HOW TO SETUP ANY MULTI GUITAR EFFECTS PROCESSOR… THIS IS JUST A CONCEPT SMART ASS ^_^
A few years back when I was still a noob with guitars and FX (as if I'm a master now), I had a hard time finding my own tone. From the very start I was exposed to multi-fx processors (sorry to the stomp box purists) and man it was like hell setting things up because I was just turning the knobs left and right, pushing buttons, scrolling through the menus and all those [gooey brown stuff] stuff that you have to go through when you have a new toy. From a Korg Toneworks G3, Zoom GFX5, Zoom GFX8, Zoom G2.1nu, Vox Tonelab SE, then the Boss ME-70.
It was with the Boss ME70 that I was enlightened of how things really work. The Boss ME70 was fairly simple to use (yeah it has a lot of knobs that you just dial and all the things you need to choose are there, I don’t know if that’s not simple enough for you) and it has this diagram of how the effects chain works. Right after the Boss ME-70, I got hold of a Nux MFX-10 (I said what the [strawberry] did I get myself). Nux is kinda new to the effects world (that’s what I know but from the things I saw on their manual this company is like owned by Cherub, well correct me if I’m wrong). It was actually with this unit that I first read a user’s manual (yeah I was like McGuyver and didn’t need to read the manuals). Whenever I go to the comfort room and take a [gooey brown stuff], I carry with me the Nux MFX-10 user’s manual [strawberry] yeah it’s great reading when you’re taking a [gooey brown stuff]). Then what do you know, I learned a lot from the manual!!! It was then that I knew about pre-amps, cabs, modulations, reverbs, and all of the effects that you’d need to create your own sound. Different types of amplifiers and cabinets (that’s speaker type for those who don’t know) are being simulated by the multi-fx processor. I did not just read how to operate the unit, but I read more on the amp models that the processor is simulating. I read each of the amp models description and how to get the best out of them.
Right after the Nux MFX-10 I got myself a Digitech RP1000 and man it only took me like 2 hours to study that thingy and setup the tones I really want. After the RP1000 I now have the Behringer V-AMP2 which is a pain in the ass at first coz the architecture is very strange. Currently I’m holding a Behringer V-AMP2 and a Boss ME-70. I use the V-AMP2 for my amp models (yes I like the amp modeling of the V-AMP2 more than the ME-70), and the ME-70 is connected to it like a stomp box. So now I have 2 multi-fx at my disposal with gazillions of tones to put out. Now I’m having second thoughts of selling these toys ^_^.
Here’s a few tips to those having a hard time setting up their multi-fx (and also to those who are planning to get one):
In choosing a multi-fx:
1. Read reviews and learn from other’s views and ideas. Just remember that their ideas are not the same as yours and don’t get dissuaded by their words. Just get ideas and digest them afterwards.
2. Read the user’s manual. Even if you don’t have the unit yet and are still planning to buy one, I’d advice you read the user’s manual. Go to the section where you can read the FX that the unit has and what amp and cab models it simulates. If you don’t have any freaking idea what the amp models are, you always have youtube that you can go to and hear the sounds being simulated by the multi-fx.
3. If you can think you can use at least 70-80% of all the stuff that the multi-fx has then go for it. Otherwise stick to stomp boxes and buy the expensive amps you like.
In setting up a multi-fx:
1. Choose the amp/cab models. Tweak it to your favored sound. The amp/cab simulation will be the base of your sound so this would have to be the first that you need to setup.
2. Add the fx you want on the chain: Compressor-Drive-Modulation/Delay-Reverb-Wah and tweak.
There are so many people saying that their multi-fx is like crap, but in reality most of them just don’t understand and they don’t know how to tweak it well. Worst is that they don’t have the patience to learn more about their new toy and then just end up selling it coz they don’t like it.
That’s how simple it is. But as I said it’s still best to go over the user’s manual and you’ll find tons of stuff you didn’t even know it existed. We’re just too lazy to read.
Best of all… Carry the manual with you when you take a crap ^_^ Cheers!
