Help! Multi Effects Pedals Suggestions

BIGFATJAM · 10-02-2009, 10:03 AM

Hey everyone. I could use some suggestions and ideas for our worship setting.

I'm looking at possibly getting a multi effects pedal to replace my acoustic amp on stage. We have huge problems with stage noise and so I'm trying to see if I can rid my amp.

I'm the worship pastor at my church and I play a Taylor T5 Custom Koa top (I love the versatility of the guitar). I don't play heavy leads, but for some songs I like to have little distortion/effects to add color to the sound. If possible I want something that sounds good even going straight into the sound system. I've been less than impressed with a few multi-effects pedals/processors out there, but my knowledge with them is very, very limited. Of course I want to best bang for my buck, but I'm willing to invest some cha-ching if something worth it is available.

So, thoughts on a good multi-effects processors considering my context/needs? Thanks!

**Sean.thomson** · 10-02-2009, 10:07 AM

I'd suggest looking into a POD. You can plug it straight into the mixer and it sounds pretty good (amp simulations and stuff).

Ak_Man4Jesus · 10-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Try a Floor Pod.
Girl at are church just got one. Its cool. And that way her folks are it ould not have cost that much for her to have got it for a birthday gift.

Major Tom · 10-02-2009, 01:28 PM

First rule with modelers/multi FX units - don't use (and don't judge them by) the presets; they are usually over-effected and exaggerated, you will need to create your own patches. If you are using an acoustic, and trying to get an electric sound (I'm assuming that from the "...add distortion...: comment), which is an electric guitar with magnetic pickups played thru a tube amp, you will need to do some serious eq'ing, either external, or using the multi FX's internal eq. The piezo pickup or Expression system in your Taylor is not a magnetic pickup, and its freq content (not to mention the timbre) is going to be significantly different.

I guess what I'm trying to say is - if you plug yer ax into a multi FX unit at a music store, using the preset patches, it is not going to sound very convincing as an electric guitar tone, and other effects, such as chorus, delay, etc. are probably too exaggerated. Either way - If you want it to sound like an acoustic guitar with effects, or to sound as close as possible to an electric guitar (+effects) you will need to build the patches from the ground up. Expect to spend a good amount of time learning and experimenting.

What's your budget? If you go used, you can get something really nice for $100 - 200.

S.B.Nichols · 10-03-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Tom

First rule with modelers/multi FX units - don't use (and don't judge them by) the presets; they are usually over-effected and exaggerated, you will need to create your own patches. If you are using an acoustic, and trying to get an electric sound (I'm assuming that from the "...add distortion...: comment), which is an electric guitar with magnetic pickups played thru a tube amp, you will need to do some serious eq'ing, either external, or using the multi FX's internal eq. The piezo pickup or Expression system in your Taylor is not a magnetic pickup, and its freq content (not to mention the timbre) is going to be significantly different.

His t5 has a magnetic pup. I think it's a stacked humbucker.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-03-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ak_Man4Jesus

Try a Floor Pod.
Girl at are church just got one. Its cool. And that way her folks are it ould not have cost that much for her to have got it for a birthday gift.

Do not get a floor POD. Go with the XTL, used. Its a generation of modeling technology up and is a far better bang for your buck. I got mine for a fair priced used off of ebay. The XTL has good direct outs so it is the orute I would reccomend.

Major Tom · 10-03-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.B.Nichols

His t5 has a magnetic pup. I think it's a stacked humbucker.

Oh yeah, duh... all I saw was "worship leader", "acoustic amp", and "Taylor" and assumed... Yeah, ignore the piezo part, but not the make yer own patches.

PianoMan · 10-03-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

Do not get a floor POD. Go with the XTL, used. Its a generation of modeling technology up and is a far better bang for your buck. I got mine for a fair priced used off of ebay. The XTL has good direct outs so it is the orute I would reccomend.

+1

I've used both, and the XTL is a far better device IMO. Way more tonal control, you can have more effects at a time, and the XTL is just a better built device (solid metal to the floor PODs flimsy feeling plastic).

Not to mention you can get Lincoln Brewster's patches with the XTL, which with tweaking will sound awesome with pretty much any guitar. His acoustic patch is pretty awesome as well.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-04-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PianoMan

+1

I've used both, and the XTL is a far better device IMO. Way more tonal control, you can have more effects at a time, and the XTL is just a better built device (solid metal to the floor PODs flimsy feeling plastic).

Not to mention you can get Lincoln Brewster's patches with the XTL, which with tweaking will sound awesome with pretty much any guitar. His acoustic patch is pretty awesome as well.

I didn't like most of the brewster patches I tried, but I think it is my issue with strats. I was playing an LP and well, the frequency response seemed odd to me. I bet they sound killer with strat though.

I found a few patches that totally kill though... really chimey stuff.

**Rainer.** · 10-04-2009, 07:14 PM

I definitely use different set of patches for LP and Strat on the PODxt. You definitely want to tweak a lot no matter what guitar you're using.

BIGFATJAM · 10-05-2009, 07:03 AM

Thanks everyone for your thoughts/ideas. I picked up a POD X3 Live at my local music store. I'm still trying to navigate around with the mods, but it is a fun unit to mess around with...though it takes some considerable time tweaking and adjusting to get what I want out of it.

So how do I get patches (I'm a total noob at this so keep that in mind)? I'd really like a nice acoustic patch as the presets aren't what I really desire (which is what I figured would happen).

Thanks again everyone for your help.

BIGFATJAM · 10-06-2009, 07:08 AM

Never mind my last question. I figured out how the patches work. While the Line 6 software will come in very handy and it seems fairly powerful, it was/is a bit cumbersome navigating around. I found an acoustic amp setting that is absolutely amazing and sounds unbelievable on my T5. It sounds way better running it through the sound system than direct lining my Fender Acoustasonic SFXII Amp into the sound system.

**Rainer.** · 10-07-2009, 06:11 PM

Yeah, the L6 Acoustic patch is good, and also try using no amp, and using the parametric EQ and compressor controls only, they're pretty powerful, especially if you use Line 6 Edit integrated on the computer.

jlynnb1 · 10-08-2009, 04:39 AM

i used line 6 stuff for years...i promise the digitech rp1000 kills them all....even the XTL.

guitarman19853 · 10-08-2009, 07:30 AM

I think the POD X3 Live is going to give you the best out of the box sound direct to the board. That being said, I am using a GT-10 running into the power amp section of my amp. This allows me to use the preamps of my GT-10 with the tube power amp of one of my amps. No complaints and great results! The GT-10 allows way more flexibility in effect placement and settings than the line 6, which is why I bought it.