Does the Boss ME-25/any multi fx stack well with analog pedals???

[MrBukka]

Hi fellow softies, I have just recently purchased a BOSS ME-25 which is my first multi efx, so i am a newbie to this whole multi efx thingy lol! I am wondering if the ME-25 goes well with analog pedals and is it even advisable to pair them up in the first place?

I have been purely an analog efx user (boutique and non-boutique stuff) for all the years i have been playing and i still have my main board with analog stuff and some extras, which i am considering to use with the ME-25.

So it will be great if any one with such experience can share his/her thoughts on this issue, and perhaps share your own setup! Thanx and cheers!

 

[EugeneSmasher]

I don't know about the Boss ME-25 specifically but my Line 6 works perfectly with analogue pedals. But it reacts differently depending on arrangement,

e.g.
Guitar > MFX > pedals > amp
Guitar > pedals > MFX > amp

I'm not sure which arrangement it was exactly (I'm using the MFX as a standalone now) but one of the arrangements above... I found my MFX's effects watered down alot. So switching the position of the MFX in the loop fixed that problem.

Generally most MFX work well with analogue pedals from what I've heard.

 

[MrBukka]

Oh i see.......currently i am still trying to get the hang of using multi fx and setting the memory patches that i am so not used to hahaha, i must say alot of thought has to be put in.

Since the multi fx such as boss uses buffer input and output, will it kinda affect the tone of the pedals that are connected before or after the multi fx? Cause my main worry is that the buffer on the multi fx will affect the tone of my pedals. In true honesty i am just hoping that it will not do anything funny sounding (i.e. white noise, buzz boost in vol and etc) thats all. If it does, then i guess i shall use the ME-25 as a standalone mfx.

Btw for those ME-25 users out there who wish to share interesting experiences pls just feel free to do so!

 

[dodgethis]

Why not go hook them up and try it for yourself?

 

[MrBukka]

Yup that i will definitely do! Basically i want to hear what people has to say abt stacking analog and multi efx since this multi fx thing is still very new to me, but of course end of the day it's my judgement that counts lah haha. Still it is great to have some sharing session to know what kinda settings worked well for the more experienced dudes out there.

Just wondering do u guys use the multi fx's onboard preamp settings (amp simulators) or just bypass it and run the signal straight to the amp and eq ur sound from there, and use the multi fx as a pedal efx setting?

 

[dodgethis]

Whether you use the preamps depends on how satisfied you are with the amp's own natural tone.

Let's say I have an RP1000 (Dear God, I want one) and I am pretty satisfied by the tones I get from my JVM's preamp section so I bypass the preamp modelling from the board to avoid any tone colouring and I use it purely for effects only. If I wanted to use the modelling, I would run the board straight into the amp's power section, without going through the amp's own preamp.

Then again, most 'lower-end' amps don't have an effects loop to allow a person to do this and the RP1000 has routing options built-in to bypass the connection to the amp's input and straight to the power amp, even if I am hooked up to the JVM through the effects loop and instrument input

 

[MrBukka]

Waoh cool.......never new that multi fx can do such things, i am truly amazed! Hmmmm so i guess in order to now screw ard the amps characteristics, the preamp on the multi fx is better left for plugging into a PA system rite?

 

[dodgethis]

Not all multi effects boards are the same, please remember that. Not all boards have the additional outputs and inputs to take advantage of an amp's effects loop.

You don't have to go straight into the PA, you can go into a stand-alone power amp or use another amp's power section via the effects loop's send. This is how Chris Broadrick runs his Axe FX rig. The unit goes directly in a Marshall EL34 tube power amp and from there into his speaker cab. IIRC Steve Vai runs his Axe FX into the power amp of his Carvin Legacies using the return.

 

[MrBukka]

Ahhh i see......yeah there are many professionals out there who prefers using digital modelling preamp into a tube power amp section to give multiple tonal palette.......i totally got it, thanx man.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

from my experience, stacking drive type of stomp boxes with the digital amp simulation in multi effects yields rather weird results. or at least in the case of my pod x3 live. i've taken all my drive pedals out of my analogue chain and i'm using purely the amp simulation in my multi effects because they're pretty good themselves. other types of pedals such as compressors, modulations and acoustic simulators have not problems working with my pod x3 live in and out of the effects loop.

 

[Direngrey]

Not sure about Boss Me-25, but tonelab st works very well with boost pedals...i try to use my cmatmod signa drive to kick into the tonelab st distortion, its sounds organic and has an analog tone.

 

[loldude333]

Just to further expand on the positions of the pedals with respect to the MFX.......in the case of going to PA, you'd probably want to put the pedals through the MFX before going into the PA. The MFX will act as the amp in this case. If you've ever tried playing pedals straight through to PA........you'd know what i mean. They sound terrible. You need the MFX to act as the amp, at least in my experience. Correct me if i'm wrong!

 

[Halim]

Im using Boss ME-25 together with Boss Analog pedals. It work fine for me.
Guitar--->BOSS me-25--->Boss Analog pedals--->Amp Input [ Marshall JVM 410H & 1960DM Cab ] = Killer tone, but my playing sucks, he he..
PS : If i go direct to the amp without my effect pedals, clarity n tone is much much better. Less is more !
Can kiss my pedal goodbye..