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Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 1:18 pm
by pigmaker
Ok, so some of pedals just dont play nice with each other. an a/b type switcher simply will not suffice.
i have grouped my pedals into:
Main channel
Fuzz lead channel
Fuzz rhythm channel
synth guitar channel
(the synth guitar channel may end up going to a separate amp altogether, which would reduce my switching requirement, but thats a different story)
so anyway, im looking at 3 or 4 sets of pedals, grouped together individually. a compressor in the front. a boss tu-2 at the end, which will also act as a buffer. (if need be i will get a separate buffer with a boost. some of my pedals absolutely must have a buffer after them.)
rustywire posted this recently:
http://www.americanloopers.com/Five-loo ... prgm-b.htmand this is pretty much what i need. but is there a better way to accomplish my goal?
does Lehle make something that would help me achieve pedal grouping greatness? im fully aware that it will cost $$$$$$$$$$ if they do.
there's no feasible way i can tap dance all this shit without some sort of multi switcher.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 1:28 pm
by DannDubbleEwe
Although it's more expensive, for some reason this makes more sense to me than the one you linked to:
http://www.disasterareaamps.com/shop/dpc-5
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 1:35 pm
by Holy Schnikes
Just get a multichannel true bypass looper and wire each group into a separate channel. That's how I run a dual board setup and it's great, simple and effective.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:01 pm
by coldbrightsunlight
Holy Schnikes wrote:Just get a multichannel true bypass looper and wire each group into a separate channel. That's how I run a dual board setup and it's great, simple and effective.
Yeah I don't see the need for any programmable capability in your requirements, a simple multi-channel TB loop should work unless I've misunderstood somehow.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:22 pm
by Ghost Hip
Yeah just a multi-true bypass loop thing would do the job. Someone on here could probably build one for less, possibly.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:32 pm
by goroth
I say this in every tb loop thread but hit up road rage. They are so awesome to deal with and custom stuff doesn't cost a whole lot more than their regular stuff.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:39 pm
by dazedbyday
You could get something like this:
http://www.loop-master.com/product_info ... cts_id=117It is a little bit cheaper then what you originally linked to because it doesn't have the programmable stuff. But you don't need the programmable stuff if you are just going to keep the loops the same.
Or as someone else mentioned you could build it. You just need the jacks, the switches, the case and throw in the leds if you want indicators. It is wired up just like a true bypass in a pedal.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:48 pm
by AxAxSxS
I built a 5 channel one for about $60 worth of parts. Bottom right-

I gave each channel its own volume control which has been a very useful thing.
It was really easy to make and If you can solder even a little should not be that hard to do.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:59 pm
by pigmaker
cant solder to save my life LOL
who wants to build me one? i dont need it right away, im still assembling my shit. but im getting closer.
no harm in having a 4th or 5th channel that i dont use, eh?
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 12:17 pm
by pigmaker
pigmaker wrote:cant solder to save my life LOL
who wants to build me one? i dont need it right away, im still assembling my shit. but im getting closer.
no harm in having a 4th or 5th channel that i dont use, eh?
anyone interested? otherwise im probably gonna buy one from american loopers. they are kinda pricy.
hey another question, having like 4 or 5 ch on a switcher and only using 3 wont affect tone will it?>
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 12:27 pm
by Holy Schnikes
I second Road Rage. They make solid stuff for very fair prices, fast turnaround as well. They have a standard size and a "Bigfoot" version with wider switch spacing.
Otherwise, post this in DIY and see who's down to build it. Very simple project, many capable builders here, Jero comes to mind...
And no, not a problem if you get more channels than required and choose to leave those loops empty if needed. I have a 6 channel looper but generally use only 4 of those channels.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 2:10 pm
by goroth
http://www.roadrageprogear.com/4-loop_t ... pedal.html - get it with a master bypass (add a couple of bucks for that) - so the four switch model is 3 loops plus master bypass. If you want space for the future get a 5 looper (4 loops plus master bypass).

I have the "compact" size, shown above, but you can also get "big foot". I don't find the compact size to be a problem at all, in fact it is really important for me to be able to turn two loops on or off at the same time

Master bypass is really important - in case the shit hits the fan and you can't diagnose it on stage just bypass everything and go nuts.
I've had mine for around 2 years, 20+ gigs, somewhere between 50 and 100 rehearsals and it looks brand new.
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 2:42 pm
by pigmaker
man i really like those. i dont see the 4 loops with master bp option?
Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:33 pm
by Holy Schnikes
pigmaker wrote:man i really like those. i dont see the 4 loops with master bp option?
He lists the custom options and prices down below on each product page, just click on the looper you're after and scroll down.
I think you'd need a 5 channel looper with 1 of those switches being dedicated to the mb and the other 4 serving as your loops. You can request any combo of LED colors as well to differentiate the mb from the rest, he'll make it however you like.

Re: Best way to switch between 3 or 4 groups of pedals
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:53 pm
by AxAxSxS
that looks like a good way to go, and with the smaller one you could just mash two switches which would do the same as having the A/B you were thinking about.