Effects Boards/Rack Mount Effects

[brownpants69]

And while I'm on about buffers...

True bypass pedals are good, because lots of buffered pedals, one after another will degrade your tone. BUT... I find a buffer at the very start of your signal chain will give a more consistent tone.

I use a G-Lab GSC-2, so that all of my pedals are in individual loops, so my signal isn't affected by pedals when they are switched off, but there is a great buffer, so no matter how long my cable run is the pickups don't get loaded by the cable or effects.

I read an interview with Pete Cornish (the guy who builds Dave Gilmours rigs) and he is insistant on a buffer at the start of a signal chain.

I would have a look at his website- I think it may have been on there.

But I will go along with some of the others here- less is indeed more. Unless you are The Edge!

 

[bkrumme]

One more thing- volume pedals. I use the ErnieBall volume for active pickups, even though I don't have active pickups. The volume pedal is in my signal chain after a buffer and after my overdrive/distortion pedals.

This is exactly what the active pedal is designed for. You don't have active pickups in your guitar, but the overdrive pedals and buffer are active. Were you to put that active pedal before anything else, you'd notice the volume taper isn't quite right.

 

[YtseJam92]

Not neccessarily. Any fluorescent lights around? Computers? Wireless routers? Cellphones?

Best case: Play in a lead-lined room with extra shielding on everything. Use a solid-state amp and no FX.

There is a CPU right next to the amp and then there are routers next to that...

Also, could someone explain a buffer to me and how you would go about using them?

 

[bkrumme]

There is a CPU right next to the amp and then there are routers next to that...

Also, could someone explain a buffer to me and how you would go about using them?

Most pedalboard builders use a single line buffer as the very first piece of the signal chain after the guitar. This is to decrease the "loading" affect of all the pedals and cables you have in the chain. The buffer changes the impedance of the signal coming from your guitar.

It WILL change your tone. This is especially true if the buffer is placed before any overdrive or distortion pedals.

One of the most efficient things you can do is add a true-bypass looper to your pedalboard. Basically, it's a box that has loops to switch your pedals on and off in a true-bypass fashion even if the pedal isn't true bypass. You can use it with or without a buffer, but the true-bypass zealots out there will tell you that buffer=bad. This isn't neccessarily the case. Do what you think sounds best.

 

[dwells]

heres my 2 cents worth
Guitar-into-tuner-over drive- noise suppressor-Amp
efx loop- delay-flanger-or any kind of mod
simple!

 

[ScoobySteve]

The mess of the stomp boxes is why I use a processor.

One brand - TC Electronics

 

[bkrumme]

The mess of the stomp boxes is why I use a processor.

One brand - TC Electronics

A good point, but processors come with their own set of dilemmas. Integrating the G-System into your amp can be a HUGE hassle sometimes. It all depends on the amp you use.

 

[ScoobySteve]

A good point, but processors come with their own set of dilemmas. Integrating the G-System into your amp can be a HUGE hassle sometimes. It all depends on the amp you use.

I have to admit it is annoying when you're on the move seeing that we don't have techs to set up and tune our gear, but everything is based on a cost/benefit ratio.

To me tone, and the sound you want, is paramount, and I'm practically willing to settle with almost anything to have that in my rig. I know a bit unrealistic, but I'm not alone on the prospect.

At least I don't think I am.

 

[bkrumme]

I have to admit it is annoying when you're on the move seeing that we don't have techs to set up and tune our gear, but everything is based on a cost/benefit ratio.

To me tone, and the sound you want, is paramount, and I'm practically willing to settle with almost anything to have that in my rig. I know a bit unrealistic, but I'm not alone on the prospect.

At least I don't think I am.

You're definitely not alone. Tone is super important. For me, though, I prefer to have my gigging rig as solid and trouble-free as possible. Tone comes first, but if I have to do without something because it makes the rig too complicated, then I'm going to do without it. My G-System almost went the way of the Dodo because it was so complex at first.

In the studio is completely different. Tone is absolutely king in the studio and I don't care what it takes to get that one sweet note I'm looking for. 9 times out of 10, that means plugging a guitar into an amp and that's it. Every so often, I have the need for some added effect (wah, delay, chorus, reverb). In those cases, I plug in only the effect I need.

 

[wolfbone07]

Hi, I have an effects loop question, and this seems like a good thread for asking it. I have a reverb pedal, a delay pedal, and a chorus pedal. They are all instrument level pedals. I have a guitar amp with a series effects loop. The amp's effects loop is line level. Is there a way to use my instrument level pedals in the amp's line level effects loop? Thanks.

 

[bkrumme]

Hi, I have an effects loop question, and this seems like a good thread for asking it. I have a reverb pedal, a delay pedal, and a chorus pedal. They are all instrument level pedals. I have a guitar amp with a series effects loop. The amp's effects loop is line level. Is there a way to use my instrument level pedals in the amp's line level effects loop? Thanks.

Actually there is. Ebtech makes a line level shifter which should suit your needs.

 

[brownpants69]

Here is that Pete Cornish article.

http://www.petecornish.co.uk/case_against_true_bypass.html

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

 

[bkrumme]

Here is that Pete Cornish article.

The case against true bypass

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

OOH. Thanks.