Single or all in one effects?

[Guitar_guy]

Which do you guys prefer? The single effect pedals or all in one like a Boss GT8, I am trying to figure out which way I want to go, if you can list the pros and cons of either way I would appreciate it.

[bigbuda]

I had a GNX4 for over a year. It was pretty cool. Had alot of stuff incorporated into it like drum machine, 8 track recording, edit patches via USB. I recently sold it and bought the BOSS GT-8. It is a better effects unit IMHO. I like the dynamic picking effect on the BOSS and the harmonizer is cool too. I think the BOSS has a better tone, not so digitized. Every pedal on the BOSS can be programmed to control about every paramater on the unit. HA, I said UNIT> :rolleyes:

[Kevin Taylor]

All in one for sure.
There's no comparison. Individual pedals are a major pain because they all require individual batteries or A/C units. Plus the hassle of the extra cables and space.
If you're just using one or two pedals then I guess for cost, you might as well just stick with what you need.
But if you're serious about recording etc.. you need to have access to the full series of effects like , reverb, chorus, compression, eq, noisegate, overdrive etc..

The other advantage is MIDI. You can have your computer automatically change patches at a certain point in a song.

[magicninja]

Can we get a midi tutorial Schmange. My drum machine works in Fruity Loops but I also got my Roland VS-880 which I can hook up to my pc via midi and almost have it be like a big screen for it. With level meters and effects settings and stuff like that. I just can't get it to work. I know its all reletive to what gear I'm using but are there general rules that apply?

[bigbuda]

I think Schmange actually has a midi tutorial under his lesson section.

[magicninja]

Hooray! I'm off to see the tutorial....the wonderful tutorial of midi.

[bigbuda]

I need to re-read that tutorial myself. :D

[Kevin Taylor]

heh... that tutorial's a little outdated now.
The basics still apply but man.. I haven't owned that equipment in years.
Guess it's time to start doing a new one.

[arska007]

i personally prefer individual pedals and i don't find it to be complicated with the cable's. i have one a/c unit with a one splitter. nothing dificult!

[Andrew Sa]

so long as you are sticking to the Boss Gt8, Digitech Gnx4 or Pod sort of league, a multi effects/amp modeller is amazing...just be weary of cheaper units...you always get what you pay for

[acapella]

well Guitar_guy, i think it really depends what you want. There are pros and cons to both.

Multi effects:

Pros
Easier to transport
Many effects for less money
Save on batteries/cables

Cons
Sound of individual effects not as high of quality
Not as user-friendly

Single effects stompbox:

Pros
Better quality sound
Easy to use when playing live

Cons
Cost more per effect
More batteries/cables

Those are probably the main issues of the two. It really depends where you are and where you want to go. If you just want something to play around with on your own that makes sounds, go multi. But if you want a certain sound that you think is perfect for the tone your after, or you only want one effect and think you'll never use the other stuff, go for the single effect. Not to mention with single effects you can mix sounds from different brands, maybe you want a RAT distortion and Tubescreamer overdrive, an Electro Harmonix chorus and BOSS delay. In my opinion single pedals are better and more practical (have sounds you will actually use).

[Andrew Sa]

Or (like me) you can use a combination of the two...I run a Pod Xt live, a Boss PW-10 wah, a few Boss stompboxes and a Digitech Space station...is a mission to set up, because of the Pod and Space Station(and a digitech Jam Man...but that I run completely seperately...just use to plya back loops and samples),the use of a pedal board is impossible...would be way too big...but I love what I get out of it.

[rockonn91]

you know, ive been wanting to get one of those loopers. are they any good?

[Andrew Sa]

Theyre absolutely amazing...I have a 2gig flashcard in mine...so thats 6hours of loops, and they can be overdubbed, and it has a tap tempo function to adjust any loop you have recorded...if you even thought about buying one...then you will find hundreds of uses for it...even amazing as a practice tool...I dunno how I lived without my Jam Man.

[PRSplaya]

I prefer individual pedals for my effects, but I don't use many effects. I wouldn't say one is necessarily better than the other, but they both have their pro's and con's. It's really a presonal preference thing. If I was going to use a lot of effects, then I would go with a rack unit and a midi controler. I really only use wah, overdrive, chorus, and delay, so that's why I stick with the single pedals.