Effects (specifically stompbox) Switching Systems?

[Jeff R]

I have about a dozen stompboxes I love but I rarely use them because either my Boogie Mark III, my ears, or both, are so fickle when it comes to their joining the signal chain. It seems with every pedal I add, I exponentially lose high end and/or edge, or I gain noise or hiss, or just general gremlin shit that drives me nuts. All my pedals range from respectable to booteek by our collective standards, some are noisy some are not, some are and are not true bypass, a hodgepodge as it should be, but common sense is telling me my problem is all the extra cabling and jacks robbing me and the electronic mile the signal travels regardless of what I have stomped on or off. I have never owned a stompbox switching system. The thought is that if I can trigger effects via specific loops, and get crap I'm not using at any given time outta the chain, I can reduce the negative impacts on the raw signal, right?

Any of you guys use stompbox switching systems, and what do you use? Any advice to someone who's shopping that is new to the game like me? What do I want that I don't know I want yet, and what's bells and whistles I don't need and won't use? Bang for buck, value, affordability is always a consideration. Voodoo Lab PX-8 users? I love their stuff and that's my first thought. Boss ES-8? Pricey but gets good reviews. EH, Carl Martin, Mooer ... what else is out there that I should research more?

 

[Stike]

6 hours ago, Jeff R said:

I have about a dozen stompboxes I love but I rarely use them because either my Boogie Mark III, my ears, or both, are so fickle when it comes to their joining the signal chain. It seems with every pedal I add, I exponentially lose high end and/or edge, or I gain noise or hiss, or just general gremlin shit that drives me nuts. All my pedals range from respectable to booteek by our collective standards, some are noisy some are not, some are and are not true bypass, a hodgepodge as it should be, but common sense is telling me my problem is all the extra cabling and jacks robbing me and the electronic mile the signal travels regardless of what I have stomped on or off. I have never owned a stompbox switching system. The thought is that if I can trigger effects via specific loops, and get crap I'm not using at any given time outta the chain, I can reduce the negative impacts on the raw signal, right?

Any of you guys use stompbox switching systems, and what do you use? Any advice to someone who's shopping that is new to the game like me? What do I want that I don't know I want yet, and what's bells and whistles I don't need and won't use? Bang for buck, value, affordability is always a consideration. Voodoo Lab PX-8 users? I love their stuff and that's my first thought. Boss ES-8? Pricey but gets good reviews. EH, Carl Martin, Mooer ... what else is out there that I should research more?

 

Ditch the pedals and just get one of these?

 

[Jeff R]

I've considering a all-in-one multi-effect unit, had great success with them in the past, I just hate the idea of either a.) boxing up pedals in storage, I try not to hoard gear, or b.) I will sell all my pedals and then systematically replace them with identical units, one at a time, over a period of a couple years, because I want to go back to individual pedals, like I've done at least twice in my playing career haha.

[bubs_42]

Get the Voodoo Lab, watch this video and go. I just have the feeling that you are not going to whip out your lap top and start editing the software on a Boss Unit to have uber control over every detail that will not matter. The VL takes up less depth, you can set up simple patches and that will clean your signal up. 

I learned one real deal lesson about multi effects, they are easy, but not a replacement for individual units. I cloned my 3 delays and replaced them with one unit and even when I was playing the unit with a band, I realized that they all sounded and felt the same. It kind of defeated the purpose of having the three different delay tones. 

Onother thing to consider is buffers, but it also get tricky depending on what you are actually using on the board. Does the pedal have a buffer? Does the pedal like to be buffered?, delays, modulation, work well with a buffer more than drive pedals do. The best drives work very well like an amp, and as soon as you throw in a buffer you loose dynamics. 

I run 20 feet of cable to the board into my Way, delay, into my drives, into my trem and chorus, then I hit my tuner and my buffer is the last thing in line then another 20 feet of cable. I wanted no buffering between the guitar and the overdrives and I wanted my delay into the overdrive and not post to be able to run the delay with or without the OD with the same settings. 

If the band were still together I would have broken down and put in the Voodoo Lab for my 5 main tones and maybe ditched the buffer all together. Some nights, I think why do I have any of this shit between a great guitar and an amazing amp. LOL 

[BubbaVO]

All that flitting about...

 

[LordsoftheJungle]

I've had a buffered Loop-master for quite some time, works well and comes in different sizes,,, I think mine has 8 or 10 loops.

https://www.loop-master.com/

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query="loop master"

 

 

[jim777]

I know a number of guys who switched to the Boss MS-3 are are pretty pleased with it, worth a look I think.

[frankb]

The ES-8 or ES-5 work well. They allow you switch pedal order if needed. The tuner out is helpful so you don't lose a loop for silent tuning. Both boxes are capable of switching amp channels as well - this can be programmed.  The display has some character limits compared to some other options. 

 

Not sure if there is an editor that can be used with them (had both but moved to a helix floor for large pedal board needs).  Very dependable and I'm not a Boss pedal user generally 

[soli'd]

Do you have a need for or an interest in MIDI control? If not something like the ES series from Boss is likely overkill.  The MS-3 is a good option that's a hybrid of multi-FX and three TB loops.  You can't change the order of the physical loops on the MS-3 like you can with the ES-5 & 8, but you can route them around, before/after the built in FX, including drives, delays. etc... and save those configs per patch which is useful.

If you stick to a single order of FX, and they are all in front of your amp, a simple TB strip would work fine, and can decrease the amount of cable between your guitar and amp in most instances (unless everything is on, of course).  Ironically, you'll actually use more cabling when integrating the pedals into the switch, as you will use a send and return line for each pedal, so if you're using fancy cable or plugs it can add up, compared to just running your pedals in series with a single patch between one.  

[fasteddie]

I have in the past made "cyber" speeches about real men not using pedals but rather amps made of granite with speakers made of barbed wire, I still stand by that and I can only conclude that those of us/you that use pedals perhaps also drink chilled white wine and "mix and match" their wardrobe with their preferred aftershave. Please from all those that rock, drink beer, dig chicks, and only play within the pentatonic box no more talk of diluting the signal etc etc...enough already.

[HamerDave]

I use a One Control Iguana Tail I bought from a member here. Simple to use. 5 loops with a tuner/mute option. Works well for me allowing me to tailor my tone to the song quickly and easily. Quiet as a tomb and it doesn't color my sound.

[Dutchman]

Just kicking this back up to see what was decided on and a breif review. I’m interested in doing something like this myself. Lot’s of choices but I only want to buy once 😊

[tommy p]

On 3/9/2019 at 9:29 AM, gtrdaddy said:

@Jeff R Hey, I just caught that you asked about the Voodoo Labs PX switcher. Yes, they make good stuff, but that is very expensive for what it is. I use Loop-Master. They are top quality and very affordable, all hand wired. Their list of artists using these are extremely impressive. 

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

Rich Robinson (Black Crowes)

Johnny Hiland

Ty Tabor(King's X)

Scott Ian (Anthrax)

Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake)

Foo Fighters

Peter Frampton

Steve Wariner

Kryz Reid (Third Eye Blind)

Mark Chatfield (Bob Seger)

Robert Holmes (Til Tuesday, Velveteen Playboys)

Daryl Stuermer (Phil Collins)

Linda Taylor (Christopher Cross)

Andy York (Guitarist for John Mellencamp)

Bob Gore

Porter Howell (Little Texas)

Michelle Malone

Metric

Danen Kane

Larry LaLonde (Primus)

Andrew Carillo (Joan Osborne Band)

Jeff Matz and Matt Pike (High On Fire)

Kurt Allison (Jason Aldean)

Stephan Laplante (Clay Walker)

Daniel Radar (Keith Urban, Leann Rimes, Jason Aldean, Gretchen Wilson) 

Gabriel Ayala (Dr John, Richie Havens, Flock of Seagulls, Squeeze, The Four Tops, The Temptations) 

Colin James

Ben Hosey (After Edmund) 

Shea Taylor (Jason Reeves) 

Nick Hoffman (Kenny Chesney) 

Clayton Mitchell (Kenny Chesney) 

Andrew DeRoberts (Kris Allen) 

Brad Fernquist (Goo Goo Dolls) 

Rich Eckhardt (Guitarist for Toby Keith. Also has recorded and/or performed with: Steven Tyler, Shania Twain, Willie Nelson, Ted Nugent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Daniels, Sammy Hagar etc...) 

Tim Pierce (Rick Springfield, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, John Waite, Patty Smyth, Toy Matinee, Meat Loaf, Phil Collins, Goo Goo Dolls, Christina Aguilera, Faith Hill, Tracy Chapman, Aly & AJ, Thomas Anders, The Cheetah Girls) 

Josh Hoffman & Alex Robertson (Diocious) 

Daniel Damico (The Calling) 

Raul Bianchi & Geoff Weers (Expendables) 

Shawn Tubbs (Carrie Underwood) 

Jesse Lacey (Brand New) 

Clay Sears (Queen Latifah) 

Byron House (Has recorded and/or performed with: Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Linda Ronstadt, Jim Lauderdale, Dixie Chicks, Nickel Creek, etc...) 

Eric Normand (Toby Keith, Jamey Johnson, Vern Gosdin, Daryle Singletary, Chad Brock, Jeff Carson, David Kersch,Rhett Akins)

Big John Bates

Nathan Spicer (Train)

Russ Pahl (Steel Guitar, Nashville Session and/or Touring Player for John Mellencamp, Vince Gill, Jo Dee Messina, Gretchen Wilson, etc...) 

Justin Clark (Sammy Kershaw, Jamie O'Neal, Paul Brandt, Dierks Bentley, SHeDAISY.) 

Dean Smith (Rufus Huff) 

Laura Pleasants (Kylesa) 

Rudy Leiren (Former Guitar Tech for EVH) 

Nick Kane (The Balls) 

Wayne Dahl (Martina McBride) 

Ron Robinson (Nashville Session Guitarist: Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Jennifer Paige, etc..) 

Josh Parsons (Sevenglory) 

Daniel Karp (danielkarpmusic.com) 

Daniel Lanois

Hunter Hendrickson

Jerry McPherson

Marc Ribot

Beau Tackett (Blake Shelton) 

Eric Johnson

Eric Mantel (Favored Nations Recording Artist) 

Live

Jon Hudson (Faith No More) 

311

Sonic Youth

Buckcherry

 

You know if Eric Johnson is on the list, it's beyond reproach LOL. Check out their specials page! https://www.loop-master.com/specials-c-47.html 

I use the 7-Looper strip. They have it on sale for $99 right now. You can't beat that with a stick! This is what I have:

They have an 8-looper with Master Bypass and Tuner Out w/ Mute on sale for $129! 5-loopers for $69. Check out that specials page, you'll thank yourself for it! 

Interesting and timely!  I've never seen that before but last night I was jamming with a guy who had that exact thing.

[JGale]

JeffRo. You could try driving all them pedals with this:

https://reverb.com/item/21826408-vht-valvulator-i-tube-buffer-power-supply

 

 

[crunchee]

I occasionally use an A/B box when switching between the two channels on my 18-watt head, does that count?

[Hamer95USA]

On 3/6/2019 at 5:13 PM, frankb said:

The ES-8 or ES-5 work well. They allow you switch pedal order if needed. The tuner out is helpful so you don't lose a loop for silent tuning. Both boxes are capable of switching amp channels as well - this can be programmed.  The display has some character limits compared to some other options. 

 

Not sure if there is an editor that can be used with them (had both but moved to a helix floor for large pedal board needs).  Very dependable and I'm not a Boss pedal user generally 

Both the Boss ES-8 & RJM Music Mastermind PBC/10 effects switching system has 8 loops, can be run in 4 cable method with your amp's effects loop, separate tuner loop, and can MIDI switch your amp channels and effects. The power of MIDI control over your effects & amp channel switching like a rack system all on your pedalboard and you can still reach down & tweak your pedals manually. Either pedalboard controller unit might be pricey unless purchased used, but both are state of the art for pedalboard control. 

  Being a rackmounted & floor processor effects rack kind of guy, I recently switched over to using a VHT Valvulator tube buffer & Fractal Audio FX-8 floor processor mounted on a Pedaltrain Pro pedal board and am enjoying the sounds, versatility, and control over my effects & amp channel switching all in one box without multiple patch & AC cables, or tone suckage. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Guitar George