OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

[Aceman]

So I'm now digging deep into the M9; A couple of concerns...

#1 Only two real chorus patches???? Yet about 20 Phase/Flanges.
Will the Boss CE1 and a Triple Chorus get my chorus mojo going?

#2 25 or more different versions of Analog/Tape delay based on things I wouldn't make lamp out of. Only a couple of true digital delays, and those goofy ones.
I just need a Boss DD-3 (only about 5 of them). Will the delay be to warm and warmly?


This thing seems like it has a serious "Once upon a time" vibe about it.


I was crisp clean 80's digital delay. I want classic 80's chorus. I can't imagine this thing WON'T do that....but a basic digital delay and boss SC-1 model would really help. Maybe the M3 is my go to...


Now - I haven't found the parameters yet. If I can work the delay time on the chorus, pump up the levels, and have a digital delay without modulation....cool! If not - not so cool.

 

[gregory]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

Yes, it has a straight ahead digital delay. It would be silly if it didn't.

Chorus was somewhat of a struggle for me, but if you focus on trying to make it sound good rather than pretend that if it doesn't have model XXX or can't perfectly recreate model YYY then it's garbage. I really had no problem with the CE-1 model after shifting away from this paradigm. The Tri-Chorus is good too but could easily become too much (can be tamed by reducing the mix). The Dimension is also a chorus, FWIW, but I didn't like the abrupt change at the seams of the modulation pattern.

So do you actually have one of these in your possession? I ask because there is no digging around for parameters. All the effect parameters are clearly displayed and instantly accessible. That is the beauty of this pedal.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

What are you trying to gain by going to an M9? Don't you already have a DD-3, CF7, Phase 90 and Boss Reverb? Just looking for a more compact setup?

 

[gregory]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

From his other thread, he wants multiple delay and chorus configurations at his disposal.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...want-to-have-a-serious-talk-about-the-Boss-M3

I would steer him away from the MS-3, but that doesn't mean it or something else couldn't do the job. Doesn't Zoom make an M9-style pedal?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

i dunno man. i know you play covers and need a lot of tones etc but vibe beats versatility. id like to hear ace playing his lester into a jcm 800 with only a rat or an sd1 for leads. no #uck$ given. the other techo knob twiddling stuff can be faked if you play the right notes and have the right swagger. maaaaybe a phase 90 for all the mod requirements and if you absolutely habe to have it, throw in a delay pedal (preferably an old pink ibanez). the drummer cant patch in the exact same tones as each record, neither can the bassist. dont even get me started on singers. why do guitarists feel they need to dial in evey sound to death? in the end it is still going to sound like you.

 

[Paully]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

I'm not familiar with the M9. However, I'm a big Line 6 fanboy.
I have the discontinued Constrictor Compressor on my board love it.

 

[gregory]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

I see nothing wrong with using chorus and delay. It has nothing to do with trying to recreate what was done in the studio, rather it's about who I am as a player and how I wish to express myself.

Personally, I get along fine with one delay with tap tempo to control the rate an expression pedal to control the mix. I struggle trying to find a need for anything more than one or two additional settings that simply can't be dialed in with tap and expression, but I'm sure Ace has his reasons.

 

[Aceman]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

i dunno man. i know you play covers and need a lot of tones etc but vibe beats versatility. id like to hear ace playing his lester into a jcm 800 with only a rat or an sd1 for leads. no #uck$ given.

I do a LOT of OD1 rhythm and OD2 for leads (with Marshall) or Crunch/Fluid + boost with the Stiletto....Probably most of my playing.

the other techo knob twiddling stuff can be faked if you play the right notes and have the right swagger.

You DID NOT just question Steve Dallas' swagger....

need to dial in evey sound to death? in the end it is still going to sound like you.

I hear you - but in "80's" world, playing some songs without a chorus or a short/med/long delay or flange just ain't right.

 

[Diego]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

I've got an M13. It can do cheesy, crystalline 80s Chorus all day long.
And it has a Digital Delay model that does what you want, with bass and treble controls. So it can get as bright as you want.

 

[gregory]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

short/med/long delay

Maybe not slapback short, but medium and long can be handled with tap tempo.

Digital Delay is flat with the bass and treble at 12 o'clock, IIRC.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

I hear you - but in "80's" world, playing some songs without a chorus or a short/med/long delay or flange just ain't right.

fair call.
If i was playing that stuff again i'd probably just chain up an sd1, ph1r, ce2 and a dd2.
I like simple though. There is no doubt that with enough tweaking there are some excellent sounds in the modern multi fx setups.
When i was playing in a hard rock covers band way back, i used a boss me5. In through the drive section to the jcm900s preamp. Out thru the fx loop back into the me5's mod/delay section then back. A lot of cable and the sound was Rubbish, but hey. Live and learn

 

[Mincer]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

I just love the M9. I think you will get everything you want from it. And there are lots of people out there who mod it to do other things. Thing to look for on used ones, is that the switches go bad...so it takes a few presses to engage. There is a mod out there to replace them. One last thing...don't think of getting one without an expression pedal. It adds so much to what it can do.

 

[gregory]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

The preset/stomp switch and/or replacing switches is intermediate-level DIY at most.

I modded a pair of Ernie Ball Jr. pedals with 10k linear taper pots. That was a bit tougher to do but worth the effort. Any of the plastic ones are junk.

 

[Mincer]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

Indeed, those plastic Line 6 pedals (that they charge $50 for!) are junk. I use a Dunlop Volume X, which works well. I have an Ernie Ball with a 25k pot, and thought about modding that, but heard it was such a PITA that I didn't go for it. I have replaced switches and LEDs on my DL4, and my M13 I used to own...but it is getting about time to do it on my M9. I haven't decided to do it myself or just pay someone.

 

[Aceman]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

I just want to see "Digital Delay'

- not delay with modulation, masturbation, shimmer-glimmer or anything else

I want "modern chorus" or 80's Chorus

- I know, tai-chorus will do that just fine

I'm sure I can program DeMartini, Lynch, DeVille or Jesus tone if I spend a little time.

The models just put me off with so many "Old Crap in Scott_F's Man-cave" settings....

 

[gregory]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

I just want to see "Digital Delay'

There is just "Digital Delay." Have you read anything I have posted, or did I manage to make it on your ignore list?

not delay with modulation, masturbation, shimmer-glimmer or anything else

I thought this was supposed to be a "REALLY serious talk."

I want "modern chorus" or 80's Chorus

What, exactly, is "modern" chorus?

I'm sure I can program [...] if I spend a little time.

There really is no programing. It saves all the parameters you tweak with the dials on the fly by default. If you like, you're free to disable this feature and save as a separate step. The M-series are easily some of the simplest pedals to configure.

The models just put me off with so many "Old Crap in Scott_F's Man-cave" settings....

Do you usually have this much trouble with pedals that have up to 5 knobs or do you just dislike the work done by Line 6's documentation department (I'm sure you wouldn't be the first)?

 

[Mincer]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

Yeah, there is no programming...you just turn the knobs like any pedal. If you are after an 80s chorus, it is in there. Even modern ultra clean chorus (like a Dimension pedal) is in there.

 

[gregory]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

Like the Tri-Stereo Chorus, the Dimension D (released in 1979) was used heavily in the '80s.

The Analog Chorus model is from the mid-to-late '70s (Boss CE-1). It was also used in the '80s but largely superseded by the CE-2. The Line 6 model of the CE-1 includes a tone control, which really changes its character.

Because the Pitch Vibrato model has a mix control, it is also essentially a chorus, just with a shorter pre-delay.

 

[Diego]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

Like the Tri-Stereo Chorus, the Dimension D (released in 1979) was used heavily in the '80s.

The Analog Chorus model is from the mid-to-late '70s (Boss CE-1). It was also used in the '80s but largely superseded by the CE-2. The Line 6 model of the CE-1 includes a tone control, which really changes its character.

Because the Pitch Vibrato model has a mix control, it is also essentially a chorus, just with a shorter pre-delay.

Yup. I'll politely raise my hand and say I have no idea what Bob is on about. It's really easy to dial those tones in with the M series.

 

[gregory]

Re: OK - we need to have a REALLY serious talk about the Line6 M9

You can also get chorus by choosing either of the two modulated delays and setting the feedback and delay time to minimum.

I also like the chorus sound you get by mixing your dry signal with a slightly detuned signal. You can use the Pitch Glide model to achieve this.

So there: At least 7 ways to get a chorus effect with a Line 6 M9.