Line 6 vs Boss

[Headshot]

ok, which one makes a better multi-effect pedal? I am looking at the Line 6 M13 vs the Boss ME-70. I will use this pedal in front of a solid state amp without modeling features. I kinda sorta have an idea what pedals will go in front of my tube amp, just want something to play around with. I don't gig, just messing at home.

[vjf1968]

You may want to look at the Line 6 M9 at http://www.line6.com/m9/ before plopping down the dosh for an M13. It may fulfill your needs better. Plus you can intergrate it with any stomp boxes you might have.

Personally I like the Line 6 stuff. Deciding which one is better is really subjective and can only be made by yourself.

[getbent]

depends on the user... I'm going to order an m9 today (20% off) and use that for my regular gig... I tried it out and was pleasantly surprised enough to say... it will be perfect for what I am trying to do (simplify, reduce points of failure, have simple setup for multiple sound scenes within the context of a gig.)

[callaway]

The interface of the M13/M9 is undoubtedly better than the ME-70. Also, the ME-70 limits you to its default order of effects and only lets you run one of each type at a time. Want a tubescreamer into an EQ into an eight-note delay into a dotted-eighth delay? Can't do that on the ME-70. The only advantage I see the ME-70 having is that it does have a few amp models in case you want to run that into a PA, as well as an integrated expression pedal (although it's pretty limited in what parameters it can control). Not to mention that I've never liked the sound of Boss effects anyway.

Sorry if this is extremely biased, but I have been playing the M13 for over a year and it is simply stunningly good. By far the most transparent, natural effects box I've ever played.

And where is this 20% off the M9? I'm really tempted to pick one up and sell my M13. I love it, it's just that I want to reduce the footprint of my gear... so the M9 seems perfect for me.

[Faraldi]

I just went from the POD XT Live to a couple of pedals. Then, the issue I had was with the pedals messing with my tone (specifically the Digitech DigiDelay and the Multi Chorus).

My real desire with the POD XT Live wasn't the amp modeling but rather the effects. True, you can use it as a stand-alone effects board but IMO, the overdrives and distortion effects were very poor. As a "plug to the board" option, the XTL works because you're modeling an amp. I do hear great things about the M13/M9. Appears they are really at a much higher level than the POD's.

So, I stumbled upon a gentleman selling a Boss ME-50 and I pulled the trigger. Man I am VERY pleased with the COSM effects it offers. The overdrives are so incredibly close to the original Boss stomps. In fact, I A/B's a couple of pedals and I was actually impressed a bit more with the ME-50 because it offers a bit more in tone shaping (there's a "bottom" adjustment that the pedals don't have.)

Couldn't turn the thing off last night. Packed up the Digitech pedals and they're on their way back to AMS.

If you have an amp that you love like I do (Peavey Bandit 112TT) and if it has a great clean tone, I agree that hitting the front end of the amp and NOT modeling is the way to go. For my $175, the ME-50 should be plenty for me for quite a while.

Side note... ('cause I love that Peavey) The new Bandit 112TT has a direct out that is made for sending a signal to the board with only speaker emulation and not amp modeling. It's a great option used in conjunction with the Boss.

[getbent]

Originally Posted by callaway

And where is this 20% off the M9? I'm really tempted to pick one up and sell my M13. I love it, it's just that I want to reduce the footprint of my gear... so the M9 seems perfect for me.

musicians friend has a card they sent out that I can get 20% off anything I want to buy between now and Oct 31. I understand it is available in other methods as well.... you might give them a call.

[Headshot]

I played around with the ME-70 a little, but there was just too many kids playing really loud for me to get anything out of my trip to my GC. A couple of the guys there that know me said I should check out the Line 6 M9 as well, so that will be something I will try one evening this week.

[Faraldi]

Hey Frank (Headshot),

Update. I played in church with the ME-50 over the weekend. The ME-50 has a dual-use line out that also does headphones. With this output, I plugged into the board (of course through a DI box). The nice thing is that the ME-50 does have a little speaker emulation through this output for this specific use.

I was in my element man. The sound coming from this thing just filled the room. It was so pure and the feel/response was perfect.

The settings I used were:

Clean

Tube Screamer with the gain at about 11:00

Stereo chorus

Analog delay at about 350 milliseconds (sp?)

I wanted to play more than the four songs that morning! It was fantastic and I'm sure the ME-70 is even better.

Side note... Our bassist wasn't able to show. So, in rehearsal I messed around with the octave pedal and it sounded cool. So I actually used it during one of the songs.

As far as Guitar Center... tell one of these wanna be rock stars who work there that you want to go into the "high-end amp room" with one of these effects unit and try it out.

Also, no problem asking someone to turn it down.

Good luck.

[Headshot]

thanks Joe for your real-life usage report. As to the guys at GC, they always try to clear the room for me even if I am just there to play stuff I have no intention of buying!! A couple are younger, but respect me a lot....a couple are in their 40's, and are long-time gigging musicians as well. One of the younger guys loves clearing out the room, telling the other young ones that a VIP needs the room, then he opens the "glass case" and pulls out some cool guitar that costs as much as my truck. Now I may not be as good as I was when I was a kid, but I just started playing again 5 months ago after a 39 year layoff, so once in awhile I will throw some licks at them that makes them smile....I tell them that maybe its time to stop playing that "3 notes on heavy distortion" thinking they are really playing something and learning to play outside of their comfort zone.