Talk to me about Multi-fx pedals...

[cronnin]

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

These modelers are nice to play at home, to practice, to experiment with, to seek your tone.
They are indeed better than those from 20 years ago, almost like an amps.
You can make decent home recordings with it, or even make a demo with HQ sound.

But don't expect it to match up with a real tube amp. They have better response, more warmth, dynamic and liveliness.
You will always have more inspiration to play a tube amp.

This is what comes out of the speaker of the tube amp: a hot, liquid, molten, orange magic.

 

[B2D]

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

The next time I get a multi-FX unit, it's gonna be one of these.

I like the fact that I can rackmount the brains of the thing and keep the pedal surface out on the floor in front of me and connect it with a CAT5 cable. It would take a good 30-odd feet of cable out of the signal chain.

I like individual pedals for their unique personalities, but live I'd use one of these.

 

[ParameterMan]

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

... 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.

Rebuttal: I know how to use them, in fact, I'm extremely good at using them. I quit using them because they sound extremely good but are simultaneously hard-edged and one-dimensional. I could never sit properly in the mix playing live, and the sound would wear on my subconscious after an hour or so. I find analog effects and tube amps to sound looser, softer and more complex. Not necessarily better, but much easier to blend with real instruments, and more satisfying to play.

Also, digital units are flaky. Always bring another one for a backup for when static electricity causes your main one to start scrolling presets randomly. Or when the little 1¢ rotary encoder that's your only method of input starts incrementing no matter which way you turn it. Or if someone spills beverage into it. Or if the little tiny power jack decides to go intermittent because you didn't treat it with kid gloves. Or if it just outright dies.

 

[LtKojak]

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

I'm gonna be crucified for this, but I've been using a Behringer V-Amp2 for the last four years and even though is NOT a '65 BF, I've made a lot of recordings with it going into the computer through a (asbestos underwear=ON) Behringer UC-222 that came with my V-Amp3 (I'm not using it as it can't fully reproduce the sounds I've already programmed in the V-Amp2).

I record with Cubase 5 and do the final mastering with Wavelab 6.

That essentially covers my needs.

Anyway, if you're looking for the best recording interface to record GUITAR and to take the same sounds LIVE, the best right now is the Eleven Rack. It's the only device I've found that feels ALIVE, like a real tube amp, even more so than the AxeFX.

HTH,

 

[crguti]

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

I'm gonna be crucified for this, but I've been using a Behringer V-Amp2 for the last four years...

nobody will crucify you... you have the right to use whatever you want even if it's crap :nana:

 

[dominus]

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

Depends on your end needs.

Do you need the amp sims, or not?

If not, the Line 6 M13 and Boss ME-50 are great.

If you do, the Line 6 X3Live, Boss GT-10, and Digitech RP500/RP1000 are great. The Tonelab ST has better amp sims, but the FX are a little limited. (You can only have a compressor or distortion before the amp, and then one or two modulation effects... flanger, chorus, delay, etc.)

Do you need to leave the house with it?

If not, consider going the software route. I just got Peavey Revalver, and I supplement it with free amps, pedals, and IR cabinets online, as it hosts other VST effects with ease. (Although, I picked up the Recabinet IR set for $15.) Once I started tweaking it (because you HAVE TO), I've gotten the best sounds I've ever gotten. I sold the RP500 and X3Live, and I'm thinking about selling the Tonelab ST, even though I thought I never would. Then I got a great deal on Line 6 Pod Farm Platinum, so that added another 80+ amps and 50+ pedals or whatever it has, and I use Revalver to host them.

The people that complain about the sound of modeling.. there's a weak link. It's the CABINET simulations. Peavey's Revalver lets you load in 3rd party cabinet IRs and that opens the door. Hardware modelers don't let you do that, aside from the AxeFX. Once you get some good IRs, you can hear the air moving.

 

[cronnin]

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

The people that complain about the sound of modeling.. .

You can get very good sound from this stuff if you want to make home recordings.
It's much easier just to plug it into USB port of your PC and get the job done.

But you can't simulate whole amplifier. You can simulate just one setting. That is great if you want to record it.
Modelers nowdays can be quite deceiving, and you can really full someone that you used a real tube amp to record something.

But you can never outdo an amp when you're playing live.

So, if you're into recording, go with multi-FX, it will make your life easier.
If you're into playing just get one good tube amp.

If your band had a budget to get a couple of tube amps, condenser mics, multi ch. recording mixer, etc.. you would probably not be here asking for advice

 

[misterwhizzy]

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

So, if you're into recording, go with multi-FX, it will make your life easier.
If you're into playing just get one good tube amp.

I think this is exactly correct. Except for the last sentence should say at least one good tube amp.

In fact, I don't even think the multi effects unit is necessary for recording, since it can all be done in software. I just plug my guitar into my POD Studio UX2 and record a totally dry, clean signal. Then I can have at it with amp models, effects, etc.

When doing clean parts, I actually did prefer taking the emulated output from my HT-5 with slight overdrive from a modded SD-1. I thought it warmed up the sound and added some sparkle, but that was just another way to do what I wanted. I think it could probably all be done with the software plugins.

 

[The Dali]

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

I don't really require amp sims. I run through a Traynor YCV40T and it sounds phenomenal. I'm looking at the pedal(s) for wah, flange, trem, phase, and metal distortions. I get great classic distrotion through the amp.

Great conversations here... lots of differing opinions.

 

[J Moose]

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

Dunno. Many guitar tones on big albums in big studios use PODs.

~~~

VST pluginss and VST-instruments model vintage effects and vintage instruments, respectively. But ever major album out today uses them.

Not sure what records you're referring too... maybe the pop stuff, Timberlake & Lady Gaga sorta thing... but rock records? Not too many POD's on big rock records that I see, or even have seen happening.

Throw on some Mastodon, or Tool, maybe some Phish, Ben Harper... Gov't Mule, Thursday... Fu Manchu... your not hearing POD's or DI dirt guitar in any of that stuff. Maybe for the odd overdub that someone did at home, but certainly not on any of the main parts.

 

[jcthejester13]

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

Not sure what records you're referring too... maybe the pop stuff, Timberlake & Lady Gaga sorta thing... but rock records? Not too many POD's on big rock records that I see, or even have seen happening.

Throw on some Mastodon, or Tool, maybe some Phish, Ben Harper... Gov't Mule, Thursday... Fu Manchu... your not hearing POD's or DI dirt guitar in any of that stuff. Maybe for the odd overdub that someone did at home, but certainly not on any of the main parts.

Thank God! Someone here talking sense!

 

[misterwhizzy]

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

Moose, I thought the Riff-Off recordings were very professional sounding, and, as I recall the majority of them were recorded with modelers. Maybe when you get to the level of a Mastodon or Megadeth or Devils of Belgrade or something, you can really crank your amps and record and mic them properly, but for mere mortals, I think the modelers are plenty good.

 

[cronnin]

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

Except for the last sentence should say at least one good tube amp.

Agreed

I am not too much in that VST stuff. I didn't know you can get same quality in 'post production'. Interesting.




Well, whatever you do, don't invest too much money. For $500 you'd give for the latest digital processor one could get a decent amp.
That digi-stuff won't be worth $100 in a 5 years, but real amp may be worth even more

 

[dominus]

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

Not sure what records you're referring too... maybe the pop stuff, Timberlake & Lady Gaga sorta thing... but rock records? Not too many POD's on big rock records that I see, or even have seen happening.

Throw on some Mastodon, or Tool, maybe some Phish, Ben Harper... Gov't Mule, Thursday... Fu Manchu... your not hearing POD's or DI dirt guitar in any of that stuff. Maybe for the odd overdub that someone did at home, but certainly not on any of the main parts.

http://line6.com/artists/list/

The following artists actually use them to record:

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory, Ihsahn of Emperor,

Dave Mustaine:

http://line6.com/news/artist/579

Those are just artists that *I* happen to listen to. I'm sure there's more.

 

[dominus]

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

Moose, I thought the Riff-Off recordings were very professional sounding, and, as I recall the majority of them were recorded with modelers. Maybe when you get to the level of a Mastodon or Megadeth or Devils of Belgrade or something, you can really crank your amps and record and mic them properly, but for mere mortals, I think the modelers are plenty good.

See my last post.

 

[Mincer]

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

Not sure what records you're referring too... maybe the pop stuff, Timberlake & Lady Gaga sorta thing... but rock records? Not too many POD's on big rock records that I see, or even have seen happening.

Throw on some Mastodon, or Tool, maybe some Phish, Ben Harper... Gov't Mule, Thursday... Fu Manchu... your not hearing POD's or DI dirt guitar in any of that stuff. Maybe for the odd overdub that someone did at home, but certainly not on any of the main parts.

The last few King Crimson albums were, and that is pretty heavy intense stuff. Adrian Belew used his early-2000's era Johnson modeling amps and a Line6 Variax, and Fripp used his rack, which uses a mid 90s era Roland GP-100 modeling preamp direct for most of the sounds. Its not about arguing this though- it is that blanket statements don't make sense. CDs can be recorded many ways, and these days, with many bands using in-ear monitors onstage, it isn't as important to use amps all the time.

 

[cronnin]

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

Dave Mustaine

He is a liar. Always been on Marshall. He is justifying his endorsement.

He's got signature Marshall cabs.
He always used Marshall EL34 power amps.
He's been a lot of time on Rocktron preamps, now on JVM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG82Npq8dEU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGwXx7VoCIA&feature=related (1:40)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADzIigbiIa0

 

[cakire82]

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

He is a liar. Always been on Marshall. He is justifying his endorsement.

He's got signature Marshall cabs.
He always used Marshall EL34 power amps.
He's been a lot of time on Rocktron preamps, now on JVM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG82Npq8dEU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGwXx7VoCIA&feature=related (1:40)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADzIigbiIa0

Hehehe Dude he changed gear more than I change my socks.

 

[lex666]

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

Hehehe Dude he changed gear more than I change my socks.

...and band mates too!

 

[thespricket]

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

I don't really need many pedals, I have 6 in my chain which is reasonable. I think would really dislike having any more than 8 pedals. I really like the DL4 and the MM4 from Line 6. If I had the money, and the needs to own one, I would totally go for one those. I've seen a lot of pros using them. Four channels to store any of the effects in the system.

But I'm really a single effects guy. I like having each effect at my feet to look at and tweak as I need to. No matter what, there are no effect processors that are as practical on stage as having individual effects at your disposal. You can switch things up on the fly and layer them as you want to. But I will say that I think everyone should own one multi effects unit, just because they are sooooo easy to record with and they're also really great as a backup rig.