THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

Re: THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

Only if the algorithm is capable. (Only one algorithm loads at a time) So there is a popular delay + reverb algorithm you can use to do both. There's a modulated delay that can be used for a chorus + delay sound. But if you wanted say, a pitch shifter and a reverb, you'd need two H9s, hence why you see so many boards with two.

Maybe it's a limitation of myself, but I could never get a Boss/Digitech/Zoom multi effect pedal to sound good. In fact, that's what pushed me to tube amps and pedals, a few processors into solid state just didn't do it for me. I'll grant the latest high end ones (Fractal, Helix, Kemper) can sound very good, but for me just using a pedal and amp fits my desire. Hence my ES8'waiting to be wired in my basement... ;) Its not digital vs analog (I have a few digital pedals that sound good) I think it's the simplicity of turning knobs instead of digging into menus and stuff.
 
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Re: THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

I honestly don't think anyone could ever win an argument or debate over digital vs analog anyway. Both have their places and both are tools to get ones job done.
Preference is to strong in our world. Thats like saying Tube amps are better then Solid state. I grew up on Tubes and don't like the sound of solid state. But many who grew up on solid state like solid state. Who's to say anyone is wrong on any side of the fence?

Anyway After thinking about this whole ultimate pedal board, someone suggested a chip set install for different effects. I thought about that and I'm gonna put together a proposal to Boss and see what they think about that idea.
My idea of this concept is you have a pedal board with on board everything you need for connections. Midi, USB , 1/4 in and out plus effects loops etc.
Then on this board you purchase different modules with actual chip sets of each pedal you want to install on it like lets say a Boss Waza Delay. All you do is install this module like a plug in like a Flash drive thing kinda insert and BAM you have a pure analog effect that is not a copy but the actual. You get other companies on board to this concept and now you truly could build the ultimate pedal board especially tailored to you. The cost of each module is much less then buying the stand alone pedal BUT they sound exactly the same or even better.
Think about this, no patch cords, no external power supplied, cleaner wiring just like a digital pedal board does now but you have this incredible modular pedal board that is just fully upgradable in both analog and digital world. You have software to manage it thats incredibly easy for even guitarist who don't know their way around a computer( Which is becoming less and less these days anyway).
There is a company right now that has a similar idea that you but these little pedals you stick on their modular board and you can mix and match as you need. I forget the name of the company but their flaw in their pedal board is there is no support for 4 cable method which is stupid as why would everyone want to only run effects in front of ones amp?
 
Re: THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

I honestly don't think anyone could ever win an argument or debate over digital vs analog anyway. Both have their places and both are tools to get ones job done.
Preference is to strong in our world. Thats like saying Tube amps are better then Solid state. I grew up on Tubes and don't like the sound of solid state. But many who grew up on solid state like solid state. Who's to say anyone is wrong on any side of the fence?

That is not a half-bad analogy, for a number of reasons. I grew up on tubes, but often use solid state because the difference isn't large enough to justify the extra hassle of a tube amp for the gigs that I am playing. Over time this has manifested itself in the way that I am playing, so that a hybrid set-up now feels right to me, even if I am gunning for tube-style tones. There are also tones that solid state is going to be the natural choice for.

It should, however, not be controversial to say that there is a cadre of tube users who believe that tubes are the only way, and that to suggest otherwise is ignorant. The parallel to the discussion at hand (in this thread and beyond it) should be obvious.

Regarding your design, one uncomfortable question has to be asked: if Boss is to control the project by having the basic hardware, why should other companies be interested in contributing models? If Marshall made a modular amp system I have a hard time imagining that Mesa/Boogie would create their own modules for it. I also wonder whether the costs of getting such a module would truly be much lower than getting a stomp box. The runs would probably be much smaller, so there would be less savings from buying and creating in bulk.
 
Re: THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

Regarding your design, one uncomfortable question has to be asked: if Boss is to control the project by having the basic hardware, why should other companies be interested in contributing models? If Marshall made a modular amp system I have a hard time imagining that Mesa/Boogie would create their own modules for it. I also wonder whether the costs of getting such a module would truly be much lower than getting a stomp box. The runs would probably be much smaller, so there would be less savings from buying and creating in bulk.

That is a classic platform/application business model. Nothing strange about it if the economics are worked out and the platform can be proven. Like Google has apps in app store even though it's a competitor of Apple and drives Android.

Re. Cost: some of the most expensive components are the jacks, pots and footswitches which would be replaced by some cheapo port.


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Re: THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

That is a classic platform/application business model. Nothing strange about it if the economics are worked out and the platform can be proven. Like Google has apps in app store even though it's a competitor of Apple and drives Android.

This is in itself true, but there are several key differences between the proposed business models that need to be "worked out" and "proven". Google has a virtual monopoly (along with Apple on their platforms) on the strength of them owning the operating system. This would be akin to if Boss had the only platform one could use pedals through. To be blunt I highly doubt that they could ever get a hold on the market to the extent that it would be tempting for other companies to contribute. I cannot see that MXR, for instance, would have much of an incentive to make their products available through a Boss platform.

I suspect that taking away the pots from a module would limit the appeal of such a system to the pedalboard crowd, and would in practice take away from any chance at achieving the sort of market share that would be needed for other companies to want to take part. I can get the jacks and footswitches needed parts from Stewmac for 20$; make it 30$ if you take the pots away. I can guarantee you that Boss and similar companies don't pay nearly that amount, and even if they were, that is less than a third of what a Blues Driver or a Metal Zone costs. Add to that that a modular system that could not be produced in bulk to the same extent would have to be devised, and I think the economic aspect is looking increasingly wonky.

Of course, there would be saved expenses when it came to power cables, patch cables etc., but let us not kid ourselves into thinking that is something Pete Q. Stompbox truly considers.
 
Re: THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

This is in itself true, but there are several key differences between the proposed business models that need to be "worked out" and "proven". Google has a virtual monopoly (along with Apple on their platforms) on the strength of them owning the operating system. This would be akin to if Boss had the only platform one could use pedals through. To be blunt I highly doubt that they could ever get a hold on the market to the extent that it would be tempting for other companies to contribute. I cannot see that MXR, for instance, would have much of an incentive to make their products available through a Boss platform.

I suspect that taking away the pots from a module would limit the appeal of such a system to the pedalboard crowd, and would in practice take away from any chance at achieving the sort of market share that would be needed for other companies to want to take part. I can get the jacks and footswitches needed parts from Stewmac for 20$; make it 30$ if you take the pots away. I can guarantee you that Boss and similar companies don't pay nearly that amount, and even if they were, that is less than a third of what a Blues Driver or a Metal Zone costs. Add to that that a modular system that could not be produced in bulk to the same extent would have to be devised, and I think the economic aspect is looking increasingly wonky.

Of course, there would be saved expenses when it came to power cables, patch cables etc., but let us not kid ourselves into thinking that is something Pete Q. Stompbox truly considers.

I think we need a couple of beers to continue this conversation.


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Re: THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

Well, it IS Saturday, and it'll be evening here in a couple of hours… :)
 
Re: THE ULTIMATE PEDAL BOARD!!!

As technology grows exponentially every year, and people dream up all manner of ways to mangle a guitar signal, there will always be people who love traditional sounds with traditional pedal gear. In my work, I need both My solo stuff uses all kinds of weird loopers and guitar synths, while work with the band gets split between a traditional amp and pedals and a Fractal. Both sound great. Both are the ultimate, to me. It is a luxury to be able to choose, but even someone as content with one's own gear as I am is not immune to the latest and greatest coming out every year.
 
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