A question for you all

rjmmusic

rjmmusic

Administrator
Staff member
Hi everyone, I've got a question for you:

If we were to produce a loop switcher designed to operate on a pedalboard, what would you like to have? Minimum/maximum size, number of loops, what are the must-have features, etc.?

We're thinking of doing something for the pedalboard guys - some guys just aren't into the rack thing....
 
Definitely some kind of an RG16 on the floor...at least 8 loops with amp channel switching feature...doesnt matter if the loop buttons doesnt change the amp channels at once. Even if it was separated it still means pressing 2 buttons (amp channel select and effect loop select) instead of doin the chicken dance on stage. If its possible that one button switches both then all the better....and a buffer :)

And yes i would make anoher purchase...my RG16 is doin everything i want n more but my bandmates doesnt understand why if its supposed to make things easier instead of carrying a guitar and a pedalboard now ive got a rack case as well :) ... Not that they object after hearing what comes out of it.
 
I'm not really a "pedalboard guy" but I am thinking of building a pedalboard for smaller gigs. For me, a built in interface would be useful, as would having the guitar input on the side. Maybe an A/B or even A/B/C input selector (not programmable) built in for those of us who switch between guitars a lot. Some way of easily switching between 4 cable method and everything in front of the amp without having to do any repatching would be cool - maybe some normalled amp send and receive jacks?

For me, I wouldn't need so many function switches - you could probably get away with 4 on a couple of TRS jacks IMO. But I guess as you already have the Amp Gizmo technology sorted it might make more sense to leave it as-is. At least one non-switchable loop for plugging a volume pedal in (or at least a break-out point between loops) or even better a decent VCA type volume circuit so you could just use an expression pedal without taking the signal out of the box would be cool. Obviously an isolated tuner output with mute.

In terms of loops, 8 would probably be fine, but maybe 5 before and 3 after the break would be better for me (I imagine people would usually run more effects before the amp than in the loop), and as with my request for the Mastermind, 2 dedicated function / control switches (so you can use one for Tap tempo) and 6 patches per bank :)
 
For me, it would be as "simple" :lol: as taking an effect Gizmo, putting the LED's for the loops on top of the chassis, along with maybe 8 total switches and a LCD screen. If the screen could be programmable with song/patch names instead of only preset numbers, that would be beyond awesome. It would be nice to have a stereo loop or two with true stereo outputs. Something like the Y-not functionality with the ability to select a, b, y mono, y stereo...okay now I might be dreaming. Like I said, simple, right?

The other idea, which might appeal to the guys who already have a mastermind or other midi foot controller they like, would be to do a combination input selector/effect gizmo with y-not outputs and midi in and out/through. No stomp switches, maybe just a small LCD with patch numbers and a few push buttons to program the unit. Personally, I wouldn't bother with the extensive function switching, I don't think it makes sense on a pedal board. I envision something small enough to just fit on a rack shelf, or on a medium sized pedal board, that could receive and pass midi data. So if I want to put it in a pedal board next to my midi foot controller, I can use all my pedals with stomp functions or two channels with another master control, like a Mastermind, Tc Nova system or G system, Ground Control, Liquid Foot, Gordius, Line 6 M13, whatever, to switch presets via midi. Or, you could put all your pedals on a rack shelf (or just set the whole board as is Edge style atop your rack ) and use it remotely, or as an extension to your RG 16 or Effect Gizmo, etc. The other thing I would like would be the ability to switch the buffer off and on for different patches, so that you could incorporate fuzz pedals more easily...I think that with on of those and an RG-16 you could probably launch into space, or play in a 80's cover band. :cool:
 
Wow - keep the ideas coming! The funny (yet not unexpected) thing is that so far everyone has a completely different idea of how it should be done. This is pretty consistent with what I've run into while thinking about this possible project - there are so many ways to do it. Pretty challenging - you don't want the thing too large or it'll take over your whole pedalboard, but if you make it small you limit the number of buttons, display size, jacks, etc.

Time to bash my head on this some more...
 
Ok Ron, if we're just throwing ideas out...how about just extending the "mini" line with a mini effect gizmo and mini input selector? Or perhaps a modular chassis that can accept up to three of the "mini" line and mount on a pedal board with an integrated power supply? So if Martin needs and input selector, 4 loops and function switching, he could rig up an "input selector" module, a "mini effect gizmo" (say four loops, one stereo) module and a mini amp gizmo...sort of like the egnater modular series, but with all your mini stuff. I might need 2 mini effect gizmo's and a y-not. This perhaps would allow some degree of individual customization using your standardized products, and would allow people to purchase what they need as they go, or reset their board for different applications without needing an entirely new interface... :geek:
 
Hello Ron! :)
For all,excuse my poor level english... :p
The Effect Gizmo is simply PERFECT for me!!!
I think the best size for your next midi foot controller is between the All Access and the Axess FX-1 with 5 presets switches and 2 rows of IA switches so 15 switches plus the UP and DOWN Bank switches.I think it would be great to have 5,10 or 15 presets switches per bank like the Rocktron AA.To have choice with latch or momentary switches for each switch.And obviously NOT ANY NOISE when changing preset. :lol: Carling switches is the best choice.
That's all for the moment. :-D
 
qtcustom said:
Ok Ron, if we're just throwing ideas out...how about just extending the "mini" line with a mini effect gizmo and mini input selector? Or perhaps a modular chassis that can accept up to three of the "mini" line and mount on a pedal board with an integrated power supply?
Click to expand...
This, but perhaps in a 1U rackmount or some kind of interchangeable unit (like the way the TC G System has the rack panel built into the foot controller) would kick major ass.
 
Hey Ron...any chance we can get an update on the pedalboard switcher? Not anything official, of course, more of a "here's what we're thinking..."
 
I can't go into too much detail yet, but I will say that the first prototype is getting built now. It was originally going to be something like jamming 8 loops into a Mastermind, but we're going to go a little beyond that, and it requires adopting some new technology. It's about time someone uses some 21st century electronics in a switcher. :)

Fingers crossed for a big demo of the new switcher at NAMM, followed by a release not too long after that. I have a boatload of work ahead of me...
 
rjmmusic said:
Hi everyone, I've got a question for you:

If we were to produce a loop switcher designed to operate on a pedalboard, what would you like to have? Minimum/maximum size, number of loops, what are the must-have features, etc.?

We're thinking of doing something for the pedalboard guys - some guys just aren't into the rack thing....
Click to expand...

Ron.

I was just about to call you guys and ask about this. I thought I'd check the site first and it seems like you guys are already thinking about it. I am going to need a second Effects Gizmo. I'd hate to buy an Rocktron Patchmate Loop 8 if I could get some thing from you. I love my Effects Gizmo but I'm carrying two 6 space racks (one for the pedals before the amps and one for the effects loop) and a pedal board and it isn't so much the weight as it is fitting it in my car with the cabs and amps and guitars!!!

I need a sturdy, durable Effects Gizmo but with 12 independent/isolated loops as opposed to the 8 on the Rocktron. I could then get all of my boosts and tremolos on the board with the volume pedal, wah, mastermind and tuners. I think being able to use my Mastermind to switch globally and the "Floor Gizmo" to have instant access to the boosts, volume pedal, trems, etc. would be absolutely perfect!!! It would do away with any need of mine to have a bigger MIDI pedal board.

Please make this happen Ron.
 
This will likely happen, but at this point it's scheduled to happen after the bigger MIDI controller. We're going to develop some new technology for the big controller, and I want to carry it over into the pedalboard switcher. To be honest, I don't expect the switcher to have more than 8 loops, but there will be a way to expand it.
 
rjmmusic said:
This will likely happen, but at this point it's scheduled to happen after the bigger MIDI controller. We're going to develop some new technology for the big controller, and I want to carry it over into the pedalboard switcher. To be honest, I don't expect the switcher to have more than 8 loops, but there will be a way to expand it.
Click to expand...
Hi Ron,

I guess you have a lot on your plate with the bigger MIDI controller, RG-16 replacement, etc, but I was wondering if there is any news regarding the pedalboard switcher?

Thanks!
 
Well, it actually might be coming sooner than I had originally thought... Details soon (I hope)
 
Okay, here are the details as promised...

The curent plan is the following:

Start with the Mastermind design, then add:
- 8 audio loops (grouped as 4/2/2 with insert points in between)
- Stereo capability on the last 2 loops
- The usual buffer and Click Stopper
- 2 function switches connected to one TRS jack
- External tap output (to control pedals that have an analog tap input)
- Tuner output with tuner mute button!
- 9VDC accessory output
- Mode button (replaces the Function button found on the Mastermind) toggles the other 8 buttons between preset selection and individual loop control
- Some way to override buttons so that preset or IA/Loop control buttons can be remapped as tap tempo or function switch control

One of the things we wanted to do is keep the price down - at least somewhat. We'd never be able to compete with something like the Patchmate Floor, but wanted to keep the price around things like the G-Lab and Musicomlab offerings while offering our our own take on it. Certain requested features like a fancy user interface, 8 function switches, or integrated A/B/Y would be nice, but they would definitely raise the price significantly, and are probably something that only a small percentage of users would need.

FYI, the size would be a bit larger than a Mastermind: 17 x 5.8 x 2.5 inches / 38.1 x 14.7 x 6.4 cm

Attached are some drawings of the current concept. At this point, we're trying to gauge interest to see if we're on the right track with the feature set, and if there's sufficient interest to proceed.

Please let me know what you think!
 

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This sounds awesome, Ron. Definitely something I'd consider for my pedalboard-based rig that I'm looking to put together.
 
So I guess this is like a Mastermind with an RG16 inside with a few extra bells and whistles added!....looks good to me Ron. :eek:)

Paul
 
Looks great, Ron!

The size will be somewhere between the Musicom and the Providence PEC, which seems ideal (I find the former too small and the latter bigger than I would like).

The feature set looks great, too. :)
 
Definitely very interesting!
I'm also happy too see a tuner out and what looks like a well thought out interface.
5 presets on the lower row is nice, plus a mode switch to change between preset functionality and 8 IAs. I would probably like more IAs, but that's a space thing now, ain't it...

Would any of the loops be able to double as a function switch?
I would think that 2 function switches on a TRS is too little for most guys -- even though it allows for four states of switching, most amps aren't that intelligent anyhow.

Thanks for inventing nice tools for us guitarists! :)
 
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