Help me guitarists (with effects and advice)
 

Okay, so I've been playing guitar for a while and have now written about two hours worth of songs for all band-related instruments. I've got some people who want to play them with me.

But the problem is for guitar i've always been using effects through a computer (ie through Ableton live with extra guitar racks and such) rather than using physical pedals, so now I have to play live it will be different. I'd need quite a few effects (distortion, delay, chorus, tremelo, etc etc, something for looping). What would be the best way to go about obtaining these? I've been reading reviews online and it seems that all the multi-effects units are rather rubbish. I really don't know anything about guitar effects so any help would be appreciated.

Laptop?

I'd feel like I was cheating for some reason, haha.

But if there is no better way to go...

Well if you feel like you were cheating, your already cheating with what you are doing. Plenty of people use laptops these days.

Haha, that is true. Cheating is the most affordable solution.

Problem solved...?

i have a zoom 509, it's a digital multi-effecter thing. it has only modulation effects (no distortion or delay/reverb) and, while some of the effects are not entirely accurate, they make it up by working out amazing unexpected sounds.

if you're looking for exact replication of your sounds, then the laptop is the way since you already have your stuff worked out there. if you're willing to allow some difference in sound, then try pedals and stuff out.

i've heard good things about amps with onboard effects or the line 6 pod.

also, you can make notes of which effects do you need, then take the list and try a pedal for each one and then buy them one by one.

I would not get a multi effects thing of any sort, but that's just me.

Boss DS-1
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
Electro-Harmonix PolyChorus
Vox Wah
Line 6 Echo Park
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

I have those and can say good things about all of them.

Yeah, that was what I was mainly wondering. Whether it would be better to go for seperate pedals or a multi-fx. I've come across generally bad reviews of the latter, even the more expensive varieties.

I don't like multi-fx, even if they sound good. I much prefer the real thing, especially with delay and flange, etc, where you can fuck with all the styles and sounds it makes (ie, analog). I only use my multi-fx pedal as a tuner.
Also, try to strip it down, at least a LITTLE bit. If you rely to heavily on pedals, it takes away from the music, I think (I love effects, don't get me wrong. Just don't overdo it!)

i just mentioned what works for me and what i've heard/read. the 509 is awesome and couldn't get the sounds i wanted if i replaced each effect with a pedal.

the whole "don't use effects, it's like cheating" thing is a myth.

Thanks for your help everyone :). Think i'll need to try some of pedals / multi-fx out for myself.

Thanks! That idea had actually never occured to me, and it's a good one.

I'm a pianist really, I don't usually have to worry about such things, haha.