Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

The Dali

The Dali

MeltedClockologist
I'm thinking of trashing my pedals and going "all-in" with a single multi-fx processor instead. Some of the ones I've looked at include:

Zoom G9.2 TT
Roland/Boss GT-8
Korg AX1000
Vox Tonelab SE/ LE

I like having just one unit, and I like being able to USB-out the signal to a computer for recording. Any experience with these? Any advice?
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

Don't do it.

Modulation type efx will be fine...but the OD sounds tend to be very lackluster.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

They can be good and bad. I have a Boss GT6 and I really like it. It will do more than I can ever use. I recorded a great deal of my clips though it. IMO it sounds really good straight into the computer for recording. I found it harder to replicate those tones through my amp, although it was a Marshall JCM 800. I have heard that if you want to use a GT6 or any other modeler live and at volume, the cleaner a power amp you use the better, so as to not color the tone of the model you have selected.

On my unit, you can adjust the tone of any amp model down to the nth degree, almost more than your mind can wrap around. There are a few of the models that come pre programed that are actually decent, and a few that just need some tweaking to personal preference. Most of the stompbox models are pretty good to, as is the delay and chorus. I have found the Wah tones to be unimpressive, but I'm not really a Wah player, so I'm not sure that's a fair statement

Overall I wouldn't be without mine, if for nothing else than the built in tuner and volume pedal. Like I said, great, great for recording and with the right power section I think you could reproduce those tones live.

In my soundclips, I recorded Heavens Door and Plush using nothing but the GT-6 into the computer with pre-recorded backing tracks. I used Acid Pro for my recording platform. Take a listen and you'll get at least an idea of what they can do.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

The Vox Tonelabs (made by Korg) are great units.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

If you're interested mostly in effects than the Line 6 M9 and M13 (M13 being my preference) are excellent units. I'm not a fan of the multi fx boxes that have amp modeling also
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

The Dali said:
The sexual orientation of my guitar equipment is irrelevant.
Click to expand...
^good reply of a moronic quote.

I had the Boss ME-50... it never convinced me so I sold it. Then I had the TC Gmajor. Very good effects but after a couple of months I got tired of the menus... too much scrolling back and forth to find the 'perfect' sound, however I have to admit that when you find the perfect sound it's awesome. If it hadn't died I would still have it. Now I have pedals midi controlled and I'm happy as pig in mud.
 
Last edited:
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

I used to use a Korg AX1000 when i first started playing. I liked the tones, but found individual pedals sounded better and was easier to use.

I acutally found the multi fx pedal more difficult to use and that I did more 'tap dancing' with the multi vs. pedals.

IMO, skip the multi and go with pedals instead. save some $$.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

crguti said:
^good reply of a moronic quote.

I had the Boss ME-50... it never convinced me so I sold it. Then I had the TC Gmajor. Very good effects but after a couple of months I got tired of the menus... too much scrolling back and forth to find the 'perfect' sound, however I have to admit that when you find the perfect sound it's awesome. If it hadn't died I would still have it. Now I have pedals midi controlled and I'm happy as pig in mud.
Click to expand...

Oh I'm sorry,

What I meant to say is that stomp boxes are far superior to multi-fx pedals. IMO stomp boxes always sound more "full and real", and they are a lot more versatile. If you have your multi-fx pedal go out, you don't have any fx left. If one of your stomp boxes goes out, you still have all your other ones.

I cannot emphasize the "full" sound part enough though.

That is what I meant by multi-fx being gay.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

I love the Line6 M13. I changed from a pedalboard full of custom built pedals to the M13. Yes the distortion sounds great. And yes, I don't miss trying to figure out which patch cable isn't working when there are 10 on my board between pedals. The M13 passes sound through it even if it is off, and you can add your favorite pedals in the loop.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

Mattt said:
I love my Line6 X3-Live.
Click to expand...

+1 This should be on your list. I am running mine through a 2/90/2 tube power amp. Amazing versatality and sound.

Or maybe an Axe-Fx ultra if you have the budget. I heard great things about it.

Boss has GT-10 out by the way. GT-8 is the older version if it makes any difference for you. I believe GT-8 has digital-out but not USB connection.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

Ignore these puds. It is amazing to me - good tone has not changed in forever. Yet technology has made quantuum leaps forward.

What you thought was amazing and took a rack of doom and 200k worth of vintage gear can now be done with a Digitech RP250.

If you had the RP250 in a studio 20 years ago - they would have thought you were a musical genius.

But now "It sucks" or "It blows" or "yuck" Yet they can all reproduce the exact sound of nearly ANY of your favorite tunes tones - given you have the chops.

The key, as with all things, learn to use it, and don't over do it. If you can't make the sound of Sweet Child or Comfortably Numb or Wind Cries Mary or Crossroads come out of whatever speaker it's coming out of with a GT-8, you can't play, you can't hear, or you didn't read the instructions.

bah
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

Mincer said:
I love the Line6 M13. I changed from a pedalboard full of custom built pedals to the M13. Yes the distortion sounds great. And yes, I don't miss trying to figure out which patch cable isn't working when there are 10 on my board between pedals. The M13 passes sound through it even if it is off, and you can add your favorite pedals in the loop.
Click to expand...

This is the one I use, and the ONLY current production multi I'd recommend (aside from its little brother the M9).

I don't use any of the compressors or distortions on mine, but for the most part they're actually pretty good. The delays and reverbs alone are worth the price of admission, the mod effects are great, and the synths and filters are super fun.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

Aceman said:
Ignore these puds. It is amazing to me - good tone has not changed in forever. Yet technology has made quantuum leaps forward.

What you thought was amazing and took a rack of doom and 200k worth of vintage gear can now be done with a Digitech RP250.

If you had the RP250 in a studio 20 years ago - they would have thought you were a musical genius.

But now "It sucks" or "It blows" or "yuck" Yet they can all reproduce the exact sound of nearly ANY of your favorite tunes tones
Click to expand...

Not so much.

All that stuff existed 20 years ago, and it basically sucked then and it still sucks now. Though it has indeed become 'less sucky' then it ever was. 20 years ago, instead of being called the RP300 or whatever, it was the GSP21... or the ADA MP1... or any number of other things.

Several years ago I had a fairly known guitarist show up from LA to cut solos, fills and junk on a record at my place for a vocalist he was working with. Fly date. He brought a little rack... like a 2-banger.

One of the other guys on that brought an amp even though there were plenty of amps at the studio.

We must've spent an hour trying to get SOME KINDA 'tone' out of his rack processor... plugged it right into the DI on the Neve's... that sucks. Try different preamps... still sucks. Try a different DI? Lined right to the 2" 24-track?

Not happening.

Finally somebody, not I, makes the observation/suggestion that hey, there's a lotta cool amps here... why don't we use that VHT, or one of the Boogies, or that Fender...

Holy ****!

10 minutes later we had a tone.

F that modeling stuff.

If that's all 'ya have... ok... cool... run with it. Great performances, if you have something to say as a musician will shine through. Hopefully.

Otherwise, IMO multi-FX sucked and still suck.

I had a rack rig for a while and really grew to hate it after a lot of gigging.

So much easier to reach down and tweak a knob then scroll through menus...
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

i have friends using the boss GT8 and they didn't sell them.
Personally I would go for the boss.
So far their products didn't fail me

=)
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

Dunno. Many guitar tones on big albums in big studios use PODs. Many bands use modelers on fly dates to other countries. Multi-effects sound a lot better now than they did in 1985. Many don't use menus at all, just knobs to twist. I use IEMs on stage, and don't bring an amp, so a modeler (2, actually) works for me. I think they are tools like anything else. VST pluginss and VST-instruments model vintage effects and vintage instruments, respectively. But ever major album out today uses them. Creative and talented people can make music out of a guitar and amp as well as a laptop direct to the PA.
 
Re: Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

Here's the deal:

Indvidual pedals allow you to *craft* your tone in a very unique way. You get to choose all your pedals for all your sounds, and every component can be changed. But to a certain extent, it's a pain in the ass. All the pedals need power, you need decent patch cables between pedals, and a way to mount the pedals to a solid surface. Then, if one moves their setup they've got a big, heavy pedalboard to carry around. Not a lot of fun.

Multi's are *far* more convenient. The M13 is a stellar model...I only got rid of mine because I needed something computer-based for recording purposes. It packs everything into a nice, easy to use module that is a far easier initial setup than individual pedals. Sure, there are some places where a multi will lack. The compressors on the M13 did nothing to wow me, and the distortions were *decent*.

So, it depends on what's more important to you. I crave simplicity in my setups, the more wires, the more mess, the more complexity, the less I want to play. If you're the kind of dude that can easily tell the difference between different silicon transistors in a fuzz pedal, and can stand the setup aspect, individual pedals might be your bag.

Another point: Depending on how many FX you'd like/want/need going the multi route can be significantly cheaper than the individual FX route. For a dude like me, with a vice grip on his wallet and a love for FX, this is a HUGE plus.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

dystrust
One Rack to Rule Them All
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
NegativeEase
NegativeEase
Phantasmagoria
BOSS GT-6 multi-FX unit resurrection..
2
Replies
20
Views
4K
Phantasmagoria
Phantasmagoria
Leotis
FS- Boss SE-50 Effects Processor, w/AC adaptor and bag
Replies
1
Views
785
Leotis
Leotis
BriGuy1968
Is this going to help me?
Replies
13
Views
2K
Mr.Sneaky
Mr.Sneaky
mantis
Curious how much did you spend on your pedal board?
2 3
Replies
44
Views
9K
Little Pigbacon
L
Back
Top