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So, how hard is it...
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 11:58 pm
by theavondon
to add a momentary switch to a boss style pedal, instead of the normal switch? Or, more specifically, Behringer pedals. My only gripe about them is the shit switch.
Re: So, how hard is it...
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:29 am
by Gone Fission
The problem is that the switch is unreliable in engaging or disengaging? Changing the switch out in the existing switching circuit might not be an adequate fix. The cheap and effective fix is often to increase the value of the "debouncing" capacitor. Search around diystompboxes and freestompboxes and you'll find more than I know off the top of my head, and some info might be Behringer specific.
Oh, but if the debouncing cap is surface mount and you don't do that stuff (which I don't mess with either), well, drag.
Re: So, how hard is it...
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 9:56 am
by Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.
i seen an ibanez in the BST that drasp added a new footswitch. maybe he could help answer?
Re: So, how hard is it...
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:04 am
by eatyourguitar
I never had any problems with behringer or boss footswitches. I have done mods on both but I never looked at the footswitch in the boss. behringer uses the cheapest tact switch on planet earth but the foam between the plastic case and the surface mount tact switch does seem to make up for it. I know that most behringer pedals have a PCB that dominates the entire length and width of the box and sits directly in the middle for mounting height. there is a cutout for the battery but you would not be able to use a battery ever if you added a massive footswitch. as for the debouncing on the behringer, it is probably perfect. they have great engineers. when you go from tact switch to big clunky mechanical stomp switch, you will have increased switching noise and settling time. any debouncing that is too much on the stock unit will be just enough on the modded one. all you need to do is solder some shredded ethernet cable to the surface mount pads where the tact switch is.
Re: So, how hard is it...
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:13 pm
by theavondon
Gone Fission wrote:The problem is that the switch is unreliable in engaging or disengaging?
Oh, but if the debouncing cap is surface mount and you don't do that stuff (which I don't mess with either), well, drag.
I just...I dunno. I'd step on it, and it just doesn't like...throw. Like, it doesn't feel good. I might be silly. Also, valid point about the SMD stuff. Though, they're so cheap.
Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D. wrote:i seen an ibanez in the BST that drasp added a new footswitch. maybe he could help answer?
Good idea.
eatyourguitar wrote: there is a cutout for the battery but you would not be able to use a battery ever if you added a massive footswitch. as for the debouncing on the behringer, it is probably perfect. they have great engineers. when you go from tact switch to big clunky mechanical stomp switch, you will have increased switching noise and settling time. any debouncing that is too much on the stock unit will be just enough on the modded one. all you need to do is solder some shredded ethernet cable to the surface mount pads where the tact switch is.
Yeah, batteries and noise levels are seriously not a concern for me. So...when you say shredded ethernet cable...you wanna walk me through this one?
Re: So, how hard is it...
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:24 pm
by eatyourguitar
theavondon wrote:eatyourguitar wrote: there is a cutout for the battery but you would not be able to use a battery ever if you added a massive footswitch. as for the debouncing on the behringer, it is probably perfect. they have great engineers. when you go from tact switch to big clunky mechanical stomp switch, you will have increased switching noise and settling time. any debouncing that is too much on the stock unit will be just enough on the modded one. all you need to do is solder some shredded ethernet cable to the surface mount pads where the tact switch is.
Yeah, batteries and noise levels are seriously not a concern for me. So...when you say shredded ethernet cable...you wanna walk me through this one?
you take the jacket off an ethernet cable to reveal some useful wire for modding SMD

Re: So, how hard is it...
Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 10:04 pm
by controlFreak
Are you doing a rehouse? I think the switch would be an easy change but I wouldn't want to mount it in that plastic box the beringer effects come in.