Multi-Effects Unit vs Single Pedals

To multi?

Since the introduction of digital modelling technology and the rise of our beloved red giant kidney-shaped multi-effects unit, the Line 6 POD that converted (just sayin...) half the guitar-playing population to digital modelling fans, the debate has gone on for decades already, and it will go on forever and ever and ever... BUT, I'm here to make a stand, to find out which one reigns supreme in the tone-perfecting quest of guitarists. Let's just start by saying, I like both forms of pedals. They both serve specific purposes and cannot be flexibly replaced by each other.

Or to single? Hmmm....

Multi-effects have come a long way since the pioneering generation of digital modelling products. What we have today is much closer to the analogue real-thing tone than most people would think. With modelling units, by logic, the more you pay, the closer your unit sounds, compared to the real deal. But watch out for modelling units that uses the same soundcard/processor, but packaged in a bigger platform with more buttons and knobs. The same audio processors will produce the same quality of sounds, but the extra bells and whistles will only add to tweak-ability, not improving the tone in any way. For example, the Digitech RP155 shares the same audio processors as the RP255 and RP355. But the 255 and 355 are more expensive because 255 an integrated expression pedal, and the 355 has a few more knobs, an expression pedal as well as an extra foot-button. There may be some difference in price, amount of presets, or featured amps/effects model but the sound of the same patches will be the same. So if you ever start out on a cheaper multi-effects pedal, and think about upgrading to a higher-level one, do make sure you're not "upgrading" to another pedal with the same standard of build/sound quality.

Then, there's the ever-popular single pedals. Looking to add a drive channel to your clean amp? Get a distortion pedal. Looking for some added ambience? A reverb pedal is your friend. Need more grunt from your amp? Give the front end a kick with a booster or overdrive pedal. In the end, we'll always need like, at least 4 to 5 pedals if we're going for single pedals. Overdrives are essential, because at the max gain end, most people can get a pretty good blues/rock tone out of it, and at the lowest gain setting, a clean boost on some pedals and a slight breakup on the others. An EQ is also recommended because you can use it as a bass boost, treble boost, mid boost, flat boost, scoop pedal, a "telephone sound" pedal, anything imaginable just by playing around with the frequency bands. Delays are pretty popular too as they can give a sense of spaciousness your solos, double your sound to give a dual-guitar approximation, act as a pseudo-reverb pedal, or even imitate a tremolo effect if you're a clean and precise player (check out the song Octopus by Bloc Party). In the end, we'll amass a huge amount of pedals through collecting and buying different type of pedal for comparisons, experiments, or even just as a collection. That means, huge and heavy pedal board, difficulty in powering pedal if you don't have a daisy chain/multi-pedal power supply unit. And even worse are the pedals falling out of the case if not velcro-ed. And velcro means your pedal gets it's appearance "destroyed" underneath. Not that it matters to most people, but vintage pedals could fetch a lower value if you're selling them. And cables. Lots of patch cables, and with all the daisy chain/power supply cables running around, that can spell trouble when something's not working somewhere...

Enough talk about tone, let's talk about usability. Single pedals are no-frills, foolproof things, that require only for you to know about the pedal's power ratings before plugging in any power supply. It does what it does, overdrives drive, distortions drive harder, reverb pedals add reverb, and that's it. Nothing too hard to understand. For multi-effects, most people will need some time to sit down with the manual, experimenting and wrap their head around what this knob does, how that button works... And some people actually give up trying to work their way around using the pedal because it gets too complicated for some to understand. And the darned save/store button that you forgot to press after finally dialling in that sweet tone... But once you find your way, the multi-effects can be your most important component in your rig.

As for convenience, most will find the amp and cabinet simulation on the multi-effects a greatly convenient feature, myself included. You can't plug a single pedal into the PA and expect a usable sound, unless you're using a cab sim pedal or a pedal with the feature already built-in. You can do it with almost any multi-effects though, and most of them actually sound better into the PA rather than into an amp. All you need is a power supply and the multi-effects pedal, maybe a pair of headphones or earphones, and you're good to go. Record a song, gig onstage, or practice at home, zero real amps needed. Save yourself the effort to lug your 30kg Vox to the gig, only to find that one of the power tubes have cracked from that speed bump you drove over too fast. And the convenience of having all the essential/boutique pedals under your foot, for maybe the price of only 1-3 pedals. How economical is that?

However, with multi-effects, you're limited by what's offered by the company in that pedal. They can have all the essential amps in the world, but if you can't find that Soldano sound, you'll have to settle with the Marshall and try some pedal combinations. No Fulltone OCD modelling? Can you live with that very good Tubescreamer simulation? With individual pedals though, you get full control of how you want your sound to sound like. You want a Maxon instead of Ibanez, go get a Maxon. Wah pedal? You know you prefer a Vox instead of Dunlop, so pick your favourite. You want a Mesa? Don't settle for a Fender + distortion pedal, get the real deal if you can afford it, man! Simple as that.

Now, size is an issue here. Some pedals like the original Big Muffs and Fuzz Faces are huge. Almost as big as a small multi-effects unit. Fitting them on your pedalboard could be tough. And there are also compatibility issues. Like, running a modulation pedal, wah pedal or fuzz pedal before or after other pedals can produce different sounds due to the sequence of the pedals causing some effects to be above or under others. That can sometimes produce surprising results, although whether are they usable or not, that's down to personal taste... With multi-effects, everything is set in a sound processor. They're made to work together without much compatibility issues. So the only thing you have to do is plug in and make music happen.

As always, trust your ears and your own needs, not your perception, because we humans are easily deceived. Only you can tell yourself which one works for you. Whether you can live with the limited, not-analogue-enough digital modelling sound and reap the benefits of convenience, portability and value, or do you think it is worth every bit spending some money on something you really like the sound of, to reach tonal nirvana that you've been dreaming about, and silently deal with the woes of a bad back from carrying your tube amp, 2 guitars and one big heavy pedalboard.

I personally pick multi-effects because I think they're good enough for gigs. I mean, what kind of audience goes to a show and say, "Oh this guitar player sounds like he's using digital modelling. If only he uses real tube amps, he would have sounded better..."? Most people will be like, this is a clean section, this is a "noisier" section. So all I need is a nice clean tone, and a nice "noisy" tone that sounds decent enough. At home, I do collect a few individual pedals, because they sound pretty awesome. And I enjoy making some DIY pedals myself too. There's a lot of fun in wiring some components together and get a really cool sound coming out from it. But when it comes down to general usability, I'm all the way digital modelling. Because I'm a simple man....




Hey guys, thanks for yet another read-through of my blog. I haven't updated in a whole week because I was busy with several other things I had on hand. Anyway, I have a pedal review coming up, and it'll be up within a few days time. Watch this space! Thank you for reading, your presence and support means a lot to me. Have a great day ahead!