Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

[Closed Eye]

Guys like Stephan Carpenter (Deftones), Brian Murray (Iron Maiden), and John 5 (previously of Marilyn Manson) all control their effects and amp switching via foot controllers. I'm a little new to concept, but how do they work? What's a good foot controller to look at?

I'd like to get moving in the direction of something where I can access pedal combinations (delay+phaser, etc,) rather than actually having to do foot gymnastics. Sort like putting pedals in a rack and assigning combinations to the controller where I could switch and what not. Here's a link:

http://www.john-5.com/geargallery/images/gear03.jpg

Does that make sense? Should I just pickup a rocktron all access? or are there other brands?

EDIT: I spelled different wrong!

EDIT2: Those all access foot controllers are $500! Is there a similar system that's not as expensive?

 

[JeffR12345]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

I don't know much about MIDI and such, however I have looked into it, and I've thought about the downsides of having every pedal infront of you and having to switch 2 at the same time, it would be a whole lot easier if you could just do it like you said. However, I believe it would require some kind of major modification to the pedals because most of those systems like the All Access that you can buy are MIDI controllers, therefore all of the pedals on your pedalboard would have to have MIDI Ins, and the ability to be controlled via MIDI, like the DigiTech Whammy.

I really want the same thing, but from what I can see, it is far beyond the reach of any regular persons budget, and that includes me unfortunatly.

Hopefully I helped you in some small way. I could be wrong, so if its a whole lot easier and cheaper than I thought please let us know!

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

Basically, they have all their pedals sitting in a rack, turned on. Each is in it's own individual loop, connected to a switching unit. The midi controller that they use just turns each loop or preset on or off.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

I've never really looked hard at these systems, but I suspect the Rocktron is about the least expensive unit out there. Bob Bradshaw is sort of know as the guy who first developed these switchers; his first units were all custom-made, but they've become commercialized "products" over the years.

These switching systems are by far the most versatile setup, but as you've seen, they ain't cheap. If you don't need the flexibility of dozens of presets, and you find you use a few certain combinations of pedals repeatedly, you can hardwire your few loops using purchased passive loop boxes, or DIY with 3PDT pushbuttons. For example: one of my oft-used presets is my "Andy Summers" sound - my delay and flanger together. It's hard to switch the combination in quickly, because the pedals didn't lend themselves to side-by-side mounting. Instead, I wired a single 3PDT loop switch to either route the signal through the combination, or bypass them. If I leave both pedals on, then the loop switch gives me one-button selection of "dry" or "Andy". Or, I can leave the loop switch engaged, and switch the pedals normally.

If your number of combinations is relatively low, this is an inexpensive way to gain some convenience. As your number of pedals and/or presets grows, at some point a switching system becomes much more practical.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

I... However, I believe it would require some kind of major modification to the pedals because most of those systems like the All Access that you can buy are MIDI controllers, therefore all of the pedals on your pedalboard would have to have MIDI Ins, and the ability to be controlled via MIDI, like the DigiTech Whammy.

Not true - these systems have a switching unit that sits in the rack. They consist of several effects loops, each with an in and out jack. The signal loops out from the switcher, through a pedal, and back to the switcher. The presets control which loops are routed through their pedal, and which bypass straight through. The pedals just stay switched on all the time.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

Only two replies...but a buttload of information! Thanks guys!

Now on to further questions...

I've never really looked hard at these systems, but I suspect the Rocktron is about the least expensive unit out there. Bob Bradshaw is sort of know as the guy who first developed these switchers; his first units were all custom-made, but they've become commercialized "products" over the years.

These switching systems are by far the most versatile setup, but as you've seen, they ain't cheap. If you don't need the flexibility of dozens of presets, and you find you use a few certain combinations of pedals repeatedly, you can hardwire your few loops using purchased passive loop boxes, or DIY with 3PDT pushbuttons. For example: one of my oft-used presets is my "Andy Summers" sound - my delay and flanger together. It's hard to switch the combination in quickly, because the pedals didn't lend themselves to side-by-side mounting. Instead, I wired a single 3PDT loop switch to either route the signal through the combination, or bypass them. If I leave both pedals on, then the loop switch gives me one-button selection of "dry" or "Andy". Or, I can leave the loop switch engaged, and switch the pedals normally.

If your number of combinations is relatively low, this is an inexpensive way to gain some convenience. As your number of pedals and/or presets grows, at some point a switching system becomes much more practical.

Yeah, I was checking things out after I posted this thread and you're right: it's all custom or expensive!

You need to send me a link or a picture of the passive loop boxes/3PDT switch concept, because it sounds really cool, but I can't get my head around the logistics. I love two pedal combinations like phaser+delay, chorus+delay, and Tremolo+delay or Tremolo+Chorus and instead of spending my time playing/feeling the music I'm way to busy counting when I have to hit the damn pedal ("so on the upbeat I hit the delay, then on the next upbeat I engage the phase", etc.). Mike Einziger and Tom Morello might be able to do it, but I sure as hell can't.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

If your number of combinations is relatively low, this is an inexpensive way to gain some convenience. As your number of pedals and/or presets grows, at some point a switching system becomes much more practical.

I hate to double post, but this is really an entirely seperate question. I was looking at this site: http://www.loooper.com/ spefically at the "2 Looper". Switchers aside I'm a little confused as to how a looper works, like yours, so yeah, would the ones from looper be a good, inexpensive (look at that price!) idea?

Specifically: what input (on top) do I put the pedal combinations into? how do I know what to put where and in what order? Does this change pedal order? What about the two pedals on at the same time question, do I just leave them on connected to the looper, then click the switch when I want them on?

Some kind of FAQ or crash course in loopers with multiple loops would be great you tomb of knowledge you!

 

[aleclee]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

I hate to double post, but this is really an entirely seperate question. I was looking at this site: http://www.loooper.com/ spefically at the "2 Looper". Switchers aside I'm a little confused as to how a looper works, like yours, so yeah, would the ones from looper be a good, inexpensive (look at that price!) idea?

Specifically: what input (on top) do I put the pedal combinations into? how do I know what to put where and in what order? Does this change pedal order? What about the two pedals on at the same time question, do I just leave them on connected to the looper, then click the switch when I want them on?

Some kind of FAQ or crash course in loopers with multiple loops would be great you tomb of knowledge you!

This will work fine if your combinations are limited and mutually exclusive (e.g., delay+phaser can't have reverb+phaser).

Your order might be something like this

From Guitar ->
Loop 1: Wah + fuzz
Loop 2: OD + Compressor
-> Into amp

FX Send ->
Loop 3: Delay + phaser
Loop 4: Chorus + reverb
-> FX Return

You might be able to change order but that would add a lot of complexity. For the most part, L1 is before L2 and L3 is before L4.

If you want much more routing than that, you're pretty much stuck with the complexity and expense of a high-end switching unit.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

I have a simple diagram of how a loop switch works, but I'm at work with no FTP software to put it up on my website. PM me and I'll e-mail it to you.

That loooper.com page looks pretty nice. His setup is the same as mine, but I'm a DIY kinda guy. I also build the footswitches into my pedalboard, rather than a separate box. For reference, the parts (switch, LED, and jacks) cost about $16 per loop, plus the box. His 2_loooper has about $45 worth of parts in it, so he's charging very little for paint, graphics and assembly. Cool.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

Thanks for the multitude of information and help Rick and Alec. You guys are a godsend! I'll be picking up the two looper for sure because I'm at a point where my pedal combinations are pretty much mutually exculsive. The way I have things set up not everything works in tandem nor does it sound "good" when multiple pedals are turned on. Does that make sense? I dunno...

Anyway, one more question: If I have the phase+delay turned on in the loop I can turn off the delay, keep the phase on, hit the "Loop 1" switch and only have the phase on...correct? Also, can hit both loops on at the same time? Like, have loop one stuff going, then turn on loop two? Example: Phase is turned on loop one while Tremolo is on in loop two...could I hit the loop one switch, then hit the loop two switch to turn on the second loop? I guess what I'm asking is if they work simultaneously?

 

[JeffR12345]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

Not true - these systems have a switching unit that sits in the rack. They consist of several effects loops, each with an in and out jack. The signal loops out from the switcher, through a pedal, and back to the switcher. The presets control which loops are routed through their pedal, and which bypass straight through. The pedals just stay switched on all the time.

Glad to hear it isn't. Sounds a whole lot cheaper now.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

Anyway, one more question: If I have the phase+delay turned on in the loop I can turn off the delay, keep the phase on, hit the "Loop 1" switch and only have the phase on...correct?

Yes.

Also, can hit both loops on at the same time? Like, have loop one stuff going, then turn on loop two? Example: Phase is turned on loop one while Tremolo is on in loop two...could I hit the loop one switch, then hit the loop two switch to turn on the second loop? I guess what I'm asking is if they work simultaneously?

Yes. Both loops can be on simultaneously, so all your pedals can be on together. More realistically, you'd probably select certain pedals from each group.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Foot Controller for accessing differant pedal settings...

Awesome.

You just gave me GAS again.