Line 6 M13 vs. Nova Pedals

[duaneallen]

I'm thinking of getting a M13, but I was thinking of going for the Nova Pedals as well. I already have some killer distortion pedals and a Nova delay. Should I just get the Nova Modulator and be done with it? Or should I go M13? I know that the M13 does a lot more than that setup would, but is there a big difference in sound quality? I prefer that over bells and whistles. Anyone compare the two? Thanks.

[storm319]

Before you decide on the M13, check this out.

http://www.tcelectronic.com/novasystem

Basically all the Nova pedals in one. This looks to be better than the M13.

[musickbox]

Nova system is a different animal. Nova is much more limited than the M13. Also it's much more expensive (both new and used markets). I agree it does have better sounds than the M13. The M13's looper, versatility, and function is much better choice for those looking to either add it to their rig, or gig the M13 by itself.

[OrangeAD30TC]

I am an M13 user and fan so take this how ever you want but it is my understanding that the Nova has a funny way of dealing with the boost function. I believe the Nova system cuts your signal, 6db during normal operation and the "boost" feature doesn't actually boost your signal it just puts it back to unity.

I read that on this board so again, take that how you will. Does anyone know if this is true? All the videos I here of the Nova system do sound lovely.

[Brian Chan]

NOVA System will color your tone even no effect engaged..

[The Scrutinizer]

i'd love to have an M13 w/o the distortions

[Gary Ladd]

The demos for the Nova System on the TC website sounded TERRIBLE!!!

[Jon Silberman]

Having just bought an M13 two day ago, I can tell you that what sold me on the unit is its utter simplicity. No "levels" of data, no "programming" (at least not of effects; you can save scenes).

I read the linked-to writeup on the Nova unit. It may be the best unit for others. Not for me.

[Plague Dog]

i'd love to have an M13 w/o the distortions

This is how I feel, basically a DD4 and the MM4 combined that doesn't cost more, the last thing I need is another, or more distortions.

Now that I look at it, those two pedals combined cost about the same as the M13, so that may well be the way I go.

[Pietro]

I am an M13 user and fan so take this how ever you want but it is my understanding that the Nova has a funny way of dealing with the boost function. I believe the Nova system cuts your signal, 6db during normal operation and the "boost" feature doesn't actually boost your signal it just puts it back to unity.

I read that on this board so again, take that how you will. Does anyone know if this is true? All the videos I here of the Nova system do sound lovely.

My friend has a Nova system and it seems to do this. We discovered it by accident. And it can be a problem with certain guitars.

That said, it sounds AWESOME!

And, I am intrigued by the M13 and may eventually get one. It looks pretty easy to use. I love the layout.

But... for now I'm real happy with this pedal board... so until the economy (both US and my own) improves...

[zachman]

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41465&sid=2dd0ffc485431f075bf62cfd31498062

Some thoughts on the same subject

[onestop]

NOVA System will color your tone even no effect engaged..

No issues here with tone coloration. I love my Nova System and my buddy just bought an M13. I've had more time with mine but spent about 3 hours with the M13.

Both are great units and each have pros and cons. Check them both out and decide for yourself :D

[DavidE]

i'd love to have an M13 w/o the distortions

You never need to use the distortions just like I'll never use the filter models. You can put which ever effect you want in any location. You could set up 12 delays in one scene and have 4 on at a time.

[onestop]

You never need to use the distortions just like I'll never use the filter models. You can put which ever effect you want in any location. You could set up 12 delays in one scene and have 4 on at a time.

And I will say the ability of doing such is what makes the M13 brilliant!

[Jon Silberman]

Exactly.

Myself, I'll be perfectly frank. I don't need my $449 floor unit to sound exactly like The Edge's Eventide. I need good sounding, simple to use and intuitive hardware and tones. Period.

And for the life of me, I don't understand why having additional options you don't have to use and aren't now using is a negative. That's like saying, "I hate the spice rack in my kitchen. Besides all of the cool spices I want and use for my meals, it includes some other spices which I don't use."

Who would say such a thing? :confused:

If and when the day comes when someone wants or needs to sell your M13, trust me, you'll be damn glad it has the overdrives, compressors, and clean boosts you say you don't want as just about everyone else else does want them.

[Jon Silberman]

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41465&sid=2dd0ffc485431f075bf62cfd31498062

Some thoughts on the same subject
Later in the thread, he raves about other gear I tried and returned so I personally can't draw anything of value from this one guy's complaints (YMMV, which is cool).

[StompBoxBlues]

Later in the thread, he raves about other gear I tried and returned so I personally can't draw anything of value from this one guy's complaints (YMMV, which is cool).

Not only that but...this being "real life", I know there might be compromises. What I'm saying really is, I haven't played through an M13 yet, but have one on order. I don't "expect" it to blow away my favorite analog pedals (not even if they are one that is modelled in the M13) totally, but if they are really good...and I hear they cut through the mix which is unusual and excellent for a ME, I'm buying mine to have access to MANY more pedals than I would ever have on a pedalboard.

I keep my pedalboards down to 10 or so maximum. I always have to compromise there, maybe using a chorus instead of a tremolo because of space. I don't drag around all that many pedals, but all in one (little, relatively) little box is just a great option. I love the user interface and design of the box, the color coding, the ACCESS and scenes, etc.

So, the unknown for me is the quality of the sounds in it. I expect some will be really amazing, some "eh..." and some "what were they THINKING?" but that is the normal tradeoff, and the good thing...it often happens I get pleasant surprises then!

[zachman]

Later in the thread, he raves about other gear I tried and returned so I personally can't draw anything of value from this one guy's complaints (YMMV, which is cool).

His main complaint is that the modeling didn't really model what it was supposed to when compared to the real thing, because the closest thing it could muster was miles away from the real units. That will naturally vary from user to user based upon how much compromise they're willing to accept.

[johnrea_77]

I really liked the Nova System, but could not get past its idiosyncrasies. I liked using the preset mode, but the "release the button to activate the preset" was killing me playing live. Could not get used to it after using it four three/four months. I did like the build quality of the unit, the layout, the delay effects were very good (hey, it is TC), and a standard AC cable instead of a wall wart!

The M13 on the other hand is a piece of cake. The build quality is very good, not quite the TC, but rugged enough. I gotta live with the AC adapter, at leash it is an inline transformer instead of a wall wart. The ability to use only the effects you need and multiples of each one is brilliant. The tuner is actually better than the TC as far as I can tell.

To each his own - I sold my Nova System ......

[squeally dan]

Exactly.

Myself, I'll be perfectly frank. I don't need my $449 floor unit to sound exactly like The Edge's Eventide. I need good sounding, simple to use and intuitive hardware and tones. Period.

And for the life of me, I don't understand why having additional options you don't have to use and aren't now using is a negative. That's like saying, "I hate the spice rack in my kitchen. Besides all of the cool spices I want and use for my meals, it includes some other spices which I don't use."

Who would say such a thing? :confused:

If and when the day comes when someone wants or needs to sell your M13, trust me, you'll be damn glad it has the overdrives, compressors, and clean boosts you say you don't want as just about everyone else else does want them.



Well said! Nothing says you have to use everything on there. If you could but two pedals for the same price as buying the M-13 that included those two sounds plus many more, why would you not do that? The extra stuff will be there if you need it. What if another pedal breaks and you on a gig?

I have always used pedals, but I started ffeeling like I needed a bit more versatility. I play 1-3 times/week in a wedding dance band and needed more options to cover all the stuff. I got an M13 about two weeks ago and am loving it. I use more on it thatn I thought I would. I even use the od's. I like the M13 tube screamer better than my Keeley tubescreamer because it has more eq possiblities. It's like a TS but with tome knobs that actually work. Last week I played two gigs and left the TS-p and BD-1 at home. I have to fess up and say the only real boutique od I have used is a Zendrive, so I haven't gone to far in to that relm.