Multi-FX or Stomp Boxes

[bengster]

Hi,
I am wondering if it would be better for me to get a Multi-FX such as PODXT Live or individual stomp boxes.
I did check out the prices and the stomp boxes would add up to be quite expensive though compared to a single Multi-FX.

I would like to have the recording feature via the computer... but somehow the idea of putting all my eggs into one basket makes me feel uncomfortable though.

 

[Guest]

The Line6 POD/PODxt will be better..

 

[MrE]

The Line6 POD/PODxt will be better..

Karloff: better in what sense? such non-constructive statements don't really help.

Bengster, if you are looking for the direct-to-computer recording function, i would suggest the Pod. As for putting all your eggs in one basket, do u mean that you are afraid that the Pod will spoil and thus u lose all your effects?

Regarding multi-FX (this has been discussed many times), be aware that you are buying a digital simulation of the effects that you want, as compared to getting individual stompboxes which usually give you better tone (if you are prepared to fork out more dough)

if you intend to gig, you should consider the individual stompboxes because a Pod is not so flexible when it comes to adjusting individual FX settings on the fly. Which is why i believe quite a number of people use a Pod for home recording, but use stompboxes when they gig.

 

[thor666]

read the Guitar Gear Sticky. Would be helpful if you posted it there instead; there's 2 threads on this topic.

 

[LimpPisskit]

you need both

I go in circles and so probably so does everyone else

.....sometimes I want to jump from patch to patch and have the sound right there so a programmable fx are a must.....

...sometimes dialling in pedals are a bitch.....

...sometimes I want something simpler and the pedals are quicker....

....if you play mainly into the computer/headphones then PODs and other amp modellers are great.....

....if you play with a amp then pedals are probably more dynamic and not so machine like....

...if you play live then you have pedal boards, wires, batteries, adaptors mess.......

....if you had money then get a TC G-System with pedals......
:wink:

 

[lppier]

You could consider a Tonelab, so far the recordings I heard from it are pretty convincing - saving up for one myself.

Pier.

 

[Phil]

Bengster,
If you know exactly what you need, what sound you are looking for, then go forth and built your arsenal of stompboxes.

You can do so too, if you are loaded.

But if you are not too certain of what your sound is, then get a multifx, toy around with it. Experiment, and develope your sound.
And maybe after unearthing your specific sound, go get the individual stompboxes.
It beats spending loads on s.boxes and eventually realising that you actually bought the wrong stuff.

 

[RazrAsh]

bengster, IMO, pedals give better tone and better sound than multiefx... to me, multiefx sometimes sound too sterile to really be used for live situations.. but for home recording, i'd recommend the boss gt8.. its sounds really good when recording, but only ok when live.. plus, analog pedals usually can be cranked up to be really really loud, but multiefx can't really do so unless u turn up the amp..

But, if u wanna build a pedalboard, do what i did, save up, and go search for second hand pedals on luther... if u buy one and its spoilt, we always have randolf to turn to.. yeah...

 

[bluepowder]

hey man..i know how u feel was goin thru the same thing 6 months back...here is a site that i think should be thje permanent answer to this question...it is kewlpacks site....
www.thestompbox.net
amazing articles ,tips and reviews
this guy knows what eh is talking about

 

[theblueark]

Individual pedals look more glorious, satisfy your GAS more and make you feel more powerful.

Multi effects are more practical for gigging, but less tweakable and will give you many nights tearing your hair out while setting the patches "just right".

With individual pedals you get to show off your tap dancing skills.

With multi effects you get to step on one button and your whole sound changes from a banjo into a church organ.

With individual pedals people go OOoooo when you open your gigantic pedal board.

With multi effects people go "what the hell are the settings he's using?"

 

[RazrAsh]

Individual pedals look more glorious, satisfy your GAS more and make you feel more powerful.

Multi effects are more practical for gigging, but less tweakable and will give you many nights tearing your hair out while setting the patches "just right".

With individual pedals you get to show off your tap dancing skills.

With multi effects you get to step on one button and your whole sound changes from a banjo into a church organ.

With individual pedals people go OOoooo when you open your gigantic pedal board.

With multi effects people go "what the hell are the settings he's using?"

haha.. totally agree.. not only are individaul pedals visually appealing, but imagine all the little led lights in a dark or dimly lit room where you're gigging.. ppl will be like, whoa... but its a pain if u suddenly have to switch to modulation efx and wanna cut out the distortion...

 

[almondx]

bengster, IMO, pedals give better tone and better sound than multiefx...

very general statement, in sg we hadn been exposed much to other brands of great sounding multi efx such as digitech as the prices eg. $1.9k for the gnx3000 are way out of league for most.

your argument follows that because pedals are analog they sound better. I feel this is mostly applicable to distortion. I daresay modulation like flanger and phaser sounds just as good digital as it is a digital effect in nature. As for distortion, what some multi efx manufacturers are doing is to keep that part of the board as an analog circuit, other efx as digital, this way having the best of both worlds.

 

[almondx]

With multi effects people go "what the hell are the settings he's using?"

This is for the blind :wink:

But seriously, now with the power of technology we dunt have to manually tweak multi efx anymore, it's possible to just download patches off the net and that's it. Sure beats trying to tweak ur analog pedals one by one using the settings of others.

 

[brundisium]

flanger, phaser/vibe, echo/delay, chorus/vibrato, octave all came before the digital era.

and in the boutique market, most, for the last 10 years or so, many had came out with all sort of that "analogue" effect, just to satisfy those who are not happy with the digital counterpart

Everything is a choice and choice differ from one person to another.

digital modulation, given a choice and ability to get anything. Most would actually go for the analog side...

just, imho :lol:

 

[almondx]

flanger, phaser/vibe, echo/delay, chorus/vibrato, octave all came before the digital era.

and in the boutique market, most, for the last 10 years or so, many had came out with all sort of that "analogue" effect, just to satisfy those who are not happy with the digital counterpart

Everything is a choice and choice differ from one person to another.

digital modulation, given a choice and ability to get anything. Most would actually go for the analog side...

just, imho :lol:

my posts are meant for those who pits stompboxes against budgetted multi efx, or otherwise nitpicking :wink:

i noe that flanger, phaser/vibe, echo/delay, chorus/vibrato, octave are all b4 the digital era, just that i believe their true colours shine in digital form.

well i'm 1 example that went multi efx rather than pedals and have never looked back. =)

 

[Mobius]

i started with multi efx to muck around witht the effects cos i din know wat i want them. but after i knw wat effects i used, i have switched to analog. cos i hate menus, i prefer tweakin knobs then goin through endless menus.

 

[Turtlebiscuit]

hi,

eh.. multi vs single (y no one ask abt racks?) or digital vs analog, there's really no right side of the coin (is there such a sayin? nvm...), juz personal and sound preferences.
it boils down to budget i think... unless you belong to ASKF (Ah Sia Kia Foundation). however, if u r thinking of recreating everything in POD/ZOOM or even GT2 etc, u need to belong to ASKF or started saving 10 years ago... cuz they include amp modulators too...
if you r gigging alot/moving around alot person, i think separate stompboxes let u do changes easier and faster, or u have to risk garbra-ing for doing it on a multi efx impromptu (??)
PODXT, ZOOM G2.1u, KORG etc have been tried and prooven by so many already. imo, personal preference.

cheerZ

 

[DemonOfTheFall]

Personally I'd pick a quality multi-fx unit like the Gt-8 / Pod XTL simply for the fact that I do not have a great sounding tube amp and that I could get a huge range of sounds through amp modelling and a FRFR rig (keyboard amp/PA system/good headphones). As others have mentioned, multi-fx units work great for recording too.

If you are trying to compare the tone of a digital modeller to that of indv stomp boxes, please use the Fx return on the amplifier or use a keyboard amp to get an accurate idea of the capability of the modeller. My gt-8 stock patches sound lousy through a guitar amp's clean channel..

If you really find digital modelling to be artificial sounding, then go ahead and get yourself stomp boxes. But hear it for yourself and judge rather than accept the general sentiment regarding this issue.

 

[bengster]

Yo ...
Thanks a lot for all of your contribution ... it has been very helpful ... and I am glad that all of you gave your honest opinions...
After reading all of your posts, I gather it boils down to the following :

1. Sound & Tone with personal preferences.
2. Budget.
3. Looking Good ... haha ...

Well, I tested a PODXT Live today ... and I didn't know how to use most of the functions though ... I just cycled through and tested the amp simulations and other features such as chorus. flanger, delay etc.

I am currently using a MT-2 for distortion and my amp's overdrive function.
I guess it might be prudent to get a multi-fx and experiment with it .... and get teh right stompbox after finding the sound and tone that I want or need ... as Phil and others suggested ...

 

[worldwithoutlines]

Yeah...since everyone's talking about effects..

I wonder where I can get the Keeley DS-1 Ultra Mod and TS-9 Mod Plus/ANALOG.MAN DS-1 Pro here locally.
I know Guitar 77 brings Keeley stuff in..
Not pretty sure though.

I can order online...but it's pretty easier and safer if I could get it here locally.

Thanks...it would be really helpful if you guys could tell me a little something..