M13/M9 + Tech 21 character series vs. RP1000?

[SouthernShred]

In recent months I've had to let my AxeFX rig go to pay for shoulder surgery so I've had to scale back to a less expensive solution...I will be back on the AxeFX team one day, but at this point, money talks.

Basically, I'm working a trade right now for an Egnater Rebel 20 head & cab which takes care of amp needs for most places I play, but for rehearsal, the occasional church gig or some other venues where I need to go direct, I need a solution...

I'm personally worn down with chasing individual pedals along with the cost of the flavor of the month, heck, I paid for my entire axeFX rig with my first pedal sell-off.

In short, I want something that will integrate and play nicely with the incoming Rebel 20 but also can stand alone and work direct for rehearsal, etc...

The two major setups I see around here are an RP1000 by itself for both scenarios or an M9/M13 + Tech 21 character series pedals (liverpool, blonde, etc).

Any thoughts from folks who have tried both? I've only tried an RP1000 through headphones and wasn't impressed but headphones don't always give the best impression.

Shannon

[telefmt]

I have the M9 now and had the Liverpool (my brother has it now). I will either get another one or maybe try the blonde. The M9 needs something in between it and the power amp imo. I am still getting used to the M9. It seems to have some volume peaks and valleys when switching scenes, but that could be my learning curve. A Tech21 pedal would help that a lot I think. I have not tried a volume/expression pedal as a solution....

[rsm]

I've used my pedals (in front and after) with a Tech 21 Liverpool and British going direct and it worked great. I have not tried M13/M9 or RP1000.

[mtmartin71]

This is a tough call. I think the RP1000 as a pedalboard in front of an amp would be nice. My experience with the Rebel 20 is that it had even less headroom than I thought it would so I couldn't get a relatively loud clean like I can with the 2061x, which also has relatively limited headroom. The think I didn't like as much about the RP1000 is the cab modeling. As a preamp or pedalboard, it will work fine. Direct, not so much especially when you're used to the AxeFX (which I also have).

[SouthernShred]

rsm, I've thought about your approach as well, saw you post that on HRI...do you just put your time based effects after the Tech 21 pedal?

I've even thought of something like a Boss ME70 or older GT3 or GT5

[eyeball987]

I am working on selling my Tonelab LE and picking up a RP1000 because I want the ability to run the 4CM to put the drives in front and the delays in the loop of my RM50. I love the tone in my LE but that limitation is holding me back right now.

With that being said, I would love to get the RP rolling and then pick up a Tech21 pedal to use as my direct option with the RP. The pedal can be the back up to my amp and help create a more pleasing direct tone if I need it.

[rsm]

rsm, I've thought about your approach as well, saw you post that on HRI...do you just put your time based effects after the Tech 21 pedal?

I've even thought of something like a Boss ME70 or older GT3 or GT5


yes, exactly. I run my tuner, OD/Dist and Fuzz in front; then the Liverpool (I've since sold the British as I'm more into Vox tones); followed by my time-based effects (Glass Nexus). I have the Liverpool set to "clean on the verge of breakup" and I can push it to the edge by increasing my guitar volume.

These days I use my Vox ToneLab LE if I go direct, the Liverpool is a backup / grab and go when I use my pedalboard and amp.

I am working on selling my Tonelab LE and picking up a RP1000 because I want the ability to run the 4CM to put the drives in front and the delays in the loop of my RM50. I love the tone in my LE but that limitation is holding me back right now.

With that being said, I would love to get the RP rolling and then pick up a Tech21 pedal to use as my direct option with the RP. The pedal can be the back up to my amp and help create a more pleasing direct tone if I need it.

This sounds like a good option IMO. I'm still not 100% satisfied with the effects in my LE, but I'm not a big effects user. There's another thread where someone is using a Tech 21 Character series as an amp replacement in the loop of their M13. I think there are a number of good options to create direct boards these days depending on your needs. I even thought about the M9 -> Liverpool combination but I plan to spend more time with my LE first. Also, waiting for the SM Audio V-Pedal and Fractal Axe-PC releases whenever that is.

[SouthernShred]

Do you run a DI box after all of this or just right into the PA?

[DavidLopezJr]

I love the DigiTech RP1000. Best multi-effect with an expressive pedal in the price range. But if you want the best sounding effects go with the M13. Line 6 did a great job with just focusing on effects and not the extras. So they put more time into the effects which result in AMAZING effect tones. Also the effects on the Line 6 are diverse than that of the RP1000.

But the price you pay with getting the Line 6+Tech 21 setup is literally paying more.

[Rattle&Hum]

Here is a question for you that might help boil it down a bit...

Do you rely more on various amp tones and gain structures or a lot of effects for differentiating your tones?

The RP1000 would give you some really great amp models and dirt boxes with some very good effects (but limited compared to the L6 stuff).

The M13+T21 setup gives you a wide assortment of effects (but really only three at a time if you use the T21 pedal in the loop) with only one amp tone.