The Ol' Switcharoo

Post by **Doog** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:59 pm

BACKSTORY: I play in a 2-piece band, using low tunings, octavers and two amps to fill-out the sound. The second amp (bass amp) is mutable via footswitch to help me control the band dynamics an' that.

After practising along with new demos, the amount of switching I need to do within a split second to recreate the changes "live" is ridiculous. One such change has me going from distortion into just the guitar amp, to a clean, Micro POG'd sound into both amps. Three stomps.. while playing math-rock and singing. Not fun.

I just stumbled across this beast, which seemed to be the answer to my prayers; 6 loops, 2 outputs, 8 different combinations of loops and outputs. Ideal.

IMPORTANT OBSERVATION: IT COSTS SIX HUNDRED QUID.

On the offchance, does anyone know of any alternatives that don't cost more than the pedals I want to use with it? I only really need 4 loops, but the whole "two output" thing is a deal- breaker.

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Post by **Doog** » Sat May 19, 2012 4:35 pm

35 views and no replies: you know you've made a very nichÃ© thread when..

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sat May 19, 2012 4:47 pm

The guy who made stuff under the name ElectroLead made various switchers and did custom stuff, but I'm not sure he still operates.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Sat May 19, 2012 4:57 pm

Not sure if this would work for your two amp rig but it might do?

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/carl-martin-oct ... h-ii/53074

Post by **Doog** » Sat May 19, 2012 5:43 pm

stewart wrote:The guy who made stuff under the name ElectroLead made various switchers and did custom stuff, but I'm not sure he still operates.

Based on the few boxes I could find online, it looks like he pretty much did just truebypass loopers which aren't quite what I'm after, unfortunately.

Gabriel wrote:Not sure if this would work for your two amp rig but it might do?

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/carl-martin-oct ... h-ii/53074

Ooh, it looks it would be possible to set it up to mute the 2nd output, according to the hot mess of an online manual.

Good find, mate- thanks a lot.

Do keep 'em coming though, it's good to have da options.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Sat May 19, 2012 6:44 pm

I use 2 Boss Line Selectors which works for me. They have loads of switching options and 2 side by side can be stomped with 1 foot, you might even be able to stomp 3 at once.

Post by **Doog** » Sat May 19, 2012 7:13 pm

johnnyseven wrote:I use 2 Boss Line Selectors which works for me. They have loads of switching options and 2 side by side can be stomped with 1 foot, you might even be able to stomp 3 at once.

Problem is, it's not just switching between pedals A and pedals B like the Boss would do, it's loads of different combinations of 4 effects.

I tried using the Latching Scenes mode on the M9 (when you can switch between 6 different presets of 3 effects in one stomp), but it still leaves me having to worry about the octavers and amp switching. I even thought about upgrading to an M13 to take care of ALL the FX, but the octave models still don't hold a candle to the MicroPOG.

robrtnickerson · Post by **robrtnickerson** » Sat May 19, 2012 9:04 pm

I only have moral support and admiration for you Doog. I play in a two piece dumb-rock band and struggle with simply switching my fuzz on or off at the right time while mumbling inaudibly. I tried to come up with an analogy to illustrate how horribly I would fail at doing what you are proposing to do (or currently are doing) and all I could muster was something along the lines of "It would be like an ape blah, blah, blah-ing, and the world explodes." which is exactly what it would be. So no analogy. Or useful advice. Sorry.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sat May 19, 2012 9:26 pm

Last time i saw a board like that it had Dave Gilmours brogue stepping on it. Christ Doog, you'll have fret lights in your guitar next. What happened to the old days when all we needed was a RAT and angst?

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Sat May 19, 2012 9:48 pm

Doog wrote:
johnnyseven wrote:I use 2 Boss Line Selectors which works for me. They have loads of switching options and 2 side by side can be stomped with 1 foot, you might even be able to stomp 3 at once.
Problem is, it's not just switching between pedals A and pedals B like the Boss would do, it's loads of different combinations of 4 effects.

I tried using the Latching Scenes mode on the M9 (when you can switch between 6 different presets of 3 effects in one stomp), but it still leaves me having to worry about the octavers and amp switching. I even thought about upgrading to an M13 to take care of ALL the FX, but the octave models still don't hold a candle to the MicroPOG.

The Boss has a few more options than changing between A and B. What pedals do you have and what are the combinations you use?

chemistforhire · Post by **chemistforhire** » Sat May 19, 2012 10:43 pm

If a modestly priced looper cannot be found, maybe mod your shoes to allow multiple switch engagement, or add another non-musical member to the band who assist in pedal engagement- kind of like the useless ska band member who just dances.

Post by **Doog** » Sat May 19, 2012 11:11 pm

robrtnickerson wrote:I only have moral support and admiration for you Doog. I play in a two piece dumb-rock band and struggle with simply switching my fuzz on or off at the right time while mumbling inaudibly. I tried to come up with an analogy to illustrate how horribly I would fail at doing what you are proposing to do (or currently are doing) and all I could muster was something along the lines of "It would be like an ape blah, blah, blah-ing, and the world explodes." which is exactly what it would be. So no analogy. Or useful advice. Sorry.

Hahaha, never-the-less, I loved this.

Fran wrote:Last time i saw a board like that it had Dave Gilmours brogue stepping on it. Christ Doog, you'll have fret lights in your guitar next. What happened to the old days when all we needed was a RAT and angst?

It's required when you're trying to fill the shoes of a bass player AND a second guitar! If there's one thing I can put on my CV, it's that I like to make things as awkward as possible; be it playing music or social interaction.

johnnyseven wrote:The Boss has a few more options than changing between A and B. What pedals do you have and what are the combinations you use?

Believe me, I properly scoped out everything it can do and tried to figure out if it can do what I need- it can't. I really need a "'preset" kind of system like these hugely pricey boxes offer, alas.

chemistforhire wrote:If a modestly priced looper cannot be found, maybe mod your shoes to allow multiple switch engagement, or add another non-musical member to the band who assist in pedal engagement- kind of like the useless ska band member who just dances.

Hahaha, yessss! Like a Happy Mondays' "Bez" type character. Fuck that guy.

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Sun May 20, 2012 12:03 am

robrtnickerson wrote:I only have moral support and admiration for you Doog. I play in a two piece dumb-rock band and struggle with simply switching my fuzz on or off at the right time while mumbling inaudibly. I tried to come up with an analogy to illustrate how horribly I would fail at doing what you are proposing to do (or currently are doing) and all I could muster was something along the lines of "It would be like an ape blah, blah, blah-ing, and the world explodes." which is exactly what it would be. So no analogy. Or useful advice. Sorry.

for whatever reason, i just really enjoy this post.

aen · Post by **aen** » Sun May 20, 2012 1:28 pm

Doog wrote:35 views and no replies: you know you've made a very nichÃ© thread when..

WELCOME TO MY WORLD.

But anyway, uh, no, haven't found that magic looper.
I'm using a one control Chameleo loop. Four programmable loops, but no output siwtching. Well, it will switch from one to another, but never both. Lame in that sense.

I end up setting up my combos for the main effects on the chameleo, and then splitting the signal after that via the volume pedal. Then I've got a delay/looper on one line and a looper on the other.

louis · Post by **louis** » Sun May 20, 2012 6:28 pm

...or you could stop being an overindulgent bastard.

j/k

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun May 20, 2012 6:35 pm

Sounds like you need to bite the bullet and go ankular.

[youtube][/youtube]

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Sun May 20, 2012 6:45 pm

All I need is a telecaster, a lead, and my amp. Or something.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sun May 20, 2012 6:55 pm

benecol wrote:All I need is a telecaster, a lead, and my amp and the old chocolate fingers. Or something.

Post by **Doog** » Sun May 20, 2012 7:15 pm

louis wrote:...or you could stop being an overindulgent bastard.

j/k

Hahaha, how many pedals do YOU have on your board, Mr Designated Noise Man?

paul_ wrote:Sounds like you need to bite the bullet and go ankular.

[youtube][/youtube]

Oh my fucking christ, don't remind me..

louis · Post by **louis** » Sun May 20, 2012 7:33 pm

Doog wrote:
louis wrote:...or you could stop being an overindulgent bastard.

j/k
Hahaha, how many pedals do YOU have on your board, Mr Designated Noise Man?

those 3 part guitar harmonies I've been writing are essential!!