Guitar Processor

jakelm

Hey guys/gals, I know this isnt the best forum to ask this, but since this place is my favorite forum, I wanted to see if there were any opinions here.

I'm in the market for a guitar processor. I know a few of you play guitar and might give me some input on the matter.

I have an older Strat electric that I have been playing on for years. I never owned a processor but have played on a few with my buddies. I have always played the guitar hooked directly to the amp and just raised or lowered the distortion on the amp. But since I have a few extra bucks I decided to go ahead and start shopping for a decent processor.

I would like something that has a range of about 20 or more different sounds and my cost around $100- $150. I have seen a few on Ebay, but cant really decide on any particular one. They all seem pretty nice, but since I am very "green" when it comes to processors, I am not sure what is good what is bad, what will last through alittle abuse.

Any ideas?

Jake

P.S Should I just copy this thread in the WTB?

Demiurge

I have used and owned Boss and DigiTech. You really can't go wrong with those brands. Personally, I'm more of a fan of individual pedals as opposed to an all-in one processor. You have more flexibility with individual pedals, but yeah -- more expensive overall.

jakelm

I was thinking individual pedals, but that would be over my buget and an overkill in my situation.

There are alot of DigiTech's on ebay. From $69-$200. What do I look for besides the number of presets and different sounds? I assume they all have built in tuners and can be customized in sound effects? But I did notice some have 4 or 5 pedals and some only have 2.

PolkThug

I've only used Boss with no problems, but its been a long time.

jakelm

Maybe someone here would like to unload one. I might post in the WTB.

jakelm

This one looks right in my price range, but I dont know much about Digitech

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIGITECH-GUITAR-MODELING-PROCESSOR-W-USB-FS_W0QQitemZ280086344952QQihZ018QQcategoryZ41421QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Demiurge

jakelm wrote:

This one looks right in my price range, but I dont know much about Digitech

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIGITECH-GUITAR-MODELING-PROCESSOR-W-USB-FS_W0QQitemZ280086344952QQihZ018QQcategoryZ41421QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That's actually a great little unit.

My suggestion? Go to Musicians Friend and buy it. I'll bet it's cheaper than eBay, and it will be brand new. They're a very good company.

www.musiciansfriend.com

Roy Munson

I would recommend individual pedals also. If you are looking for overdrive an Ibanez Tube Screamer is the way to go for your Strat or for a little less a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive. The pedal that I use the most is a Boss RV-3 Digital Reverb/Delay. It's not quite as cool as an analog delay but a very nice pedal anyway. It depends on what you like to play, for example if you're into a lot of distortion a Boss Hyper Metal might work for you. Another pedal I like is the Boss Super Chorus. There are a lot of effects pedals on the market, just buy one at a time. Good luck.

VR3

Muscians Friend is an evil entity.

*Holds up fingers in cross symbol*

Im only kidding, we sell the entire RP line up, they range from 50 to 200...

You can get the mack daddy RP pedal for 200 bones. Good pedal.

Of course their GNX series is pretty sweet too, but that does a lil more than effects. Start getting into recording, effects, vocals, blah blah

mantis

Depending on your budget, I got a Slighty Used Boss GT 8 effects and modeling processor that I'm willing to give up. I picked it up in December of 06.I got the box manuals and some notes from other users on how to get the most of it.

Dmantis20@aol.com

jakelm

Looks like this is the one. What do you all think?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/DigiTech-RP200A-Modeling-Guitar-Processor?sku=150183

jakelm

Or this one...Damn I didnt think it would be this hard..


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/DigiTech-RP250-Multi-Effects-Pedal?sku=156607

Demiurge

Do you have a Guitar Center? (They ate up Mars Music some years back)

Go there and try it out, and then order it off the net. They have demo rooms for 1 - 3 people so you don't have to worry about other people listening to you noodle or deal with the **** bag show offs.

jakelm

This one is cheap, but looks like it has ok specs. But I dont think I should veer away from DigiTech.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Toneworks-AX5G-Guitar-Multieffect-Pedal-?sku=160000

Demiurge

Korg makes better recording equipment than guitar processors.

jakelm

Demiurge wrote:

Do you have a Guitar Center? (They ate up Mars Music some years back)

Go there and try it out, and then order it off the net. They have demo rooms for 1 - 3 people so you don't have to worry about other people listening to you noodle or deal with the **** bag show offs.

That is so true. Last time I went to our local music store to test out some electric guitars, some Megadeath wanna-be came in, I couldnt even hear what I was playing. I put the guitar up and left. Now I just go there to pick up new strings or picks. The other small store we have is a great little store but it deals mostly with orders. They dont carry much in terms of processors. And the ones they do carry, are like your Boss, $300 +.

jakelm

Thanks for all the help guys. This is the one I bought. What is the USB for? To hook to a computer?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/DigiTech-RP250-Multi-Effects-Pedal?sku=156607

Demiurge

Yep, and recording.

jakelm

Demiurge wrote:

Yep, and recording.

Awsome.

Demiurge

Yeah, but it's probably only single track and doesn't support a mic. You'd need a digital recorder with multi-tracking.

jakelm

Well it will still be cool to review my work-in-progress. And share it.

krabby5

Look into the Toneport by Line 6..awesome piece of gear for less than $200..

great recording tool as well...and you can join their online service for like $8 a month where they have lessons and backing tracks WITH vocals...

I've had the Guitarport (before the Toneport was available)for 3-4 years now and still love it..basically it's a USB toggle to your computer

you might have to invest in some small monitors though...cheap computer speakers don't do it justice...

The distortion tones are top notch in my opinion..

check it out..

jakelm

krabby5 wrote:

you might have to invest in some small monitors though...cheap computer speakers don't do it justice...

..

My HK 2.1 PC speakers should do just fine. I didint see but I wonder if the DigiTech 250 comes with any editing or multitrack software. I dont think it does. But the Line 6 looks pretty cool.

What is a good software to use to playback my fav music and record with it? Would that be the Line 6?

Demiurge

Any digital recorder worth it's salt can do that.

jakelm

Demiurge wrote:

Any digital recorder worth it's salt can do that.

I am very new when it comes to computers and guitars together. This is the first time I dabble in recording with anything other than a camcorder...lol:D

So I wouldn't know where to start, in regaurds to multitack recordings.

Demiurge

Recording is pretty much a PITA at first. It's not so bad when you get the hang of it.

The problem is that if you're going to start doing all that stuff, that hobby will become more expensive than your home audio hobby.

jakelm

Demiurge wrote:

Recording is pretty much a PITA at first. It's not so bad when you get the hang of it.

The problem is that if you're going to start doing all that stuff, that hobby will become more expensive than your home audio hobby.

Thats what I'm afraid of. I'm already in the "dog" house with my wife because of my HT addiction.

krabby5

jakelm wrote:

My HK 2.1 PC speakers should do just fine. I didint see but I wonder if the DigiTech 250 comes with any editing or multitrack software. I dont think it does. But the Line 6 looks pretty cool.

What is a good software to use to playback my fav music and record with it? Would that be the Line 6?

I have heard the Toneport comes with a basic recording program that is easy as pie..with zero latency..

You can also purchase one online through Line 6 that is a little "meatier" version of the free one ...

I like the Line 6 product because it's so easy and you don't have to worry about cranking up an amp to get decent distortion (family factor)..it's also small enough that it won't be in the way..

Highly recommended by me...

the only downside is that you always have to be hooked up to your computer..but if that is a factor, they also have Pods..(although much more expensive)

Dean guitar pla

Line 6 Pod

One of the better and affordable processors out there right now, especially used priced on eBay. Clean to full shred, it does the job very well and is very user friendly. You also can download tones/emulations right off the internet

Much depends whether you want a rack mount w/ floor board or dedicated floor unit when you make your choice. The new Vox floor unit is pretty sweet but definitely above your stated budget

You amp really should have an effects loop also to run into, I imagine your's does. You definitely do not want to hook direct since you will have no control over the "mix"

One thing that sucks about a lot of processors on the market is there is far more effects included that you will never use. Getting multiple effects to work together is complicated and programming them can be a real challenge sometimes, especially if you are new to "playing" w/ them

I just sold a Roland GP-16, good older processor but most of the effects were useless for what I play

Stay away from ART stuff!!!!

The Line 6 would be an excellent choice for you regardless the type of music you play, try one out at Guitar Center, I believe they are even on sale now. Don't be afraid to ask for a deal, GC wants to sell so you might get some additional cash off the advertised price

Whatever you end up buying, make sure there is a noise gate or buy the pedal version, it is a must w/ any guitar rig. An eq pedal is also great or use a BBE Sonic Maximizer, I use a 482 myself

Glad to help if you have more questions

jakelm

I just purchased the DigiTech 250 for $149 w/ free shipping, direct from musiciansfriends.com. It seems easy enough to use and has alot of effects w\ a pedal. It was also right in my buget.

Just to give you all an idea of what I'm using at home. My amp is a smaller 80watt 10" Transtube PeaVey amp. It wont blow the house down but it does sound very good. It has an input jack, mic/pramp jack, and headphones jack. It also has a 3 band Eq. Volume knob and distortion knob. I'm playing on a Strat Squire.

Demiurge

I think he already bought what he wanted.