Multi Effects/Amp Modeling Pedals

[kwjolin]

I'm looking into getting a multi effects pedal, and am wondering what opinions there are out there?

The ones I'm looking at are the Line 6 FLoor POD Plus, BOSS ME 20, 50 or 70, Vox Tonelab ST or any other suggestions?

The main thing I'm looking for is something with some WICKED DISTORTIONS, as in Lamb of God, Children of Bodom, Slipknot, Cavalera Conspiracy etc. I don't really have a need for overdrive or fuzz.

I don't use alot of effects at the moment, but I like to use some Delay and Wah.

I currently use a Line 6 Spider II 30watt amp, Line 6 Tone Port UX1 with Gear Box and Pod Farm, so I am familiar with the Line 6 tones etc. I'm not a huge fan of the Presets but have found with tweaking, I can get some pretty cool tones. I use the Line 6 Insane, and Chemical X models alot.

I'd like to be able to plug directly into a computer and P.A. system from the unit.

Any help or advice on this would be awesome!!

Kyle

[ShredRex]

Why not take a look at the POD X3L, I love mine, it does everything from recording, to live in front of an amp or direct to PA......and dual tones. Plus it comes loaded with all the amps you will ever need including all of the high gain models. As far as the all in solution goes, it is hard to be beat the X3L.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-POD-X3-Live-Guitar-Multi-Effect-Pedal?sku=150377

[pooterpatty]

the Vox Tonelab looks interesting, but I've never tried one, and it doesn't seem as flexible as the Line 6 stuff. Stay away from the Boss multi-effects units if you want good distortions. I've used their stomp boxes for years and love them, but their multi-fx pedals leave much to be desired, especially with heavier tones - to my ears they just sound sterile and digital.

I've been a big fan of the Line 6 stuff ever since I started using it a few years ago. You've obviously discovered however that the Line 6 presets are pretty much rubbish. However, if you're willing to tweak, you can get some pretty good tone.

I would have to agree with my bud ShredRex. The Pod X3L may be a little more expensive than what you were looking at, but if you bought a Floor Pod, you would soon be wanting the extra capability and models that the X3 has anyway. I'd save my pennies and spring for the X3L. Not only will it have no problem with the kind of distortion tones you're looking for, but you can also plug direct into the PA, as well as being able to run two model/effects chains at the same time. That means you and another guitar player could both plug into the X3L with totally different amp models and effects chains at the same time.

[kwjolin]

Thanks ShredRex and Pooterpatty, I just checked out the specs on the X3L and started to drool!! I think that's the one! What can't that thing do?!?!

I'll just have to do a bit more fund saving before I can get it. I don't think I could go with the floor pod after looking at this one. I wasn't even looking at X3L due to the price, so thank you for pointing me in that direction!

Thanks again!

[ShredRex]

Anytime man, trust me it is money well spent All I have to say is.....24 bit converters.......nuff said.........lol

[GuitarSlinger]

Floor Pod's don't have USB recording anyway so youd be stuck plugging it into the UX1. X3's are awesome.

[lostylost]

Whatever you do, don't google `Fractal Audio AXE-FX`

[salae]

I use a Boss M50 Has really nice distortions, I been using it for about 3 years thru a fender 100 watts, always worked real nice for me for for live shows, but it doesnt worked that good thru the riffworks program.

[atalwar]

If you are too serious about tone and recording, Get something with good a/d & d/a converters, decent headroom and good native h/w sample rate is what i would recommend (podxt and similar units from that era) are not so good in that department, podx3 might be as it's quite new).

[bjabus]

atalwar, could you give us some suggestions of good multi effects pedals with good a/d d/a converters? I use the podxt live but notice that some of the heavier tones sound a little thin or compressed in general. That may also be due to about a zillion other things that I may not be doing right. In the never ending quest for perfect tone, I am always looking for something better... Bryan

[kwjolin]

If you are too serious about tone and recording, Get something with good a/d & d/a converters, decent headroom and good native h/w sample rate is what i would recommend (podxt and similar units from that era) are not so good in that department, podx3 might be as it's quite new).

Hey Atalwar, just wondering what a/d & d/a converter, decent headroom and good native h/w sample rate mean?

I just play my guitar and record sometimes, I don't know all the technical stuff behind it all, but would sure like to know more!

Thanks
Kyle

[kwjolin]

Whatever you do, don't google `Fractal Audio AXE-FX`

Ha Ha! I had to do it Losty!

That looks pretty sweet, starting to consider selling body parts to afford it. lol

Too many cool products out there, so hard to know which one to get.

[lostylost]

x3 live man as the boys have been saying... sweet spot for soundz for your buckz

[bluesydude]

I do all my recording with the X3Live.

[atalwar]

If you are too serious about tone and recording, Get something with good a/d & d/a converters, decent headroom and good native h/w sample rate is what i would recommend (podxt and similar units from that era) are not so good in that department, podx3 might be as it's quite new).

Hey Atalwar, just wondering what a/d & d/a converter, decent headroom and good native h/w sample rate mean?

I just play my guitar and record sometimes, I don't know all the technical stuff behind it all, but would sure like to know more!

Thanks
Kyle

Kyle,

The a/d conversion,samplerate are the essential parts of the digital domain/recording. as the input needs to be converted to digital numbers before it gets processed. How good this conversion is depends on a lot of factors like quality of op-amps,the dsp engine etc and this stands the units apart.

What i meant was look for a unit that gives you the numbers/quality from today's standard.

The issue i have noticed with my podxt atleast is that it has a very limited range and a very non standard/low sample rate (39062.5 hz) as opposed to atleast 44.1 Khz requred for good quality and atleast 48000 Hz required for decent quality (96000 and above for pro quality). The Quality is not that much of a concern if you are playing live , but when recording you can just hear the strange things and lack of some tone and it not just cutting the mix. To be safe you would be better off with a X3 unit as they are newer units and might have better chips there i think but do check the specs for sure.

Also a important thing in sample rate conversion (a/d conversion) is that it should be hardware based for such units dealing with external analog input, if its just the driver that's giving you a higher samplerate by resampling then it not going to sound much good at all as its trying to compensate for something that just ain't there in the first place (because the dsp didn't capture it).


Excuse Me if it sounds like a tele shopping ad
For years I was not getting a very good tone out of pod, thinking that it was my guitar or pickups etc and have ruined every possible screw on the pickups etc, few days back i plugged a cheap usb m-audio interface in there was quite a noticeable difference. Just To check, i tried a high quality firewire interface from a vocalist friend and the difference was Depressing.