MultiFX for 4-cable-method, but with analogue distortion?

goldtop

Currently using an aging (and quite basic) Boss ME-5. It's front end is fine (old Boss circuits, it seems), but the digital stuff is underwhelming. I'd like something newer that combines a good-sounding analogue front end, the Send/Return sockets for 4-cable-method and then a more modern digital FX section.

Is there such a thing? Most of the current ones seem to be all-digital, with modelling for the distortion and compression.

Suggestions please!

vasselmeyer

I believe the G-System had analogue distortion but its menu system is from the dark ages. Mind you, if you're used to an ME-5 it might not be so bad!

Sporky

The ME-5 was excellent. Some really excellent thick soupy reverbs.

ICBM

The Boss GT-5 is like this - the "pedal" section uses analogue distortion, although the "preamp" section is COSM - but it's also getting old now. The GT-3 might be too - oddly, it came out after the GT-5, not before - but I'm not certain. After that I'm fairly sure it's all COSM.

kennedydream1980

vasselmeyer said:

I believe the G-System had analogue distortion but its menu system is from the dark ages. Mind you, if you're used to an ME-5 it might not be so bad!

The G-System didn’t have any distortion circuit, it provided loops to run external overdrive/distortion pedals. Its the Nova System that has the overdrive/distortion circuits, however you can’t run it using the 4 cable method.

gibsongretschfan

kennedydream1980 said:

vasselmeyer said:

I believe the G-System had analogue distortion but its menu system is from the dark ages. Mind you, if you're used to an ME-5 it might not be so bad!

The G-System didn’t have any distortion circuit, it provided loops to run external overdrive/distortion pedals. Its the Nova System that has the overdrive/distortion circuits, however you can’t run it using the 4 cable method.

G Systems were usually shipped with a Nova Drive if I remember correctly which was controllable via the menu system on the G which might be a shout

vasselmeyer

Ah, thanks @kennedydream1980 I was mixing them up.

Heartfeltdawn

ICBM said:

The Boss GT-5 is like this - the "pedal" section uses analogue distortion, although the "preamp" section is COSM - but it's also getting old now. The GT-3 might be too - oddly, it came out after the GT-5, not before - but I'm not certain. After that I'm fairly sure it's all COSM.

Yep. GT-3 came out after GT-5, removed a bit of real estate and the reverse delay, and was the last Boss multiFX unit to have analogue distortion. 

BintyTwanger77

How "multi"? What about something like a TRex Soulmate? Has an effects loop for 4CM or other effects:

http://www.t-rex-effects.com/soulmate/

gearaddict

There's the Nux Cerberus...http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/110254/nux-cerberus-latest-hat-in-the-fly-rig-ring-midi-irs-etc#latest

Voxman

Heartfeltdawn said:

ICBM said:

The Boss GT-5 is like this - the "pedal" section uses analogue distortion, although the "preamp" section is COSM - but it's also getting old now. The GT-3 might be too - oddly, it came out after the GT-5, not before - but I'm not certain. After that I'm fairly sure it's all COSM.

Yep. GT-3 came out after GT-5, removed a bit of real estate and the reverse delay, and was the last Boss multiFX unit to have analogue distortion. 

I had a Boss GT3. I loved it's build quality and fx but the cosm amp models were very digital and the distortions were not particularly good either, hence I sold it.  

goldtop

Thanks all - lots of YT trawling ahead. Wondering if the Boss GT-n type would be a significant step forward over the ME-5?

That NUX is the most interesting of the lot (at first glance, anyway) - and hands-on easy, too.

ICBM

goldtop said:

Thanks all - lots of YT trawling ahead. Wondering if the Boss GT-n type would be a significant step forward over the ME-5?

In terms of programmability and number of effects, yes. In terms of quality of basic tone, not so much.

The ME-5 does have serious shortcomings - especially the lack of EQ on the distortion module, so you always need to use the EQ with it rather than separately - but really does sound good for such an old unit.

Also don’t rule out the later COSM units - I’m currently using an ME-50, which has at least a couple of overdrive and distortion settings which are *better* than the analogue equivalents. Unfortunately it doesn’t support 4CM.

Voxman

Any of the Boss GT series from GT3 onwards allowed 4 cable connectivity.  But here's a thought - why do you need 4CM? That's only relevant if you want to use your amps natural gain.  If you want good amp models and distortions, although these are not 4 cable compatible, check out the Vox Tonelabs.  If you're a home player the Tonelab ST and EX could be ideal and can be picked up really cheaply - and both sound great even in front of an amp.  The tubes aren't a gimmick and really help these units sound more organic, warmer and more valve-like. The EX has stomp/pre-set switching options and greater flexibility with 2 pedal sections including an Energiser pedal which is really good too.  Global EQ allows adjustment for different amps or going direct through a PA or headphones. But if you are a gigging player and want more comprehensive parameter control & on-stage switching control, with patch-naming, then the older TLLE or TLSE are the better option.

This was me and my daughter done with the little TLST:

Branshen

Digital distortion has come a long way and can sound great!

And alot of studios and music produced nowadays use digital compression. There's absolutely nothing wrong with digital compression in my opinion.

Don't limit yourself if you're looking for a Multi FX! 

siraxeman

Hey doesn't that Mooer Red Truck use analogue dirt and offer 4cm...pretty sure it does ya know. Go research dat fing

gearaddict

Yeah, Red Truck and the Nux Cerberus look very similar. I get the sense that people seem to rate the distortions of the Nux higher. Also the Nux has midi so you can use it to control other things, if that is helpful...

goldtop

Agreed - both seem user friendly. I like the knobby interface and won't even use patch memories.

@Voxman - yes, I definitely want 4CM (I have lots of FX-loop valve amps to hook up). Main one will be the Guytron.

sgosden

would you new helix effects unit be any good? got loops for 4cm, and could put some single analogue dirt pedals in the loops?

more expensive than the other options mind...

siraxeman

^^if one is not adverse to using dirt pedals as well as...you can use most of em out there then in that case!

Winny_Pooh

Use two distortions in Loop 1 & 2 & move amp in effects send to loop 3 by the looks of it.