Multi Effect Pedals vs. Individual Pedals

[thewk]

what are some pros and cons between buying a multi effect pedal as opposed to actually buying different effect pedals individually?
i'm just curious on your opinions.

[youcomebeforeyo]

I love this debate.

Really it always depends on the pedal. I believe both markets are flooded with crap. Zoom 505s, Digitech RP20 etc are the reasons why multi effects get such a bad name. However there are some good multi effects.

The Boss DD20 I believe is the best delay pedal on the market, though it only does delay it has a huge range of delays and emulations which to me makes it a multi effect. The Boss ME50 is generally pretty good too. I believe the reason why these pedals are great though is the fact they're modelled on already great single pedals. I had a Peavey TubeFex for while which had some cool features and the built in tube gave it a less solid state/transistored feeling but i've never played a tubefex that has made me question the need for a good amp or my pedal board.

Pros:
Good for beginineers to get their heads around effects
Generally pretty easy to use
Generally pretty cheap.

Cons:
Baaad tone, few multi effects put out any distortions you'd want to use ever.
Tacky, plastic just doesn't feel solid.

Single pedals I believe are where the business is at. They do one part of what a multi effecter will do but chances are five times better. Having an entire pedal dedicated to one feature means better parts and a higher quality (usually). Distortion pedals like the Tubescreamer, Hot Cake, DS1, Rat etc sound better than any multi unit i've ever heard. The tone of them is usually better and for stage purposes I find them a lot easier to change settings than having to fart around with a control menu.

Pros:
Good tone
Higher Quality
Easier to use

Cons:
Less versatile
More expensive


If anyone prefers multi effectors i'll be interested to see why!

[patrickhowell]

Yeah, I agree.

Generally, single effects sound better than multi-effects. However, if you're willing to pay the price, there are some great multi-effects on the market. For example, check out TC Electronics G-System (http://www.tcelectronic.com/G-System).

Another grat multi-effect setup is Native-Instruments' Guitar Rig (http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=guitarrig2_us&ftu=4143751b31cf444&flash=9). It is a computer program that runs in conjuntion with a provided foot pedal.

Setups like these are the most efficient way to achieve the most adaptable guitar rig without buying hundreds of pedals and other gear.

Still, for the best tone, nothing can compare to high quality true-bypass effect pedals paired with the best cables.

[youcomebeforeyo]

Yeah, I agree.

Generally, single effects sound better than multi-effects. However, if you're willing to pay the price, there are some great multi-effects on the market. For example, check out TC Electronics G-System (http://www.tcelectronic.com/G-System).

Another grat multi-effect setup is Native-Instruments' Guitar Rig (http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=guitarrig2_us&ftu=4143751b31cf444&flash=9). It is a computer program that runs in conjuntion with a provided foot pedal.

Setups like these are the most efficient way to achieve the most adaptable guitar rig without buying hundreds of pedals and other gear.

Still, for the best tone, nothing can compare to high quality true-bypass effect pedals paired with the best cables.

You make me happy.

Being pretty much the only other audio nerd on this site. Guitar Rig is good fun, my friends band used it for their EP and it's pretty bloody convincing.

[brianl7]

I prefer stompboxes. I think the stompboxes are simpler and sound better.

I had a Digitech RP200 for a couple of years and rarely used it.

[xTJx]

I'm thinking of getting a multi-effect pedal. I just don't want to have 10 individual stomp boxes regardless if it sounds better or not. It's not like my music is going to fill stadiums.

[patrickhowell]

I'm thinking of getting a multi-effect pedal. I just don't want to have 10 individual stomp boxes regardless if it sounds better or not. It's not like my music is going to fill stadiums.

You would probably be better off buying 2 or 3 stomp boxes than buying 1 multi-effect pedal.

Multi-effect systems are much harder to use (especially in live situations), and nearly all of the included effects are either totally useless or just different settings of the same effect (e.g. a pedal might have settings called Chorus 1, Chorus 2, Super Chorus, Mega Chorus, Ultra Chorus, etc)

[johnh5304]

A decent multi-effect pedal would run you about $300-400. You're better off getting stomp boxes cause its more practical. I mean it just depends how serious you are about playing though. The pros and cons of a multieffect pedal don't outweigh that of 3-4 good stomp boxes for the same price.

[TranslateTheNam]

i have a digitech gnx3000 and I have found that a better investment than buying individual pedals.....I dont play live, so having a bunch of effects to play around with is fun....the only complaint I have with it is that you need windows xp to record ( I run NT) and some effects cant be used at the same time. ok 2 complaints.