Multi fx With no tone sucking....

[dreadguard268]

Does such a thing exist?

Have to admit I don't have a lot of experience with these, just a cheap digitech pedal and a tc electronic nova system which did awful things to the sound of my single rec.

[guitarhero1983]

No, however I have been able to find settings that sound better than "plugging direct in amp".

[Aceman]

You know, I always find this interesting.

The amount of processing power in even a crappy Digitech RP 50, is awesome compared to what it took to get those sounds say, 30 years ago. Audio technology in terms of size, price and performance has just gone off the charts.

20 years ago guys with their "Rack of DOOM" could get a good sound. They would have been blown away by relatively cheap floor boxes today.

I think you have to really ask this: Are you looking for some Uber-pure deep core tone? Or are you looking to sound good?

Uber deep core tone is likely not possible with any cheap multi-fx. However, to be able to sound good with one??? Oh hell yes. You may need to spend some serious time ytweeking it. You may need to learn to back WAY off the effect levels. But like I said - you should be able to craft a sound right up there with anything that was awesome between say 1980 and 1990 (And there WAS awesome stuff...) no problem.

It's not going to be ultra tube, boo-teek pedal sound. But it can certainly sound good.

And for not much more money, it could sound very good. Hard to beat stomp on a preset "next band" convenience. I like to do that.

The main thing that will hold you back on the real budget boxes is maybe one parameter pr effect restrictions - like only being able to adjust the speed of chorus etc...

But even my old Boss ME6 had a full compliment of standard knobs (well, buttons). I could make some serious awesome sounds - and preset the EQ to deal with a lot of things. Sweet child? Bank 2, patch 4. DeMartini? Bank 3, patch 8....

But as that power goes up, you need to be really careful not to over do it!

[briggleman]

Aceman hit the nail on the head! Most of todays Multi FX boxes are full of great tones, effects, and bang for the buck, cannot be beat. I will present a few but most all of the mid-level ones on up can provide you with great non-sucking tone.

These boxes include amp models, you can go straight to a PA with the XLR jacks provided without an amp
The RP-355 from Digitech

The Zoom G3

Others like the line 6 M series are just effects and are best in front of an amp.

You only go up from these, but even the lesser models in these groups provide a cheap way to experiment with various effects and amp models.

I really only use single effects these days, which is all I need, .... at this time. However, I still have my multi FX units and they still get used from time to time.

Brad

[Horrors]

responses very good! )

[Dr.J4ckal]

I totally agree with mr.aceman
Generally I found today's multifx sounds really good as practice tool (low volume), and on recording they may trick people into thinking it's real tube amp.. But I haven't yet find a multifx that sound as good on stage volume..
BTW, I have a POD XT and a POD HD, they also do that tone sucking thing when plugged into my blackstar HT5 fx loop.

[Aceman]

I totally agree with mr.aceman
Generally I found today's multifx sounds really good as practice tool (low volume), and on recording they may trick people into thinking it's real tube amp.. But I haven't yet find a multifx that sound as good on stage volume..
BTW, I have a POD XT and a POD HD, they also do that tone sucking thing when plugged into my blackstar HT5 fx loop.

*ahem* That's Dr. Aceman.


again - to be able to program three very different flavors of dirt, change eq, add chorus, delay, or both, and move to a completely different clean sound for five songs just by going tap tap tap....

AWESOME. But people even get crappy tone out of a great Duncan pickup and Uber amp by: Setting the pickup too close to the strings, putting all the knobs but the mid on 10 (mid on 1), etc...

No doubt it may take more finessing a cheap box, and it may not be great even then...But once you move to the mid level of stuff. No excuse except lack of Patience.

And a POD can make some RIGHTEOUS sounds! Unorthodox, yes - but ultra flexible and good sounds. YES!

As I have said though - right now I have a Fender Pro Jr. with a TS-9 in front; But I also have a line of boxes and a Roland Cube.

Just depends what you want to do. That Cube does not and will not sound like the Pro Jr., but it cops a pretty darn good 5150! The Pro Jr, on the other hand, isn't a 5150 no matter what you put in front of it.

I have to second getting a multi-fx in the mid tier vs the lower though. A used BOSS GT-6 or 8? No one would know it wasn't an amp. Even guitars players would have a hard time deciding if you spent the time and didn't over do it. YOU may think it tone sucks. No one in the crowd knows or cares. They do care that the repeats on "China Grove" or the Tremolo on "Blvd of Broken Dreams" are correct.