AKARSH SHEKHAR
How to Use Multi-Effect Processors with
Keyboards & Synths
Let ’ s look at some ways in which you can add multiple effects , all of which can be stored with your handcrafted settings ( per synth preset ), to your favorite synthesizer - guitar multi-effects pedals .
By connecting the MIDI Out of your effectschallenged synth to the MIDI In of a multieffects pedal , you ’ ll be able to assign a specified effects preset number to one or more of your synth ’ s preset numbers . When you change to a preset on your synth , the multi-effects pedal will go to the effects preset of your choosing .
Additionally , most of these multi-effects pedals include a high-resolution tuner , which can be invaluable for those with analog synthesizers , whose pitches drift as the temperature changes .
Two important questions you ’ ll need to answer are :
1
Is a single mono input sufficient , or does the multi effects unit need stereo inputs ?
The answer to this question comes from the type of keyboard you ’ re connecting to your multi-effects pedal . If your synth ’ s output is mono ( monaural — one output jack ), then you can choose from any multi-effects pedal , whether it has mono or stereo inputs . If your synth is stereo because it has the ability to pan voices or layers , you will probably want to choose a multi-effects pedal that has stereo input jacks .
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As the 21st century dawned upon us , a lot of keyboard workstations and synthesizers started featuring built in effects that kept improving every year , at an almost exponential pace . But , suddenly , fascination with true-analog synths and synth modules led to an era in which some synths and modules featured extremely simple effects / no effects at all . Add a guitar pedal ( or more ) to these synths and you could get even more out of your synths . But you lost the convenience of storing specific effects settings for each preset .
2
Is it necessary for the multi-effects unit to have the ability to change effects presets via MIDI Program Change messages sent from your synth ?
The answer to this question depends on how important it is that every synth preset has a specified multi-effect that gets called up when you change to that preset . If your synth is without presets , then a 5-pin DIN MIDI In jack is not as important . In case you just want a universal multieffects setting that works on all your synth sounds , you may ignore the MIDI Program Changes .
Here are some of the many multi-effects pedals that are ideal for keyboards and synths :
‣ Line 6 M13 Stompbox Modeler Pedal The Line 6 M13 has stereo in and out jacks , 5-pin DIN MIDI In and Out jacks , two assignable expression pedal input jacks , and stereo FX send and return jacks . You can have up to four effects at once , and each can be choosen from any of 100 effect types .
‣ TC Electronic PLETHORA X5 TonePrint Multi-FX Pedalboard The PLETHORA X5 features stereo ins and outs , FX send and return jacks , 5-pin DIN MIDI In and Thru jacks , an assignable expression pedal jack , and a USB port for firmware updates and TonePrint Editor / Librarian connection . All five of the effect-bypass footswitches are what TC calls MASH footswitches , meaning that they are pressure sensitive and can be assigned to three different parameters at once .
‣ Zoom G1X FOUR Multi-effects Processor The Zoom G1X FOUR is an example of a multi-effects pedal for those who only need to send a mono ( monaural ) signal and won ’ t be using MIDI Program Change messages to change effects presets . You get five simultaneous effects ( with a choice of 70 + effect types ), a master EQ , a tuner , a drum-pattern player , a 30-second looper , and a built-in assignable expression pedal .