M5, M9, or M13

[Ecadad]

I have most of the pedals that I want, but if i ever get the urge for a sound I don't have want something that can do that. I cannot decide between the Line 6 M5, the M9, or the M13. How do they compare?

I'm leaning toward the M9 so I can have three effects at once, but then I start to think "why not spend $100 more and get the M13?" what should I do?

 

[getbent]

m13

i had an m9

the 13 is more than 4 more.

 

[jefrs]

I hate the M25 (M13 connects it to Stanstead) but the M6 north of Wolverhampton is not too bad although I have to use the M5 to get onto it, and the M9 is one of the nicest roads in the country.

But this is about MFX units. I rarely use my olde Korg AX10 MFX.

Problem with these is you have every effect in the world but not one single one is as good as any discrete pedal, and they are complicated to use on the fly.

Plus I'm underwhelmed with the Line6 digital FX in Gearbox/PodFarm and the JM4 Looper.
I turn all the Gearbox interface FX off when using the TonePort and I got rid of the JM4.

 

[slowpinky]

The only problem I have with the M13 is the size/shape. It'll fit into a 21x15(inches) effects case but wont leave much room for the power supply and any other pedal like a controller , distortion or volume pedal. As far as I know Line 6 dont make a case for it - which is typically dumb of a large manufacturer - and while the housing is strong , the knobs are delicate enough to break with some impact.

The M9 is definitely more luggable - will fit in a standard 30 x 12 (the M13 is too deep for these cases) case with plenty of other stuff.

I'd agree with jefrs that the M13's flexilbility with individual sounds isnt quite up there with the stomp modelers but they are really minor differences - and the the looper on the M13 is great for me - its essentially the DL4 looper with more memory.. easy to use and well integrated with the other effects - not sure about the M9 though.

 

[vjf1968]

Get the M13 and an expression pedal from Mission Engineering. You will have more flexibility over the unit. More than you would with stomp boxes. And the effects are great except for some of the dirt patches.

As far as cases go, Line 6 is not in the luggage business. So either order a Pedaltrain or DIY.

 

[ruger9]

I thought I read L6 discontinued one of these? No?

 

[Lance]

I had the M13 and traded down to the M9 + a few dirt pedals.

Two reasons:
- The drives on the M-series are good....but not as good as the pedals I like (Tim, OCD, DLS, '69). The Screamer model is pretty decent though and does a good tube screamer / 808 style overdrive. Unfortunately, the fuzz models just plain suck - they just don't sound raspy like a real fuzz pedal. Since I was only using the M13 for modulations and delays (which are amazing), I never found that I needed more than three effects at a time. Actually...most of the time it's two...so I still have a slot open for reverb when I use it with a non-reverb amp.
- There's a serious design problem with the M13. The rotatry control pots that is also pushed to select the type of effect can get out of alignment with the push button below. I had this problem on two units. When I had my M13 in a Line 6 service center, they showed me the problem and said they've seen the problem on dozens of units. (They're the ones that told me it was a "known design flaw"). Essentially, the problem is that because of the large, open, unsupported area on the top of the board....it flexes under the players foot. Eventually, the controls that are mounted to a circuit board get out of alignment with the button below and need to be reseated. If the knob isn't serious out of alignment, you can actually grab the knob with a pair of pliers and pull up....this often pops the control back in place and fixes it. In my case, the quick fix stopped working. On the M9, the case is considerably smaller and doesn't flex at all. I've had my M9 for quite a while and have seen no control problems and no flexing of the case. Granted, not everyone has this problem but it's still common enough for me to consider the M13 ungigworthy. For bedroom / home recording use or for someone with a very light touch, they may never see this issue. The worst part about this problem is that Line 6 refuses to acknolwedge the design problem with any sort of warranty fix or replacement. They have not returned emails or calls when I've contacted them other than to tell me to "see a local service center". They also will not acknowledge the problem on their forum. At $60 a visit to fix their design problem, I think that's a completely unacceptable response.

With regard to the M5...it's nice but not enough for me as I tend to use a delay and some other effect simultaneously. (e.g., wah+delay, trem+delay, compressor+delay)

Also, the ability to use "Scene Mode" is amazing....you can dial in a set of effects and with one button have it instantly on. Compared to a board of individual pedals, it's a huge usability plus. I just don't fiddle with knobs....essentially, I step on my dirt pedal, select a Scene and go. Include using expression pedal to give you foot controlled tweakability to every effect parameter and you have a killer rig.

 

[revelator]

I had an M9 & expression pedal & found it very useful for filling the delay/verb slot as well as for scratching the "I need something different/out there" itch I got. For me tho I just couldn't bound w/ a computer on my board, try as I may I'm a analog type guy.

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI which ROCKS!

 

[slowpinky]

- There's a serious design problem with the M13. The rotatry control pots that is also pushed to select the type of effect can get out of alignment with the push button below. I had this problem on two units. When I had my M13 in a Line 6 service center, they showed me the problem and said they've seen the problem on dozens of units.

absolutely - this has come up before and it is a bona fide design fault - the knobs themselves are also flimsy - so despite the solid housing , the M13 is a fragile item particularly in transit - hence my comment about a purpose built case..but it will do a huge range of effects and the verbs, delays, mods and filter sounds are beautiful.

As far as cases go, Line 6 is not in the luggage business. So either order a Pedaltrain or DIY.

well they make cases for all of the Pods...

 

[nic'o'caster]

I guess the answer is in your needs. If you're in a U2 cover band that requires you to go from one specific patch to another then the M13 offers superior versatility. On another hand if you just need a specific effect for one song here and there then the simple M5 is a nice addition to an already crowded board : keep the pedals you regularly use and the M5 will look after all the rest.

 

[bluebirdrad]

The M5 works well using a standard boss style 9V power supply, I'm pretty sure you have to use the included power supply with the others. It takes up two spaces on your pedalboard. It's a great fit with your other pedals. Its much easier to use than a typical multi-effects unit. I use mine for delays, reverb, and modulation and I like the fact that I can call up any effect I could ever need. Can still use presets but they are easy to set up. It works great for me but I don't run a lot of effects at once -- that's really the issue.

 

[vjf1968]

absolutely - this has come up before and it is a bona fide design fault - the knobs themselves are also flimsy - so despite the solid housing , the M13 is a fragile item particularly in transit - hence my comment about a purpose built case..but it will do a huge range of effects and the verbs, delays, mods and filter sounds are beautiful.



well they make cases for all of the Pods...

Actually those cases are outsourced to another company. They in turn just put the "Line 6" logo on it and charge a premium.

Since most people tend to incorporate the M5,9 and 13 into their existing set ups it would stand to reason that they already have a pedalboard with a case.

 

[Burnt Gerbil]

I'd say the M13 is for people who want to do away with their whole pedal board. The M9 is for people who want to add a fair amount of versatility to a mid-large board. The M5 is for people who want to fill a small hole in their pedal options.

I went the M9 route. It sits in the top left of my PedalTrain and is typically the only thing running in the effects loop. I use it for reverb and occasional modulations, but it's primarily there for delays and ambiance (which I find to be its strongest features). However, I do think I'm going to start using my Hardwire reverb after it and just sit it on the amp to free up the 3rd slot.

 

[slowpinky]

I'd say the M13 is for people who want to do away with their whole pedal board.

Yep - The M13 doesnt just 'slot' into a pedalboard exactly...

Actually those cases are outsourced to another company. They in turn just put the "Line 6" logo on it and charge a premium.

Fine - so someone else makes it - its still a Line 6 product and marketed to go with their own product. I'd have thought given the fragility of the M13 and the size of it - its a consideration the company might extend itself to. But youre right - thats not their bag(pun intended)...

 

[vjf1968]

Yep - The M13 doesnt just 'slot' into a pedalboard exactly...



Fine - so someone else makes it - its still a Line 6 product and marketed to go with their own product. I'd have thought given the fragility of the M13 and the size of it - its a consideration the company might extend itself to. But youre right - thats not their bag(pun intended)...

Even if they did offer a case for it that would jack the price up considerably. I understand what your saying though. I wish Fender would provide a amp cover for their amps as part of the price but they don't which always bugged me.

 

[Jagg76]

I don't own one but I did see the m13 in action - seems fairly versatile.

-Jagg

 

[TechJunky]

I have the m13 and love it. I use it on its own sometimes with no issues, and other times in conjunction with my stand alone pedals (mostly od's and distortions. M13 dirt is pretty good, and certainly useable but not quite as good as the real deals as stated previously). I chose the m13 over the m9 for the versatility. Having the extra available pedal can be nice, but I don't use 4 at a time hardly ever. What I do use though is the 12 available effects as opposed to 6 in a scene. I love delays and modulation/filters, so having several set up on a scene allows me to pick the one i want without changing scenes and losing whatever other effects I already have on (or having to make duplicate scenes just to change one effect in the path). I also like having the 4 screens for the effect settings so i can make adjustments on the fly when I turn an effect on like I would with a regular pedal. Its just easier for me to see which effect is on, where its set, make the change, and be done. It is very big and bulky, but for my needs its perfect and I'm willing to deal with the size.

 

[slowpinky]

Yep - Its hard to find so much cool accessible ambience in any other pedal. I love mine too but there are some limitations particularly with the looper. While the DL 4 has lots of real time stuff you can do - pitch and speed variations ala Frisell - the M13 can only do reverse and half (down an octave) speed -but the looper is designed more for setting up phrases than ambient effect and has more memory than the DL4.