There’s a whole topic for it 
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Whoops - guess, I missed that, sorry. The NAM integration has come along quite a bit in the last couple software updates. I think there may still be some issues with it, but I don’t use the NAM features, so I’m not the best to ask. That being said, what you get natively with the unit is more than sufficient, I’d say. I think the only area where its been a bit behind is with synth effects, but I believe the last patch added an MXR-type block (I’m a couple updates behind due to computer migration) and they’ve addressed some issues with the compressor models. I love its ease of use and the sound I’ve developed with it, overkill for what I need, but it completely replaced my entire board from before (had 2 DG pedals already), which were around the same price, so for me, it was a no-brainer, but YMMV - it gives me the sounds and capabilities I need/want, and I find it pretty easy to use.
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i’m really happy with mine (anagram). and i would definitely recommend it if it’s in somebody’s price range. there is currently an issue that of course a certain percent of the population are losing their minds over with the NAM marketplace not integrating correctly on devices, but it by no means sounds like it will be an ongoing issue, i would be shocked if it wasn’t patched soon. DG has been very good at regular updates for the anagram, which was something i was really actually worried about when i bought it.
edit: missed that you are looking for both a bass and a guitar setup. the anagram is certainly capable of this, especially with nam integration, but it isn’t specifically designed for this. most multi fx pedals are suitable for both, howevs, most are also geared more for guitar players obviously. which can always be plainly seen when looking at cab selections in them.
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I have a DI ( Scarlett ), and Studio One/Pro, and I can do basic stuff in it, but admittedly feel perpetually lost in that app. I probably need a 1:1 session with someone to get a better handle. Most online tutorials put me to sleep, or make me feel more lost.
I never think of trying to use effects in the DAW as the one time I tried to play with effects there was enough delay that it was distracting.
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just moving a bit of a chat ive been having on the precision basses thread as its more relevant here and i dont want to divert that thread from all things precision
basically i asked what if any pedals i should be looking at as id had a few recommendations from various people…..
the Helix LT was suggested, im not sure if its too many options and too much money for me though. chatgpt suggested a cheaper alternative, the Valeton, so id be interested if anyone has seen one in the flesh and knows how they compare. obviously wont have as many options, that may or may not be a good thing….
i guess im curious as to whether to get a pedalboard with pre-amp, tuner, chorus, compression, distortion etc, or a multi-unit (or indeed nothing at all). obviously the multi would make financial sense but i just dont want to get lost in a sea of options that id never use or be too complicated to use on the fly.
thanks
The multi boxes will always be the better value. As far as the options, you can play around, get into it, try different things but you’ll eventually settle on some patches that you like (either custom or built in presets) and mostly stick to those. After a bit, you probably won’t fiddle a ton with it unless you need something specific for a song you’re doing. The Boss ME-90B is a good one to look at for keeping it simple and physical pedal board-like.
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That looks interesting, thanks. How does the Boss ME-90B compare to say a Tech21 sansamp or MXR-M80? they were recommended to me previously and i know theyre both pre-amps but googling suggests the Boss isnt a pre-amp but can be used as one. its all a bit voodoo to me really
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Tech21 and MXR are preamps
Boss is preamp (including 10 different types of preamp) plus 60 different effects.
Very different things. The Boss is really powerful.
This explains it well.
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I have a Boss ME-90B like shown above. It has been a really nice multi-effects. Especially starting out and not knowing what I wanted. I love the ability to just… fiddle and try things out.
I switched over to a dedicated pedal board, but… honestly… mostly it was to have fun and play around and collect. The biggest thing that outdid the Boss is my Darkglass Microtubes Infinity. It’s sort of an in-between of dedicated pedal and multi-effects. It has all the things I use most of the time: tuner, compressor, EQ, drive, amp/cab modeler, and DI.
Since my new band is using in-ears instead of a physical amp and cab, the improved tone modeling over the Boss is very nice. I could get away with just the Darkglass if I wanted. But I’m adding more pedals because they’re fun and give me options for specific sounds for specific songs when doing covers.
If we weren’t doing covers from different genres… the DG and a Fuzz would cover everything.
(I might go silly and try just the multi-FX and the DG to see how that works.)
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thank you, it does indeed. what i get from that is that there are a few different effects that would be interesting for me to play around with but….. it still seems more complicated than what i need.
is there something that just pretty much mimics separate pedals? so say if you had a dedicated tuner, distortion, chorus, compression and a pre-amp on a pedalboard, something that ties those up into just one box? so a foot switch for each one with say a dial above it to tweak to where you want it?
something that looks similar to the BOSS ME-90B but with fewer options above?
no worries if not, it still looks the most relevant box to what id want to play around with. (what about that Valeton above?)
Boss is preamp (including 10 different types of preamp) plus 60 different effects.
Very different things. The Boss is really powerful.
right, so in effect the Boss could even include the tech21 and MXR in its available pre-amp settings? so its those and more yes?
ill go and have a look at that, thanks
adding more pedals that maybe the Boss would have?
which multi-FX?
thank you
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just copying and pasting this reply from @MikeC in the precision bass thread…..
i totally agree, with the GAS comment, its easy to keep buying things we dont ‘need’. and yes i think id agree i really dont need effects pedals at this stage as i dont understand what sounds i want at this early point in my learning. but…… whatever makes you want to pick the bass up is all good i guess.
ive watched the effects video above, i like the different effects i could get, so im keen to learn how to get them. but….. if i consider that i have an arsenal of about 15 songs that i regularly practice, ranging from ramones, dead kennedys to billy ocean and the coral (*cough, my wifes requests :D) then none of these would benefit from any effects, theyre just basic bass playing i guess. oh, i can think of just one song that would need a different effect, joy divisions love will tear us apart.
im thinking that effects are probably mainly useful for creating my own sounds and basslines would that be fair to say? so noodling away, practising lines and sounds in different keys and chords for jams that i may never play
thanks
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Agreed.
I think the Octaver demo was interesting. In the ‘real world’ (i.e. pub gig) I think it would be pretty hard to tell the difference between the ME-90B and the classic BOSS OC-2. I will actually be using the Octave setting for this Friday’s gig, once for our version of Dakota, where I’m combining it with the auto-wah and a bit of chorus to create a synth-type sound whilst also maintaining the bass, and secondly for our version of Crazy, where I want to fill out the rhythmic element of the song, so the guitarist can do whatever he wants to do.
I will also be using the overdrive settings. The first is quite light, just a bit of grit and will likely be ‘always on’, just to help the bass cut through. The second is full on, the Muff Fuzz (Big Muff, anyone 
). I’m using that for Molly’s Chambers, ‘cos it sounds the freakin’ mutts!!
The other always on effect will be a compressor.
Oh, I like the ‘hold’ function, play a note and push the foot pedal down. It holds a note for a reasonable duration (sustain, anyone? 
). This is really useful for a song like Wanted Dead or Alive.
I think you really have to consider your own personal ‘use case’. For me, it’s playing in a band and wanting something simple, that I can set up and then just select the preset I need for the song. Equally, I wanted something that won’t break the bank if something happened to it. Clearly, I don’t want to trash it, but there is a world of difference between the cost of the ME-90B and an Anagram or a Quad Cortex. One thing I will be doing is writing the song required preset on my version of the set list, so I remember - Dakota, that’s 2.2, Molly’s that 1.4, Valarie, that’s 1.1 (super clean), most of the other stuff is 1.2 (that’s a hint of dirt).
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There are older Boss ME-xxB boards that have fewer channels. But they’re older circuitry that isn’t going to sound as good. And you’re not going to save that much space.
The ME-90B is the closest animal to what you are looking for.
My goals with a Multi-FX were the same as yours. The ME-90B was the right choice for me. You are not going to regret having extra channels. If anything, you’re going to wish you had more - or like… the option to layer distortion effects that the ME-90B puts on the same channel.
I’ve got the Boss ME-90B and a Zoom B1X Four. The Boss is nicer and has more options. I’m going to try the B1X and see if I like it, because it’s tiny enough to fit on a board. And sometimes jank is a feature.
The board I’ve got is the size of the ME-90B and there is still space for more pedals. Even with my headphone amp for IEM’s on it. Because for this band… I think I’ll get everything I want for gigging with just the Darkglass Infinity, Fuzz, and an Octaver.
For what you are describing, I’d start with just the ME-90B. I have no regrets about that. It did exactly what I wanted learning about and testing different effects and combos. It’s still fun and useful to play around with and try weird things. I’m really only trying new stuff out of GAS.
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minor nit - the B1Xfour has more effects and can order them more flexibly, plus it has drums, a tuner, and a looper.
The Boss has higher quality effects and is nicer overall though, sure.
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One big advantage of HX Effects / HX Stomp etc is being able to write the song title in the display for each song.
Then I can scroll through the songs and not have to remember anything playing live.
But it’s more money and more computer based rather than physical knobs like the boss.
They’re both good.
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Yes that exists
Or the knock off cheaper version
It’s about as simple as it gets but would appear to sound ok.
Read around / watch reviews and do your research.
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Yes, I did that on the Ampero, when I had that.
To be honest, I prefer the simplicity of the physical knobs on the ME-90B over the menu diving, so will put up with the back of fell screen.
That said, I’m sure I’ll change my mind in a year or so
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thanks, ill have a watch of those vids tonight. in the meantime, whatever i get i suppose i’ll need a board for future-proofing. a mates just offered me a Vevor 20x11 board that looks like itll take all the pedals id ever need, and at a good price.
so…… next question, any recommendations for a standalone battery pack to fit underneath it to power the pedals?
thanks
Just buy the ME-90B, you can run it off four AA batteries, or through a 9v adapter
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I see them as different tools with different use cases.
Starting out into effects and wanting to experiment and learn: ME-90B
Experienced, gigging, know what you want, and want to program presets for a set list: HX Stomp
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