Update: 18 months later I finally solved the mystery of the Ground Control Pro while giving it a final test prior to sale. Unlike in my previous tests, it acted up while connected to several different devices, and even failed to properly initialize a couple times. I'm told the problem is somewhere in the voltage regulation circuit, and the guy I sold it to was glad to get a great deal. I'm glad to have one less unused item cluttering my music room.
I likewise spent months looking into various custom pedalboard solutions to fit my controller, aux switch, and expression pedal, and I even mocked up a few of my own. It was while working on one of these mockups and considering drilling or routing holes in a plywood board for weight savings that I found myself thinking it would be nice if wider Holeyboards were available. Then I remembered that the Holeyboard Dragonfly was extendable up to 37" compared to my previous board's 32". Unfortunately they're not made anymore, but I did manage to luck out on Reverb a couple weeks ago:
And here it is powered on with zip ties clipped and most of the cabling routed under the board:
I really love the ergonomics of the curved layout, and I don't understand why they're no longer made. The current model Holeyboards aren't as wide, so maybe a curved layout is less important. Either way, with this layout I can keep the Mastermind GT centered and easily reach the volume, wah, aux, or expression without needing to step over or lean awkwardly.
The other change occurred late last fall when I replaced the
GT-500 with a
Decibel 11 Dirt Clod. As
Securb mentioned in the NPD thread, the Dirt Clod is very flexible and able to mimic most basic distortion pedals with a bit of tweaking, so my first order of business was to essentially copy my favorite sound from the GT-500. After that I set up an alternate compressed clean sound with scooped low mids and boosted treble. The final preset I'm using in the Dirt Clod reminds me of a MIJ BOSS DS-1 with low gain, boosted output, and a slight mid scoop. I mostly use it for a Recto-like boosted rhythm sound, though it'll do a cool, aggressive lead sound too.
At this point I find myself still pondering an RJM Effect Gizmo in place of the GCX, mostly for the extra loops and increased flexibility, though the simplified phantom power implementation would also be nice. I'm happy with all of the pedals in the drawer now, though I do feel a bit of G.A.S. for a Line 6 M5 if I can manage to fit one :lol: I'd love having the option of pre-gain echo, as well as the synth block and a few of the modulation effects. It'll probably happen at some point, though I must admit that the rack / board rig finally feels complete.