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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Re: Omni-switch

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10/29/1999 3:21 PM
GFR	Re: Omni-switch And of course, the algorithm for doing the switching would need extreme care so that you don't create loops while you're switching and start some oscillations...

10/29/1999 3:35 PM
Nyquist	Just a quick note to say that I recall a Peavey unit called MFP2128 that did exactly that. It was a small flight case including a MIDI controller+PSU (9V). You could connect up to 5 effect pedals (2 with stereo outs) and program patches to have the effects anyway you liked. It was a bit noisy as I remember.

10/29/1999 5:39 PM

Dean Hazelwanter

These are the kinds of challenges I faced when deciding how to do the switching network for the rack-mount system I've been building. After a lot of thought, I settled on the following (in the interest of actually getting *something* done): Each effect has a relay-bypass. Each effect has a separate input and output jack, so that any effect can be put in any location, but every effect is in a default position. This way, anything *can* be connected to anything else, but with no patch cables, every effect is connected in (what seems to me to be) a reasonable configuration.

This is the default configuration:

2 preamp channels, go through Mix1, which goes through
a compressor, bandpass filter (wah), then splits to 3
distortions (TubeScreamer TS808, BigMuff, and Rat).
The outputs of the 3 distortions, plus a switched clean
feed from Mix1 go into Mix2. The outut of Mix2 drives
the following: RingModulator, PitchShifter, Roctavizor,
2 PhaseShifters, the 2 idependant yet linkable Trem
channels, plus a switched clean feed from Mix1, and
room for 2 external effects, all through a stereo mixer.
Each of these 10 mixer inputs has a pan pot. The 2
(stereo) outputs of the mixer are each connected to a
separate DigitalDelay/Echo, 5 band EQ and finally a
line driver. The 2 Trem channels' LFOs can be in or
out of phase. The 2 PhaseShifters each have a separate
LFO, but you can use 1 LFO to drive both. As with the
Mutron BiPhase, the 2 Phase Shifters can be switched
in series, or in parallel. Also run off of Mix1 is an
EnvelopeFollower which can selectively control the
RingMod, BandpassFilter (wah), or one of the Phase
Shifter's LFO. Also *each* effect has a true-bypass
relay, controlled by the rack's frontpanel and remote
footswitches.

After the main project is done, I might do some more work on the switching, like DPDT or 4PDT relays connected to jacks to give 'loop' switching capabilities.

10/29/1999 7:20 AM

Re: Suggestions for a Effect-of-the-month Club?

I have been thinking of a kind of "order-switcher" for a long time. My idea's are as follows:
The switcher should (only)activate the order of effects like
Distortion, Fuzz, Wah, Filters and EQ's, (maybe som noise-gating too).
Each effect should have a number, 1 - 9 or 1 - F.
Each effect has a "digital-switch" for setting the number.
From a "switch-board" on the floor you should be able to switch the individual effect on/off, AND select it's number in the chain.
Maybe you could "expand" the "switcher" to have posibilities to select between "pre-defined orders".
(Maybe you have to double some of the effects to bring this solution to real life).

All other effects, to my opinion, has always a "fixed place in the chain". Examples: Compressor: Always first in chain. and delay-basesd effects, flanger/chorus/phaser/tape-echo/spring reverb always last in the chain.

Just my ideas. Preben.

10/29/1999 10:21 AM
GFR	I like the compressor after a light overdrive. You can have lots of sustain without a lot of buzz, just like early Blackmore, where the tone is almost clean but it's "singing".

10/29/1999 2:05 PM

Try using your compressor as a "boost" into a tube amp. That is, set the output level to its maximum to try and push the front end of your amp. I can do this with my Ross Comp into a Fender Blues DeVille, but I'm lucky, the Ross is real quiet, others may not be so lucky. With this approach I achieve a clean tone that can push my amp into feedback. It sound great, albeit limited.

my $.02

Jay Doyle

10/29/1999 2:44 PM
GFR	That's good too. I forgot to mention that the setup I suggested works good with solid state amps. I use a "Fat Screamer" -> Dynacomp, and it works nice, sustain without harshness. You can also morph from clean to overdrive with the guitar's volume knob without changing the actual loudness.

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