Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 20 to 33 of 33

Thread: Boss ME-50 review - I think I've cracked it (long)

  1. #20
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Northern Ohio - Near Cleveland - Home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame http://www.rockhall.com/
    Posts
    7,753
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by markb
    The joy of this box is that once you've dialed in something you like with the knobs you can write it with three or four button pushes. I like intuitive UIs
    How about reverse for a little Beatles
    Mark
    * Loud is good, good is better!

  2. #21
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Kent, UK
    Posts
    2,353
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by just strum
    How about reverse for a little Beatles
    I never use the B-word
    Electric: Fat strat > Korg PB > TS7 > DS1 > DD-20 > Cube 60 (Fender model)

    Acoustic: Guitar > microphone > audience

  3. #22
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    High & Dry, Southern California
    Posts
    1,483
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by just strum
    ME50 folks, I am going to find some time to spend with the ME50 this weekend and was wondering if you've hit on any favorite settings? I want to explore some blues with the ME50 and will be looking for some good settings.
    I use my ME50 by itself a lot, as a headphone amp. Without going thru the hassle of plugging & turning on other stuff, I can try out different patches/settings without adding a particular amp's characteristics, then try what I've got thru my mixer/studio monitors or thru my Tech21 another time.

    I guess that's partly why my XL version/pdf of the Patch Sheet that I attached to an earlier reply here has an added column for 'Primary Guitar'; I set up and store 2-3 patches for each of my electrics and electric/acoustics, and a couple for my Yamaha PSR-520 Keyboard.

    I can start by calling up a patch, then tweak/goose things with that patch; as long as I don't 'write/store' the changes, the patch isn't altered in memory...but if I somehow like the modifications, I'll see if I can store it as another patch. And while I 'design' a patch for a specific guitar, I'll often try it with another guitar and find it's a cool setting.

    Here's one of my go-to 'headphone amp mode' settings for my Sheraton II that you can try with your Dot:

    DOT: bridge pickup, vol & tone dimed.
    ME-50 - Going L/R starting upper left:
    TONE MODIFY: Fat
    COMPRESSOR: Sustain @ 10 o'clock, Level @ 12 o'clock
    NOISE SUPPRESSOR: 9 o'clock
    REVERB: Hall, just above minimum
    MASTER LEVEL: 1:30 o'clock.
    PEDAL: Volume mode
    O/D-DISTORTION: BD-2 - Drive @ 10 o'clock; Bottom & Tone @ 12 o'clock; Level @ 1 o'clock
    MOD: Stereo Chorus 1: Rate @ 11 o'clock, Depth & Level at 12 o'clock
    DELAY: Analog/400-2000ms, Time @ 12 o'clock, Feedback & Level @ 10 o'clock

    True, my Sherri has Gibson Classic 57's instead of the stock Epi humbuckers, but...with the ME-50 set as above, I like the 'Golden Earring/Radar Love' sound I can get.

    Maybe try your PlankSpanker HSS Strat?

    Set it up this way to start, then experiment with the guitar's pickup positions, vol & tone controls, and the ME-50's 'Tone Modify'; or put the Expressio Pedal in Wah mode to use it as a treble boost/cut.
    ^^
    AXES: Fender '81 The STRAT, '12 Standard Tele, '78 Musicmaster Bass, '13 CN-240SCE Thinline; Rickenbacker '82 360-12BWB; Epiphone '05 Casino, '08 John Lennon EJ-160E; Guild '70 D-40NT; Ovation '99 Celebrity CS-257; Yamaha '96 FG411CE-12; Washburn '05 M6SW Mando, '08 Oscar Schmidt OU250Bell Uke; Johnson '96 JR-200-SB Squareneck Reso; Hofner '07 Icon B-Bass; Ibanez '12 AR-325. AMPS: Tech 21 Trademark 10; Peavey ValveKing Royal 8; Fender Acoustonic 90, Passport Mini, Mini Tonemaster; Marshall MS-2 Micro Stack; Behringer BX-108 Thunderbird; Tom Scholz Rockman. PEDALS/FX: Boss ME-50; Yamaha EMP100; Stage DE-1; Samson C-Com 16 L.R. Baggs ParaAcoustic D.I; MXR EQ-10.

  4. #23
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Northern Ohio - Near Cleveland - Home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame http://www.rockhall.com/
    Posts
    7,753
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Well, after owning it for a couple of weeks I can honestly say I am happy with the purchase. I'm still exploring, but I have found some settings that I am really happy with. It is also a lot of fun to experiment with the settings as one does a search for the ones you want to lock in on.

    I see Amazon raised the price from $248 to $258. After I received mine, I contacted them to complain that they did not supply the adapter (another $19.65) and they told me to order one from a local store or on-line store and they would reimburse me. I ended up buying one through one of the stores that sells through Amazon and was reimbursed within 1 to 2 days.

    In searching for info on the ME50 before and after my purchase, I came across a number of people in forums that did away with most of their pedals and went with the ME50 and seem happy. I can't say I got rid of any pedals, but I can say that I am happy with the purchase.

    I still have the RP350 and PM me if anyone is interested.

    http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=10321

    A couple of my daughters friends are interested, but they are not showing me any green.
    Mark
    * Loud is good, good is better!

  5. #24
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Kent, UK
    Posts
    2,353
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Glad it's working out, Mark. I think it's the ideal processor for people like me with fairly minimal effects needs. I've had a number of multis before but the manual operation with instant tweaking make this one actually practical to use on stage without hours of programming before the show (and loads of tweaking during, which is a complete PITA).
    Electric: Fat strat > Korg PB > TS7 > DS1 > DD-20 > Cube 60 (Fender model)

    Acoustic: Guitar > microphone > audience

  6. #25
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    High & Dry, Southern California
    Posts
    1,483
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by markb
    Glad it's working out, Mark. I think it's the ideal processor for people like me with fairly minimal effects needs. ...
    Ditto : And perhaps a limited budget.

    What would 11 Overdrive/Distortion pedals alone cost you before you knew which one(s) you really cared for? More than $250...

    I'm particularly glad you're happy with it since you know I'd 'promoted it' : to you personally for so long.
    ^^
    AXES: Fender '81 The STRAT, '12 Standard Tele, '78 Musicmaster Bass, '13 CN-240SCE Thinline; Rickenbacker '82 360-12BWB; Epiphone '05 Casino, '08 John Lennon EJ-160E; Guild '70 D-40NT; Ovation '99 Celebrity CS-257; Yamaha '96 FG411CE-12; Washburn '05 M6SW Mando, '08 Oscar Schmidt OU250Bell Uke; Johnson '96 JR-200-SB Squareneck Reso; Hofner '07 Icon B-Bass; Ibanez '12 AR-325. AMPS: Tech 21 Trademark 10; Peavey ValveKing Royal 8; Fender Acoustonic 90, Passport Mini, Mini Tonemaster; Marshall MS-2 Micro Stack; Behringer BX-108 Thunderbird; Tom Scholz Rockman. PEDALS/FX: Boss ME-50; Yamaha EMP100; Stage DE-1; Samson C-Com 16 L.R. Baggs ParaAcoustic D.I; MXR EQ-10.

  7. #26
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    MSP
    Posts
    3,913
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wingsdad
    To me, the Stereo Outs of the ME-50 are what makes it. I can send it stereo to my recording setup, 2 different amps, or in mono to 2 different signal chains.
    I know I've bothered you about this at length in another post, but if I may have one more question...

    How do you have it output in mono to 2 different signal chains? This is likely in the future for me, so I would really like to know. Thanks!
    Quote Originally Posted by Spudman
    Does anyone read the original post?
    Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350
    Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
    Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner

  8. #27
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    High & Dry, Southern California
    Posts
    1,483
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric
    ...
    How do you have it output in mono to 2 different signal chains? This is likely in the future for me, so I would really like to know. Thanks!
    The L/R 1/4" outs on the back panel can be sent to different signal chain inputs using regular guitar cables, and that's OK for the dist/od and most things, BUT any of the stereo chorus or delay fx won't be equally split.

    So to send a true summed mono signal (summed = the L/R sides of the stereo signals get blended together as one), stick one of these in the L output, and then stick a guitar cable into each of the female jacks.

    http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/YPP111/

    This isn't a stereo splitter, a/k/a 'insert' cable; the 'TS' means 'Tip-Sleeve', which is a mono plug or jack using just 2 conductors (pos & neg). For stereo (or a 'balanced') signal, you want TRS, which means 'Tip-Ring-Sleeve', 3 conductors - a pos for each L/R and a common neg.

    This 'insert' cable takes a stereo out (like the ME-50's headphones out) and splits it into a true stereo L & R to go 2 inputs...a common use of the ME-50 into a mixing board, or into 2 amps to play true stereo.
    http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/STP202/

    That's fine for desktop use, but a little short to go to 2 amps, so this y-cable version of the 1st one I linked to allows you to use guitar cables (TS) to reach longer distances:
    http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/YPP117/

  9. #28
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    MSP
    Posts
    3,913
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wingsdad
    The L/R 1/4" outs on the back panel can be sent to different signal chain inputs using regular guitar cables, and that's OK for the dist/od and most things, BUT any of the stereo chorus or delay fx won't be equally split
    Perfect. That's exactly what I needed, and as I had suspected. Thanks!
    Quote Originally Posted by Spudman
    Does anyone read the original post?
    Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350
    Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
    Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner

  10. #29
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    MSP
    Posts
    3,913
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    If I can revive a dead thread again, whatever happened to your ME-50, Mark? My impression is that you've shifted gears by this point, but I must have missed the reasoning behind it.

    I was just thinking the other day that I should get mine back from the guy I've loaned it to.
    Quote Originally Posted by Spudman
    Does anyone read the original post?
    Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350
    Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
    Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner

  11. #30
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Kent, UK
    Posts
    2,353
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    It was great as a pedalboard, Eric but the delay in switching patches was just too long. The overdrives began to grate after a while too. Just a matter of taste really. I liked nearly all of the effects but the biggest omission, imo was a proper eq section to bring the drives out. Even a simple 3 band job would have done.

    What's in my sig now is the distillation of what I used on the ME50, more or less. A light tweedy drive (TS7), a heavier Marshally drive (DS1), both on for fat solos, delay with tap tempo (DD-20). I get chorus from the DD-20's modulation mode and I use the Cube 60's tremolo and reverb to fill in those gaps. It's still a pretty small board.
    Electric: Fat strat > Korg PB > TS7 > DS1 > DD-20 > Cube 60 (Fender model)

    Acoustic: Guitar > microphone > audience

  12. #31
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    MSP
    Posts
    3,913
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by markb
    It was great as a pedalboard, Eric but the delay in switching patches was just too long. The overdrives began to grate after a while too. Just a matter of taste really. I liked nearly all of the effects but the biggest omission, imo was a proper eq section to bring the drives out. Even a simple 3 band job would have done.

    What's in my sig now is the distillation of what I used on the ME50, more or less. A light tweedy drive (TS7), a heavier Marshally drive (DS1), both on for fat solos, delay with tap tempo (DD-20). I get chorus from the DD-20's modulation mode and I use the Cube 60's tremolo and reverb to fill in those gaps. It's still a pretty small board.
    Hmm, pretty interesting. Thanks for the update. I've learned to live without delay, chorus, and a volume pedal since loaning out mine, so I wonder if/when I'll use it if/when I get it back. The TM60 drives are serving me pretty well so far.
    Quote Originally Posted by Spudman
    Does anyone read the original post?
    Guitars: Gibson LP Studio, MIA Fender Precision, Carvin C350
    Amps: Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 + Avatar B212 / Genzler 12-3, Acoustic B20
    Pedals: Pod HD500X, Diamond Compressor, Tech 21 VT Bass, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner

  13. #32
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    1
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Ya new guy here bought my ME-50 in 2005 for 40 bucks and love it. Yet i still have the other pedals.Im looking for settings for A Perfect Circle. If any one can help that would be great.
    Thanks

  14. #33
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    49
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I had one a few years ago and just hated it. Maybe I didn't give it enough time to really probe everything, but I had an ME30 that I loved and just figured it was time to upgrade and assumed I'd like it because I loved the ME30. My favorite multi fx pedal really was the Korg AX1500G. I don't use multi fx anymore.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •