Conference napalm::guitar

    
        A personal review of the BOSS ME-6 Multiple Guitar Effects unit. 
    
    Problem is I find it hard to compare because I have little experience
    of effects in general. However, here's some views formed during my
    first 2 weeks of ownership.
    
    I went electric three years ago and, at the time, all I envisaged ever
    needing was a decent reverb/delay and the amp's (Fender Champ 12)
    overdrive. So I got an ALESIS Microverb III, an EXCELLENT box. However,
    then I got to playing in a small group and realised I was going to have
    to play music I wouldn't necessarily play at home (sold out!). This
    meant some extra effects were needed. I decided I needed:
    
    1 - A better distortion/overdrive than the amp provided. The amp's was
    good but being valve driven seemed too unpredictable (seemed very
    volume dependent).
    
    2 - A chorus and equalizer to enable my Fender Stratocaster to sound
    sort of 'acousticcy' for certain numbers. I'd tryed changing to
    acoustic guitar in a live situation and found this was a disaster
    without a roady to rush out with it!
    
    3 - Compression/sustain to get those lovely long warm overdriven sounds
    (see my personal name).
    
    I realised that this lot was going to cost me at least �150-00 as
    individual pedals. The KORG A5 was about �199-00 and gave a lot more. I
    decided on this and then the BOSS ME-6 appeared. They seem VERY similar
    although people say the KORG has only 9 programmable settings whereas
    the BOSS has 25. Not sure about this. Anyway, the rags seem to rate the
    BOSS better than the KORG so that was the basis for buying. I got it
    for �249-00 in Reading, UK. I saw it in September in the US for �170-00!!!
    
    Here's a description of the features.
    
    There are 3 Modes: Manual, Programmable and BYPASS (bypasses the unit).
    
    In MANUAL mode you effectively get a number of individual effects
    pedals: Compression, Overdrive/Dist, Equal, Digital Delay, Digital
    Reverb, Chorus/Flanger all in stereo where appropriate. Each is
    infinitely adjustable AND the settings stay exactly as you left them
    when you power up again (non volatile).
    
    In the programmable mode (can't remember what it's called exactly) you
    get access to 25 programmable patches divided into 5 banks. These have
    been preprogrammed in the factory and you can
    delete/restore/modify/copy at will.  Each bank appears to have, in the
    following order, 1 - Bluesy lead overdrive, 2 - Bluesy overdriven
    rhythm (lower vol), 3 - 'Nice' acoustic, jangly type effect for
    pop/folk rhythm, 4 - Heavy Metal type lead effect (Loud) and 5 - heavy
    Metal rhythm effect. Each bank (1-5) has basically the same type of
    effects programmed in but subtly different. So, for instance, Banks 1-5
    3rd position gives 5 jangly, chorus type pop rhythm effects. I shall
    probably obliterate the 4/5 settings in time (the metal ones) and
    replace with stuff more suited to me. By the way you can recover them
    all by following a certain procedure on power up (like a Terminal
    Server for you comms people!).
    
    It has single input and stereo or mono output. Sockets for optional
    footpedals to a) Bypass the unit and b) switch between manual and patch
    mode. There are front panel buttons to do this with as well. You can do
    this with buttons on the unit but the pedals are more appropriate for
    live work. Also input for a guitar tuner, an expression pedal, 9v power
    supply. Also for a mini stereo jack because the whole thing can act as
    a practice amp. Really handy.
    
    The unit has a noise limiter and overall volume control which can
    actually amplify the input to your amp (Range is 0-55 where 42 is a 1-1
    relationship between input and output).
    
    The Sound? Well as said I cannot really comment except to say that it
    sounds great to me. I will say one thing though. The reverb/delays do
    not sound as good as what I can get from my ALESIS Microverb III. But
    then the latter was almost the same price so I WOULD expect it to be
    better.
    
    That's it really,
    Richard

    	
    Well I've had the device for 3 months now and recently used it 'live'
    for the first time and I'm having problems....
    
    Along with a Fender Stratocaster I have a FENDER CHAMP 12 Valve (tube)
    Amplifier which I bought without much market research about 3 years
    ago. I have since come to realise that it has an excellent sound
    compared to any similar sized amps. I attribute this to the fact that
    it is valve based.

    Now my new BOSS ME6 appeared to be great whilst playing at home but
    when I started playing at rehearsals and at functions (in a small
    group) I became really dissapointed with the sound at  higher volumes
    (well a loud 10-15 Watts!). 
    
    It appears to sound harsh, clinical etc etc. So bad, in fact, that at
    the next 'live' occasion I shall be reverting to the straight amp plus
    its superior overdrive and my (superb) Alesis Microverb III unless I
    can resolve the ME-6 problem. I have programmed my own effects. Used
    the equalizer, chorus etc etc.  In fact anything to warm up the tone. I
    tried to reduce the attack using the compressor but nothing seems to
    resolve this basic lack of  warmth. And this applies to any effect.

    My conclusion is that the ME-6 has stripped my Stratocaster of all its
    timbre and/or  harmonics. This contrasted with the lovely tone of my
    amp 'straight'  produces a marked reduction in sound quality when using
    the ME-6. So maybe I'm going to just have to sell the ME-6. I don't think
    there's anything wrong with  the unit. It's possible I just havn't got
    fluent with setting it up but I doubt this now. It could be its just
    unsuited to the type of music I  play (Warm blues, Stones, Beatles,
    Shadows, NO METAL!).
    
    I've heard that the problem could be the amp! Namely that this digital
    type circuitry sounds much better through a transistor amp. I find this
    hard to accept but could this be so?

    	Some other questions (which may be just general questions on use of
        effects)....
    
    	What confuses me to hell is the Effect Level parameters on the ME-6
    	combined with  the Master Level.
    
    	I would have thought that the MASTER setting was final. Ie, no matter 
        WHAT effect level you set the overall output could not be higher than 
        that set by the Master. In fact I'd interpreted the Effect Level as 
        being simply the mix of clean to processed sound. So 0 Effect Level 
        for an effect meant you just got clean sound.
    
    	Now this seems to hold true for some effects but for such things as 
    	Compressor and Overdrive (if memory serves me well) then you can raise 
    	the overall volume by turning up the relevant effect level (ieoverride
    	the Master Level)..
    
    	Anyone know how the 'level contols' of the ME-6 actually interact
    	and why they interact they way they do (ie not obvious?)
    
    	Richard

	And another which is probably generic.....
    
    	The Compressor. With this effect I find that varying the Attack 
        setting seems to have zero effect. Also sustain seems to only have any 
        real effect with overdrive in. I guess in short I don't know how to 
        use the compressor pedal. Any advice?
    
    	Richard

    
    I have the Boss BE-5, which is basically the same effects without the
    programming capability. It's just 5 pedals in 1 box.
    
    My advice is to play with it some more before you dump it. I know
    with mine the sound is very different playing at home than playing
    out live at louder volumes. I had to experiment a lot with my guitar
    and amp tone controls with each effect to get good sounds. I use
    a Strat thru a Marshall micro-stack and don't play really loud, but
    I get a good variety of sounds, none of which sound harsh to me.
    
    Hope this helps,
    Bob

    Richard,                               
    
    Remember that effects like overdrive and compression don't mix with a
    dry signal, so the efx level control for those type efx wouldn't be
    used like a wet/dry mix control like it would on something like a
    delay.  I think it's real useful having a control that let's you boost
    your signal when you kick in that effect.  That way if you want a nice
    clean sound for rhythm, and an overdriven sound or a compressed clean
    sound for a lead, then your lead volume can be set higher.  If you
    don't want that to happen, just set the effect level control for those
    effects to where the level is the same whether you bypass the effect or
    have it on.
    
    I've found a lot of solid state distortions sound harsh at higher
    volumes, you might try reducing the distortion (gain) level a bit in
    those situations and see if it helps.  
    
    As far as the attack control on the compressor, that sets how quickly
    the compression action starts to happen.  On most stomps, this is
    pretty subtle, but if you turn it all the way up you may hear the
    compression start kickin in a little after the initial sound comes
    through it.  I don't like that for my sound, so I always set the attack
    for as low a value as it goes.  Don't feel bad, I didn't hear any
    difference when I first got mine either.  It was only after using it
    for awhile, and learning what to listen for, that I noticed what it was
    doing.
    
    Greg

    
    Re -.1
    
    Funny. Every time I sit down with the thing I learn something new.
    Since I raised the original question (not two days ago) I have come to
    the same conclusions as you state so I'm begining to feel more at ease
    with the thing. The Attack, as you say, is so subtle. If you try and
    'hear' the difference you won't. But vary the attack in the context of
    a tune and the whole piece takes on a different feel.
    
    Regards,
    Richard

    Richard..
    
    Thought I would take the opportunity to go live by saying... the ME6 is
    definately worth the �200 I paid.
    
    
    I have talked offline with Richard regarding the ME6, and hopefully
    persuaeded him not to dump the system just yet.
    
    One recuring problem... At the rehersal space I am using at the moment,
    there appears to be a little problem with getting the same sound at
    every rehersal.  I know we have a slight power variation problem but
    buying a CVT seems a bit steep.
    
    Not being an expert in solid state fx, would this cause the sound
    variations I have experienced ?
    
    Bob

I wouldn't think so...  Although I'm no expert either.

I used to practice in a place that had HORRID power flucuations,
and never experienced problems with my tone or effects.  I knew there
wer power dips, cuz I've got a voltage meter on the front of my 
Furman power strip thingie.

jc

    Yeah, it's been my experience that unless the mains drop to something
    in the vicinity of 100 - 105vac, things work fine, meaning no tone
    alteration.
    
    At those 100-105vac levels, my equipment starts to sound scratchy and
    distorted in the high end...like a tweeter was blown in a speaker box.
    
    The guys over in COMMUSIC have had some talk about power fluctuations,
    but it mostly had to do with data getting trashed in a MIDI rig.

    do you 100-105vac from the 115vac stateside or, from the 230-240vac in
    europe... I cannot remember the operating tolerances for the ME6,
    except that in needs a specific transformer rating...
    
    I will check the book tonight, but power fluctuations may be causing
    problems with the amps, etc. 
    
    Bob

    Sorry: US mains are 117vac.  Don't know what the tolerance is.

    
    
      Gee - you can buy a Furman AR-117 that provides 117 volts
    consistantly when the input voltage is in the capture range
    (90-130 volts approx).
      Of course it costs about $380!
    
    						-B{}{}M-

    
    Anyone interested in my experiences detailed in .2 please refer to note
    2647. FWIW, it WAS the amp, not the ME6.
    
    Richard

    
    
    I have just bought a Boss ME-6 and would like to shortct the
    programming aspect by requesting your favorite patches. You can mail it
    to me or better still - post it here. I am looking for that elusive
    Tele twang and the odd Shadows type sound. I find most of the pre-sets
    are too heavy metal for me.
    
    Regards,
    
    Placy
    

    
    Nope, the club hasn't folded!
    
    I have searched high and low for a Shadows sound. I had it 100% with my
    old Fender Champ (12 Watt, valve) + MicroVerb III.
    
    I have never equalled the sound I got using the ME6 with the Champ or
    using the ME6 with my new Fender Studio 112 (solid state) or my
    Microverb with my Studio 112.
    
    The Champ+Mverb set up was a quality set up. The Mverb was the same
    price as the ME6!. The Champ was not a lot less than my 112! Trouble is
    it was only 12 watts.
    
    By experience I can vouch 100% that you cannot beat a) tube amps and
    b)high quality digital effects (as in the Microverb).
    
    I tried a friend's '62 vintage Fender something or other and it sounded
    like the Shadows with no effects whatsoever!
    
    Anyway, I do have some patches that I'll bring in when I remember.
    Listening to the Shadows sound you need plenty of reverb with delay
    combined. The delay must not be of a level that you can hear it over
    the reverb when playing straight. When damping the strings though you
    want the delay to sing out (say as in the intro to Atlantis). I'll
    bring in the settings I use.
    
    Regards,
    Richard
    
    PS: Not altogether pleased with my ME6. I'm still keeping it boxed and
    with the protective cellophane on the control panel in case I sell it.