New Boss MS-3 multi-effects

[Elfrasho]

I used to have a multiFX which had an external loop which could be mixed in at different points in the chain. So basically I ran a Fuzz pedal at full pelt in the loop and then each patch I wanted some fuzz in I would mix it in at the right place in the chain, at different levels. It was an extremely useful thing to have, and it meant I didn't need to rely on the onboard fuzz sound (which were not great). I only got rd of it as the mutiFX was big and bulky and I wasn't really needing as many sounds as I had at my disposal.

This, accompanied with a nice analogue Fuzz and dirt in the loops, along with a expression pedal would pretty much cover everything for the gigging bassist, all in a very small footprint! For me, this is a great idea! I just wish it came out 5 years ago when I probably needed one!

[Sibob]

Just really touching back onto small DI boxes, just came across these guys:

[url="http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/products.htm"]http://www.orchid-el...uk/products.htm[/url]

The Micro looks really interesting to me:

[url="http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/micro.htm"]http://www.orchid-el...co.uk/micro.htm[/url]

£25 for the Micro, built in the UK and check this SoS review:
[url="http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/Sound-On-Sound_Orchid_DI_Boxes_review.PDF"]http://www.orchid-el...oxes_review.PDF[/url]

I have no connection to Orchid whatsoever, but think I'm going to get the Micro just to keep in my gig box! Much more attractive prospect than the Mooer or Donner

Si

p.s.
That said, the Micro is just one in and one out.....hmmmmm

[BigRedX]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1498067397' post='3322345']
I'm just not sold on bass multi- effects processors for gigging.

For me they're too complicated, too many features and functions I'd never use. And I still say they don't have the "mojo" of the high end dedicated pedals.

Blue
[/quote]

If by "mojo" you mean incomprehensible graphics that look as though they have been done by a 5-year old, and an unintuitive arrangement of the controls based on what was convenient to lay out on the PCB and fit into a generic-sized box rather than what makes sense as regards the signal flow, and still end up being as difficult to use as the worst of the parameter access devices, then AFAIAC you can stick your high end pedals.

Give me the peace of mind that when I hit the foot switch for a particular patch it will sound exactly the same as it did the last time I played the song.

Also any decent multi-effects unit will live safely in the rack case with my amp and not on the floor with the spilt beer.

Edited June 22, 2017 by BigRedX

[elephantgrey]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1498126106' post='3322631']


If by "mojo" you mean incomprehensible graphics that look as though they have been done by a 5-year old, and an unintuitive arrangement of the controls based on what was convenient to lay out on the PCB and fit into a generic-sized box rather than what makes sense as regards the signal flow, and still end up being as difficult to use as the worst of the parameter access devices, then AFAIAC you can stick your high end pedals.

Give me the peace of mind that when I hit the foot switch for a particular patch it will sound exactly the same as it did the last time I played the song.

Also any decent multi-effects unit will live safely in the rack case with my amp and not on the floor with the spilt beer.
[/quote]

Someone's not a fan of fuzzrocious

There are high end pedal brands that have things like midi presets alongside having alot more peramiters, chass bliss comes to mind.

Imo you'll also still need some kind of switcher/midi controller for a rack mounted system.

[BigRedX]

[quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1498127596' post='3322641']
Someone's not a fan of fuzzrocious

There are high end pedal brands that have things like midi presets alongside having alot more peramiters, chass bliss comes to mind.

Imo you'll also still need some kind of switcher/midi controller for a rack mounted system.
[/quote]

Actually Fuzzrocious aren't too bad compared with a lot of boutique pedals I've seen.

And a MIDI foot controller is lot cheaper and easier to replace if someone pours their pint into it than a board full of individual pedals. Plus I'll still have access to my basic sound for each song even if I can't make any mid-song patch changes.

[elephantgrey]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1498132609' post='3322685']


Actually Fuzzrocious aren't too bad compared with a lot of boutique pedals I've seen.

And a MIDI foot controller is lot cheaper and easier to replace if someone pours their pint into it than a board full of individual pedals. Plus I'll still have access to my basic sound for each song even if I can't make any mid-song patch changes.
[/quote]

I just brought up fuzzrocious because they have the option available to get their kid to paint the pedal.

If you only change things between songs then that works. I'm the kind of person that brought a second looper for the start of my chain so I can mess about with settings mid song though.

[visog]

Right so now Boss have brought out the GT-1B... so less loop switching options but a built-in expression pedal.

Hmmm, which one also GT-1B half the price of the MS-3.

Anyone know the difference in effect sound quality?

See related thread: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/307691-boss-gt-1b/

[Sibob]

I much prefer the layout of the MS-3, with 4 effects or loops available at one time on difference switches.
Not a fan of the GT-1Bs patch up/patch down way of working, seems restrictive to me.
They're likely to hold the same sounds though I imagine.

The GT-1B will be great, and many bassists will buy it for the extra expression (I rarely used the one on my ME-50B other than for solo looping stuff), but the MS-3 has a workflow I like, plus ability to add in other pedals, perfect

Si

[Dood]

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1497109783' post='3315928']
@ Sean - cheers for all of that interesting and helpful feedback and I love the description of the MB as an "alcohol free beer". In other words something that can have great taste and quench your thirst on a warm summer's day, but leave you able to get into your car and drive safely home after, right? Anyway hopefully I've paid you back by saving you £25 on the Donner instead of the Fender micro DI, I guess you're going to spend the saving on a couple of six packs (with alcohol) and a curry? Enjoy...

I'll get back on topic now, too! The TC Nova does look good: it covers the six major effects groups: [color=#231F20]compression, EQ, Noise Gate, Modulation, Pitch, Delay and Reverb all programmable and storable in 60 user presets (vs 150 user presets on the Zoom B3n) [/color]AND combined with an ANALOGUE drive unit which is really cool. It seems to be at its best with "one preset per song", whereas I quite like being able to layer in effects during certain songs and the Zoom's triple banking of effects really assists with this. The TC is still double the price of the Zoom B3n although it is now 8 year old tech - goodness knows how much it was when it was launched then?!

[url="https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/963200051/multi-fx-units/tc-electronic-nova-system"]https://www.anderton...nic-nova-system[/url]

PS how good are you at impressions and why Michael Caine?
[/quote]

The next logical step I think would be the TC Electronic G-System [url="http://www.tcelectronic.com/g-system/"]http://www.tcelectronic.com/g-system/ [/url] Which like the Nova contains studio grade effects (which TC are well known for) but i think will offer the access you are after. Frequent 'in song' patch changing and access to the effects within a patch quickly.

It is a stunning unit.

[oneinchman]

I meanwhile got my MS-3 and I like it a lot. I was always considering the G-System but stayed away due to additional costs with racks and cases. The size was a counter argument as well.
The MS-3 is the perfect Mini-G-System for me.
The effects quality in the delay/chorus range is excellent. I found even the OD - not the DS - which is digital working for me. The bass octaver tracks fine for me as well.
Excellent features are the "Current number" and "Assign" which allow you to stack effects and to trigger additional settings either on/off or momentary.
A sort of EHX Freeze is available as well and great when using the momentary feature.
"Assign" allows you to go from Clean to a whammy with Fuzz and Delay. Endless combinations possible.
Programming on the device is intuitive and straight forward.
Summary: my board got dramatically reduced - no Digitech Whammy, no Nova Delay, no Chorus anymore - all sold. Only the drives and filter are left.
Cheers
Wolfgang

[Al Krow]

[quote name='oneinchman' timestamp='1499333720' post='3330773']
I meanwhile got my MS-3 and I like it a lot. I was always considering the G-System but stayed away due to additional costs with racks and cases. The size was a counter argument as well.
The MS-3 is the perfect Mini-G-System for me.
The effects quality in the delay/chorus range is excellent. I found even the OD - not the DS - which is digital working for me. The bass octaver tracks fine for me as well.
Excellent features are the "Current number" and "Assign" which allow you to stack effects and to trigger additional settings either on/off or momentary.
A sort of EHX Freeze is available as well and great when using the momentary feature.
"Assign" allows you to go from Clean to a whammy with Fuzz and Delay. Endless combinations possible.
Programming on the device is intuitive and straight forward.
Summary: my board got dramatically reduced - no Digitech Whammy, no Nova Delay, no Chorus anymore - all sold. Only the drives and filter are left.
Cheers
Wolfgang
[/quote]

Congrats Wolfgang. Seems like you're the first on here to get their hands on an MS-3 (although I think Sibob has one on order too?). If you get a chance to A/B it with a B3n (my current goto multifx, which I'm a big fan of) then that would be very interesting.

I totally get what you're saying about it being able to streamline your pedal board! I know that dedicated pedals are going to be (or should be!) individually better for their specialist effect (particularly as they can EACH cost what my Zoom B3n costs). But I'm not yet convinced, for most gigs below professional level, that any member of the audience is going to notice the difference between dedicated pedals and a half decent multifx for the bass player in the wider live band mix.

[sk8]

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1498124759' post='3322619']
Just really touching back onto small DI boxes, just came across these guys:

[url="http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/products.htm"]http://www.orchid-el...uk/products.htm[/url]

The Micro looks really interesting to me:

[url="http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/micro.htm"]http://www.orchid-el...co.uk/micro.htm[/url]

£25 for the Micro, built in the UK and check this SoS review:
[url="http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/Sound-On-Sound_Orchid_DI_Boxes_review.PDF"]http://www.orchid-el...oxes_review.PDF[/url]

I have no connection to Orchid whatsoever, but think I'm going to get the Micro just to keep in my gig box! Much more attractive prospect than the Mooer or Donner

Si

p.s.
That said, the Micro is just one in and one out.....hmmmmm
[/quote]

Get the classic. It's ace

[Sibob]

[quote name='sk8' timestamp='1499368563' post='3331134']
Get the classic. It's ace
[/quote]

I got a custom . It's the Micro guts, with an added unbalanced out as through to my amp, with that unbalanced out also having a transformer (to avoid ground loops). XLR balanced out on the rear edge of it (not pictured).
£42 inc delivery and a two day turnaround from order to delivery:



Si

[sk8]

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1499418337' post='3331415']


I got a custom . It's the Micro guts, with an added unbalanced out as through to my amp, with that unbalanced out also having a transformer (to avoid ground loops). XLR balanced out on the rear edge of it (not pictured).
£42 inc delivery and a two day turnaround from order to delivery:



Si
[/quote]

John is fantastic. I had a custom one made with a transformer for my orange line out.

So cheap and the quality is unbelievable.

[Sibob]

[quote name='sk8' timestamp='1499422675' post='3331455']


John is fantastic. I had a custom one made with a transformer for my orange line out.

So cheap and the quality is unbelievable.
[/quote]

Couldn't agree more!

Si

[CameronJ]

That looks almost identical in function to my little green Radial passive DI. About £20 cheaper too. Looks great!

[tonyclaret]

On 06/07/2017 at 18:50, Al Krow said:

I meanwhile got my MS-3 and I like it a lot. I was always considering the G-System but stayed away due to additional costs with racks and cases. The size was a counter argument as well.
The MS-3 is the perfect Mini-G-System for me.
The effects quality in the delay/chorus range is excellent. I found even the OD - not the DS - which is digital working for me. The bass octaver tracks fine for me as well.
Excellent features are the "Current number" and "Assign" which allow you to stack effects and to trigger additional settings either on/off or momentary.
A sort of EHX Freeze is available as well and great when using the momentary feature.
"Assign" allows you to go from Clean to a whammy with Fuzz and Delay. Endless combinations possible.
Programming on the device is intuitive and straight forward.
Summary: my board got dramatically reduced - no Digitech Whammy, no Nova Delay, no Chorus anymore - all sold. Only the drives and filter are left.
Cheers
Wolfgang

Congrats Wolfgang. Seems like you're the first on here to get their hands on an MS-3 (although I think Sibob has one on order too?). If you get a chance to A/B it with a B3n (my current goto multifx, which I'm a big fan of) then that would be very interesting.

I totally get what you're saying about it being able to streamline your pedal board! I know that dedicated pedals are going to be (or should be!) individually better for their specialist effect (particularly as they can EACH cost what my Zoom B3n costs). But I'm not yet convinced, for most gigs below professional level, that any member of the audience is going to notice the difference between dedicated pedals and a half decent multifx for the bass player in the wider live band mix.

So any more thoughts on this now it’s been gigged and abused. That’s also open to anyone else who purchased.

😀

[Owen]

Any comments about the slicer effect? I used to have a slicer but could not find a use for it live. However this unit is ticking a lot of boxes for me and a decent slicer effect would be the icing on the cake. 

[Aliwobble]

Resurrecting a zombie thread! But totally on topic.  I’ve just finished  a pub gig  using only an MS-3 for my effects so my setup was bass > ms-3  > amp.  The little boss sounded great running as a compressor, chorus, flanger and boost.   In a live setting,  I really did not feel that I was missing much from my main board. I was able to run the boss off a pedal train volto without any problems.  All up a good sounding super-compact pedal board.