Whats the main difference with guitar single effect unit and multi-effects ?

[crgl]

What I wanted to know is if it is true that most guitar multi-effects units handle the signal digitally including distortion.

I know that many guitar effects are done digitally like delay but
I also know that distortion and overdrive are done with analog
circuitry (?), transistors, etc.

But in multi-effects units the distortion and overdrive effects are almost
always done digitally.

Is there a real difference in sound between the two ?

What is the convenience of one over the other?
like analog overdrive over digital overdrive?

[bassbrad]

Yes they are digital but the current units are using modeling and actually sound pretty good and accurate to the original. There is a slight sound quality difference and usually more control on the analog, so if you have the actual analog device that would be preferred, if not how cool is it to have digital models to create your sounds.

[crgl]

do you know which other single effect pedals are analog apart from overdrive and distortion ?

[Light]

Originally Posted by crgl

do you know which other single effect pedals are analog apart from overdrive and distortion ?

Just about anything could be analog, other than samplers and loop pedals. Most often, however, time domain effects (delays, reverbs, chorus, flangers, harmonizers, etc.) are best handled by digital, and most other stuff is best handled analog - that's a generalization if course, but not an unreasonable one. Obviously there are exceptions, such as TC Electronic's excellent analog chorus pedal, but they usually just go to prove the rule.

Personally, the biggest advantage I can see to stand alone effects is that they can be designed to do one thing really well, instead of many things fairly well. If you want a unit that does everything really well, you are looking at a VERY large chunk of change, and even then I'd rather have separate units.

Of course, at the moment the only non-amp effect I'm using is my Boss delay pedal, and if I didn't need it so much I wouldn't even be using that, so I guess my view on effects is a bit on the hide bound side.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

[Sonixx]

for an all-in-one box, have you checked the AXE-FX. it's pretty much the Cadillac right now.

[wbcsound]

The biggest draw back to using multi-fx units is you are bound to that companies interpretation of a given effect. So whila unit might do delay and chorus very well, the distortion sound may be mediocre or vice versa. Individual pedals allow you to mix units by different manufacturers to really fine tune the sounds you want.That being said, I find pretty much all the current generation of fx units are capable of some good tones.

The biggest advantage of multi-fx units is the ability to perform complex switching on the fly.

[Gear_Junky]

I once had a MIJ Boss DM-2 Analog Delay (I also had DM-3 at the same time, but liked DM-2 better). This was in the late 90's. And I also had a modern MIK digital delay (also Boss, DD-5 maybe, if I recall). I didn't know much about effects, but the DM-2 echo was SO sweet sounding.

I got to the point where I had a full pedalboard of stompboxes, including noise gate. Pedals were mostly Boss, except a Tech 21 XXL overdrive and a wah. What I didn't have was tone

I always thought I tend to prefer good analog effects, but too many pedals together just end up degrading your signal.

I thought I'd never like anything digital, especially overdrives/distortions. Even expressed my doubts to a guy reviewing the Fender Super Champ XD (digital preamp, including digital amp models, digital effects, Class A/B tube power section). I ended up getting the SCXD amp and I really like the cleans, some of the overdrives, the simulated spring reverb, the tremolo, the echo.

Maybe it's not quite the same as a tube-driven reverb or a tremolo in a vintage amp, but I like having everything in one box, with not much noise added.

I might still end up getting a pedal for tremolo and a pedal for compression, so I can stick with using the amp's reverb, but I never want another huge pedalboard.

Disclaimer: I don't record

[crgl]

Thanks for all your responses.
From what you said this are the pros of analog or single unit effects:

Pros:

-versatility of using the effects of your choice
-generally, more control

Cons:
-many pedals can degrade signal

Multi effects

Pros:
-allow complex switching on the fly
-signal handled digitally...more clean

Cons:
-you are bound to the effects in the unit
-effects are more limited

[Gear_Junky]

and don't forget that some analog effects sound better than some digital.

some even sound better than any digital.

Originally Posted by crgl

Thanks for all your responses.
From what you said this are the pros of analog or single unit effects:

Pros:

-versatility of using the effects of your choice
-generally, more control

Cons:
-many pedals can degrade signal

Multi effects

Pros:
-allow complex switching on the fly
-signal handled digitally...more clean

Cons:
-you are bound to the effects in the unit
-effects are more limited

[petermiller]

Also a major difference would be true bypass if no one had previously mentioned this. A lot of the better single pedals have this, most multi effects would probably not as far as I know

[wbcsound]

Originally Posted by Gear_Junky

and don't forget that some analog effects sound better than some digital.

some even sound better than any digital.

I would say this is a matter of opinion and subject to individual taste rather than a general strength or weakness.

Originally Posted by petermiller

Also a major difference would be true bypass if no one had previously mentioned this. A lot of the better single pedals have this, most multi effects would probably not as far as I know

I think you'll see Boss pedals on the boards of countless pros who's tones have been lusted after by millions. True Bypass would be absolutely last on my list. Trust your ears. If it sounds good it is good.

[Ed Dixon]

Like guitars and anything else, it’s a matter of personal opinion. I’ve done the single effects route, the rack effects route, and the single digital pedal board route. All things considered, I like the digital pedal board. I use a POD XT Live and love it.

Ed

[mixsit]

Originally Posted by crgl

Thanks for all your responses.
From what you said this are the pros of analog or single unit effects:

Pros:

-versatility of using the effects of your choice
-generally, more control

Cons:
-many pedals can degrade signal

Multi effects

Pros:
-allow complex switching on the fly
-signal handled digitally...more clean

Cons:
-you are bound to the effects in the unit
-effects are more limited

A multi-con -poor direct access to parameters. (from one who constantly wants to dick with the 'tone in the middle of the gig.