Help - Remote switching of stompboxes???

[jimwin]

Hi all,

This may be a daft question, but is there any way I could control my stompbox effects remotely??

OK - here is the reason why. I have 7 individual stompboxes (mainly EBS) which sit on a pedal board. During most gigs, we get punters to come on stage and sing. Quite a few times, these people have spilt drinks, and accidently stood on my pedalboard . Also, the odd pub punchup with ensuing spilt beer etc. is not great for my pedals!

So, I want my pedals out of the way - but obviously need to control them. Could they could be patched into a controller with a separate footpedal I could have on stage. I am thinking this separate footpedalboard would be cheaper to replace than £1000 worth of stompboxes.

Any help appreciated. Hope the question is not too stupid!

Thanks - Jim

[phil.i.stein]

the options i'm thinking of, like the carl martin octaswitch are too expensive. if you have a more simple set-up, then an ls-2 (or 2 perhaps?) could be appropriate. set the pedals up behind the amp, and switch between fx loops with the line selector(s).

otherwise try the JJB method and learn martial arts.

[bobbass4k]

Couldn't you just put the board out of the way? Just off stage or behind your amp or something, unless you're doing vox and need to be in one place.

The simplest option I'd say would be a true bypass loop, hook your effects into it with long cables and have the board out of harms reach. A 7 switch bypass loop would run you a fair bit though, and you'd have 14 odd cables running from stage to off stage. I suppose if you only use some of them in combination or can switch them on and off in between songs then you could get the number of switches down.

[Mr. Foxen]

Big clear plastic bag over it all will sort the beer issue.

[Bloodaxe]

Sounds like you need a [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRIEND-CHIP-Digi-Max-Pro-8x8-digital-audio-patchbay-/220690561036?pt=UK_Consumer_Professional_RL&hash=item33622eb80c"]MIDI-controlled patchbay[/url]. It'd need some 1/4" to Phono adapters & a floor controller, but...

[mike257]

[quote name='Bloodaxe' post='1039443' date='Nov 28 2010, 12:04 AM']Sounds like you need a [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRIEND-CHIP-Digi-Max-Pro-8x8-digital-audio-patchbay-/220690561036?pt=UK_Consumer_Professional_RL&hash=item33622eb80c"]MIDI-controlled patchbay[/url]. It'd need some 1/4" to Phono adapters & a floor controller, but...[/quote]

Not that one! Those phono connections are for S/PDIF digital signals, you won't get anywhere plugging analogue signals into that thing!

If you're technically inclined, there's an article [url="http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/rmtswtch/rmtsw.htm"]here[/url] on building a remote loop switching system - the author is actually planning to mount it to his guitar, but the remote switch could just as easily be built in an enclosure to be used on the floor.

I think Mr Foxen's suggestion is the best!! Some kind of clear plastic that you can still press your pedals through - no hassle, no extra kit to buy, and no beer-bath for your pedals! Simple is best

EDIT - just found a link to the finished PCB design for any keen builders! - [url="http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/remoteftsw.pdf"]http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/remoteftsw.pdf[/url]

Edited November 30, 2010 by mike257

[charic]

If you want something a bit smarter looking what about a thin perspex box with holes for the switches which I'm sure you could seal using rubber.

Could look funky

[EBS_freak]

There are a good few options out there from this - [url="http://www.voodoolab.com/gcontrolpro.htm"]http://www.voodoolab.com/gcontrolpro.htm[/url] to this - [url="http://www.skrydstrup.com/mr10.htm"]http://www.skrydstrup.com/mr10.htm[/url] to this - [url="http://www.soundsculpture.com/products/switchblade.htm"]http://www.soundsculpture.com/products/switchblade.htm[/url] to this - [url="http://woboge.com/midi_looper8.html"]http://woboge.com/midi_looper8.html[/url] ... there are quite a few options out there and for me, these are the best I have seen. All pretty pricey.

then there are none midi options such as [url="http://woboge.com/remote_patch.html"]http://woboge.com/remote_patch.html[/url] to be used with [url="http://woboge.com/remote.html"]http://woboge.com/remote.html[/url] - there are a few of these about... gigrig [url="http://www.thegigrig.com"]http://www.thegigrig.com[/url] and carl martin combinator and octaswitch are also other options worth investigating (http://www.carlmartin.com) but they won't get your pedals out of beers way...

In short, not a cheap solution.

[jimwin]

Many thanks for all your responses.

I like the look and spec of the Voodoo Labs Switcher and Commander - which also creates true by-pass when not engaged - plus the ability to programme effects combinations. They retail at £195 each - so not cheap but would be the solution I am looking for. Not sure how the Wobo kit compares with Voodoo on price and performance.

Thanks again

Jim

[dan670844]

[quote name='jimwin' post='1038934' date='Nov 27 2010, 04:24 PM']Hi all,

This may be a daft question, but is there any way I could control my stompbox effects remotely??

OK - here is the reason why. I have 7 individual stompboxes (mainly EBS) which sit on a pedal board. During most gigs, we get punters to come on stage and sing. Quite a few times, these people have spilt drinks, and accidently stood on my pedalboard . Also, the odd pub punchup with ensuing spilt beer etc. is not great for my pedals!

So, I want my pedals out of the way - but obviously need to control them. Could they could be patched into a controller with a separate footpedal I could have on stage. I am thinking this separate footpedalboard would be cheaper to replace than £1000 worth of stompboxes.

Any help appreciated. Hope the question is not too stupid!

Thanks - Jim[/quote]


Have a look at a Roger Mayer misson controller, the base module controls up to 6 pedals but its modular so you can add to it, you can then, put all your stuff in a rack, pedals in a rack drawer out the way.... job done. but then you have an enormous box to lug about so you need to recruit some roadies!