Running effects with tube amp???

[papersoul]

Hey guys!

I bought a VHT 100UL head with built in graphic EQ.

I chose a head in which I really liked the tone and feel, although it would have been nice to have built in midi, tone was the starting point for me.

Now, I want to keeo this as simple as possible. I may not need a noise suppressor as VHTs seem to be very quiet, amazingly. We'll see when we gig.

I am thinking true bypass wah, tuner, chorus, delay as the essentials. I thought EQ and compression may be nice but not essential I find with a good and well voiced head.

I am not sure if I should go rack or pedals. I want to stay as uncluttered as possbile and simple 'as possible'.

I looked at the G-major but many of my local guitar plaing friends and techs said it robs too much tone and also they have had too many problems with those. I have to admit the built in tuner, EQ and compressor of the G-Major are tempting.

Most local musicians recommend the Rocktron Intellifex.

I am not sure if I would run a tuner in the loop as a rack, maybe Korg or a pedal up front for easy access.

I even thought of buying a midi converter but I don't want to make things to complex and add more things, etc. We'll see.

We are also going to be getting into using in-ear monitors so that is another thing I'll have to consider with the head, ugh.

Any thoughts on this guys?

Thanks!

Rich

 

[baritone]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

I prefer single-effect stompboxes. That way, I get a more focused tone, and it is more likely to be customized for my taste. Also, you can shop around for each individual effect one at a time.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

I agree.....I thought of running my head midi with rack effects, etc. But in the end, I think I'd be fine with a wah, tuner, chorus and delay. Heck, as little as I use effects I could probably just run them up front into the amp.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

I run effects with a tube amp: my Boss ME-50 (+FS6) into either the church's Peavey Delta Blues 212 (?) or my '72 Fender Twin Reverb. With this, I can go up and down in patch memory, or use it in manual mode (it actually has KNOBS so you can use it just like a manual 3-stomp). Anyways, for what it's worth, that's my rig, and I love it. Having the tremolo and the reverb on my amp next to it, plus the FS-6 extentsion to the ME-50 to go up/down in memory, I'm able to go totally manual and/or totally memory and have all I need. That's my rig, for what it's worth.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

Well.... would you be happy with pretty much one setting on the chorus and delay? If not, I'd recommend a good multi-effects processor. You could get a used Boss GT-6 for less than the price of the singles, and there's some goofy way of connecting it to your amp ('4 cable method' or something) that bypasses all the amp modelling and lets you utilize the effects only.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

I run effects with a tube amp: my Boss ME-50 (+FS6) into either the church's Peavey Delta Blues 212 (?) or my '72 Fender Twin Reverb. With this, I can go up and down in patch memory, or use it in manual mode (it actually has KNOBS so you can use it just like a manual 3-stomp). Anyways, for what it's worth, that's my rig, and I love it. Having the tremolo and the reverb on my amp next to it, plus the FS-6 extentsion to the ME-50 to go up/down in memory, I'm able to go totally manual and/or totally memory and have all I need. That's my rig, for what it's worth.

I have heard people say to stick with singles for less tone robbing. Do you notice if your tone is sacrificed when the ME-50 is off? How is the Wah? I was going to get a Wah, tuner, chorus, delay and maybe that is about it!

Do you run it into the front of your amp? I have a VHT UL and no need for the amp models...just effects. I know true bypass is over hyped but does this have noise issues or tone sucking issues? Also, What about the tuner? If it is that good.....I could use it with nothing more than my Amp's footswitcher. I don't care if effects are up front, as I only use effects for clean(chorus, maybe delay and reverb) and some delay for lead. I do need a rotary for one song.

What is the FS-6???

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

Do you notice if your tone is sacrificed when the ME-50 is off?

Nope, in fact, if you're in manual mode, all you got is noise suppressor working, it helps a lot. As for anything but single coils "robbing tone", I disagree: each pickup has its own unique tone, and the person who said this is just a single coil fanatic.

How is the Wah?

Excellent. Has about as much throw (i.e. movement) as a normal wah, and I like how the surface grips my shoes. As for this unit, it has an onboard tuner (lights versus a needle: needle people might not like that, but it tunes properly and I can find no fault in it), as well as onboard noise suppressor, compressor, tone modify, etc. Read up on it some time (read the owner's manual), you may be impressed.

Do you run it into the front of your amp?

Yes. You can also run it as an FX loop, however, or even direct into a PA / sound mixer (in stereo or mono).

I have a VHT UL and no need for the amp models...just effects.

Excellent, because the ME-50 has no amp modelling at all, and I hate amp modelling, which is why I got this unit.

I know true bypass is over hyped but does this have noise issues or tone sucking issues?

None that I can tell.

Also, What about the tuner?

It's not a strobe tuner, but it works well and I can find no fault in it.

What is the FS-6???

This is a Boss dual footswitch for extending the ME-50 so that you have memory bank up/down without needing to bend down and press the button to move in memory bank. Also, if you use a 1/4" stereo to dual 1/4" mono to connect it, it gives you compressor and tone modify on/off when in manual mode.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

This is a Boss dual footswitch for extending the ME-50 so that you have memory bank up/down without needing to bend down and press the button to move in memory bank. Also, if you use a 1/4" stereo to dual 1/4" mono to connect it, it gives you compressor and tone modify on/off when in manual mode.

I'd like to smack whoever the idiot at Boss was that decided an OPTIONAL footswitch for this function was a good idea. That's the sole reason I never bought an ME-50.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

I'd like to smack whoever the idiot at Boss was that decided an OPTIONAL footswitch for this function was a good idea. That's the sole reason I never bought an ME-50.

That's ok, the sole reason I never bought a GT-8 was that it had amp modelling

For not having amp modelling, the cost is worth it, to me. The ME-50 is designed to be a "small MFX" class unit, like to compete with the GNX, etc, so I don't think Boss is "wrong" to make it this way, as last I used a GNX it didn't have the extension ability that the ME-50 had, and bending down while playing live to switch banks is annoying and distracting.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

Thanks for the detailed explanations!

I was referring to single pedal effects...not multi! But, to each his own! In my opinion, if the ME-50 does not rob too much tone and can be set to bypass, I may be all for it with my new tube head. I'll have to see if I can live with the effects running in front because that would simplify my configuration on stage and less cables! With this I could run into the ME-50 and into the head. This might be the simplest approach over a rack(ugh!) or single pedals and a pedal board! With this, I wouldn't need a huge pedal board. Nice.

Most effects I use are modulation and they seem okay in front of the amp. My amp has one of the best effects loops....but that seems like a pain having to run extra cables just to get it in the loop. I could try it with very good cables....but then the wah is useless.

You said, "This is a Boss dual footswitch for extending the ME-50 so that you have memory bank up/down without needing to bend down and press the button to move in memory bank. Also, if you use a 1/4" stereo to dual 1/4" mono to connect it, it gives you compressor and tone modify on/off when in manual mode."

You have me confused on that point. In my needs where I want delay once in a while, some chorus, maybe flange, etc.....maybe wah and volume, tuner....would I be best in manual stomp mode or memory bank mode. This extension control, is this strictly for the preset mode? I'll have to read up on it.

I read a review of a loud pop when switching memory patches.

I have a fear though about running the delays in front of the amp. Delays never seem to sound right for heavy gain or leads if before the preamp.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

You said, "This is a Boss dual footswitch for extending the ME-50 so that you have memory bank up/down without needing to bend down and press the button to move in memory bank. Also, if you use a 1/4" stereo to dual 1/4" mono to connect it, it gives you compressor and tone modify on/off when in manual mode."

You have me confused on that point. In my needs where I want delay once in a while, some chorus, maybe flange, etc.....maybe wah and volume, tuner....would I be best in manual stomp mode or memory bank mode. This extension control, is this strictly for the preset mode? I'll have to read up on it.

I read a review of a loud pop when switching memory patches.

I have a fear though about running the delays in front of the amp. Delays never seem to sound right for heavy gain or leads if before the preamp.

Well me, I just fell in love with the pedal and amp combination. No matter what guitars I use, that "back end" sounds excellent together.

As for the loud pop, I don't experience it.

As for memory mode versus manual, it depends on what I'm doing. Usually I set manual mode to my 3 main effects that I use: blues driver, chorus, and tap delay. As for memory versus manual, it depends, like I said. If my needs are met in manual, I stay there, until I need something complex in memory mode, or a lead tone, in which case I switch there (easy: step on 2 and 3 at the same time, then use FS-6 to navigate to where you want to be). I've memorized a lot of my favorite memory modes (3x2 chorus/delay, 5x1 "black velvet" lead, 4x1 lead, 4x3 heavy blues, 8x1 heavy metal, 7x2 "60's" tremolo and fuzz, 5x2 country, 5x3 semi-hollow, 0x1 surf, etc). I have printed a credit-card size laminated paper from the ME-50 for "just in case" I need to look through all the stock memory modes. Usually, I just adjust all the noise suppression settings on all the patches for 50% noise suppression, and so I keep the stock settings. It's the first multieffect, to be honest, that the stock effects were actually useful and well organized already.

Oh well, to each his own, but I just love the ME-50. I'd buy another if mine died, and I'd keep a second one as a backup if I went touring. I'd also keep another FS-6.

As for batteries, the way the ME-50 is set up, you can use the wall plug, but it will run 12 hours on 6 AA batteries it holds inside. You can go totally batteries with my whole rig (minus amp; the FS-6 uses a 9 volt) and not have any worries, and with the way the wall plug is set up, if it gets unplugged, the ME-50 switches to battery power, so you're "insured".

 

[papersoul]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

I am worried since I use a high gain amp and only need effects.....no distortion from the ME-50, I might be dissapointed with the delay from the Boss running into my pre-amp.

This really would be the simplest set up even if I couldn't use the dealy or reverb before the preamp. I would still have the tuner, wah, and modulations.

One other thoughts of mine was to go wit hindividual pedals so I could get a good tuner like a Peterson Strobe pedal so I can also use it for intonation! Alternatively I could go G-Major rack wit hrack tuner and be done with it.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

I am worried since I use a high gain amp and only need effects.....no distortion from the ME-50, I might be dissapointed with the delay from the Boss running into my pre-amp.

This really would be the simplest set up even if I couldn't use the dealy or reverb before the preamp. I would still have the tuner, wah, and modulations.

One other thoughts of mine was to go wit hindividual pedals so I could get a good tuner like a Peterson Strobe pedal so I can also use it for intonation! Alternatively I could go G-Major rack wit hrack tuner and be done with it.

To each his own. The Peavey Delta Blues that I play with at church has its own distortion, but I prefer my own.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

With my tube amp, I use individual effects. When I want modeling, I use the POD xt Live direct to the 'board.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

With my tube amp, I use individual effects. When I want modeling, I use the POD xt Live direct to the 'board.

I hope no one thinks I'm anti-individual-pedals. When I bought my ME-50, it was about cost versus the # effects I use. I would've had to buy at least nine pedals, so the ME-50 was cheaper for me at the time.

 

[Christobevii3]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

The wah on my boss me 50 sounds terrible so i have a crybaby with it.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

as last I used a GNX it didn't have the extension ability that the ME-50 had, and bending down while playing live to switch banks is annoying and distracting.

You don't have to bend down to switch banks on Digitech stuff. They've thoughtfully included pedals for that. Boss has done so as well, on every processor they've made EXCEPT the ME-50. What's even lamer is they probably try to brag about how it's "expandable" to include something that was present on the first floor processor ever built :smack:

 

[MartinSixStringCustoms]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

The only multi-effect thats appealing to me is the TC Electronic G System. I used to have a G Major (I regret selling it) and contrary to some reviews, its a great, transparent unit. My only beef with it was the sub-standard G-Minor controller. I know you can use other Midi controllers, but I never bothered to go that route. The G-System takes care of that issue and has some other cool features as well. I played around with one a few months ago. Les Paul ->G System-> Orange Rocker 30. Its one of the best, if not the best I've used. Very pricey though!

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

You don't have to bend down to switch banks on Digitech stuff. They've thoughtfully included pedals for that. Boss has done so as well, on every processor they've made EXCEPT the ME-50. What's even lamer is they probably try to brag about how it's "expandable" to include something that was present on the first floor processor ever built :smack:

Agree to disagree, then, because I think it's smarter to build a compact all-knobs unit and make up/down bank an add-on. The ME-50 isn't a perfect pedal, but it fits my needs perfectly.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Running effects with tube amp???

Did not read all the reply's but if i had to spend my money on a Multi-FX unit, this is the only unit i will get !

CARL MARTIN QUATTRO :
http://www.pedalgeek.com/cgi-bin/new_shop.cgi?config=&uid=xjbK0gAA1173097370&command=link--cmq

. . . and for less that six big ones, seems like a perfect match for my style !


Other than that, i would go with single stomp-boxes, every time !