FAQ: Rack Gizmo Frequently Asked Questions

[rjmmusic]

What are the power requirements of the Rack Gizmo?

The Rack Gizmo needs 9 volts AC or 12 volts DC. 9 volts DC will not work! The Rack Gizmo draws a maximum of 550mA (700mA if you have a full stereo Rack Gizmo). These numbers are maximums, measured when all 16 switches are turned on simultaneously. If you're phantom powering a MIDI controller, please remember to add in the power consumption of the controller when determining the total power consumption of the Rack Gizmo.

The connector is a standard BOSS-style barrel connector, 5.5mm x 2.1mm x 9.5mm. Polarity is unimportant.

 

[rjmmusic]

How do I know if my Rack Gizmo is the full stereo model?

If the serial number has the letter "S" handwritten after the serial number, then it's full stereo.

There's a small chance that we didn't write the S on it. (Whoops!) If so, you can test it to find out for sure. Plug in two stereo (TRS) cables, one in "Input 1-4" and another in "Output 1-4". Measure with an ohmmeter to see if there's a connection between the ring of the each cable. If there is a connection, the unit is full stereo.

 

[rjmmusic]

Can you power a Rack Gizmo with a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus?

No, that won't work, unfortunately. You can use a Pedal Power AC, specifically the 9VAC, 1200mA output.

 

[rjmmusic]

The Loop 1 and/or Function Switch 1 LEDs are blinking. Why?

If those LEDs are blinking, your Rack Gizmo is telling you that the power supply you're giving it isn't sufficient to reliably power the Rack Gizmo. You're probably using a 9VDC power supply instead of a 9VAC or 12VDC supply. Change your power supply and the problem should go away.

 

[rjmmusic]

What's the difference between an RG-16 and Rack Gizmo?

The Rack Gizmo is an improved version of the RG-16. The Rack Gizmo has the following changes/improvements compared to the RG-16:

• 
  The enclosure is sturdier than the RG-16 and uses larger front panel screws
  Includes the Click Stopper circuit (version 2)
  Uses a +/- 15 volt power supply to power the buffer and Click Stopper for better performance and higher headroom
  Has a front panel XLR MIDI jack
  The last four loops are stereo capable, and the can be special ordered as all stereo
  Has a voltage monitor circuit to report when the Rack Gizmo is being supplied an incorrect voltage
  The layout of the unit has been reversed left to right, so that the input is on the left side of the front panel. This matches the Effect Gizmo (and many other pro level rack units)

 

[rjmmusic]

Why would I choose a Rack Gizmo over an Effect Gizmo (or vice versa)?

The Effect Gizmo has 12 audio loops, the last 4 of which can be used instead as function switches to control channel switching on an amp that has 1/4-inch switching jacks.

The Rack Gizmo has 8 audio loops and 8 function switches. The function switches can not be used for audio switching, and are present as 8 pin connectors.

The main deciding factor between the two units is the number of buttons there is on your amp's footswitch. If you have an amp that has no footswitchable features, or one with a simple one, two or three button footswitch with a 1/4 footswitch jack (or jacks), the Effect Gizmo is a better choice. The Effect Gizmo will control your amp and still have 8 or more audio loops free for audio switching. (Please note that some amps like the Fender Supersonic use a 1/4-inch footswitch jack but will not work with the Effect Gizmo. Please contact us if you have any doubts about your amp).

If your amp has a complex footswitch with multiple buttons and/or a proprietary footswitch jack, the Rack Gizmo is a better choice. The Rack Gizmo can control up to 8 footswitchable functions and still have 8 audio loops available for switching effects, We offer interface cables for a variety of amps that will adapt the 8-pin connector on the Rack Gizmo to the amp's proprietary connector. Please check out the "Supported Amps" section on the Rack Gizmo page of our website to see if your amp is supported.