Recommend me a multi FX pedal that doesn't require software

JanekLubanski

I'm using a Vox mini 5 amp that has some effects on it. It's pretty basic though and I'm looking for an effects pedal that doesn't require software downloads. TIA

Gassage

Boss ME50. Honestly.

TheBigDipper

Is delay, reverb, overdrive, distortion, tuner and boost enough ? The T-Rex Soulmate is pretty good. 

robinbowes

Gassage said:

Boss ME50. Honestly.

Would it be opportunistic to agree and offer you one for sale, @JanekLubanski ;?

£100 posted. DM if interested.

rze99

Used ME50 is a bargain and excellent MFX

ICBM

There are almost no stand-alone multi-FX units that require software downloads.

That said, as Gassage said, if you want a truly simple-to-use unit - with no screen, menus, scrolling or push-button editing, the ME-50 is right at the top of the list, and sounds great too. If you set it to Manual mode, everything is controlled by knobs just like a conventional pedalboard, except that to change pedal types you just turn a knob. The ME-70, 80 and 90 aren’t far behind, but get progressively more complex and in my opinion possibly don’t quite sound as good. (Although I have a 90 not a 50 now.)

Revolutions

I'd always recommend the BE-5.

DiscoStu

Revolutions said:

I'd always recommend the BE-5.

Wow. My first fx unit. That's given me a real flashback!

relic245

rze99 said:

Used ME50 is a bargain and excellent MFX

I remember my first ever post on Music Radar.

I was introducing myself and had a question.

I said I play a custom shop strat through fender twin and use a ME50  as a pedal board.

First reply was, wow didn't expect such a piece of shit pedal board when I read what else you're using.

That's when I learned about pedal snobbery.

TheMarlin

I do like the Plethora x3

EricTheWeary

I don’t think many require downloads but they are often set up to have updates or the option of programming from an app. Plenty of non multis these days that are like this as well. 

But budget and any particular effects/ features you are look good for might help here? 

The ‘fly rig’ type multi effects might cover what you want if you just want to add a few more basic effects and to use them is knob twiddling and they are fairly WYSIWYG. Valeton do some of the more budget ones and everything  Valeton seems to get praise. The Valeton Dapper Indie (okay, it’s a terrible name) for example has tuner, overdrive, fuzz, modulation, delay,reverb. For the same money a Valeton GP100 has a massive amount of effects and amp sims but there will be some sub menu diving and ideally you would plug it into a PC or Mac for updates and editing. 

BillDL

Another +1 for the Boss ME-50, and they sell for very reasonable prices considering how many Boss pedals have been crammed into it.  £100 from @robinbowes is a great price.  It's solidly built, has plenty space between pedals, and is very easy to get great sounds from and save them.

It is now a dicontinued legacy product, so you will have to click the "Stay Here" link within 10 seconds when the page tries to show you the current versions of the device:

https://www.boss.info/global/products/me-50/

The user manual is here, but reading through it makes it seem a lot more complicated than it actually is to use:

https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/ME-50_OM.pdf

Gadget

jellybelly

Jam pedals have some new stuff that's in the vein of the FlyRig etc.

The Line 6 HX FX is unlikely to get any more updates now the Stadium series is out, so if you got a used one with the latest software chances are that would be that. I really rate mine. 

What's you issue with upgrades etc? Lack of laptop/pc?

stickyfiddle

If you buy an HX FX or HX Stomp now you can use it entirely without ever updating it and you’ll have an incredible bit of kit

Gassage

Revolutions said:

I'd always recommend the BE-5.

These are absolutely fantastic. All analogue save for the delay. The best of Boss in the simplest package ever

english_bob

stickyfiddle said:

If you buy an HX FX or HX Stomp now you can use it entirely without ever updating it and you’ll have an incredible bit of kit

This. It very much depends on what the OP means by "doesn't require software"- the Helix stuff certainly doesn't require software for day-to-day use- you can program it just fine from the front panel and the UI is about as simple as you can hope for from something with so much stuff in it.

The only time I've used the HX Edit software for my Stomp was to update it, which is a ten minute job maybe once a year, and at the end of it you get some extra amps or pedals or features for free.

But as you say, you could never update it and you'd still have a brilliant bit of gear.

english_bob

^^^^ all that being said, I can absolutely see the appeal of something like the Boss ME-50 where everything is controlled by a physical knob on the outside and there's zero menu diving.

Rocketeer

NUX Cerberus 

CaseOfAce

TheMarlin said:

I do like the Plethora x3

This.

No overdrive / distortion on it but it's got everything else I need in an easy to use package with the bonus of a tuner and a looper (which is really useful for home playing).

It's got software updates etc but not needed and besides - the interface is not worth the squeeze.

Other than that I'd go for a Richie Kotzen fly rig version 3.

flying_pie

jellybelly said:

Jam pedals have some new stuff that's in the vein of the FlyRig etc.

The Line 6 HX FX is unlikely to get any more updates now the Stadium series is out, so if you got a used one with the latest software chances are that would be that. I really rate mine. 

What's you issue with upgrades etc? Lack of laptop/pc?

JAM pedals custom stuff or Koch Ness Monster Supreme has to be the coolest multi FX out there but it's a bit on the pricey side

I assume OP means it doesn't need software to operate it properly but I suppose that could include firmware updates too if there's a lack of hardware.

Any second hand Boss COSM - ME-50 or GT series would definitely be up to date. As you say it's unlikely the Line 6 HX series will get much more in the way if updates

If it were me I'd go for a second hand ME-50 or HXFX