Multi Effects Help Needed

mattayou

Hi Guys I seek your advise!

I play through a MG50DFX (I know guys on here hate this amp) and am looking at getting a better effects unit than my zoom one I curently use.

I am looking at the Boss ME-70 at the moment, but was wondering the following:

1) Is it that much better than the ME-20 for instance (will the extra cash be justified)
2) In other posts Alan says that the ME-70 would be a waste played through an MG Amp...
3) Would it not be better to rather buy a decent amp with built in effects...?

I have never really been happy with my tones & am seeking something that can help me obtain the exact sounds I like.

Thx!

aja

Are you looking for effects such as synth and octave type things, or more classic overdrive type things?

I have seen a few videos of the Korg AX3000G and all have seemed pretty good. there are a few on sale for R1800 or so... Although they seem to be better at the more synth type effects IMO

Tokai-SA

Edited...

mattayou

I really am looking for good clean sounds & good distortion. I will use other effects when recording etc.

I just don't know whether it is worth paying extra for the ME-70 or not. On the other hand I have had a zoom pedal so maybe a Boss will be a LOT better?

DonovanB

There seem to be a lot of people asking this question...

It always depends on what type of music you play

mattayou wrote I really am looking for good clean sounds & good distortion. I will use other effects when recording etc.

I just don't know whether it is worth paying extra for the ME-70 or not. On the other hand I have had a zoom pedal so maybe a Boss will be a LOT better?

If you only need a decent overdrive sound then IMHO get a new amp. If you want a few effects the ME20 is ok. When I was looking for a multi I preferred it to the ME50 at the time. But then I settled for the GT8.

mattayou

I have never been happy with my clean sound either, but I think if I buya BAJA Tele that should sort it out ?

So u rekon the ME-20 is not too bad? I was looking at this pedal first, but just wondered if the extra money would be warranted on the ME-70. I haven't heard enough good comments about the ME-70 to warrant it yet!

As long as I can get some good sounds out of the ME-20 I am happy. I have never bonded with my Zoom G2.1u... Will the ME-20 be better!?!

ryanguit

Do you have friends with gear? Otherwise go to a music shop with your guitar and amp in hand, and test out some pedals.
Just to decide on a direction, i would try an SD-1, or BD-2 (boss). If you don't like this TYPE of sound, then don't spend cash on light overdrive pedals. Then try a crunch box (its red with white knobs) AND a red hot british tonebone or a bones pedal also by radial. These are heavy overdrives/distortions.

These guys aint cheap but your ears won't lie to you. You could prob use your current setup for delays and chorus/weirdness. So this would still be cheaper than a multi pedal and better. And you won't be asking yourself similar questions in a few months/year.

While you are at the shop, try some amps with same pedals. Surprise.

Cheers and good luck

ryanguit

Sorry bout double post, if you don't like your clean, try an EQ pedal too. If you cant get the clean sound youre after try another guitar, but if that fails. Your ears aren't lying to you, start saving up for that amp

CDee

Well I have both a MG50dfx and a Boss ME50. All I can say is the ME50 is not a bad pedal at all. I like it. The MG on the other hand is not so great. But if you take the time to set the ME50 up to sound like you want it (and it does take some time), it's usable for a while with the MG. But since I got the valve amp, I use the valve overdrive. So much better.
Another option you can look at are the pedals that use valves like the Vox British Bulldog, Big Ben overdrive. That might make the MG sound better. ?

AlanRatcliffe

1) Is it that much better than the ME-20 for instance (will the extra cash be justified)

Yes, Not only does it have more features/FX, but it has better D/A converters, which give it a better sound quality overall.

2) In other posts Alan says that the ME-70 would be a waste played through an MG Amp...

Some folk like the MG tone though - so make up your own mind. I'm quite honestly a bit biased as not a fan of the Marshall tone at the best of times (although I do understand what the attraction is in an 18 Watter or a JCM 800), but the MG is (to me) not even a good realisation of that tone.

The amp is the heart of your tone and I believe you should be happy with it just plugged straight in. Any effects are then used to broaden the palette of the basic good sound provided by the amp. So if you don't like the tone plugged straight in, you have the wrong amp and are probably using the FX to compensate, which is never a good idea. A good amp will sound good regardless of what type of pedals you stick in front of it - stomps or multieffects.

3) Would it not be better to rather buy a decent amp with built in effects...?

The really good amps tend to be sans FX. Some of better solid state stuff like the Vox ADs and the Line 6 amps have FX too, but that does lock you in to what they give you - a separate amp and effect setup gives you more of a choice in what make/models you use.

I have never really been happy with my tones & am seeking something that can help me obtain the exact sounds I like.

What is that tone? Or a good example of something similar.

Mr-M

Alan beat me to it! Nevertheless...
To answer question 3) YES, YES, YES, YES.....it would be better to buy a decent amp, without doubt.

For an amp with built in effects you could look at a bunch of different modelling amps - VOX VT, Line 6 Spider III or Peavey VYPYR - and you will definitely have infinitely superior sound to any Multi FX you want to put in front of your Marshall MG. If you're not happy with your clean sound, a pedal or Multi FX might make it better, but as the saying goes, you can't polish a turd. Now I'm not calling your MG a turd (though it does sound a bit 'brown', but not in a good way ?), but if you need a pedal or Multi FX to make you able to stomach your amp's clean sound, then maybe you need to look at the root of your problem first - your amp. Remember that you can buy foot controllers for all the amps I mentioned which give them as just as much live flexibility as a Multi FX.

If you do really want to use a Multi FX pedal (instead of a modelling amp or the more expensive, but tonally better valve amp and single pedals), you'd probably need to change to a slightly better amp with better clean tones like a Marshall AVT50 or a Peavey Bandit.

mattayou

Alan I must admit I do not actually mind the clean sound straight out of the amp. With some delay etc it sounds more thank ok! In fact The Zoom G2.1u clean tones actually spoilt the amps sound...

Here is the exact clean sound I am looking for http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=894

Click on "Clean sound suitable for Arpeggios"

AJBryson tells me that is a Tele playing so maybe that is the guit I need :0 I'll steal his Tele one day!

AlanRatcliffe

Yup a Tele to my ears too. Bridge pickup alone. Tiny bit of overdrive that starts making itself heard when the player leans into it with chords. Best version of that sound is a Tele straight into a cranked Fender Twin. Cranked Twins are a bit loud though - but most Fender amps will get you 95% of the way there.

I pay mainly fingerstyle and am always searching for great arpeggio tones - Currently my fave is all three pickups on my Strat into a Twin with some high frequency gloss added by piezo saddles through Guitar Rig. A very balanced sound with loud, clear and tight bass, but still bright enough to be articulate and still not harsh.