasn't happy with the results, and needed to adjust something else. I do NOT attribute this to lack of sound quality, but an over abundance of options.

 

[Liquid]

Re: Multi fx units

IMHO singel effects are the only way to go.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Multi fx units

I have never tried a multi FX that I was happy with long term...and I've had a ton of them!

Decide on a sound you want then get a box that will do that...it' costs more money but your tone will be far better in the long run.

 

[Liquid]

Re: Multi fx units

I have never tried a multi FX that I was happy with long term...and I've had a ton of them!

Decide on a sound you want then get a box that will do that...it' costs more money but your tone will be far better in the long run.

word :smokin:

 

[Mincer]

Re: Multi fx units

i use a gt-pro, which is the rack mount version of the Gt-8. Using 2 amp models at once rocks. I also like all the psycho pitch-shifting,putting effects in any order, the USB port editing, and the models themselves. It depends what you are going for- if you only want to deal with a few standard, classic guitar sounds, use pedals. if you want to craft sounds that no one has heard before in addition to those classic sounds, use a multifx. don't be scared with menus and programming, it is something every modern musician will have to deal with eventually.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Multi fx units

i use a gt-pro, which is the rack mount version of the Gt-8. Using 2 amp models at once rocks. I also like all the psycho pitch-shifting,putting effects in any order, the USB port editing, and the models themselves. It depends what you are going for- if you only want to deal with a few standard, classic guitar sounds, use pedals. if you want to craft sounds that no one has heard before in addition to those classic sounds, use a multifx. don't be scared with menus and programming, it is something every modern musician will have to deal with eventually.

Some guys like the extra stuff that processors give and some guys like just single effects pedals...I've used and tryed both and they're both valid...These days I'm back to pedal effects....

One of the drags with multi-anything,is the time spent learning and getting stuff dialed in...

I have a Digitech GSP 2101 Artist that I've had since about 95 or so and though it's deep and tweakable,I still love it and have always been able to get great tones out of it,especially onto 4 track and 8 trackers...

If it sounds good,I'm ok either way basically...I Like to tweak stuff anyway..:dance:

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: Multi fx units

I know you said no digitech, but I just picked up a used GNX3000 and am really happy with the amp models and the effects are pretty good as well. Man, I also have a digitech Bad Monkey that I love......what's the world coming to??!! I think if you want it mainly for effects, I hear the Boss GT-8 is outstanding. I'm using mine for grab and go to practice and small parties and such direct through the PA. I'm actually quite satisfied for that purpose.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Multi fx units

I love the GT-6. Is it a perfect substitute for a cranked Marshall thru a 4x12...nope. However, it accomplishes a lot of things, and can sound very, very good at bedroom levels and thru headphones.

It's a little complicated to use...comming from somone who has little patience for such things, it's not too bad. I've used it to record all of my clips...save for a few of my Marshall raw. All of my cover tunes are with the GT-6. I ran the GT-6 directly into my STOCK soundcard on my Dell Dimension 4100. I am hardly an engineer, or sound recording specialists, but I think it sounds pretty good. It's plug and play, which is great for me, and lots of other people.

Check some out by clicking on my tunes down in my sig. It's the best that I've tried, and I'm sold on it now.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Multi fx units

As I see it, you are either:
1. A tone connoseur who will use only the finest ingredients - go pedals, whatever you need.
2. A meat & potatoes guy; Straight amp distortion - maybe a digital verb/delay unit, perhaps a chorus in the effects loop.
3. A clone trooper -Lot's of covers from multiple era's, an "off the record" kind of player. Multi fx is the only way to go
4. An Artist/explorer - Combine #1 and 3. The wackier the better.

I usually work #3, but have my Stamps Drive-O-Matic, TS9, Holy Grail reverb, and Fender Pro Jr. for a straight ahead but tasty tonal mix. Looking to add a Diaz tremodillo, maybe an analog delay there sometime.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Multi fx units

Wow thanks for the great info guys!
I was afraid most would recommend to go single pedal setup!

Fx's I am most likely going to use: chorus, delay, reverb, tremolo, phaser, wah, and maybe some more less classic one's.

All things together I am starting to lean more towards the multi fx unit. Price is def. a big factor in this as it is an experiment to me, not an investement.
I'm looking at the Korg AX 1500 G in particular, at 200 it's reasonably priced. Anyone used it?


I am especially interested in what exactly you guys didn't like about the multi fx units?

 

[SeraphimTN]

Re: Multi fx units

I have owned around 5 multi effects pedals of various companies and am currently using a Boss ME30, mostly because I have no choice while in the studio. I look at it this way, a multi effects does everything you could ever want, it can do anything u want but it can't do anything really good. I say go single effects.

 

[these_go211]

Re: Multi fx units

for sheer experimentation i love the pod xt. i actually have the bass pod xt and the guitar pod 2.0. the effects on the bass pod xt though i think are pretty much the same as what comes on the guitar pod xt. the xt has all the effects you are looking for plus other strange ones that can take your playing and song composition in new directions. there's about 5 different delay's alone the on pod. that in and of itself is pretty cool i think.

flame on gentlemen!

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Multi fx units

John is correct: Thus far, there is no substitute for individual pedals.

That said, I think the POD xt Live is an amazing tool, in my completely unbiased opinion.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Multi fx units

Ive never been so satisfied with PODs and other multieffects i've owned and i am so happy with my current rig. I guess in Aceman's different categories of players i fall directly into the 'meat and potatoes' type. If you need options, and you want convienience, then a good multi-effect is unbeatable. Fortunately for me i don't need much out of my rig so ill stick with it

Jeff

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Multi fx units

Just noticed the prices on Line 6 stuff! Is there a reason they are on the expensive side?