One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

[Texas Swamp]

I know that right after I get my 4x12, I am going to want to get an update on my effects. My question is should I get something like a Digitech GNX3000 since it is pretty easy to use and could be used for recording (I did not like the Line6 Pod Live). Or should I just stick to a bunch of individuals pedals since I do not use too many effects (Delay, Chorus, Flange, Wah, Tuner, Hush Pedal).

Edit: For live use I would only use the effects, not the amp models. Also do you think it has on/off button for the effects?

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

IMO, it would be better to get a few individual pedals that you really like. When you buy a multieffects unit, you are committing to all of the effects from a single company, some of which you may not like. I would prefer to cherry-pick the ones that sound the best to me. I'm like you in that I don't use a lot of effects, so that makes it easier.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

IMO, it would be better to get a few individual pedals that you really like. When you buy a multieffects unit, you are committing to all of the effects from a single company, some of which you may not like. I would prefer to cherry-pick the ones that sound the best to me. I'm like you in that I don't use a lot of effects, so that makes it easier.

+1 i fully agree,so no need to post something new.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

I too would go for pedals; unless you're like me and HATE clutter and mess.

Honestly, I think it's a total pain in the ass to have to run a power cable, to-amp cable, and footswitch cable out, just to be able to switch an OD on/off. (which is always on for my dirty channel).

For the price of 5-6 BOSS stomp boxes, or 2-3 high-end Fulltone or HBE pedals, you could get a G-Major and footcontroller. Not only would you get great quality effects, but you'd be able to set up multiple patches and whatnot, as well as only having to run a guitar-to-amp cable and a footswitch cable out.

 

[SpeedDemon]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

IMO, it would be better to get a few individual pedals that you really like. When you buy a multieffects unit, you are committing to all of the effects from a single company, some of which you may not like. I would prefer to cherry-pick the ones that sound the best to me. I'm like you in that I don't use a lot of effects, so that makes it easier.

Sorry for no real contribution to the thread, but a big 1+ to what Rob said.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

i use a pod xtl and love it, actually

i haven't used the amp models for months, but, the effects are pretty hard to beat (they're not all like 6 models, just a few are)

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

I have a Boss GT-6, and love it way more than I ever loved individual pedals. A few years ago, I'd have said buy the specific pedals you want, because at the time, most processors did a bunch of stuff, but it was all pretty half-assed. Now, though, most of the stuff by Boss, Korg or Line 6 do everything pretty well.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

i use a pod xtl and love it, actually

i haven't used the amp models for months, but, the effects are pretty hard to beat (they're not all like 6 models, just a few are)

The problem with the XTL is that it kills the tone of the amp when in the FX loop, where you'd want most of the effects.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

well, i run mine through my bassman, which doesn't have an effects loop, and personally, i can't see any advantage to having an effects loop

i run the tubescreamer, tube echo, spring reverb, and sometimes a little bit of tremolo, and my tone sounds like it's actually going into an amp with all that

given the TS seems like it's been hot rodded, no way in hell a real ts808 has that much available gain

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

I prefer the tone of having a few analog pedals...but some of the new Digital Multi Effects pedal boards allow you to preset combinations of several differant effects. That's a nice plus! The downside of the digital multi effects units is that I think they tend to make most players sound similar...they sound good but I think they rob me of my personality and make me sound generic. I'm not much for using effects anyway though...I like a natural tone. Lew

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

well, i run mine through my bassman, which doesn't have an effects loop, and personally, i can't see any advantage to having an effects loop

On something like a Bassman, or any other clean sounding amp, it wouldn't make that much difference. However, modulation effects and stuff like delay and reverb sound like sh*t placed before the preamp (or wherever you're getting the gain).

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

I should also point out that I run my GT-6 into the effects return of a Peavey SS stack, bypassing the preamp and eq completely.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

brian setzer runs a roland chorus echo 301 into the front of his blonde bassman, which crunches pretty nicely

no one complains about his tone. ever

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

no one complains about his tone. ever

If I plugged in and sounded like Brian Setzer, I'd be very unhappy.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

Brian Setzer doesn't play with much gain, either. Run a delay into a VHT or 5150... and you're ****ed.

 

[Mike M.]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

If I plugged in and sounded like Brian Setzer, I'd be very unhappy.

Each to his own, but if I knew just half of what Brian Setzer knows about playing and music I'd be VERY happy.

As far as the original topic goes I know that processors have come a long way in recent years, so no doubt there's some very good ones out there. I still prefer a guitar, cord and effect pedals to a minimal but that's just my preferance. Like anything else though, the main thing is to find the gear that works for you and for your situation.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

I like handpicked things like OD's, Wahs, and extra cool analog FX. I do like to cheat by also running a multieffect that 'does it all.' I only like things on the floor now, because it's too much hassle to deal with a rack for loop FX and also a pedalboard. I just like a guitar, amp/cab, pedalboard, and 2 cables. It's so much less to go wrong.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

A complex question, with too many possible answers.

What are you aiming for? What amp will you get? What guitar will you use? What pickups? How complex do you want your setup to be?

I agree with drew: I LIKE my POD. Then again, I'm not playing through a guitar amplifier, either.

If you really can minimize the number of effects you will use, then get individual pedals. If you are willing to compromise (somewhat--as JB said, the processors have improved dramatically), then a multieffects unit GREATLY simplifies your setup...AND allows for effects combos to be programmed, thus eliminating the need for the "Eric Johnson dance" when you play.

When I used pedals, I built a box that served as my "pedal board." I used an AC adapter with enough milliamps to power all of the pedals, then daisy-chained Ibanez miniplug "Y" connectors to power the pedals (I had to change one plug for a pedal that used a different input). I lined the box with automobile carpet from WallyWorld, put velcro on the bottoms of the pedals, and ran with it. I would take the cover off, plug in my guitar, run a cable to my amp, and plug in the AC, and "away we go."

 

[Texas Swamp]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

The reason why I am thinking about getting a Multi-FX is in about two years I will be off at a University. Surely knowing I cannot bring my halfstack with me, I want to be able to record my comp. I really do not want to do the simple Line 6 GuitarPort because I have always been real interested in how to eq and record properly so thats why I wanted to get a Multi-FX with Cubase, Drums From Hell, and Presonus Firebox.

 

[neosadist]

Re: One big Multi-FX or a bunch of pedals?

I know that right after I get my 4x12, I am going to want to get an update on my effects. My question is should I get something like a Digitech GNX3000 since it is pretty easy to use and could be used for recording (I did not like the Line6 Pod Live). Or should I just stick to a bunch of individuals pedals since I do not use too many effects (Delay, Chorus, Flange, Wah, Tuner, Hush Pedal). Edit: For live use I would only use the effects, not the amp models. Also do you think it has on/off button for the effects?

I'll just give my outlook on this and see what you think. Me, I hate amp modeling with a passion, as all the krappy multi boards I've used had it. Me, I want an amp to "be itself", and I prefer the tube sound anyways, which is rarely convincing when done digital. So I bought the Boss ME50 based on reviews. I have never been happier. I saved money not going individual stomp boxes. This thing has knobs and a lot of good options for me. About 50% of the factory presets are usable as is, and it's easy to edit them and/or reset them to factory. You can also add a dual footswitch for tone modify and compressor on/off while in manual, or bank up/down while in memory. I've never been disappointed by this thing, ever. The recent problems we had with the church amp were not hard to resolve for me: copy over a preset that works good, or go to manual mode, or quickly make a new patch (work in manual mode, get the sound the way you want, write to a patch). Lastly, the Boss website is very helpful, and with mine having knobs similar to individual stomp boxes, I can translate almost anything on the Boss website in terms of knob settings for individual boxes into a patch.

Ok, sorry for the long reply, but I've used this multi board live on several occasions, besides weekly church, so I thought I might tell you my experience and it possibly help you. If you're only into clean versus distortion, get a crate half stack and use the channels. If you need more, or are into more, get an ME50. And no, I don't sound like everyone else unless I don't have the time to do my own thing, which is the beauty of this: make your own, or use the ones it comes with. And since mine acts like individual pedals, making my own sound is ridiculously easy.