Pedalboard versus multieffects

[Dirt123]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

....

Truth be told I really don't like multi effects because I prefer my time based effects to be after the my amplifiers preamp. With multi-effects (at least the ones I've had) you either had to use the preamp in the unit (which were always lacking bigtime) and route it into the line in/effects return of an amp or run it into an amps guitar in jack killing the tone of your amp.....

Eric

Here's another instance where the Tonelab is cool. If you disable the Amp & cab sims, it will run in the FX loops of most modern amps (tho not mine, at least not when it's set for a lot of gain).

The 4-wire connection mode works well with it too. That way you can switch between the multi's preamp and the preamp of your amp. I have done this with my amp set to clean.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

Hey all you guys who say you've gone "full circle" you do realize that involves a period of regression right? :laugh2:

Absolutely. For a while all I could use was my little Crate GX-15, same size amp as my very first amp, Fender Squier 15. The AD50 lets me use the best of both worlds, although the only effects I use from the amp are the reverb and delay.

 

[SFW]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

I went this route:

There are only three things on my pedal board. An ADA MPC midi controller, a Boss OC-2 octave pedal and a Morley Bad Horsie. I like the OC-2 because it's an ugly pedal. Meaning that since it doesn't track 100% you get some fun transent overtones here and there. Whick sound cool when jamming a funk tune.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

True. You can't change the effects order on the ME-50. Granted, my dream pedal is the GT PRO and the 15-pedal Roland MIDI to go along with it. Expensive as heck, but there's nothing you can't do with it. I believe it comes with the computer interface too, but I don't know.

Yeah, it does. I do all of my edition on computer now- no more staring at LCD screens.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

Yeah, it does. I do all of my edition on computer now- no more staring at LCD screens.

How easy was it to find default patches that "just worked"? I know how to play with effects, just asking because I don't want to have to spend two weeks with it before I can even use it lol.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

I never had serious effects, but I went like this:

Stompboxes -> Multieffects processor -> Stompboxes -> just Amp

I'm playing with just my amp now, (Fender Ultimate Chorus 2x12) because it has true stereo chorus, delay, reverb, flange, phase, all built in and it sounds good to me. Not as tweakable as a processor or a bunch of boxes, but it's just fine.

The processor was cool and gadgety but it was too cheesy. I bought a cheap one so that may have been the reason. I went back to stompboxes for that reason - but I never sank the dough into a good chorus pedal (which I like a lot) and then I found this Fender Ultimate Chorus amp with 130W of bawls and true stereo chorus that sounded sweet, along with badass delay, so I just bought one of those instead of more pedals.

Cliffs: Nothing conclusive, just another story of how you can do things.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

I've never heard a multi-effects floor unit that didn't sound like a sack of smashed *******s.

I used one for awhile. The convenience was nice but I found that even when being VERY farmiliar with the interface, in order to change settings quickly over the course of a bunch of them it was cumbersome. Doing something like changing the output on 15 patches in 5 minutes becuase the amp you have that night is "funny" is far from fun. Relying on the distortion from the unit's bad enough to begin with, but then having it be your only source isn't a terribly good thing.

Rack mounts have the dubious distinction of having a certain acceptable quality to them. It if sounds a certain way then you're willing to cut them slack because it's a rack mount. It doesn't make it good or bad, it just is and someones opinion of it for what it is.

At this day and age the only way I think I could play some of the gigs I had in the past with a multi-effects unit where I relied on Flange and Chorus and Wah and different EQ's for acoustic and just different all-around tones would probably be a digital amp or a PodXT. I think the short-comings can be compensated by the unit better than my previous experiences, the ability to edit patches on short notice are going to be a ton faster with a laptop and a USB cable and there's just a much bigger community supporting it and using it in situations where they're willing to help each other out.

But for gigs where I'm doing something like playing only classic rock and Blues all night it's an amp, a tuner, the ZenDrive and two guitars.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

How easy was it to find default patches that "just worked"? I know how to play with effects, just asking because I don't want to have to spend two weeks with it before I can even use it lol.

Dunno, I always start from scratch. The presets are very good, but when I start a sound, I don't want to deal with searching through presets.
I always download the manual before i get any gear (you can also download the software editor) before I get it. If you don't like spending time tweaking patches, the GT series isn't for you. I am one of the weird ones who actually loves sitting there tweaking, dealing with minute details I am sure only I will ever notice.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

Dunno, I always start from scratch. The presets are very good, but when I start a sound, I don't want to deal with searching through presets.
I always download the manual before i get any gear (you can also download the software editor) before I get it. If you don't like spending time tweaking patches, the GT series isn't for you. I am one of the weird ones who actually loves sitting there tweaking, dealing with minute details I am sure only I will ever notice.

No, I'm asking more along the lines of are there decent patches included that I can modify to suit my tastes? I feel it's counterproductive to mess with patches for hours: it takes time away from playing.

Also, what do you use to control it? An FC-200?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

yeah there are patches that you'd only have to tweak a little for the room you are playing in. I generally don't use them as a starting point because I am not looking to replicate sounds everyone else uses- I have a good idea in my head and I can get there pretty quickly. i use an FCB1010 to control it- it is cheaper than the Roland pedal and does a lot more (I use the PC editor to program it).

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

yeah there are patches that you'd only have to tweak a little. i use an FCB1010 to control it- it is cheaper than the Roland pedal and does a lot more (I use the PC editor to program it).

And can you simply assign pedal = bank+patch? Like say I had something on bank 3 patch 4 that i wanted to be assigned to pedal #1 on the board, and another thing i wanted on bank 4 patch 5 on a pedal, will it switch to the exact bank and patch, or do you have to move up/down in bank only?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

oh no, it responds to program changes, so you can map any patch to any pedal. the cool thing, is that after you select a patch, you can press the same pedal again to send a CC message to, say, change amp channels, turn delay on and off, change the phase speed, etc...it isn't too difficult to program this stuff, it just takes a basic understanding of midi terms and an idea of how you like to control your sound.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

oh no, it responds to program changes, so you can map any patch to any pedal. the cool thing, is that after you select a patch, you can press the same pedal again to send a CC message to, say, change amp channels, turn delay on and off, change the phase speed, etc...it isn't too difficult to program this stuff, it just takes a basic understanding of midi terms and an idea of how you like to control your sound.

Ok, so basically in theory I'd have to have my own user bank of copied patches? Don't take this wrong, but now I'm wondering if I really need that many banks lol. I guess it's worth it for all the pre-programmed patches (i.e. all the work I wouldn't have to do on my own), but oh well. Do you think the GT PRO is honestly worth it in terms of money spent versus the return? I'm just asking an honest question....

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

Well no, you dont need your own bank...it comes with very useful banks of sounds you can use out of the box if you want. I would say the GT Pro isnt worth the $$ if you don't need lots of sounds, or just use a few sounds- it isnt worth it if you dont need tons of in/out options, and it isn't worth it if you don't need things like many many paramters for each effect to tweak. Also, it isn't worth it if you dont already have a rack based system...get the GT8 and save a few hundred..it has the same sound engine...I got mine because my system was already in a rack, I already had a midi pedal for controlling my guitar synth, and i know one of the higher-ups at Roland and got one hell of a deal. I also used the processor that was before the GT Pro (GP-100) for years, and I knew that inside and out.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

Well no, you dont need your own bank...it comes with very useful banks of sounds you can use out of the box if you want. I would say the GT Pro isnt worth the $$ if you don't need lots of sounds, or just use a few sounds- it isnt worth it if you dont need tons of in/out options, and it isn't worth it if you don't need things like many many paramters for each effect to tweak. Also, it isn't worth it if you dont already have a rack based system...get the GT8 and save a few hundred..it has the same sound engine...I got mine because my system was already in a rack, I already had a midi pedal for controlling my guitar synth, and i know one of the higher-ups at Roland and got one hell of a deal. I also used the processor that was before the GT Pro (GP-100) for years, and I knew that inside and out.

Yeah I was just thinking about it. But right now I don't have a rack-mount anything lol. I just use the ME-50. I might get a dual footswitch to extend my ME-50, but in the end, the thing that appealed was the ability to have that huge FC-200 and the patch editing software, having 10 unique sounds in one bank, etc.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

I'm very picky when it comes to effects, so I'm pretty sure I'd never find anything to be completely satisfied about. I can't lie, I have been tempted to spring for a Lexicon MPX-G2 rack multi-FX unit with a MIDI footboard, but it all comes back to the fact that I love that I'm not tied down to anything with individual pedals. Over time tastes change, so I can simply switch out a pedal and be done with it.

My pedalboard isn't anything fancy, but I do have some really nice pieces, my setup is as follows: Pro Analog Supaquack (wah) -> Analog.Man King of Tone V4 (dual channel clean boost/overdrive/distortion) -> Pro Analog Power Driver (cb/od/fuzz) -> DLS Echotap (delay) -> Peterson Strobostomp (tuner) -> ISP Decimator (noise suppressor). In the FX Loop all I have is my GoudieFX Crystal Boost (true clean boost).

Individual pedals are more expensive in the long run, but I don't feel I'm compromising anything by going that route. Yes, there is a longer signal run due to the patch cables in the mix, but that can be overcome by a decent buffer (currently looking for a loop pedal with a good buffer). Still, I have to give credit to Multi-FX units for that advantage.

Multi-FX units are great for folks that don't know exactly what they're looking for and want a wide variety of tones at their feet. Also, some units just can't be beat for the price for all of the options you get. I am not a huge effects guy, I just like having a few extra tones at my disposal (for my tastes wah, trem, and delay is about as far as I go). I have no use for flangers, phasers, chorus, compressors, oscillators, ring modulators, pitch shifters/octave pedals, volume pedals, rotary simulators, and other devices although I can see why a lot of folks like those options.

It certainly looks like more and more multi-FX units are coming out (some of them look really nice like the gigantic TC Electronics G-System) so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what the future will bring with them.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

Yeah I was just thinking about it. But right now I don't have a rack-mount anything lol. I just use the ME-50. I might get a dual footswitch to extend my ME-50, but in the end, the thing that appealed was the ability to have that huge FC-200 and the patch editing software, having 10 unique sounds in one bank, etc.

If you have the ME-50, I don't think the GT Pro is really what you need. The GT8 might be, since it is the next logical step higher, but really, I think you need just some extra footswitches to add to what you have and call it a day. There is no need to spend the extra $ for quick access to other banks.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

If you have the ME-50, I don't think the GT Pro is really what you need. The GT8 might be, since it is the next logical step higher, but really, I think you need just some extra footswitches to add to what you have and call it a day. There is no need to spend the extra $ for quick access to other banks.

Which is why I'm eyeballing the FS-6 dual footswitch.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

I like pedals and mulit-effects units. Like Mincer, I really enjoy tweaking tons of parameters on a processor, but sometimes I just wanna plug in a distortion pedal and play.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Pedalboard versus multieffects

I don't like tweaking. Seriously.

That said, the POD xt Live is EASY to tweak. Skarey mentioned having to adjust the output. On the POD, select your channel, adjust the channel volume on the "amp knobs," press save, press save again, and you're done.