Multi Effect Pedalboards question

[fatbandit]

'Aight.

I'm considering replacing my combo at the moment with a head/cab setup, but for convenience, I'm also considering using a method someone suggested to me a while ago and using just a multi-effect pedalboard and running from that straight into the PA and taking advantage of the models and patches.

My question is really how viable is this for an option, and what is the best one to use? The ones I'd be considering are the Boss ME50b or the GT6b, and the Line 6 Pod XT Live. Are there any others worth looking at? I know I get a nice tone out of a friend's Korg one, but that's for his guitar. I'd be using it for a few different clean tones as well as distortion, so I need it to be the floor unit to switch between patches (plus the attached expression pedals are nice).

My other question would be can I use one of them to power my own unvoiced monitor cab? Effectively giving me a head/cab rig, using the pedalboard for the head. I have no idea if this will work or not, but I'd prefer it so that I can hear myself without relying on venue PA monitors (I prefer having none of myself through them, just the rest of the band, and my personal onstage sound coming from my amp). Plus it does look a little more pro to actually have an amp behind me ^_^ Hohoho.

With the modelling features on the pedalboards, will the speaker size/number make much of a difference? I've always liked 4x12s, but is there any need with this setup? Also, I assume I could use a normal cab instead of an unvoiced speaker cab? I don't think 4x12 is a common size for unvoiced monitor speaker cabs?

If the cab needs to be powered, as the pedalboards don't supply their own power, what kind of cabinets would I need which are self amplifying?

Anyway, all advice on this is appreciated!

:smash:

[bassi3]

Chrisz0rz!

During my Fëanor-days, I used to play through my GT6B, which has a double output:

I used the XLR-outputs through a stand-alone EQ to go to the PA, and I used the jack-outputs to go to my amp. That way I was sure the PA would produce the sound I wanted, and still have the option to adjust my stage-sound without messing with the PA-signal.

For your on-stage sound you could even go with a combo, just as long as it's powerful enough to boost over your drummer (I usually play with really loud drummers, so a combo may be tricky then). And usually cabs don't need powering, as long as the input they receive is strong enough to move the speakers. Bet i'm not endowed with really much knowledge on this subject, so you better check with someone that is.

On the cone-sizes: Specially when you use patches and amp-modelling, I think it's important to have a wide range of cones available, to be sure your cabs can produce the sound you want. On the other hand, when it's just there for your stage-sound, a 4x12 can suffice.


Myself i came back totally from using MEB's (Multi-effect Boards), since I find them sounding too digital. But that's just a personal thing.

[Chameleon]

*knows nothing*

[fatbandit]

What's this Elite stuff? :lol: I been away a while :p

Thanks Bob, I'll remember that.

I was thinking about going Pedal > Speakers > PA, rather than Pedal > PA... Basically just as a head/cab setup.

The theory is that I'll have my sound how I want it due to presets without messing about onstage sound anyway.

As for different cone sizes... I find 4x12 to be pretty versatile to be honest. Is there a sound reason why different ones would be beneficial? Wouldn't that also be true of normal bass rigs?

I want to remove my combo out of the equation, which is why I'm looking at just getting the monitor speakers.

:smash:

[Chameleon]

(I have no idea what this elite stuff is. I've not been here in a while either, the odd random post is as much as I can take)

[bassi3]

In your normal bass-rig you select the cones for the sound you want. ie: I'm in a punkband, so I would go for a 6x10 or 8x10, cause the 10" have a really fast response (which i need), and a good sounding high (for attack and stuff). whereas an 18" is capable of genreating really low sounds, but is slow as hell.

When you use amp-modelling and stuff, you modify your sound to one that your amp/cab setup may or may not handle (cabability-wise). Hence, I find a versatile setup important in those situations, so your setup will always be capable of producin the sounds you feed it.

Another way would be making sure your presets will sound good through a 4x12, but then you really need to know loads bout freqs and response times.

[British Kid]

i'd go for the POD xt Live. those have awesome effects and amp/cab modeling. also, if you want an amp behind you, get your 4x12 then get a power amp to drive it and use the POD as a preamp that will go to your poweramp/cab and also go to the PA system

*hopes he read the question right....* :D

[fatbandit]

Ah, you see I don't want a power amp, just the cab and the pedalboard. Then depending on venue and space in the car, or whatever, I can possibly just bring the pedalboard to go direct to the PA.

I'd be more likely to modify my sound from the board so that it sounds good through a 4x12, Ronald, just as if I was using a head and cab, I'd use different EQ on the same head depending on what cab I was using.

The idea behind using an unvoiced monitor speaker is that it should be able to handle anything I run through it, and just run the tone through from the pedal without colouring it.

:smash:

[FenderJazz]

Ah, you see I don't want a power amp, just the cab and the pedalboard. Then depending on venue and space in the car, or whatever, I can possibly just bring the pedalboard to go direct to the PA.

Having a pedalboard and a cab wont do anything because nothing will be powering the cab... You need a power amp to do that. As for your question "what kind of cabinets would I need that are self amplifying?" That would be called a combo.

[fatbandit]

Which is why I asked what cab you can use to power itself, as I'm pretty sure some PA speakers (which is what I said I was looking for) do that?

Try again.

:smash: