Thinking about rackmounting my pedals. ADVICE NEEDED!

[Stephen Davis]

Ok all, I am thinking about going to a Bradshaw, GCX, or an Axess system and racking my pedals. Is it worth the money? Also, I need to know if there is a way to do a few things, like tap tempo on the Line 6 Tap Trem. Here is the board now.

Axess BS2 buffer Will I still need it?
Analog Man Sunface
Prescription Electronics Experience I only use it as an octavia, so no problem.
Teese RMC2 Do I need to put that in a loop since it wont be racked?
Keeley Comp
Klon
Phi Electronics Overdrive
Fulltone OCD
Menatone King of the Brits
Phi Electronics Boost
Ernie Ball Volume How do I set this up?
Sweet Sound Mojovibe How can I set up a real time controller?
MXR Phase 90
Arion Stereo Chorus
Line 6 Tap Trem Can I still use tap on this?
Boss DD5 How do I set up tap on this?
Petreson Strobo Stomp Where does this come into play?

I always want to rack my Weber Mass, old style and make it usable. I might also want to put the Intellifex back in the rack. I also thought about the T C Electronics G System.

I currently use 2 Voodoo Labs PP2's mounted under the board. I have an older style Ground Control that I could use for a while. So, suggestions? Or am I the only way who hates tap dancing, constantly bumps knobs and screw up settings during a gig, and thinks that actually stepping on $2000 worth of gear is kinda screwed up? Yea, I know they are stomp boxes, but it does cause wear.

Rabbit

 

[somedude]

Holy sh*t that's alot of stuff you want racked.

Originally posted by Stephen Davis
Ok all, I am thinking about going to a Bradshaw, GCX, or an Axess system and racking my pedals. Is it worth the money?

It's your wallet....only you can answer that one.

Also, I need to know if there is a way to do a few things, like tap tempo on the Line 6 Tap Trem. Here is the board now.

If you choose a switcher that has "control function switching" capability, you could set up a CF to act as a momentary switch....and configure that to a tap switch on your midi controller.

Axess BS2 buffer Will I still need it?

Most switchers come with a built in buffer.

Analog Man Sunface
Prescription Electronics Experience I only use it as an octavia, so no problem.
Teese RMC2 Do I need to put that in a loop since it wont be racked?

It depends on the configuration of the switcher. On something like the Axess RX1 you have three different groups of loops....if you patch it between a group you won't use up a loop.

Keeley Comp
Klon
Phi Electronics Overdrive
Fulltone OCD
Menatone King of the Brits
Phi Electronics Boost
Ernie Ball Volume How do I set this up?

I'd set up the volume right after your wah....so neither of them take up a loop and you won't have two sets of cables running back and forth between your board and rack.

Sweet Sound Mojovibe How can I set up a real time controller?

If you use the expression alot, I'd run a cable and stick an expression pedal on your board.....it's much easier than buying something to convert midi into analog and program that into your midi controller.

Arion Stereo Chorus

Stereo....the bane of most midi switching systems. I'd suggest getting a rack unit.....less pain in the ass factor in the long run.

Line 6 Tap Trem Can I still use tap on this?
Boss DD5 How do I set up tap on this?

Mentioned above. Or, you could buy one of those Boss double footswitch things and run two more cables. Less programming and less headache.

Petreson Strobo Stomp Where does this come into play?

I'd stick it with your wah and volume.

I always want to rack my Weber Mass, old style and make it usable. I might also want to put the Intellifex back in the rack. I also thought about the T C Electronics G System.

I currently use 2 Voodoo Labs PP2's mounted under the board. I have an older style Ground Control that I could use for a while. So, suggestions? Or am I the only way who hates tap dancing, constantly bumps knobs and screw up settings during a gig, and thinks that actually stepping on $2000 worth of gear is kinda screwed up? Yea, I know they are stomp boxes, but it does cause wear.

Rabbit

Personally.....I'd get an Eventide or G-Force for all my delay/modulation and use a switcher for my comp, wah, vol, gain, vibe, and to control my amp functions.

 

[Stephen Davis]

Thank you for the info. As far as getting a piece of rack gear for time and mod effects, I don't like them. I had that rig and spent all my time programming. Plus, I prefer the sounds of my pedals.

Thanks again,

Rabbit

Oh yea, I guess it wasn't clear. The questions by each pedal is only for that pedal. If there isn't a question by it I had just planned on putting it in its own loop. Sorry.

 

[Guitarzan]

Hey man, you are gonna love it!! Getting a Bradshaw rig was the best decision I've ever made gear wise. I've toured with it for the last year and its a godsend. I judt recently updated it, heres a thread I posted about it.

Bradshaw thread

All the things you want are doable. I've got a few of the same pedals as you, and have the strobostomp and wah on the floor. They are in an unofficial loop, it does not count in your total loops, and theres no charge for it. By far the best added bonus about the rig is that besides the ruggedness and ease of use and setup, the tone is dramitically improved. When I am playing with no pedals on it is exactly the same as being plugged straight ibto the amp. The ultimate true bypass. Axxess and all the others make great stuff, but I went with the guy who started it all. Bob was great to work with, call him up and he'll work the whole thing out for you.

 

[Stephen Davis]

That is what I wanted to hear. I think I will have to get 2 sets of loops to do everything. But, I would want to do all the wiring and programming myself. I work as a guitar tech when I am not playing, so I am used to building/designing rigs. Do I need to just call Bradshaw and find out the situation? Also, how can I do the tap tempo on the Line 6 tap trem? Does anyone know of a mod?

Thanks,

Rabbit

 

[Guitarzan]

Yeah I would just call Bob, sometime after 12:00 West coast time 818-763-8898. He'll work out all the ins and out. It looks like you need thirteen loops, plus the wah, volume, tuner sends. They might be able to do the tap trem, and I know they can do the tap for the boss delay.

 

[Stephen Davis]

Thanks again. I will try to give him a call on my next day off. I am just scared to find out the $.

Rabbit

 

[jcshirke]

I think you should look closely at a Soundsculpture Switchblade GL. It's got 16 loops and will offer tons of other options for you. www.soundsculpture.com



Jeff

 

[faizz]

+1 on the Switchblade GL

- top audio quality
- 16 balanced buffered ins/outs
- combine fx in the order you want (serial, parallel, both of them)
- sel levels
- realtime control of levels
- istant access to fx status
- ultra easy to use
- reliable and dependable
- 4 control switch funcions for amp channels or whatever
- MIDI patchbay

...am i forgetting anything else?

my .02,
Faizz

 

[pbhtrip]

The Switchblade is it. As a person who has owned Bradshaw stuff I can tell you the Switchblade is light years beyond anything Bradshaw has ever made. The Switchblade can do ANYTHING a Bradshaw rig can do and tons more, plus the Switchblade sounds much better.

For a traditional Bradshaw style rig I would go with Axess. The quality is better, the sound is better and the customer service is better.

Peter