I don't have any direct experience with the Boss or Digitech pedals but I do have a multi FX unit built into my mixing board. In addition I have heard my teacher play through the Boss unit.
My impression is that multi FX pedals can be of some use to a bassist even though you should, perhaps, use FX sparingly.
First and foremost a multi FX pedal will allow you to experiment and find out what FX will work in what situation. Then you can purchase a dedicated pedal for that particular use.
Second, you may find one or two of the FX suitable for everyday use. In this case your multi FX pedal may become a permanent part of your signal chain.
I must say though that multi FX don't generally sound as good and aren't as flexible as dedicated units (remember this is only my opinion, others are sure to disagree).
For the absolute best sounding FX I have found that high quality analog pedals have a much richer, more satisfying sound.
My personal favorites are the pedals from Chunk Systems. I have the Agent 00Funk envelope filter and the Brown Dog gated fuzz pedal. I swear by them. Alone or in combination they provide me with the best possible sounds when I need them.
Even better, and I intend to get one when I can afford it, is the new Octavius Squeezer. This pedal combines the Agent Funk and Brown Dog with an octaver and it allows digital control over the analog sounds. That makes it possible to store dozens of presets to a memory card. It is really a type of analog multi FX pedal.
Anyway I hope this is of some help in making your desision.
Yah, for me right now, I'm just trying to find something that gives me some versatility in the setting I play (which is a church). So our music styles are all over the place.
A friend of mine is letting me borrow a digitech Bass Synth Wah pedal and it is fun to play with so far.
I'll keep that in mind though, I'd love to get a set of the boss analog pedals (or digitech), but right now that is well out of my budget :(
The advantage I see with the digital boards is their portability and that I can use them as a means to do some recording, especially with the cab/amp combinations.
Well it sounds like the Boss multi FX pedal is the one you want then. I've heard my teacher play through it and the sounds were good. I haven't heard any bad comments about it either.
Yah, I'm thinking the Boss ME20B or ME50B would be the better choice, I've already thrown the BP80 out and the 200 isn't far behind.
I am still considering some other options as well, like the line 6 Bass Pod XT Live and individual pedals. Trying to find a set up that I like and doesn't break the bank, so to speak :)
I've tried the ME-50B. First impressions were good. A really nice unit. I assume the 20 would be a solid FX board as well. However, just ensure (if you run direct) that the preamp in whatever you choose is top notch. If you can't get a good sound dry, run away. If you are playing though an amp then the FX capabilities are extra icing on the cake, my friend.
Good luck in your search.
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
—
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
I have been using the ME50B for the last, ohhhhhhhhhhhh, 2 years and the guy I bought it from had it since it first came out and everything is still working perfectly, sounds as good as they do new. It is a very different tone compared to say the Line6 version since the Boss has a more analog tone where as the Line6 has a digital tone.
Also, the ME50B does not have USB/FireWire/etc etc etc where the other manufactures do. So if you want to run it into the computer you will need an input that has a 1/4" port or a cable that drops down to 1/8" to go into the sound card. The newer GT-10B has USB ability and does MIDI as well if you ever get into that but the price jumps up a bit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Carburetors man!! That's what life is all about." Musicians Collaboration Studio
—
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Carburetors man!! That's what life is all about." Musicians Collaboration Studio
I wound up getting a line 6 bass floor pod xt live. Found a used one on Ebay and it works beautifully for what I need (and I've barely scratched the surface on it). Just adding in a compressor + digital/analog chorus effect has given me a better sound than I had before :)
Has a nice selection of compressors and overdrive pedals and a decent selection of amp models for me to play around with :)
Glad you dig it. I've never had any of the stomp boxes, but I use Line6 gear for recording (TonePort UX2 + GearBox or POD Farm), and a lot of the sounds are the same (and they're great).
I use the boss me50b and I love it. The compressor is the main use for me, but I get use out of the chorus effectn and distirtion. Plus the wah/volume pedal is fantastic. I only really use it for these few things, but with all the money I saved not buy individual stomp boxes, and the time it saves with connecting everything in the correct orderan it was well worth the purchase.
Yah, that is what I like about the Floor Pod XT I got, I only use a handful of settings (compressors and amp models mainly) but it is easy to set up, easy to transport and it has the versitility if I happen to need it.
Plus the two out lines works out well, I send my effects signal to the main board (for recording purposes) and my clean sound out to a 200 watt amp for the extra presence (as the chruch I play in doesn't have a decent sub)
I use the boss me50b and I love it. The compressor is the main use for me, but I get use out of the chorus effectn and distirtion. Plus the wah/volume pedal is fantastic. I only really use it for these few things, but with all the money I saved not buy individual stomp boxes, and the time it saves with connecting everything in the correct orderan it was well worth the purchase.
I don't have any direct
I don't have any direct experience with the Boss or Digitech pedals but I do have a multi FX unit built into my mixing board. In addition I have heard my teacher play through the Boss unit.
My impression is that multi FX pedals can be of some use to a bassist even though you should, perhaps, use FX sparingly.
First and foremost a multi FX pedal will allow you to experiment and find out what FX will work in what situation. Then you can purchase a dedicated pedal for that particular use.
Second, you may find one or two of the FX suitable for everyday use. In this case your multi FX pedal may become a permanent part of your signal chain.
I must say though that multi FX don't generally sound as good and aren't as flexible as dedicated units (remember this is only my opinion, others are sure to disagree).
For the absolute best sounding FX I have found that high quality analog pedals have a much richer, more satisfying sound.
My personal favorites are the pedals from Chunk Systems. I have the Agent 00Funk envelope filter and the Brown Dog gated fuzz pedal. I swear by them. Alone or in combination they provide me with the best possible sounds when I need them.
Even better, and I intend to get one when I can afford it, is the new Octavius Squeezer. This pedal combines the Agent Funk and Brown Dog with an octaver and it allows digital control over the analog sounds. That makes it possible to store dozens of presets to a memory card. It is really a type of analog multi FX pedal.
Anyway I hope this is of some help in making your desision.
Yah, for me right now, I'm
Yah, for me right now, I'm just trying to find something that gives me some versatility in the setting I play (which is a church). So our music styles are all over the place.
A friend of mine is letting me borrow a digitech Bass Synth Wah pedal and it is fun to play with so far.
I'll keep that in mind though, I'd love to get a set of the boss analog pedals (or digitech), but right now that is well out of my budget :(
The advantage I see with the digital boards is their portability and that I can use them as a means to do some recording, especially with the cab/amp combinations.
Well it sounds like the Boss
Well it sounds like the Boss multi FX pedal is the one you want then. I've heard my teacher play through it and the sounds were good. I haven't heard any bad comments about it either.
Yah, I'm thinking the Boss
Yah, I'm thinking the Boss ME20B or ME50B would be the better choice, I've already thrown the BP80 out and the 200 isn't far behind.
I am still considering some other options as well, like the line 6 Bass Pod XT Live and individual pedals. Trying to find a set up that I like and doesn't break the bank, so to speak :)
I've tried the ME-50B.
I've tried the ME-50B. First impressions were good. A really nice unit. I assume the 20 would be a solid FX board as well. However, just ensure (if you run direct) that the preamp in whatever you choose is top notch. If you can't get a good sound dry, run away. If you are playing though an amp then the FX capabilities are extra icing on the cake, my friend.
Good luck in your search.
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!
Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!
Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
Thanks :) Good to hear a
Thanks :)
Good to hear a good report on the ME50b though.
I have been using the ME50B
I have been using the ME50B for the last, ohhhhhhhhhhhh, 2 years and the guy I bought it from had it since it first came out and everything is still working perfectly, sounds as good as they do new. It is a very different tone compared to say the Line6 version since the Boss has a more analog tone where as the Line6 has a digital tone.
Also, the ME50B does not have USB/FireWire/etc etc etc where the other manufactures do. So if you want to run it into the computer you will need an input that has a 1/4" port or a cable that drops down to 1/8" to go into the sound card. The newer GT-10B has USB ability and does MIDI as well if you ever get into that but the price jumps up a bit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Carburetors man!! That's what life is all about."
Musicians Collaboration Studio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Carburetors man!! That's what life is all about."
Musicians Collaboration Studio
I wound up getting a line 6
I wound up getting a line 6 bass floor pod xt live. Found a used one on Ebay and it works beautifully for what I need (and I've barely scratched the surface on it). Just adding in a compressor + digital/analog chorus effect has given me a better sound than I had before :)
Has a nice selection of compressors and overdrive pedals and a decent selection of amp models for me to play around with :)
Glad you dig it. I've never
Glad you dig it. I've never had any of the stomp boxes, but I use Line6 gear for recording (TonePort UX2 + GearBox or POD Farm), and a lot of the sounds are the same (and they're great).
bassplaying.com
I use the boss me50b and I
I use the boss me50b and I love it. The compressor is the main use for me, but I get use out of the chorus effectn and distirtion. Plus the wah/volume pedal is fantastic. I only really use it for these few things, but with all the money I saved not buy individual stomp boxes, and the time it saves with connecting everything in the correct orderan it was well worth the purchase.
Yah, that is what I like
Yah, that is what I like about the Floor Pod XT I got, I only use a handful of settings (compressors and amp models mainly) but it is easy to set up, easy to transport and it has the versitility if I happen to need it.
Plus the two out lines works out well, I send my effects signal to the main board (for recording purposes) and my clean sound out to a 200 watt amp for the extra presence (as the chruch I play in doesn't have a decent sub)
I use the boss me50b and I
I use the boss me50b and I love it. The compressor is the main use for me, but I get use out of the chorus effectn and distirtion. Plus the wah/volume pedal is fantastic. I only really use it for these few things, but with all the money I saved not buy individual stomp boxes, and the time it saves with connecting everything in the correct orderan it was well worth the purchase.