TC Nova System or Line6 M13?

[dfrattaroli]

Just looking for a show of hands. I've got a Mark IV and vertical 2x12. I'm simplifying the whole thing and have been thinking about using an RJM mini amp gizmo and custom cable along with either the Nova or M13 to handle channel/preset changes.

I personally like the M13 better on paper because you can do the 4CM and route effects before and after the loop. The Nova doesn't do this but I actually like the smaller size and the fact that it's got the G System delays, verbs, etc.

Both cost the same. What would you do?

Dave

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I was going back and forth with both too and was leaning toward the M13 because of the 4CM but after thinking about it longer, I figure I'm going to just save longer and go for a used G-System at this point.

 

[stratotone]

Do you need things in front of AND in the loop? If so, the M13 is probably the winner. If you just need fx in the loop, go TC. If you want studio/higher quality fx, go TC, the M13 is stompbox quality IMHO. It's not a black and white 'this is better' situation, it's going to depend on your usage.

One nice thing about the M13 is that if you don't mind slightly less 'hi/fi' effects, it can replace a LOT of pedals - get a couple of expression pedals and you have a wah, whammy (which works great), volume, etc... the M13 has a ton of filter effects so you can do synthy stuff. It has good delays, a built in looper, chorus/flanges are decent, EQs (parametric and graphic) are good, it has really nice overdrive/boost pedals, an intelligent harmonizer, etc.

Pete

 

[fek]

Do you need things in front of AND in the loop? If so, the M13 is probably the winner. If you just need fx in the loop, go TC. If you want studio/higher quality fx, go TC, the M13 is stompbox quality IMHO. It's not a black and white 'this is better' situation, it's going to depend on your usage.

One nice thing about the M13 is that if you don't mind slightly less 'hi/fi' effects, it can replace a LOT of pedals - get a couple of expression pedals and you have a wah, whammy (which works great), volume, etc... the M13 has a ton of filter effects so you can do synthy stuff. It has good delays, a built in looper, chorus/flanges are decent, EQs (parametric and graphic) are good, it has really nice overdrive/boost pedals, an intelligent harmonizer, etc.

Pete

I have been kicking around moving my RP1000 for something else with midi so that I can change channels on my RM100's. The original poster mentioned using a RJM mini amp gizmo in this mix too. I am a complete midi noob so forgive my ignorance but if I picked up one of those, would I be able to use it to change channels on my RM100 and still be able to use the 4CM with the RP?

 

[dfrattaroli]

I am a complete midi noob so forgive my ignorance but if I picked up one of those, would I be able to use it
to change channels on my RM100 and still be able to use the 4CM with the RP?

Go to RJMMusic.com and check out the videos. They have a couple where they use the mini/Line6 M9 with a SigX and a mini/M13 with a Mark V. Using their custom cables for each amp, they are able to program presets that change channels as well as any other function of the amp.

I had a GCX/GCP but wanted something simpler.

The Line6 is nice because of the 4CM if you need it. But the TC fx are likely better. I usually only use delay, verb and some chorus so I'm happy with all that in the loop. So the TC might be the way to go.

 

[fek]

I am a complete midi noob so forgive my ignorance but if I picked up one of those, would I be able to use it
to change channels on my RM100 and still be able to use the 4CM with the RP?

Go to RJMMusic.com and check out the videos. They have a couple where they use the mini/Line6 M9 with a SigX and a mini/M13 with a Mark V. Using their custom cables for each amp, they are able to program presets that change channels as well as any other function of the amp.

I had a GCX/GCP but wanted something simpler.

The Line6 is nice because of the 4CM if you need it. But the TC fx are likely better. I usually only use delay, verb and some chorus so I'm happy with all that in the loop. So the TC might be the way to go.

I will check out the vids later. I do want the ability to use the 4CM so maybe I can keep the RP and just add the mini and a midi footswitch to get what I want.

 

[Meathead]

Go to RJMMusic.com and check out the videos. They have a couple where they use the mini/Line6 M9 with a SigX and a mini/M13 with a Mark V. Using their custom cables for each amp, they are able to program presets that change channels as well as any other function of the amp.

I had a GCX/GCP but wanted something simpler.

The Line6 is nice because of the 4CM if you need it. But the TC fx are likely better. I usually only use delay, verb and some chorus so I'm happy with all that in the loop. So the TC might be the way to go.

If you are basically a delay and reverb guy then go for the Nova System. The delays and reverbs sound really high quality in the loop. I prefer chorus/phaser before gain, so I use pedals to run out front of the amp.

 

[stratotone]

On the Randall RM 100s and RM4s, any midi compatible pedal should be able to send program changes to them. I changed channels with a boss GT8 no problem.

Pete

 

[sden]

I had the same decision half a year ago. I decided for the Nova System. The effect quality is way better (at least for me ) and I also like the look and feel better. Its a shame that it cannot do the 4 cable method, but at least in my case this is no big deal. The delay and chorus stuff is just great. After using it for some month I can say I really dig it more and more. It has so many great sounds and switching on single effects and using full presents is great.

 

[rsm]

I had a Nova System, sold it, miss it. I have an M9 now, but it has the dreaded volume drop issue that I need to get warranty service done so I haven't used it much. I run my effects in front of the amp since most of my amps don't have a loop so 4cm isn't an issue for me. I dig the NS sound quality and the fewer options for each effect means a little less time checking out all the options and tweaking; its much easier to get what you want from it. The options and flexiblity in the M9 is a tweakfest, so you could spend alotta time there just messing around. The M9 can get good sounds too but still not at the TCE quality IMO, close though I didn't have them both to AB them.

M9: is completely software upgradeable so no limits there for new and improved effects. NS is limited in the effects it will support are what it comes with though they can upgrade those. M9 wins on the features and flexibility while NS wins on sound quality IMO. YMMV

I'd like another NS BTW.

 

[jski59]

I have this exact setup...Mark IV, Amp gizmo and Nova system. It sounds great and works flawlessly. I do have the special Mark IV cable for the amp gizmo.

I mostly use delay and reverb, so the Nova works perfect for me. On my clean patches, I run a little bit of chorus and compression too. I really only use three banks with 3 patches each...bank one is dry, bank two has a hint of reverb and dynamic delay (use these the most), bank three has a lot of analog delay for slower stuff.

I really like it...easy to setup and only hitting one button to switch everything is nice.

 

[Crunch Master]

I was looking at these units recently myself, but in the end I settled on the G-Major 2.

 

[dfrattaroli]

I have this exact setup...Mark IV, Amp gizmo and Nova system. It sounds great and works flawlessly. I do have the special Mark IV cable for the amp gizmo.

I mostly use delay and reverb, so the Nova works perfect for me. On my clean patches, I run a little bit of chorus and compression too. I really only use three banks with 3 patches each...bank one is dry, bank two has a hint of reverb and dynamic delay (use these the most), bank three has a lot of analog delay for slower stuff.

I really like it...easy to setup and only hitting one button to switch everything is nice.

Thanks man. I'm leaning towards the Nova right now.

 

[dfrattaroli]

I was looking at these units recently myself, but in the end I settled on the G-Major 2.

Yeah, this item is the one thing that has caused me to hold off on the Nova. I'm off the M13 wagon right now but the GMaj2 is tempting. The "drawbacks" for me are that I'd still need a small rack and now I'll need a foot controller. Can you "4-cable" the GMaj2?

 

[SFW]

If you don't absolutely need effects before the front of the amp, I'd go with the Nova System. The quality of the effects is much better. I really liked my Nova System, but I ended up going back to my G-Major setup.

 

[moguitars]

It seems that a 4CM capable Nova system should be an easy thing for them to do. The could pull the current drive component and couple in a Nova Drive circuit. I'm half thinking about getting a Nova Drive so that I can run reverb, and delay through the loop.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I think I've finally settled on upgrading my pod xt to an x3 live. I was going back and forth on the nova system and M13 but neither seemed to be what I prefer. Then I wavered on the G system but by the time I can save up to buy that, I might not be in a band.

Then I read the x3 live allows the 4cm...and I've had great success using my xt bean in my loop for effects so I figured why not just upgrade and sell my bean and fbv express.