Floor based multi fx ..which one?

[robmac5150]

Im getting involved in a new project which will require a floor fx into PA. i have no idea whats best out there. Boss GT100 or Line 6 etc?

Cant afford axe fx etc

Rob

[RolandG]

1. Is this FX only, or do you also want amp sounds so that you can go straight to PA?
2. After that it comes down to ease of use. Some people are comfortable with menus and parameter settings. Some aren't.

For "standard" FX I would go Boss, because things like the Boss CE2 and DS1 are the well known sounds. In this case I'd buy a second hand GT-8 or GT10, and ignore the amp simulations. Price around £160. The GT range has amp simulations. Whether they work or not depends on what you are looking for. Sparkling cleans or full on distortion are available. The suitabiity of anything in between those two extremes depends on what type of music you are going to play.

If amp sounds are a priority, and effects are less important, then a second hand Vox Tonelab is probably more suitable.

If you need both FX and amp modelling then you could look at something like the HD500.

[p90fool]

Here's some thoughts on the Zoom G3 from a thread I started a few weeks ago.

http://www.musicradar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110075

I'm not trying to push any particular brand on you (this is the only new generation multi-fx I'm really familiar with), but I'm very pleased with it now I've had the time to dial it in.

Being the owner of our band's PA helps, I would have struggled to find the time to really fine-tune it otherwise, but for £149 I can't fault it. I'm also asking a lot from a digital modeler, I'm using it instead of a JTM45/Fender Pro Jr setup, for clean to mildly overdriven sounds, which is something they've traditionally struggled with the most.
Very happy so far, and given the limited versatility I need I'm glad I didn't have to spend 4-500 quid to get decent sound quality.

Others will chime in with their favourite brands which will no doubt work just as well, it's just a matter of balancing features against price.

[Grunfeld.]

1. Is this FX only, or do you also want amp sounds so that you can go straight to PA?
2. After that it comes down to ease of use. Some people are comfortable with menus and parameter settings. Some aren't.

If amp sounds are a priority, and effects are less important, then a second hand Vox Tonelab is probably more suitable.

If you need both FX and amp modelling then you could look at something like the HD500.

Sounds about right to me too.

And if it's just a shed load of FX which are wanted in a stomp box-like format then a Line 6 M5, M9, or M13 may be what's needed. .

And if you (OP) want a near mint M13 I'm selling one! (See sig. )

[ICBM]

If it's going straight into the PA and you're going to use distorted sounds, you must have amp simulation or you'll sound like Mike Oldfield.

(I love Mike Oldfield's sound, but it's *very* un-traditional 'rock' guitar.)

For a basic unit that sounds good and doesn't involve a degree in nuclear physics to programme, I liked the Boss ME-50. It has simple effect modules with actual knobs to adjust them. You can pick them up for £100 or less now too.

The reason I sold mine (twice!) was because of an annoyance about the way it handles the Manual mode, but I'm still sometimes tempted to buy another one... again . They've replaced it with the ME-70 now, which I think might have fixed the problem, but unfortunately has dropped two of my favourite sounds from the 50.

[RobDavies]

Digitech.

No further questions your honour.

[Not_the_DJ]

+1 for the Zoom G3

Being able to connect it direct to a PA (or headphones) is a big win for this over the Line 6 M series.

[Sir Axeman]

You can't really go wrong these days as most if not all of 'em are pretty good IMO. The Digitech RPs, Boss GTs (or MEs), Pods, Zoom, Vox etc.

For amp modelling I think Line 6 and Digitech are better than Boss, but for FX I think Boss GTs edge it.

A used GT-8 is a great buy. The 10's good to but a bit more expensive as its less old, but many said they prefer the amp models on the 8 to the 10.

I've just recently got the GT-100 and am pleased with it...but I still bought it knowing that to my ears the amp sims sound betterer on the Pod HD500...still no regrets!

[ElectroDan]

For straight to PA amp and/or speaker simulators are almost essential.
I have used a GT8 straight to PA in different genre of bands, with good results. It's so easy once you set it to your preferences too.
I got patch changes on the numbered buttons. A second press gives a solo boost. Then volume on the foot pedal, but wah when the switch is engaged. And a tuner mute on the Control pedal.
You can use it like individual stomp boxes too if that's your thing. Very Flexible. Prefer it to the GT10.
PM me if you want one. I've gone old school!

[Shedder]

If amp sounds are a priority, and effects are less important, then a second hand Vox Tonelab is probably more suitable.

Just try to get either the old Tonelab SE or the (not so old) Tonelab LE. As the newer models make an appearance, They are getting thinner. Vox's vain attempt at cost saving?
The new ones don't have half the features the first two model's had!!!