multi fx/tube amp

[BUDOKAI]

i'm getting a digitech rp55, i have a epi valve junior and this is my first multi fx unit. is there any problem(s) i should be aware of as far as compatabilty and tone goes? i just need a few basic stompbox effects in one unit. would you reccomend anything else? thank you

[MesaBoogie]

I would recommend something else: Stand alone effect units ...In all seriousness, only your ear can decide what's good tone. I don't like multi/digital effects esp. in front of a tube amp (seems like a waste to me), but that's IMO.

Grtz,

Mesa.

[Jason]

Should be fine. Especially if you don't want to buy 10 analog stompboxes at $100-$200 apiece.

I've got an old Korg Toneworks and I occasionally use it with my Peavey C30... it's fine. The only thing is, like with ANY pedal, many of your effects would sound MUCH better through an effects loop (which your amp, sadly, does not have). Stuff like delay and reverb really comes alive in the effects loop... using my digital pedal in the loop of the C30, I can get some pretty luscious verb/delay sounds.. I don't think "Ewww.. that sounds digital.."

[MesaBoogie]

I think it also depends on what you want to use. Methinks it's not really that good of a deal to buy a multifx if you only want to use a Wah and an OD. You can get better tone/control for the same amount of money IMO.

Mesa.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by MesaBoogie

I think it also depends on what you want to use. Methinks it's not really that good of a deal to buy a multifx if you only want to use a Wah and an OD. You can get better tone/control for the same amount of money IMO.

Mesa.

That's true, I think the multi effects boards are great for beginners who are looking to experiment though. Once a guy figures out "Hey, I love delay!" or "Wow, octave effects are cool!" he can start looking towards individual pedals that provide better sound quality and control.

[MesaBoogie]

Originally Posted by Jason

That's true, I think the multi effects boards are great for beginners who are looking to experiment though. Once a guy figures out "Hey, I love delay!" or "Wow, octave effects are cool!" he can start looking towards individual pedals that provide better sound quality and control.

Indeed I bought my Digitech RP200a for that purpose but the control of it was waaaa...ay to confusing (IMO), to me 4knobs or more makes me sweating bullets

[BUDOKAI]

i found a multi effects by EHX called the "holy stain". i dontthink it works like your average effects pedal, i thing its its more like a standalone unit.It has tremolo, reverb, fuzz, drive and all of that good stuff. what do you guys think of it, i think i might get it.

[BUDOKAI]

Originally Posted by Jason

That's true, I think the multi effects boards are great for beginners who are looking to experiment though. Once a guy figures out "Hey, I love delay!" or "Wow, octave effects are cool!" he can start looking towards individual pedals that provide better sound quality and control.

thanks, i know i want, it's just that i cant afford to spend 200 bucks on every single effect im looking for. so im looking for pedals that can do it all. thanks

[Deftone]

Originally Posted by MesaBoogie

I would recommend something else: Stand alone effect units....

+1. I used multi FX's for years but I recently moved to stand alone pedals and I'm liking them much better. I have not paid more than $50 for a pedal, and they are all decent quality.

[BUDOKAI]

what do you guys think of this: EHX.com | Holy Stain - Distortion/Reverb/Pitch/Tremolo Multi-Effect | Electro-Harmonix ?

[MesaBoogie]

EHX makes some pretty good stuff so you probably can't really go wrong with that. Also, I don't think it's entirely digital (which IMO is a good thing) and it won't have you messin' about with amp modelling and the like.

Mesa.

[BUDOKAI]

i think im going to get it

[opalburn]

if you do by chance get a digital multi-fx... most of them, like the one i use to play thru my computer at home, have settings where you can turn the amp modeling off and use them direct, so that you are only using whatever fx you want to use at that time... and if you are using a tube amp, you would prob want that.. so you aren't modeling some other amp over the top of your tube amp tone...

and as time goes by, you can pick up different pedals along the way, and eventually phase out your multi-fx unit, which is basically what i did...

[BUDOKAI]

Originally Posted by opalburn

if you do by chance get a digital multi-fx... most of them, like the one i use to play thru my computer at home, have settings where you can turn the amp modeling off and use them direct, so that you are only using whatever fx you want to use at that time... and if you are using a tube amp, you would prob want that.. so you aren't modeling some other amp over the top of your tube amp tone...

and as time goes by, you can pick up different pedals along the way, and eventually phase out your multi-fx unit, which is basically what i did...

[MesaBoogie]

Originally Posted by opalburn

if you do by chance get a digital multi-fx... most of them, like the one i use to play thru my computer at home, have settings where you can turn the amp modeling off and use them direct, so that you are only using whatever fx you want to use at that time... and if you are using a tube amp, you would prob want that.. so you aren't modeling some other amp over the top of your tube amp tone...

and as time goes by, you can pick up different pedals along the way, and eventually phase out your multi-fx unit, which is basically what i did...

Most of them do that indeed, I do find that they colour your tone (and not in a good way)

Find out what you really want (eg. Overdrive/Distortion, Delay, Phase) and even then you have dirt-cheap options with damn good tone (eg. Modtone)

Mesa.