Line 6 M9

I bought this pedal primarily to use with a synthesizer; more specifically, because it has a wahwah pedal model that can be controlled with an expression pedal, and Stereo i/o. I don't know of any stereo i/o wah pedals, so this fulfilled a specific function. Other than the wah I'm primarily using reverbs and delays. As a keyboard player there's a bunch of effects that I don't use - amp models, preamps, etc. The reverbs are "usable" - i.e. they're not fantastic but in a live context they get the job done. The delays are pretty good, and the M9 has the full compliment of delay types from the DL4. (I also have an EchoPro so I've grown accustomed to certain models.)
The unit is well built; metal construction, tho the display is a little hard to read despite the contrast setting (my eyes aren't so great anymore). There are a good assortment of parameters per model, and many models to choose from - flangers, chorus, spring reverb, tape delay, etc - and many many others, including pitch shifting and intelligent harmony. AND a 15 second looper, and tuner, built in. 2 Expression pedal inputs allow control of different sets of parameters, and you can assign parameters to 2 different control busses. Heel down and Toe down values are easily set and tweaked. Patch storage is minimal; you can run it in effects mode (like a collection of stomp boxes) or configuration mode (where you can call up a whole different pedal board setup). I pretty much use the same effects all the time, unless I break it out for my Lap Steel - then I have a different set of effects.
All in all it's easy to use, inexpensive and basically sounds good. If I was seriously into tone (as some guitarists are) I probably wouldn't use this. It is however a very portable way to throw a bunch of fx in a bag and go.

Over 100 stompbox effects

• Run up to 3 effects simultaneously (with 3 more on deck)

• Dedicated knobs control each effect parameter

• Create up to 24 pedal board scenes. (It's like having 24 fully tricked-out pedal boards available at any time!)

• Universal tap tempo syncs all your time-based effects

• MIDI in/out

• 1/4" mono or stereo inputs

• 1/4" mono or stereo outputs

• Two 1/4" expression pedal jacks

• True Analog Bypass or DSP Bypass

28-second looper with dedicated footswitches (Record/Overdub, Play/Stop, Play Once, Undo/Redo, Half Speed, Reverse)

• Built-in chromatic tuner

• Heavy-duty all-metal chassis and footswitches

• Included AC power adapter

• Dimensions: 10.5"W X 2.4"H x 6.5"D - 3lbs.

Can't really say enough about the features of this multi-effects. They have definitely come a LONG way and I can't believe that I've come full circle with owning one again since...'95 or earlier.



UTILIZATION

It is quite easy to use as a multi effects, most of the other ones have not difficult, but slightly complex ways to tweak settings and configurations etc. So you are generally bound to spend a few hours with it before taking it to the rehearsal studio or the next gig.

Yes you probably should read the manual for certain things but you don't have to read it before playing. You can pretty much plug it in and play, and I read the manual for certain things if I'm looking to do something specific with it that I have in mind.

Yes you have to read the advanced manual for anything beyond what the youtube demos show you etc. So yes it does take some time on your part to get used to how this thing works. MIDI has always been my enemy so I can't comment on that.

I currently use it with the line 6 expression pedal.

SOUND QUALITY

Pretty darn good! Lives up to the hype that's been built on the internet from youtube users etc etc. There's tons of video demos that will give a wide range of very usable sounds to crazy whacked out sounds that you'd sparingly use.

There's been lots of debate about the distortion sounds and I want to say that I think it sounds VERY good. No, of course it doesn't sound exactly like a tube amp but this kind of debate will go on for years to come regardless of my opinion but I think....I might just bring the m9 to rehearsals for the next little while instead of my usual pedals, that's how convincing it sounds!

The effects are top notch in my opinion. I love the variety of wahs available and I use all the effects I need to cover almost any song. I have a huge tube distortion pedal that I use to get most of my sound

OVERALL OPINION

A really interesting unit to look into. Definitely worth checking out. I was never a multi effects guy, I tried a few in the early 90s and gave up and did the whole single pedals and a board for the next 10 years and now I've come full circle back to a multi effects like the m9. Because this one actually sounds QUITE good and not only that, is very usable live, you can tap things in and out on the fly during a gig and with an expression pedal you can control nearly every parameter of an effect on the fly also. And it sounds great! What more does one need??

The M9 contains over 100 effects, a 28-second looper, and a dedicated tap tempo button. The effects are 6 categories: delays, modulation, distortion, compression and eqs, filters, and reverbs.

mono and stereo in/out. Midi in/out. And 2 expression pedal jacks.

I don't believe there is an external editing program, but with how easy the M9 is to use I don't see the need.

The M9 is made out of metal and seems really rugged. The buttons are plastic and worried me at first, but after months of using it they've held up and show no sign of wear.

UTILIZATION

I cannot imagine a better implementation than what Line 6 has done with the M9/M13. Whenever you choose an effect to edit you just turn some knobs to tweak the sound and the M9 automatically saves your settings. Its as close to an actual stomp box setup as you can get with a modeler. Its beautiful.

There are 24 scenes, and each scene stores 6 effect presets. You can run up to 3 effects at once. its very easy to switch between scenes.

The manual is very straight forward and easy to understand. And on top of clear instructions it has an overview of all the effects in the unit.

SOUND QUALITY

I've mostly used the M9 with guitar, but I've also used it on vocals. It sounds awesome for the most part, especially for delays and verbs. The most disappointing part of the M9 is the distortions, hands down. For the most part they're buzzy and unusable. But everything else is gorgeous.

The most surprising part of the M9 for me was how transparent it is when bypasses. In true-bypass you cannot tell the difference.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, the Line M9 is a very solid piece of gear. The effects sound gorgeous and its very easy to use. Great for stage and studio.

I think its a great value for the price. To get stomp boxes to cover all the bases the M9 does would take thousands of dollars.

I've owned the M9 twice, the only reason I sold the first one is because I needed the cash. Its the most convenient and best sounding solution for my effects needs, and if I have to sell this one for some reason I will buy another down the line.

Multi effects that lets you store 6 pedals, you can use 3 at once per scene. Has 6programmable scenes.
Also has a 28 second looper. AC powered only. Stereo in and outputs, midi in and out ports, and 2 expression pedal jacks for use with wah and/or whammy effects.

UTILIZATION

Great little digital pedal to toss in the gig bag, comes in handy when you can’t bring your pedal board and don’t know what the rental back line will be. What you get is basically all theeffects from the Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler, DM4 Distortion Modeler, FM4 Filter Modeler, MM4 Modulation Modeler, Verbzilla, Echo Pro boxes.
I like how tweaking any setting the pedal will already write it into memory with no need to hit any store buttons. The Looper has its own set of buttons, Record, Record/Overdub, Play/Stop, Play Once, Undo/Redo, Half Speed and Reverse (The looper can be used simultaneously with the three FX Units.).
And as with all Line 6 stuff the manuals are pretty comprehensive.

SOUND QUALITY

There are a few stand-outs for me, in Noise Gate is a must use when running loads of gain, for overdrives I’m partial to the Tube Screamer and Butler overdrive models, the Tri Stereo chorus is lovely although far from the sound of th real deal. The inteligent harmonicer is great on clean stuff for Les Paul/Mary Ford fun and games. The delay is where it’s at for me. I have used the DL4 for years and the only thing I messed was the dry though of the rachmount version, well here you can get a modulated delay or tube echo, or tape echo with the dry through, comes in so handy.

OVERALL OPINION

I’ve been using the M9s bigger brother the M13 since it came out, and I really prefer the M13 fo the simple reason that you can run 4 effects at once, with 8 more at the ready. But when space is of consideration the M9 will do nicely.