Multi-effects pedal v.s individual pedals

[Cloudsky]

Is there a difference in sound quality?

 

[Praetorian]

Yes. Multi EFX rely on digital modelling to reproduce the many different sounds. Dedicated EFX pedals are built for one single purpose. So it definitely sounds better.

Digital reproductions can't match the original stuff. Somewhere along the way, the soul of the sound is lost.

That's my opinion, anyway.

 

[vernplum]

Yes. Multi EFX rely on digital modelling to reproduce the many different sounds.

I don't know if this has always been true. I think many of the early multi-FX were just a bunch of analog circuits crammed into one box.

Also, I think that digital modelling is distinctly different from a plain 'digital effect' - if I am not wrong, the former relies on sampling of the characteristics of an amp or effect or cabinet and using that characteristic data to synthesize an output that is equivalent, whereas in straight 'digital effects' the processing is DSP (Digital Signal Processing?) which uses hardware to simulate an analog circuit. Someone help me out here... :|

 

[vernplum]

Oh, and uh, to answer the question, there is a definite difference between digital and analog effects.

 

[Praetorian]

Lol vern hahahaha

Anyway, the way DSP, COSM, or whatever works, they analyze the sound of the real stuff. A computer takes note of it and a chip in the pedal "faithfully" reproduces that exact same sound as best it can.

At some point in that process, the "soul" of the sound is lost. It will never sound as good as the real stuff.

 

[Cloudsky]

by the way, for individual pedals, they require batteries right? What kind of batteries do they need?

 

[stillwater]

I've always been skeptical over multi's distortion, until this day i still am. but on the other hand, it nv fail to make me happy cos multi gives one a really good bargain. imagine (actually no need to imagine, its already like that :lol: ) all the mod/ambience+lots of nonsense for something like $200? it would come handy to even a distortion person ie. one who only uses chorus/flanger once a while. would not be practical to buy a chorus pedal just for that, unless $$$ isn't an issue la :lol:

so i suggest u keep ur fav distortion box, n also a reasonably good(value for money) multi-effect. But of cos if u'r into guitarists like The Edge, then its a different story. :lol:

 

[Praetorian]

What kind of batteries do they need?

those 9v rectangular ones.

 

[Cloudsky]

so those are rechargeable right?

 

[dhalif]

i like pod though hur

 

[Praetorian]

so those are rechargeable right?

Never used rechargable ones. Dont think there are any.

 

[stillwater]

Rechargables?... yes, u can buy outside...

 

[vernplum]

so those are rechargeable right?

My experience with 9V batteries is that they need to be in top form (i.e. new) to work well, especially in high current draw pedals such as digital delays. Rechargeables 'die' after a while and don't perform as well as the first few charges.

Get a power supply. Cheap. Boss PSA $30.

 

[vernplum]

by the way, for individual pedals, they require batteries right? What kind of batteries do they need?

Those ones that you can torture smaller kids with by putting it on their tongue - anyone ever tried it?

 

[Cloudsky]

How much are the batteries anyway?

 

[dhalif]

HAHAHAH VERN I DID lolll basket..

 

[Elias]

Personally, I feel that individual stompboxs produce more interesting results when mixed and matched and experimented with, when compared to the built-in options/settings of multi-effects.

However, there are some very good-sounding multi-effects out there. My old Digitech RP6 has fantastic flanger patch and nice intricate delay patches. Believe it or not, even Zoom 505II multi-effects can produce a tasty distortion. It's a matter of settings. These can emulate sounds that are quite decent but if you want the distinctiveness of a tubescreamer or RAT distortion, etc, you gotta have the real deal

Also, you have to take into consideration the type of effects you'd utilise during a live situation. If your music requires you to switch lots of effects from let's say...distortion with flanger and delay to clean sound with tremolo and wah wah...then you'll likely to do the 'pedal dance' if you use stompboxes...hahah...in cases like these, multi-effects' ability to programme the combination of the effects in one stomp is really useful. Unless you're willing to invest some $$ in getting a A/B/Y looper (to select channels), a multi-effect would save all the hassle.

Though I rely solely on stompboxes during live performances, I'd chain up my multi-effect board with the stompboxes to fine tune the sound during recordings.

Whichever you use, just trust your ears!

P.s the downside to using stompboxes is the weight! the damn weight! *lol* Oh, and the need for a dedicated power supply...

 

[subversion]

after a many-pedals set up over the years, i prefer a no-pedal set up these days 8)

 

[vernplum]

I've always been skeptical over multi's distortion, until this day i still am. but on the other hand, it nv fail to make me happy cos multi gives one a really good bargain.

Yes - this is a definite advantage - Multi EFX can offer much more in one small package (all packed onto one chip/IC probably) for much less than the equivalent effects as seperate pedals. You can buy a mulit-efx unit for the same price as a single Digital Reverb pedal these days! Add to that programmability, patch presetting and so on and they become increasingly more attractive. Stiil, having been through the entire cycle of starting out with one pedal, having about 5 of them , selling them all, buying some rack units selling that, buying some multi effects floor board, etc. etc. etc. I am now more like Subversion - Guitar -> Amp with as little as possible in-between. Right now I have a Boss DD-6 in my signal chain and nothing else.

 

[vernplum]

HAHAHAH VERN I DID lolll basket..

Heh heh - every boy has to do that at least once.