Linking effects pedals - what's the b...

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Edit Profile

Author Message Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 7:05 pm:    Ok guys I need some help here. I have a bunch of effects pedals that I've stuck on a pedal board that I've had made up. Currently they are set up as follows (from guitar input lead to output to amp): Guitar into MXR Phase 45 into Clyde Wha into Ernie Ball Volume into SIB Varidrive into Jesse Hoff Boost/Overdrive pedal into DOD Digital Delay into Dunlop Univibe (+ speed controller) into Roland/Boss CE1 Chorus to Output. So to sum up: Guitar - Phase 45 Wha Wha Volume pedal Varidrive Boost/Overdrive Digital Delay Univibe CE1 Chorus Output - Is this the optimum link up, or should I be moving some stuff around to maintain the best possible signal without too much tone loss? Also all of this stuff is either mains powered or 9v/18v supply. I'm also going to put a true bypass in (that may come in handy). Any help would be greatly appreciated Cheers! Six Johnm (Johnm) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 7:36 am:    Hi Six, I would link them up like this: Guitar- Volume Wah Overdrive Chorus Phase Delay. I left the Univive out of this chain since I never used it. John Munch (Munch) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 7:39 am:    Six, From what I've been told, you should put your wah and distortion type effects at the beginning of the chain, with your time based effects at the end. If you have an effects loop I would suggest running the wah and distortions between guitar and amp, and put the other time based effects in the loop. I'd be very concerned about signal loss and noise with that many pedals. I don't like even one pedal between guitar and amp - but that's just me. Hope this helps. Cheers, Mark Craigjc (Craigjc) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 8:08 am:    Six, John's got the right order. The Univibe can be placed in the loop before or after the phase pedal, since it's a similar effect. I'd probably guess that between the phase and chorus would be the best choice. As far as the Varidrive vs. your Hoff Boost/Overdrive, I would put the one you use for a "dirtier" sound after the other one. That way, if you use both at once it will be at least as distorted as your more distorted pedal. Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 11:31 am:    Great, thanks guys! The amps that I use this set up with do not have effects loops (shame). Still I'll take your advice on-board and have a shuffle around tonight. I use the Varidrive as my main hi-gain generator. I treat it like an extra channel on my amp/s. The boost pedal is used purely to boost the volume of solo's (clean/dirty) and not to increase gain. I think I will need to keep the chorus last in the chain as this has stereo outs that feed into two amps for a fat stereo chorus sound. I have noticed some signal loss but not much in the way of tone. By the way, I'm thinking of getting the Electro Harmonix Holy Grail pedal as my WEM's have no reverb. Where should this gadget fit in the chain? In case you're wondering how much this board weigh's, - it's a lot. Cheers six Craigjc (Craigjc) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:23 pm:    Reverb should be dead last. If you're splitting your signal with the chorus, consider a stereo reverb unit (or 2 mono units). As far as your board weight, I once made a board from plywood and 2x4s. The main portion was a essentially a wedge-shaped box with power supply cabling inside the box. Had a nice lid and everything - very sturdy. To fit all my pedals, it was around 3 1/2 to 4 foot long. Wanna talk heavy??! Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 2:15 pm:    Thanks Craig Yeah this is about the same actually. 41" x 16" Same kind of layout too with the power supply in there. This one is basically a tray with a 3" rear for placing the output socket and mains sockets on. The front just runs down to nothing so I don't have to step over a lip to activate any of the gadgets. Plus there's a lid. I can just about get it in the car too! Craigjc (Craigjc) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 3:01 pm:    One piece of advice...get a PADDED handle for the pedalboard !!! Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 8:08 pm:    Thanks Craig. That would be nice except I've already installed a recessed handle in the lid. I plan to install another handle in the top of the lid and add some wheels on the bottom of this bugger. Dave Gilmour - eat ya' heart out! Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 8:30 pm:    Whoa! Nearly forgot. Just got back from the studio where I’ve spent 3 hours shuffling pedals around and soldering bits-and-bobs. JohnM's chain order and Craig's detailing worked out fine. Unfortunately I could not avoid putting the chorus last in the chain as like I said, this gadget has stereo outs. My mate Geoff was rehearsing with his band in the studio next door so I dragged him in during their tea break for a second opinion. We couldn’t hear any significant deterioration in tone or volume from this set up. Mind you, he'd been rehearsing for 2 hours so I guess his ears were a bit shot! My ears are shot anyway, so I doubt if I could differentiate between tone and no tone after 20 minutes of making loud wailing noises. Still, we tried it with all effects running and also without (guitar straight to amp) and it seems the chain is working okay. Thanks for your help guys six Paddy_F (Paddy_F) Posted on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 6:40 am:    Six, I read an article in S.O.S. a few years ago, by a studio engineer, about chaining effects pedals. He recommended chorous last, because whats the point of creating sparkle and added harmonics, just to lose it all in reverb, unless you want the sound further back in the picture, [rythmn git with chorous then reverb]. It can also enhance the sound of the reverb. A single slapback echo to one side of the stereo can sound big and impressive as well, you probably use that anyway. while Im on, I drove down to deepest Wales yesterday to pick up my latest find. 9/10 for the front, but serious belt rash on the back, so what! It means I can gig it without worrying too much, -- used it last night, its a real fun guitar,-- had to put wimpy .09's on tho, --- might even dig out an echo pedal after listening to Shawn Lane. Sat and stared at it for half an hour, -- the band have told me to get a life. Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 7:05 am:    Thanks for the tips Paddy. That looks like a nice find. I have that new guitar staring disease too. Is it contagious (or is that 'transmittable' in musical speak)? six

Add Your Message Here Post: -Color- Black Red Green Blue Yellow Purple Orange Cyan Gray White -Font- Arial Courier Symbol Times Verdana -Size- Smallest (-2) Small (-1) Normal Large (+1) Largest (+2) Enter Item number: Username: Posting Information: This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here. Password: Options: Enable HTML code in message Automatically activate URLs in message Action: