What's my options for medium-budget floor effects processor?

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Spaceboy

Spaceboy

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The rig I'm moving towards is purely pedal-based (everything but the cabinet/guitar is a pedal), and I'm wanting a floor effects processor. I really won't need much, mostly reverb, delay, and occasional modulation, but I want quality. It would be awesome to get volume boost and maybe even a decent harmonizer (I honestly would only need 5ths or minor 3rds, so it wouldn't even have to be that intelligent), but I'm not ready to spend big bucks.

I would ideally want a TC Electronics G System (wouldn't we all), but my budget only allows something much cheaper, maybe 500 USD at the very max, but preferably more along the lines of ~300. I'm looking at the TC Electronics Nova System, and Line 6 M9 at the moment, but I have very little experience with multi-effects processors outside of some low-end Digitech products. The problem with the Nova System is that the primary selling point seems to be it's distortion capabilities, where I only need effects. The M9 looks good, but I hate the control of Line 6 products, and wasn't too impressed with some of the effects on the POD HD series, which were lifted from the M9/M13. If there's something out there that could be programmed through USB, that would be even better. I hate dialing parameters with knobs on digital units.

I need an awesome, sleek-looking, mid-priced, purely effects processor with intuitive controls. :yes:
 
Are you interesting in amp/cab modelling at all? Or are you going for just effects?

For something that does amp/cab and effects, DoD/Digitech tends to have a very lush sound. Their presets are a lot of really dripping wet metal tones, which I think is what it does best. Just commenting on the ONE I have a lot of experience with. Well, I have experience with a Vox amp/cab modeler too. I probably like that one better. You can get a better range of bluesy, rock, and clean tones from it.

I still am not thrilled with either one, but I am trying to set one up to be my emergency backup. People here are usually pretty seriuos about modelers, so you'll find better high end advice elsewhere.
 
srinivassa":39im3iyd said:
Are you interesting in amp/cab modelling at all? Or are you going for just effects?

For something that does amp/cab and effects, DoD/Digitech tends to have a very lush sound. Their presets are a lot of really dripping wet metal tones, which I think is what it does best. Just commenting on the ONE I have a lot of experience with. Well, I have experience with a Vox amp/cab modeler too. I probably like that one better. You can get a better range of bluesy, rock, and clean tones from it.

I still am not thrilled with either one, but I am trying to set one up to be my emergency backup. People here are usually pretty seriuos about modelers, so you'll find better high end advice elsewhere.
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I'm not needing any amp/cab modulation at all, just purely effects. I don't mind if whatever product I decide on has some modeling, if it can be bypassed, but I'm not really wanting to spend more for an amp/cab modeler if I could get something that is only the effects for cheaper, or for the same price with better quality effects.
 
I dont know what kind of amp you intend to use but assuming it has an fx loop you could get a BOSS GT-10/GT-8 and run them 4 cable method and bypass the built in preamp sims and use only the effects. I've never really liked the preamps/distortions on the BOSS products but the effects i thought were better than the Line 6 products. Give them a look and see what you come up with as they can be found on the cheap used these days.
 
ACShreds":2ngae5sx said:
I dont know what kind of amp you intend to use but assuming it has an fx loop you could get a BOSS GT-10/GT-8 and run them 4 cable method and bypass the built in preamp sims and use only the effects. I've never really liked the effects on the BOSS products but the effects i thought were better than the Line 6 products. Give them a look and see what you come up with as they can be found on the cheap used these days.
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+1

I've been using a Boss GT8 for FX only since the unit is out. Not perfect but does the job. I've used it with a Peavey 6505, Marshall DSL50 and a Traynor YCV40. I'm too often thinking ditching it for pedals or a more modern unit but always come back to it as I do know how to use it and like the "all-in-one" package. YMMV

Both Boss units are well built and can be bought used for a decent price.
 
The FXs on the GT-10 is killer dude. I have one and wow, it's loaded. Pretty sophisticated though and involves some learning curves.

I figure you might be happy with an ME-70 as it's mostly knob based and can be used as separate pedals. Won't involve so much a learning curve there. I had that one too but I decided I'll spend more time learning the GT-10 and sold the ME-70.

The GT-10 can spoil ya. :)
 
I used a Boss GT6 for like 8 years using the 4CM with great success (fx only and channel switching via CFX4). I've been thinking of getting a newer Boss for practicing/messing around with.
 
Those Boss processors are hideous! :bleh: :lol: :LOL:

Do their effects hold up to M9/Nova System quality? I'm not wanting to skimp out here.
 
Sorry to barge in, but I have an M13 in like-new condition I was thinking of selling. PM if you're interested, the situation for which I bought it no longer exists so it is just sitting here.
 
i'm in the same boat, but looking for something really cheap, just to add reverb/delay and some modulation to a home rig setup, looking at a boss me-25 used, as it has a looper as well, something i really dig **edit, think i'll save up a bit and get something worthwhile, boss me-25 seems to be cheap and nasty

but for what you're after i'd say the M9 is a great choice, i use one on my main board, fantastic multi fx unit for a good price
 
I have a nova system and it's great. They may advertise the drive section a bunch, but I've never used it...just running it for effects in the loop. I usu the harmonizer for a scorpions song and it does a pretty good job.

I also have a voodoo labs switcher hooked up to mine so a midi command will switch amp channels...so it's one button push for each sound. Works awesome.
 
I had all the boss gt series processors up to the gt-8 and they are good. However for just straight up effects I think the Line6 m series and the nova system are both vastly superior for sound quality. I was never a fan of the pods for effects but my m13 is a whole other animal. I think the Nova System has slightly better sound quality but the m13 has the easiest user interface I have ever encountered and you can run it with the four cable method if you want some phasing or overdrive out front (I don't use the od's in it they are good but I prefer my stomp boxes). I say try them out you won't be dissapointed. Also some of the newer digitech stuff with the lexicon reverbs are nice too.
 
i wouldnt own a g system at all, way overpriced IMHO and it is 100% digital - at least the flashback pedal they sell now as an original analog representation mixed with the digital signal of your guitar tone. the GM-II sounds just as good as the g-system at half the price.

regardless, i refuse to own anything tc now - their customer service sucks ass and they refuse to support current products with updates, they would rather out-date them with new technology to show off at NAMM each year and still only support those for a year - rinse and repeat.

i really like what i hear with the line 6 M9 - i recommend checking one out for sure.
 
Spaceboy":37yd9zvw said:
Those Boss processors are hideous! :bleh: :lol: :LOL:

Do their effects hold up to M9/Nova System quality? I'm not wanting to skimp out here.
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i would say on their own no - they dont hold a candle to the pedals themselves.
 
dont dismiss the stuff from Zoom. they have come a long way since the 505. and also check out the vox tone lab series

im a fan of having a multi=fx board around for certain applications...and
ive owned several boss GT (3,6,10) and a few digitechs, but my fav ones were the Vox tonelab and Zoom G7.1ut (ease of use, distortion and modulation tones and connectivity features.)

both had some sort of preamp tube in the circuit too.
 
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