What is the best multi-effects unit available?

[LuckyBystander]

I don't want to go down the road of collecting stompboxes, at least not yet. Plus, I don't really have much space for a huge pedal board.

With that in mind, what do the sages of TGP recommend as the single unit that can give me the best effects possible? I'd like for it to be programmable, and it can be a floor processor (like the Vox Tonelab SE, which is what I already have), or it can be a single rack-type unit (like the Axe-FX).

I see things like the Pod XT or the TC Nova System, and there are just so many choices out there. Like I said, I'm lazy and I'm not a huge tone snob (though I want at least decent tone); I just want one thing that does everything (delay, distortion, other effects, even amp simulation if necessary) as well as possible.

So what is that one thing?

[Moe45673]

Axe FX

If you don't want to spend that kinda cash, there's plenty out there. Boss GT-10 I believe is acknowledged as the best in the medium high range (in terms of features/flexibility)

Next is the Boss ME-70 and the Digitech RP-500 both get good reviews

[EricPeterson]

Boss Me-70 looks freaking sweet, I have not tried one but it looks like it fixes the issues with the ME-50 and brings a lot more to the game.

The Line6 M13 is also quite easy to use and relatively inexpensive definitely worth a look.

Guitar center should have either to try before you buy. This is the way I would go, they both have knobs for easy tweaking as opposed to complicated menus.

[IvIark]

If you want the best then look at Eventide. If you get something like an Eclipse right away you may never have to buy some stompboxes and it can actually save you money in the long run :). Or an AxeFx if you want an amp modelling processor.

[IG88]

axe fx


or this...
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/RetardoTronFiveThousand/yamaha_sb-200_001.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/RetardoTronFiveThousand/yamaha_sb-200_002.jpg

[TheFlash]

Super lazy...no research needed...just your budget:

$$$$ - Axe-Fx + midi controller This gives you effects and amp modeling...does it all.
$$$ - Line6 m13 + the Tech21 Sansamp Character pedal of your favorite amp style: This gives you effects + a great amp modeler
$$ - Tonelab LE (you already have the SE...the LE is an improvement but not a huge one)
$ - Boss ME-70

[jokerjkny]

heard good things on the line 6 one. a bandmate had one, and dang, not too shabby. too bad didnt have a nice fuzz on there. ;)

[peridot1]

The soundclips of the Eclipse are amazing. If you don't need modeling get a dirt pedal and run it into the eclipse. oh man...

[Waxhead]

Axe FX

If you don't want to spend that kinda cash, there's plenty out there. Boss GT-10 I believe is acknowledged as the best in the medium high range (in terms of features/flexibility)

Next is the Boss ME-70 and the Digitech RP-500 both get good reviews

+1
Axe-Fx is No 1 by a loooooong way.
Then the Boss one's, then Tonelab, Digitech, Zoom
Line 6 last :p

[Jon Silberman]

I'm digging my Line 6 M13. I'm simple, it's simple, it's as simple as that. (I do still like to run an analog overdrive into it, though.)

I find that 90% of the people who end like Waxhead have never actually tried the M13, rather, they're basing their view of Line 6 on earlier products, e.g., Pod. This is a mistake.

I've heard local musicians with Boss GT-10s sound like the voice of angels. Not for me, though (re-read 1st line above!)

[WarToad]

My Digitech GNX3 was the ulimate all-in-one tool. Effects, amps, cabs, PLUS a looper PLUS a full-fledged 8-Track recorder. Even the GNX4 can't compete. Perfect for someone who wants it all but doesn't need the "best" tones (the distortions suck compared to my pedals.) Still, they go pretty cheap on epay, check it.

I had a couple Zoom, not the GT1.1. or whatever but they sucked.

[peridot1]

My GC will not let me demo the M13. Been wanting to for a few months but still no deal. I can demo the boss, pod, digitech, fulltones, ehx but no cigar on the M13. Anybody else have this problem at GC?

[Waxhead]

I'm digging my Line 6 M13. I'm simple, it's simple, it's as simple as that. (I do still like to run an analog overdrive into it, though.)

I find that 90% of the people who end like Waxhead have never actually tried the M13, rather, they're basing their view of Line 6 on earlier products, e.g., Pod. This is a mistake.

I've heard local musicians with Boss GT-10s sound like the voice of angels. Not for me, though (re-read 1st line above!)

That's true Jon - I haven't spent much time with an M13 or heard it gigging. It's pretty new out so excuse me for that, plus Line 6 products are not nearly as popular in Australia as they seem to be in the US - so you rarely see or hear one.

[EricPeterson]

My GC will not let me demo the M13. Been wanting to for a few months but still no deal. I can demo the boss, pod, digitech, fulltones, ehx but no cigar on the M13. Anybody else have this problem at GC?

I had an issue with a different pedal I just asked to speak to the manager and they were more than accommodating. That is weird that they wont let you try the M13, mine had one on the floor and ready to demo.

[peridot1]

^ I think the deal is they only keep one in the house and they don't want to open the box. They don't have any on the floor. I didn't really press the issue much. Just one in a while asked the clerk.

[Jon Silberman]

That's true Jon - I haven't spent much time with an M13 or heard it gigging. It's pretty new out so excuse me for that, plus Line 6 products are not nearly as popular in Australia as they seem to be in the US - so you rarely see or hear one.
Believe it or not, I've been paying attention to your posts. ;)

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showpost.php?p=4590692&postcount=89

[Tonefish]

I'd bet the majority here have piles of the old multi-effects junk (if not sold off) and would tell you that in the long run you will save money by going straight to buying good pedals.

May not help you, but I felt compelled to throw that out. You could do a poll :mobif you think I'm off.:NUTS:crazy:messedup

[Jon Silberman]

I'll start. I've been playing guitar for 30+ years. Never once bought a multi-effects unit ... until last month (an M13). That's because only now did I find a unit with all of the features, tone, and simplicity I need.

I feel that the "buying good pedals" example is not a good one in terms of saving money. I have a wonderful "classic" pedalboard also, now. Every pedal on it was painstakingly selected by yours truly, after years of experimentation, to exactly suit my playing. This required buying, trying, and selling more than a few pedals over the years. I didn't exactly "save money" doing it that way, not that I'm complaining ("it's the journey, not the destination").

[LuckyBystander]

Thanks for everyone's responses. If there are more comments, I'm all ears.

I would obviously like to avoid breaking the bank, and while the Axe-FX is not cheap, it's something swing-able. I'm definitely intrigued by it (mainly by how much discussion it has inspired on TGP).

But if there are any other comments, like I said, I'd love to hear them!

[WarToad]

If you are a dirt hound I would steer clear of the M13. I checked the forums at Line6 and even the fanboys seem to agree that the ods, fuzzes, distos, etc. suck and have that buzzy bee digital thing going on. There is even a pedal made specifically to fix the problem, can't recall the name-

Honestly, and probably off topic, for one quality multieffects unit like the Boss or Vox you could get three high quality dedicated pedals of the effects you really dig. I mean, are you actually going to use the YaYa function on the Digitechs? Or the wacky filters on the M13? Doubtful (except for fun maybe) so why not get three high quality pedals instead? There's even a thread now about what three pedals we couldn't live without. Forget brand names, just gimme a good compressor, good fuzz, and a nice analog delay. Add brand names and you got $70 for a Dyna Comp, $150-$200 for a solid germanium fuzz, and $150 for a Carbon Copy or BBE Two Timer. There you go, a quality multi-effects unit for under $400. Add an inexpensive chorus or phaser and that's really all you need.

[zachman]

I don't want to go down the road of collecting stompboxes, at least not yet. Plus, I don't really have much space for a huge pedal board. With that in mind, what do the sages of TGP recommend as the single unit that can give me the best effects possible?

BEST: Eventide H8000FW

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee118/zachman_photos/My%20Guitar%20gear/H8000fw_front.jpg



I'd like for it to be programmable, and it can be a floor processor (like the Vox Tonelab SE, which is what I already have), or it can be a single rack-type unit (like the Axe-FX).

I see things like the Pod XT or the TC Nova System, and there are just so many choices out there. Like I said, I'm lazy and I'm not a huge tone snob (though I want at least decent tone); I just want one thing that does everything (delay, distortion, other effects, even amp simulation if necessary) as well as possible.

So what is that one thing?

The H8000FW doesn't do "amp simulation", but does do Distortion, Fuzz, and the BEST effects PERIOD.

IMO, the Axe-FX is more in line with what you're describing, but truth be told-- there is no such animal as the ALL IN ONE box that does it all with the best of everything.

[Trotter]

i'd say the TC Nova or Axe-Fx.

[Flyin' Brian]

Quite frankly, I'd be happy if I could find an old Ibanez UE-400 and UE-405

[buddaman71]

Many around her just write them off without even using them, but anyone who hasn't tried the new Digitech units like the GSP1101 and RP500 or RP1000 should. MUCH warmer analog sounding distortions than anything Digi has ever made. None of that fizz that the Boss units have and the stompbox models are really really good.

[In Tune]

I wish I had my old SPX 90 back....Tops in its day.......Anyone else?:knitting

[kctxsa]

I had good experience with the Pod XT Live. Versatile and affordable.

[myTakamine]

I liked a lot of sounds that were available from my Tonelab LE while I had it. The amp sims were very nice, if somewhat Vox-centric, and a number of the effects were particularly good.

Where it really could improve would be to offer more flexibility in the combinations and order of effects.

Given that it can be had for less money than a lot of boutique dirt, I probably should have kept it. :huh

[CitizenCain]

Many around her just write them off without even using them, but anyone who hasn't tried the new Digitech units like the GSP1101 and RP500 or RP1000 should. MUCH warmer analog sounding distortions than anything Digi has ever made. None of that fizz that the Boss units have and the stompbox models are really really good.

How's the amp modeling in the Digi units, specifically the RP500?

[tedm]

depends - for over the top type fx, the Digitech RP's have a lot of interesting patches, especially the "50" model if you can still find one, much more over the top than most line 6 products, though the line6 products might be better for traditional effects/tones.

[Jon Silberman]

If you are a dirt hound I would steer clear of the M13. I checked the forums at Line6 and even the fanboys seem to agree that the ods, fuzzes, distos, etc. suck and have that buzzy bee digital thing going on. There is even a pedal made specifically to fix the problem, can't recall the name.
Fulldrive 2? ;)

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/682310/21596860/356594569.jpg

P.S. I have to say, I personally gave serious consideration to whether I wanted to keep the M13 based on my concerns with the distortion set of models. I thought it through super carefully. Conclusion: this pedal is still a bargain even if you pretend it never came with distortion/overdrive to begin with, it reacts super well to being driven up front by an analog box, plus it's the ONLY pedal that meets my simplicity needs (the user interface on the thang is simply brilliant).

[WarToad]

[QUOTE=Jon Silberman;5682017]Fulldrive 2? ;)

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/682310/21596860/356594569.jpg

No, its a dedicated pedal just for fixing the "bee swarm" thing. Not a standalone dirt pedal. Anyway, its all over the Line6 forums I just don't feel like checking as I have no use for it myself. The M13 SOUNDS like a good deal but I don't trust Line6 gear at all. In twenty years all my analog pedals will still be cranking. Line6 stuff wouldn't make it half that (in my experience)-

[WarToad]

Ok, guess I'm not that lazy. It's called the Harmonic Converger. Designed specifically for multi-fx. Buy it wherever Harmonic Convergers are sold-