Question:
Now I'm sorta looking at the Digitech multi-effects pedals in the 60-250.00 range. Anybody use any of these in church or live? And what's your experience with them?
Answer:
so...I realize this isn't exactly what you're asking, but how many effects do you use on a regular basis? The reason I ask is because I've found my DI solution with the Crate Power Block. It's a simple, single channel SS amp that weighs in under 5 pounds. It comes with a nifty carrying case as well.
Of course, I'm using mine with a few effects as well, so I still end up carrying the guitar, amp and a small suitcase full of odds and ends.
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I have the Digitech GNX3. It was given to me as a gift a couple of years ago. I've only had it out of the box 4 or 5 times since I got it. This has nothing to do with the unit itself, but more my "technophobic" nature. I have used a POD 2.0 for 5 or 6 years and have found it fairly simple to use (I've never used the deep-editing). I also picked up a POD XTL last summer and find it more intuitive to program, at least for me. I'm probably the exception here - I'm 43 and grew up when you changed TV channels by hand and the AM radio in my car had 6 pushbutton presets - that was technology! If you don't have issues programming, here's what I gathered in my limited hands-on time:
The amp models are very good. I really liked the ability to have 2 (3 with the Warp feature) amps in the same preset.
The effects are also very good. Like most multifx's, there are a few that I would never use, but the traditional effects (chorus, delay, etc.) sound great.
You have a built in 8 track digital recorder, drum machine, looper, and a learn-a-lick function. You can use Smartmedia cards to increase memory for the recorder.
I never took the GNX3 out of the house, so I can't comment how it does in a live situation, although I would assume it would do well as long as you learned it's functions.
The GNX3 sounds great, is very tweakable, and has tons of features - it's just more than my "analog" brain can handle.
I actually looked at the GNX3000 before I bought my XTL. I would have bought it based on the soundclips alone had I thought it was any easier to tweak than the GNX3. The XTL just meshes better with my technical abilities.
Hope this helps.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jaymze13 Go here to read about the last time I asked a similar question. And also read why I'm looking for something different. Save me from repeating myself. Post 11 explains most of it.
Now I'm sorta looking at the Digitech multi-effects pedals in the 60-250.00 range. Anybody use any of these in church or live? And what's your experience with them?
I have used the RP100 in church but have not had a chance to use my RP250 live yet. I have only used my RP's with a Keyboard amp; I have never gone direct into a PA. The keyboard amp is basically like having a small PA amp. The new RP250 is designed more for going to a PA and it sounds much better through my Keyboard amp. If you are going direct to a PA, I highly recommend going with one of the newer RP's. If you get the RP350 it has balanced outputs specifically for this.
After reading the other thread, I still don't think you really answered the question about why you were looking at a multi-effects pedal.Are you looking at the multi-effects pedals mainly for their amp modeling or for the effects? I think the amp and OD modeling is very good in my RP250. I tend to use effects very sparingly (mostly just the EQ, a little reverb and a little delay) These all work fine for me. If you are an effect connouisour, you will probably not be happy with anything but the real stomp boxes.
I think the new RP's are a good value. I bought a used-for-one-gig RP250 for $99 on Ebay. They have lots of new features over the older RP's for the same price as what the older RP's used to sell for. I A/Bed the RP's with the GNX3000 (rival to the XTL) I could not distinguish any difference in the quality of the amp modeling. I think they are an excellent choice for those of us on a limited budget or those who want something a little simpler than the XTL or the GNX 3000. You might also check out the Zoom G2's as well; they are also equipped with updated computer chips and new features.
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Originally Posted by thesteve so...I realize this isn't exactly what you're asking, but how many effects do you use on a regular basis? The reason I ask is because I've found my DI solution with the Crate Power Block. It's a simple, single channel SS amp that weighs in under 5 pounds. It comes with a nifty carrying case as well.
Of course, I'm using mine with a few effects as well, so I still end up carrying the guitar, amp and a small suitcase full of odds and ends.
I mainly use a couple of clean sounds these days. One of our other guitar players likes to play distortion all the time and the rule of thumb is we need a clean sound also. Depending on who I play with on Sunday morning, it mostly falls to me.
When I do get dirty I try to just crunch a little bit or just use some overdrive. About the only time I use flat out distortion is when I'm trying to play some lead lines and I need to be able to cut through everybody else. Usually our sound team makes sure I can barely be heard and when I'm through I get turned back down.
I used to monkey with the GT-6 a lot and make different settings for different songs. I used to even name them after the song I was going to play them on. However, when I found out just how low in the mix I'm usually kept and how my sound and tone gets squashed, I decided it was too much work to make my own sounds and for them to probably not be heard. I listened to a playback just today of this past Sunday service and my mind started the same old thought process of "why am I wasting my time and effort on this, oh yeah, because they can turn me down on the board, but at least God can hear me."
I've got about 3 clean settings, one heavy crunch, a couple of overdrive settings and one really heavy distortion setting.
Using my amp isn't an option for me. It actually took me a few weeks to even think about using the GT-6 when I first bought it. It was heavily hinted I needed to break down and use it. And when I finally did, I was more or less told to leave my amp at home from that point forward.
I've looked at those Crate blocks in the past. They seem alright, but I need something I can control with my feet.
It's basically as I said in the other thread, if my sound is going to be squashed, why not use something smaller and easier to carry around.
My current line of thought is maybe spend some money on a lighter unit and pack away the GT-6......along with my Marshall and Randall for the time being.
Originally Posted by presbystrat After reading the other thread, I still don't think you really answered the question about why you were looking at a multi-effects pedal.Are you looking at the multi-effects pedals mainly for their amp modeling or for the effects? I think the amp and OD modeling is very good in my RP250. I tend to use effects very sparingly (mostly just the EQ, a little reverb and a little delay) These all work fine for me. If you are an effect connouisour, you will probably not be happy with anything but the real stomp boxes.
Mainly because amps are frowned on at our church. Too much "stage power" is what we've always been told. I always thought it would be easier if I had an "all in one" unit like my GT-6 than trying to work with a pedal board all the time. The supposed different amp models on the GT are nice, but I've never played enough Fenders, Marshalls, Mesas or such to really know if the GT does a good job or not. It just sounds good to me.
In 24+ years of playing I've had all kinds of stomp boxes in all kinds of settings. I've never been really proficient at any point in my playing life at using any stomp box. I've probably not even come near the full potential of what the GT-6 can do. Right now I don't have a lot of motivation either it seems.
I think "connoisseur" would be one of the last words to describe me and guitar F/X. I'm just wanting something to make life a little easier right now.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jaymze13 I think "connoisseur" would be one of the last words to describe me and guitar F/X. I'm just wanting something to make life a little easier right now.
I think you might be pretty happy with something like one of the new RP's then. I use mostly the clean amps. Last summer I was using an 80's Roland pre-COSM cube 60 in church and I really enjoyed the nice clean sounds I got out of it but I had so much trouble with getting the volume levels just right, that I sold it an went back to using the pedal. I am finding that my new RP feels more like playing a real amp. There was a certain responsiveness that was lacking in the older RP. I think this is because of the faster processor and the fact that it is more designed to be used with a PA amp. With the new X-edit software it is also a breeze to make patches; it's like turning the actual knobs on the amps and effects.
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Originally Posted by presbystrat I think you might be pretty happy with something like one of the new RP's then. I use mostly the clean amps. Last summer I was using an 80's Roland pre-COSM cube 60 in church and I really enjoyed the nice clean sounds I got out of it but I had so much trouble with getting the volume levels just right, that I sold it an went back to using the pedal. I am finding that my new RP feels more like playing a real amp. There was a certain responsiveness that was lacking in the older RP. I think this is because of the faster processor and the fact that it is more designed to be used with a PA amp. With the new X-edit software it is also a breeze to make patches; it's like turning the actual knobs on the amps and effects.
When you talk about it being easy to make you're own patches, do you mean hooking it up to a computer via USB or such? I've never done anything like that. I know there's a way to download patches for the GT, but I've not the slightest idea how to get them on the unit.
Also, the unit you use, does the volume pedal second as a wah also? I don't use wah very often, but once in a blue moon I might be called on to do it.
I'm on MF in another browser looking a little closer at the Digitechs right now.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jaymze13 When you talk about it being easy to make you're own patches, do you mean hooking it up to a computer via USB or such? I've never done anything like that. I know there's a way to download patches for the GT, but I've not the slightest idea how to get them on the unit.
Also, the unit you use, does the volume pedal second as a wah also? I don't use wah very often, but once in a blue moon I might be called on to do it.
I'm on MF in another browser looking a little closer at the Digitechs right now.
Yes it hooks up to your computer and it uses software to give you a very intuitive interface. You can also easily download user patches from the Digitech website. It is very easy to do; you just have to save the patch to your computer and open it with the software. If you like the patch you just save the patch to your unit. They also have firmware updates on the website.
The pedal can control lots of different parameters including volume, effects parameters (including wah), amp gain, distortion box gain, on/off for numerous emulations, etc, etc. I highly recommend you download the user manual from the Digitech website to check out all the features.
Answer:
The RP350 doesn't look half-bad either and while it might push the envelope a little bit, it might be within my price range.
Now I'm thinking about selling my GT-6 on Ebay or something and just going with the RP350. I might even use selling the GT as an excuse to get to use my amp on Sunday morning for a couple of weeks.
(an evil laugh is heard in the background..........)
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jaymze13 The RP350 doesn't look half-bad either and while it might push the envelope a little bit, it might be within my price range.
Now I'm thinking about selling my GT-6 on Ebay or something and just going with the RP350. I might even use selling the GT as an excuse to get to use my amp on Sunday morning for a couple of weeks.
(an evil laugh is heard in the background..........)
If you need the direct outs, the RP350 might be good. The riff looper might be nice too. However, for $200 you're approaching the price of a used XTL or GNX3000. You might be able to get one used for about $150. I bought my used-for-one-gig RP250 for a $99 BIN. For some reason I have seen more used 250's and 350's on Ebay than 150's.
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The GNX3000 has one major thing that I'm not looking for. Size. If I recall right some of those older Digitechs were made of hard plastic, but it's still about the same size as my Boss. I'm wanting to go to something that I can put in a smaller bag along with a couple other things I've been wanting to bring on Sunday morning. Things like my Tascam. Right now I don't have any place to put it and I would have to carry a 3rd case of some kind.
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Originally Posted by Jaymze13 The GNX3000 has one major thing that I'm not looking for. Size. If I recall right some of those older Digitechs were made of hard plastic, but it's still about the same size as my Boss. I'm wanting to go to something that I can put in a smaller bag along with a couple other things I've been wanting to bring on Sunday morning. Things like my Tascam. Right now I don't have any place to put it and I would have to carry a 3rd case of some kind.
I hear you about the size thing. I actually thought the RP350 was too big for me to carry around. I didn't want to go with anything bigger than the RP250. Accept for a couple of extra models, the looper and the direct outs, the RP350 doesn't have any huge advantages over the RP250. I plan to use a passive DI box when I need to go direct into the PA. From what I read in the RP350 manual, it appears that you have to run two cables into the PA; it can't be configured for mono operation with one balanced cable. I thought that this could be a disadvantage.
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I've got a Digitech RP300A, and its useful for me, but, you can't really edit anything. You have to go with all the sounds they give you, because you can't really edit their sounds and things like that.
I don't know about the new ones, but if you can afford, get a POD XTL.
Good Luck!
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Originally Posted by TimGuitar05 I've got a Digitech RP300A, and its useful for me, but, you can't really edit anything. You have to go with all the sounds they give you, because you can't really edit their sounds and things like that.
I don't know about the new ones, but if you can afford, get a POD XTL.
Good Luck!
Can't edit anything? You can't edit things with a computer interface like you can with the newer RP's but you can certainly edit the patches on the older RP's. The newer RP's also offer a lot more options as far as parameter control.
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Originally Posted by presbystrat I hear you about the size thing. I actually thought the RP350 was too big for me to carry around. I didn't want to go with anything bigger than the RP250. Accept for a couple of extra models, the looper and the direct outs, the RP350 doesn't have any huge advantages over the RP250. I plan to use a passive DI box when I need to go direct into the PA. From what I read in the RP350 manual, it appears that you have to run two cables into the PA; it can't be configured for mono operation with one balanced cable. I thought that this could be a disadvantage.
I have to D/I to the board, no choice in my situation. The part about possibly needing two cable to run to the board throws a slight wrench in my works now. I already just run the Boss out the left side to the board.
Originally Posted by TimGuitar05 I've got a Digitech RP300A, and its useful for me, but, you can't really edit anything. You have to go with all the sounds they give you, because you can't really edit their sounds and things like that.
I don't know about the new ones, but if you can afford, get a POD XTL.
That was one of my original thoughts, but I got to hear first hand a couple of them in action last VBS. In fact, one of the members of our youth band has already got rid of his and has gone back to stomp boxes. Turns out the noise gates on the POD's aren't enough to be used in our buildings here.
We have some screwy wiring and it wreaks absolute havock with distortion and crunch settings. I have to keep the gate on the Boss maxed out all the time when I play. During VBS last year both guitars had hum and hissing all the time. It's the fault of the lights, but the POD's weren't doing a good enough job of couteracting it. I carry a Boss NS-2.........just in case.......with me when I play and I was about to go get it and let the two guitar players fight over who got to use it.
I also came to the conclusion I need something I that I can use my feet to change patches and such. I know you can get a footswitch for the POD (one of the youth band members was using one), but I was hoping to get an all in one setup and not have to buy anything extra unless I just had too.