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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
 Posted - 03/12/2009 : 11:33:59
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Hi Folks,
Specifically in relation to the ME-70 and for the BOSS multi-effect units in general: are the 'smaller' plastic pedals sturdy/durable?
Does anybody have bad experiences with these non-metal pedals getting broken/malfunctioning quickly?
Thanks for any feedback,
Frederick |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2009 : 14:08:57
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The ME-70 has a metal case as the ME-50 before it.
My son & I tested one out in GC this last weekend & the unit was damned good.
Fortunately, he ended up buying the GT-10 which is phenomenal.
I see these products lasting a very long time even when gigged.
I hope the pots aren't sitting directly on a PCB & are wired for protection instead.
The ME-70 is perfect for live shows in my eyes for its simplicity.
The GT-10 would fair just as well but only after you become intimately experienced with it. |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2009 : 14:26:25
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Hey DeFrag
Exactly the info I was looking for.
Thanks a million
Frederick |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2009 : 11:55:39
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As an update to this thread and for those of you also interested in the ME-70: some nice 'live' pictures of the new unit I found after searching the net:
Beautiful finish. Expression pedal looks sturdy indeed.
[links converted to pics - moderator] |
Edited by - DeFrag on 03/18/2009 14:25:03 |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2009 : 22:55:58
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| how did it sound?? |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2009 : 09:14:18
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Well, the ME-70 is not yet available in Belgium, so I was hoping somebody could give us a review.
DeFrag? |
Edited by - Frederick on 03/19/2009 09:16:22 |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2009 : 15:17:09
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I could mention each effect but in short, all sections sounded great. I usually test gear like this with my son playing the guitar. I'll tell him what style to play as I fiddle-fart around with the controls.
I found myself tweaking a lot in the preamp section as you have many tones at your disposal. I particularly was interested in the rectifier because the ME-70 was for my son & I'd like to keep his wants AWAY from my Mesa Boogie Roadster. The ME-70 can sport a decent rect. Unfortunately for you, I didn't spend enough time with the tweed or clean modes to accurately gauge their sounds for review. My bad. The stacks were accurate enough though.
The Comp/FX section was fun with the t-wahs & pickup manglers, defretter was decent but I didn't check the compressor out nearly enough & I know its important to most folks. Now I'm fairly interested in how effective its range & low its noise actually is.. if I get a chance, I'll check it out & report.
All the OD/DS modes were fair representations of the compacts they represented. Nothing stood out. Next time, I'll try them out when not as hurried as we were that day. I'm interested in the boost.
The Modulation section was Chris's favorite. The Uni, Rotary, & Chorus leaped out, grabbed his ears, & ripped them off. Again, we were a bit rushed so I can't speak of the trem, or the tracking of the harmonist & octave. I should be shot.. tremolo is my favorite effector. The Vibrato was keen though. Tks Mully!
I'll just lump the Delay section in with the Modulation & Reverb. I dialed in some lush Chorus (which is the only basic compact my son doesn't have) with some delay & deep reverb for that stadium-like sound. I was kept from tweaking any more for about 5 minutes (which was an eternity for me knowing so much more was to be discovered) as Chris closed his eyes & was finally rich & famous. He loved that sound.
So I was tweaking with the unit on my lap & had a hard time pressing the switch on the treadle with my hands. It was fine using the foot though. The switch is sealed with rubber & looks like its longevity for road-use would satisfy my expectations for quality. We did a quick test on the wah pedal & I must say it was fine but.. I wanted for 2 or 3 alternate circuit emulations.
We saved a patch or two so I could show him how simple it was to incorporate into his playing. Another feature I didn't get around to testing was the looping. I'd venture to say it probably sufficient but I'd like to hear the quantization first hand. Lastly, I/O was commensurate with versatility. I didn't find the Output Level knob until we were almost finished so I'd always have the preamp section on spinning its own level knob for volume. duh
All said, the unit is exceptionally applicable for live use with its integral simplicity & built like a Boss form factor as we've come to expect.. they did not disappoint. Even though I want a TC Electronic G-System for myself, I'd recommend the ME-70 for those less financially fortunate as a primary multi-effector board with their compact collection as backup, studio, or practice use. The gigging musician will be hard-pressed to match what the new ME-70 offers & it comes with one of my highest recommendations as one of the best Boss products ever. |
Edited by - DeFrag on 03/19/2009 15:33:20 |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2009 : 17:28:59
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Terrific review, DeFrag, thank you very much.
It's getting harder to resist the temptation though.
See, I have quite a few compact pedals:
- TU-2, BD-2, OD-3, DN-2, TR-2, DC-3, EH-2
- MXR Phase 90
- Fulltone Fatboost 2
- VOX Wah
and play through a 40W clean Fender tube amp.
Basically, I have just about everything I could want/need for live gigs.
However, recently I tried out an RC-2 in a music store and found it to be a superb tool for home practice. In addition, I got real interested in the RT-20 (gotta love that retro sound!)
However, the RC-2 and the RT-20 combined would cost me more than the ME-70 (!) which has a phrase looper (albeit without the drum patterns) and the rotary effect (albeit more limited) in addition to a plethora of other effects. Moreover, the memory mode might be real handy to keep me from having to do some serious tap dancing during some songs.
Still, I wonder if I can justify buying the ME-70 while I have alle those nice stompers with which I'm very happy?!
Help me out here guys... |
Edited by - Frederick on 03/19/2009 17:30:59 |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2009 : 23:09:21
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| so if you had a never ending supply of money you would not get |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2009 : 07:14:34
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Tks & you're most welcome Frederick. I really need to get back to a unit & spend some time with it. I thought I liked the ME-50! Quite the value in both units but the ME-70 is only like $5 more.. I don't understand why that haven't cut the ME-50 down by like $50.
I agree with you as well. I have quite a few Boss compacts that I'm fairly unwilling to part with & its hard to justify buying into a multi-effects board like the ME-70 or the TC Electronics G I mentioned earlier. I have limited floor space in my bedroom now where I have all my gear, just enough room to walk around my bed so that's kind of a killer on getting another FX board without retiring, even temporarily what I've already got.
I also feel the same with regards to the RC-2; it's a great little looper. I feel I still need a vibrato & uni-v.
I think one of my implied points for justifying the ME-70 in general terms is the simplicity & versatility it offers in a live setting. I'd hate to drag all my compacts on 2 separate boards with loops & cables all about while taking a chance of the organized mess going tits up at an inopportune time during a set. You sure don't want to be fartin' around with a setup while your band drones on waiting for you to fix the rogue problem.
Besides, my philosophy is practical: live life just a bit ya know? Spend half, save half. You can't take it with you so treat yourself to the sonic pleasure your life craves. Its much easier to talk yourself out of something than INTO something. I spend my hard-earned money wisely by doing the homework, educating myself, & buying the right thing the 1st time. I for one don't wish to trade or sell gear away & take it up the yang. Go for broke mate! & let us know how it turns out. |
Edited by - DeFrag on 03/20/2009 07:18:24 |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 22:20:26
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Even though the ME-70 sports a few features as the GT-10 such as the EZ Tone & Looper, unfortunately they've lost the Ring Mod, stereo Chorus, & extra reverbs.
I was going to put this on my list for purchase soon but now am having 2nd thoughts; maybe I should just wait for the ME-90 & see what they come up with.
Of course if TC Electronic released a G-System 2 with some OD/DS, my mind would be made up for me. |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2009 : 09:36:32
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Well, I have no use for a ring mod or stereo chorus. And 2 types of reverb suits my needs. Actually the reverb these ME's have would come in handy as I have a small tube amp which doesn't have reverb. And the RV-5 alone is almost half the price of the ME-70. Another reason for me to buy the ME-70 ...  |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2009 : 14:27:14
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Ring Mod is pretty cool & versatile.
Everyone should really give it an honest chance. |
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rfawarchild
Copper Member
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 19:28:17
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| So if i sell off my ME-50, Im wondering if i can still use my twin FSU pedals to better manage my bank switching? I can barely read it in your pics, but it looks like it still says "bank up/down" on the same FP jack in rear? Can you verify? Thanks. |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 20:01:21
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According to page 13 in the ME-70 manual:
In Memory Mode, you can use an FS-6 (with a TRS cable) or two FS-5Us (with a PCS-31L or insert cable) to switch banks up & down.
If you only have a single FS-5U, you will only be able to switch banks up.
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Ollie
Gold Member
United Kingdom
729 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 20:37:18
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| The Me-70 is very nice, but the way I see it is, Ive already got 8 Boss compacts & a Vwah, I cant be bothered witha multifx now, still, the ME-70 is a great unit. |
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Topic |
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ME-70
