SamIAm

From my fiddlings with various multi-fx systems, I offer the following broad (and probably inaccurate for some units) generalisations to consider (Of course you may be aware of all of this already!). I would say that most (all?) units support patches (some call them presets or pedalboards). A patch on a multi-fx unit defines a combination of things: Which effects are in the chain. The ordering of these effects in the chain. The settings of each effect (on/off, gain, mix, etc). Once you have selected a patch, most units will let you tweak the settings on each effect using an on device knob (or via a touchscreen), once you've dialed in a sound you like can save it away in the patch. You can think of a patch as a physical pedalboard, with the pedals you want on it, in the order you want them in and the settings you want for each. Switching a patch is like grabbing a different pedal board from a shelf and replacing the one you are using (But is much quicker and less bulky lol). Units provide the ability to change from one patch to another using a footswitch (Patch Mode), the units with few (3 or less) footswitches usually only let you go through step through them sequentially. If you have a lot of patches (eg one for each song) this can be a pain. You mention Octave, Chorus, Compression, Drive, Synth ... do you want to be able to toggle on/off individual effects in a patch? Perhaps wanting to only activate the octave for the chorus of the song? You can often sometimes assign a footswitch to do this (Stompbox mode), but unless you have a lot of footswitches ... (consider a physical pedalboard that usually has at least one footswitch for each pedal). For units with a lot of footswitches, this can usually be done, for others external footswitches might be required. Some units support snapshots. Snapshots are sort of like variations of a patch. With a patch loaded, you can tweak settings for each effect (including on/off) and save it as a Snapshot. Think of a snapshot as a photograph of a physical pedalboard, showing the knob positions and active/bypass state of each pedal; changing a snapshot is like very (very!) quickly reaching down and tweaking all the things you want to tweak. For units with SnapShots, a similar approach is needed to select them as for patches, stepping through them sequentially or assigning a footswitch to each. For me, I dislike the physical size, cost and relative inflexability of a physical pedalboard ... but it comes with easy/simple access to all of the tweakable things. I like the ability of the multi-fx to let me select from loads and loads of different variations to find the ones I like and then store/recall them ... but to even approach the 'stompability' of a physical board I've found I need to add multiple external footswitches. And individual tweakings are burried away under menus. My current pedalboard uses a MOD Dwarf (Think HX Stomp/GT-100 Core on speed) but I am about to replace the 4 switch MVAVE with an MC-6 to try to allow some more stompability (And to display footswitch info that the MVAVE does not have). I've spent a lot of time and effort in coming up with a sound I like (and my layout is not complex ... compressor/octave/ambience/fuzz), but I am still a toddler. How few 'Scenes' (Patches) can you get away with? From an effort perspective, think of how much time/effort it would take you (If money was not a problem) to set-up and tweak a physical pedalboard for each 'Scene'. Not an answer to your question I fear but I hope it helps a bit. I'd say consider having a really concerted effort to configure the pod go (using a PC can make it easier) to see if you can get what you want. S'manth x

Appropriate sized drill bit & some 3D filiment worked well when I side markered a neck ... S'manth x

What a lovely looking bass! S'manth x

Maxi Priest - Close To You? Close to Me - The Cure

I really enjoyed watching this, I found it both informative and entertaining! S'manth x

There is at least one lunatic member on here who built their own headless tuner system! As it was a prototype, it does not look tidy ... but might seed some thoughts? S'manth x

But what about non mains hum interference ... from dimmer switches, fluorescent lights, some cell phones, computers, etc? In this video about shielding, they even talk about picking up local taxi radios! S'manth x

When I 3D printed a new pickguard for my first proper bass, I relied on the fact that the pots were on the faceplate and wired to ground ... I had also wired ground to the backing layer of the copper tape. I recall I spread out the wires and then stuck some more tape on top so they were sandwiched between two layers. Yes, ultimeter FTW @MichaelDean! S'manth x

Yes S’manth x

It's a PJB C4, two slot ports and 4x5 inch drivers 😕 S'manth x

I didn't think that miniturisation had become quite that advanced ... and even if it had, plugging in an instrument or mic cable would be ... well ... Hope AliExpress don't mess you about with a refund! S'manth x

I'm not quite sure what I'm seeing, but it is no XR18 ... just an empty box with some thin packaging!? S'manth x

When you mic a cab, where have you found is the best position for the mic? S'manth x

I neglected to mention my bad back in the OP. Slipped disk while repositioning a 150kg patient who was ventilated/sedated so a dead weight. It means I can no longer do ITU nursing (Which was heartbreaking) but I've found a role in cardiology research which is a blessing. I can walk (with a cane) and stand for an hour or so so gigging is still on, but need the lightest gear and a shortscale. S'manth x

Hi Charlie, welcome to BC. Beware the marketplace here tho, too many great deals to trigger GAS! 🤣 S'manth x

I've been advised to do this but I really struggle to get up off the mat! S'manth x

How many folks here suffer from a bad back (or similar) that impacts what gear/rig you use?

What is a coffee table bass? S'manth x

A few months ago I was fortunate to rehome an XR18 from Dunc, along with some extras. Recently he realised that he would liked to have retained the Beheringer Powerplay P16-M personal mixer and I had never used it (Nor likely to). Thus ensued a great transaction with it returning home, prompt payment, great comms, could not ask for better. Another win for our great BC marketplace, thanks Dunc! S'manth x

That is an insanely good price! S'manth x

After my research (and the great ideas from you folks) I have landed. GAS kicked in (My poor bank account!) so I'll soon be a multi head house! 🤣 I've pushed the button on a Trace Elliot Elf to cover the small/light desire, in the the reviews I've watched it sounds really nice and is lite as a feather; I may be able to play without any pedalboard or simply a Zoom B1X-Four. I'm also getting an HB Block 800-B, it comes with a meh preamp and perhaps some high floor noise, but I can sort this with a mod I found on that german bassics forum (No, I'm not a turncoat ... BC is my bass home!); the poweramp is very well regarded and it seems will do nicely for my modelling pedalboard when I am prepared to lug some more gear around. Both from the fine folks here on BC! Thanks all for your ideas! S'manth x

Cannot resist adding and S'manth x

Hic 🤣 S'manth x