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254 Views 5 Replies Latest reply: Jun 18, 2012 2:47 AM by Crusty_Old_Rocker RSS
arollindonut Just Startin'
arollindonut
2 posts since
Jun 17, 2012
Currently Being Moderated

Jun 17, 2012 2:17 PM

Why Line 6 over other FX Units ?

Ok, I'm in the market for a multi fx pedal because I don't want to go down the individual pedal route because
a) it can be expensive
b) it can end up messy
c) I want as small a set up as necessary that can do everything i want.

So I was looking at the Line 6 products and up until a wee while ago i was all set to get the M13. Then they bring out the HD500. ( I should at this point tell everyone I have no need for amp modelling. Tried it...hated it...switched it off and just used my GT-8 for effects only.)

Then i looked at a couple of demo's online of the Nova system. Now I know asking people on here if the nova system is better than the M13 or HD 500 may be a bit of a daft question but hopefullt there's somebody out there who had the same dilema and can answer this.

If i but the M13 or HD500, will I end up with a unit that can do just about everything possible but be really lacking in warmth and be just what it claims to be : a modelled version of something else...and also sounding all too thin and digital?

Or do i go down the Nova system route and from what I've heard from posts on various boards, don't get as many fx for your buck, but what you get sounds so superior to anything line 6 offer, and any of the other bells and whistles that you need, you can add them to your Nova set up with individual pedals.

BTW...I'm playing through a small Vox AC4 TVH at home and an AC30 in a band....love the amp tones on both, hence the disdain for amp modelling.   
Just new to the forum so forgive me if this has been asked before but i need a wee bit of guidance befor I part with the bread.

 

Thanks..

  • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
    silverhead
    9,592 posts since
    Apr 1, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 17, 2012 3:25 PM (in response to arollindonut)
    Re: Why Line 6 over other FX Units ?

    I can't speak about the Nova system, but I would say you can narrow down your Line 6 option to the M13. Based on your disdain for amp modelling you will prefer the M13. It behaves more like a set of stompboxes and is designed to be used with an external amplifier. The HD500 is primarily an amp modeler; using it for FX only is more cumbersome due to its overall complexity, especially with respect to output modes, options, and flexibility - all of which just complicate things for FX-only use.

  • goldglob Just Startin'
    goldglob
    57 posts since
    Dec 4, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 17, 2012 5:12 PM (in response to arollindonut)
    Re: Why Line 6 over other FX Units ?

    I don't know the Nova, but over the years (and over 10,000 gigs) I've had quite a few multi effects units. I never wanted or needed amp modeling and so was very excited when the M13 and M9 appeared. I bought the M9: not too big and I like having 2 or 3 pedals up front in the chain anyway... just using the M9 for mods and delays. It sounds gorgeous, and it's so easy and quick to change parameters on the fly (just like real stompboxes). If I was playing a show where I wanted exactly the same sounds /combination of effects for various sections I guess a traditional multi effects thing with lots of programmable patches would be the best option, but actually the M13 and M9 have a latching scene mode where you can indeed quickly change from one overall sound/combination of effects to another (On the M9, 6 scenes available with your foot,  and then more 'folders' of scenes available with a knob tweak), but you can't name patches  The effects are great (warm and fluid), and with added expression pedals you can tweak any/all of the parameters in real time.....and you can tap tempo of delays and mods...the best box I ever bought.

  • phil_m Expert Line 6 User
    phil_m
    4,243 posts since
    Jan 25, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 17, 2012 5:24 PM (in response to arollindonut)
    Re: Why Line 6 over other FX Units ?

    I have had the M13 for nearly 4 years now, and I love it. I think it's still my favorite Line 6 product, and it's the best multi-FX unit I've used. It's certainly the easiest to use. I actually did have the Nova System on my smaller board for a little while, but I ended up selling it and getting an M9. The Nova has some good sounding effects, but overall, it's much more limiting in what you can do with it. You can't for instance have multiple delay in series (except for with one of the delay models), and you're stuck with the chain pretty much the way it is. The M13 gives you complete flexibility in the signal chain. You can multiple instances of effects, arrange them however you want. It's just a very intuitive design. I've not seen anyone match it yet.

    • arollindonut Just Startin'
      arollindonut
      2 posts since
      Jun 17, 2012
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jun 18, 2012 12:30 AM (in response to phil_m)
      Re: Why Line 6 over other FX Units ?

      Thanks for the feedback guys...like i said , just wanting a couple of views from people who have owned one or either of the units I'm looking at. If i'd had the money before the HD500 came out, i'd have the M13 already....but I'm looking at that now and thinking "up to 8 fx at once...signal chain totally flexible, exp pedal built in...you can turn off the amp modelling and use if for FX only...and if you want to record, the I/O options are all there."

      Understand that it's a bit more to get to grips with but i think I can handle that....or does the M13 win for simplicity and ease of use....and if you want another couple of drive's etc, just pop them in the loop ...and grab 2 Boss FV500 Exp pedals ? Think thats the way i'm leaning at the moment...

      • Crusty_Old_Rocker Expert Line 6 User
        Crusty_Old_Rocker
        3,096 posts since
        Jan 24, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jun 18, 2012 2:47 AM (in response to arollindonut)
        Re: Why Line 6 over other FX Units ?

        Connecting the M13 using the 4 cable method with you AC30 will give you the ability to have things like distortion and wah in front of the amp while feeding the modulation and delay effects to the power amp only.  You can also put effects between your guitar and the M13 so you can have more than 4 effects at once via outboard effects.

         

        I have the M13 and love it with my handbuilt Matchless SC30 clone (which is very similar to a vintage Vox AC30) and just love it.  I also have an M5 that I put in front of the M13 that I use for compression and boost.

         

        The HD500 is very cool, I have one of those too.  I use it a lot with other amps but not with my SC30.  What's really cool is the amp modelling really goes to a whole new level of modelling and I swear that when used with the DT50 amp it gets pretty hard to tell that you're using amp modelling.  The Bassman modelling is to die for and the AC30 will blow you away, but where you'd find the real value of the HD500 is recording.  You can use the amp modelling for recording and the results are very, very good.  Maybe not as good as mic'ing up the AC30 in an isolation booth, but the convenience of not having to get the mic placement right and some way of protecting the neighbours from the loudness of your AC30 to crank it up to get the sweet tone out of it really is worth it.  I've never had anyone pick anything I've recorded as a modelled amp.  Let's face it, it's only you that knows it's amp modelling in the recording.  Seriously, if you don't tell anyone, they won't pick it.

         

        So, if you're only going live, the M13 will do the job for you and will work well with your AC30.  If you're recording, then the convenience of using the amp modelling in the HD500 might be worth serious consideration.

         

        Cheers,

         

        Crusty

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