Got a BE-100, now for fx...

[SkyhighRocks]

My long gear journey has led me back to a tube amp and I recently got a Friedman BE-100. Now I'd like to get something better as far as FX go. Right now, my board has a Rocktron Banshee talkbox (must stay), Whirlwind ABY Selector (must stay), Boss TU-3 tuner, RJM Switch Gizmo (for channel switching), Boss Noise Suppresor and Atomic Amplifire (in 4CM)

The choices I'm looking at are listed but there may be other options I've missed. I don't NEED an expression pedal as I usually don't use one. I would like channel switching relays so I can get rid of the R?JM. I would like to also get rid of the 2 boss pedals. I don't need amp models but am not opposed to them. The amplifire is great and I use it to record with from time to time but it's limited for fx and switching options. I'm not a HUGE fx guy but I will use:
reverbs
delays (sometimes multiple types in one preset)
flanger
chorus
phaser
gates (would like to have more than 1 gate available)
octave/pitch/harmonizer)

Most are used sparingly but I do use them depending on the song. No rack units!

I had an AX8 and a Helix so I'm pretty familiar with how they work (substitute FX8 for AX8).

I'm leaning toward the FX8 but I like getting other opinions and takes!

Here's my rig from the other night:

 

[brianiac5150]

FX8 is the no brainer here. The money one would put into equal delay and reverb puts you right into this unit and sooo many more options. The drives and wahs are stellar, as well, IMO.

I've got a Moog EP-3 on each side of mine and can't imagine needing more. Run your talk box in front, you're golden.

 

[meanstreet]

FX8.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

If you go source audio you'll get all of that. Needs midi pedal and added neuro hub for scenes though. Less elegant than fx8.

 

[LP Freak]

You already know my opinion

 

[mudf00t]

I am kind of digging my G System effects. I am kinda rethinking my whole set up because of it. Secondly, you can get them pretty cheap. I paid $450 for mine in mint condition.

Last night, I set it up with some pedals in the loops... sweet baby jesus it sounds good with the BE OD I just got.

 

[thawn5150]

I say just what you need the simpler the better. My 2 cents

 

[cecilbag]

I personally use a switcher and pedals. That being said, if I was building new like you are, fx8 seems so much easier and has everything. That's what I would go with anyway

 

[mniel8195]

Boss es 8 is awesome. I had one and sold it. Looking to grab another one or a boss es 5. You can use germanium fuzz pedals or other finicky pedals that don't like buffers. All you have to do is switch to a preset with the internal buffers off. I also loved the parallel mixing option for delay and reverb!

 

[mcgyver]

Hi Rich, here is my 2 cents. Also thinking you might not want to spend a ton of cash considering you just bought a $3700.00 amp?
I would get a TC Electronics G major 2. Has all the FXs you would need and it can switch channels on your amp controlled via a midi controller.
Then I would get a Voodoo Labs Ground Control pro midi controller. Super easy to set up, and it would sound great. You could most likely purchase both used for under $500.00. I have and had both. As far as the FX8, which seems to be what most are recommending. I hate the fact that you have to run your send and return cables out to the FX8 because it's your foot controller too. Also if you are at a gig and someone spills something on it your FX8 could be ruin. The ground control pro used is like $200.00 bucks. Not the worst if it got damaged. and with the TC G-major 2 mounted in your rack, your send and return cables are short and right next to your amp. Good luck with you quest. Jamie

 

[nevusofota]

Boss ES-8 and real pedals.

What he said. Timeless.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

You already know my opinion

Yes, and duly noted and that's where I'm headed so far.

I am kind of digging my G System effects. I am kinda rethinking my whole set up because of it. Secondly, you can get them pretty cheap. I paid $450 for mine in mint condition.

Last night, I set it up with some pedals in the loops... sweet baby jesus it sounds good with the BE OD I just got.

The G-System is cool but I've been reading about a ton of noise issues and also you can't move the effects around?

I say just what you need the simpler the better. My 2 cents

I like that idea but for my band, I need certain effects and an all in one unit would probably be best.

I personally use a switcher and pedals. That being said, if I was building new like you are, fx8 seems so much easier and has everything. That's what I would go with anyway

My thoughts too.

Boss es 8 is awesome. I had one and sold it. Looking to grab another one or a boss es 5. You can use germanium fuzz pedals or other finicky pedals that don't like buffers. All you have to do is switch to a preset with the internal buffers off. I also loved the parallel mixing option for delay and reverb!

I do like the ES8...I just don't know if I want to buy that and then have to get another 5 or so pedals...would end up costing more than the FX8. I do like the idea though and am still thinking about it.

Hi Rich, here is my 2 cents. Also thinking you might not want to spend a ton of cash considering you just bought a $3700.00 amp?
I would get a TC Electronics G major 2. Has all the FXs you would need and it can switch channels on your amp controlled via a midi controller.
Then I would get a Voodoo Labs Ground Control pro midi controller. Super easy to set up, and it would sound great. You could most likely purchase both used for under $500.00. I have and had both. As far as the FX8, which seems to be what most are recommending. I hate the fact that you have to run your send and return cables out to the FX8 because it's your foot controller too. Also if you are at a gig and someone spills something on it your FX8 could be ruin. The ground control pro used is like $200.00 bucks. Not the worst if it got damaged. and with the TC G-major 2 mounted in your rack, your send and return cables are short and right next to your amp. Good luck with you quest. Jamie

I actually used a Gmajor2 for years but really don't want a rack unit because my rack doesn't come to every gig with me. Only when I have to use IEMs. Had a GCP also and it was a good unit. We don't play many venues where the people are close to my stuff.

FX8 is the no brainer here. Worst case scenario: you end up adding an RJM MAG for changes. The money one would put into equal delay and reverb puts you right into this unit and sooo many more options. The drives and wahs are stellar, as well, IMO.

I've got a Moog EP-3 on each side of mine and can't imagine needing more. Run your talk box in front, you're golden.

Close to this decision...the FX8 should change channels on the BE as I've read.


Thanks for all the input so far! It's appreciated and makes me think a little more.

 

[mudf00t]

The G-System is cool but I've been reading about a ton of noise issues and also you can't move the effects around?

Yeah, wah, compression or filtering are before the preamp and delay, reverbs, pitch and mod effects are post preamp. If you want something like a phaser into the preamp, you have to use one of the 3 loops. In this regard, it is certainly not as flexible as some of the other units available but I am finding that the effects (in my opinion) are just pristine. I LOVE HOW IT SOUNDS! I haven't noticed any noise but I am using Fractal Humbuster cables too and haven't played out with the unit as yet. I am using 4 Eventide H9s, a Strymon Mobius and a Strymon El Capistan in the loops. I know that is overkill but I am a freak of nature and LOVE reverbs, delays and echos. The El Capistan cannot be duplicated and there are algorithms in the H9s that can't be done on the g system. Just flexible.

I just got it 2 weeks ago because I decided I wanted to use it as a midi controller. I just like the pedal board part better than the Ground Control. It also has relays for switching amps.

I still have my AX8 and I like it. I especially love the editor lol. THE VYZOR EDITOR FOR THE G SYSTEM SUCKS. The good news is that editing on the unit is not that hard.

Here is the only part that I do not like. The "Vyzor" editor that comes with it.

 

[Chris6870]

FX-8. Best of class.

 

[LP Freak]

What's cool about the FX8 vs pedals is how tweakable each effect is. If you like a TS but don't want a mid hump...done. Or if you just want to change the frequency of the mid hump...done.

 

[King Guitar]

Im going old school I guess. I have a custom BE100 Dave built for me with the master for the HBE. I also running a board Dave built for me that features all Strymon FX, a Klon OD and BE pedal. Running 4 cable and it sounds killer. Im sure the FX8 would be awesome too and cheaper than having a custom board built. The FX8 didn't exist when Dave built my board.

Brad

 

[cecilbag]

Im going old school I guess. I have a custom BE100 Dave built for me with the master for the HBE. I also running a board Dave built for me that features all Strymon FX, a Klon OD and BE pedal. Running 4 cable and it sounds killer. Im sure the FX8 would be awesome too and cheaper than having a custom board built. The FX8 didn't exist when Dave built my board.

Brad

Are you using the BE-OD as a third channel?

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Good to see ya Brad!

 

[nevusofota]

Sounds like you've pretty much made up your mind with the FX8 but one last thing to consider is that pedals will still be cool in 3 years while the FX8 will be obsolete.


I was also going to go the single multufx unit last year but wound up doing a switcher and pedals. Couldn't be happier. I went with a used Musicomlabs switcher because it's touring reputation (i.e. Pete Thorn) and it's the smallest 8 loop controller there is (found one used for about $200). I wanted everything to fit onto a board no bigger than a PT-2. I'm a guy that sets it and forgets it so I didn't need a switcher that changes pedal order. I've used this board now for weekly gigs over the past year and am happy with my decision. Plus, pedals are just cooler.

Here's an old pic. I've swapped out two of the pedals since:

 

[King Guitar]

Nah, the amp does all of the gain sounds. I use the Klon as a boost on just about everything. The BE pedal is there for times I dont have the BE Head and just my board, I can plug into just about anything with this board and BE pedal and get 75% of the way there.

Brad

Im going old school I guess. I have a custom BE100 Dave built for me with the master for the HBE. I also running a board Dave built for me that features all Strymon FX, a Klon OD and BE pedal. Running 4 cable and it sounds killer. Im sure the FX8 would be awesome too and cheaper than having a custom board built. The FX8 didn't exist when Dave built my board.

Brad

Are you using the BE-OD as a third channel?