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Posted by: Retribution Jun 4 2008, 02:47 AM

I've been looking into picking up a multi-effect processor possibly around the end of this month. At first, I was looking into getting the RP350 from Digitech, but now I've also been looking at the RP500. From what I've gathered, the new features on the RP500 give the user more tweaking options and it's only $100 more from musiciansfriend.com

I asked a friend about his opinion on it and he said he's always preferred Line 6 over Digitech. I've heard quite a few people say the same, but I've heard quite a few say the exact opposite, too. I'd love to sit down with both products and test them out, but the closest store that would have them is about a 40 minute drive from me... and with gas the way it is, it wouldn't be pretty.

I was just curious to hear some of the opinions hear about the two. I've seen demos of both and from what I could hear, I couldn't say that one was vastly superior to the other. I'd like to test them both out personally, but it may have to wait. If anyone would like to share some feedback or suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it.

*EDIT*
Apologies if this is the wrong forum... I noticed the multi-effect subform was gone, so I figured it should go here. Sorry if this should be elsewhere.

Posted by: Smikey2006 Jun 4 2008, 03:53 AM

funny story here i had a digitech rp250 plugged into a Line 6 Spider II at a period in time, it was descent.. if your looking for multi effects stuff i would recommend taking a step back and consider the whole tonal issue. Multi effect pedals will also sound digital, they are alot of fun but you'll never get exactly what you want( at least thats what i noticed) modelling amps like Line 6 i have no problem with because you can still get nice tone but i do not recommend buying a multi effects pedal. If you want mutli effects kind of deal i recommend using either a POD or a program like Guitar Rig 2/3. I have no experience with the Rp500 but if you want quality tone i don't recommend anything by digitech but if your just sitting at home having fun then they aren't too expensive and not particularly (a waste of money)

also on the digitech i find it very hard to tweek even with the computer plug in. i cannot figure out how to delete presets and just find the whole thing hard to work with, i do enjoy the built in drum machine though

Posted by: fkalich Jun 4 2008, 06:00 AM

tube preamps in multi units are not a gimmick, they really sound better than those without the tube. I mean actual lit up tubes, not something called "tube sound". big difference. vox and zoom.

Posted by: audiopaal Jun 4 2008, 07:30 AM

The best multieffect out there IMO is the new BOSS GT-10.

I've tried out Line6 POD X3, Vox Tonelab and a few digitechs but the GT-10 was without a doubt the best one IMO

I have gotten every sound I wanted out of it (of course with some tweaking and creating own sounds), so if you're not too unpatient you could get some really great sounds out of it. Even most of the presets are decent which is not normal on multi-effects.

With the EZ-tone it's easy and fast to create own sounds, but you can still deep-edit as much as you want tweaking your sounds to perfection.

I will do a big review on the BOSS GT-10 in a while with recordings on many of the presets as well as some own creations and other cool stuff.

Tube or no tube, this thing rocks!

Posted by: Trond Vold Jun 4 2008, 08:06 AM

QUOTE (audiopaal @ Jun 4 2008, 08:30 AM)

The best multieffect out there IMO is the new BOSS GT-10.

I've tried out Line6 POD X3, Vox Tonelab and a few digitechs but the GT-10 was without a doubt the best one IMO

I have gotten every sound I wanted out of it (of course with some tweaking and creating own sounds), so if you're not too unpatient you could get some really great sounds out of it. Even most of the presets are decent which is not normal on multi-effects.

With the EZ-tone it's easy and fast to create own sounds, but you can still deep-edit as much as you want tweaking your sounds to perfection.

I will do a big review on the BOSS GT-10 in a while with recordings on many of the presets as well as some own creations and other cool stuff.

Tube or no tube, this thing rocks!

Posted by: audiopaal Jun 4 2008, 08:46 AM

QUOTE (Trond Vold @ Jun 4 2008, 09:06 AM)

I can vouche for the GT-10 aswell.
I cant go back to my GT-8 now after i had a night playing around with audiopaal's GT-10

A fantastic unit.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 4 2008, 02:00 PM

I would also recommend Boss GT8 as a cheaper but almost jsut as good all around solution. On the other hand I think it costs more than RP500 or Line6 equivalent.

As far as comparison for RP500 and Line6 gear... don't really know. In terms of sound, you're really choosing the better of two worse, so I suggest you check what device is better in other fileds such as connectivity, easy of use, plug and play features, etc. IMO Line6 has bigger advantage there.

Posted by: kevin-riff-after-riff Jun 4 2008, 04:47 PM

the more convenient one is probably the pod though because so many people have so much time to make these lovely sounding tones and put it on the internet whilst i failed to find any digitech or boss multi-fx tone sharing places.

when i tried to use the boss gt-10 though, it had the really easyy almost demeaning way to make tones, or the really hard way which confused me, nothing in between. but the x3 live i got is that somewhere in between which is great.

but something that has tubes in do sound nicer than something that doesnt, but then it depends who makes it

and digitech doesnt always have plasticy sound, the DF-7 sounds amazing FYI so if you just want good gain,overdrive,fuzz,fatening etc you might wanna get that

i not tried any of the digitech multi fx so i dont know about them, but they are probably watered down version of their stomp boxes all put into one unit - which doesnt sound great

what you should do is go try them all and decide which one is your favourite. concider these points:
sound quality
built quality
usability
and convenience which is always good in my books

this way you can decide whether you would sacrifice abit of the sound quality because its easier to use so you can get closer to the sound you want quicker etc. surel you dont want something that has the potential to sound slightly better than the other one but it is so complicated you spend alot of time there and get nowhere...

anyway theres my essay, hope it helps

Posted by: Retribution Jun 4 2008, 07:48 PM

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

It seems the Boss GT-10 is really the "Boss" around here. I'm just not sure I can swing the price for it, though. It's $499 at Musiciansfriend.com, and I'm not sure I have that kind of budget to spend on it.

I'll keep looking into them, thanks for the advice.