Pedalboard Build - What Not to Do.
- Thread starter Mark Wein
- Start date
Psychotronic
Bored Silly
Dude, I absolutely knew what this video was about before I even watched it. I see these kinds of boards on various internet outlets and think, "How do you use that live???" -- My guess is that they don't, at least not effectively.
I know for a fact that some players look at my touring board and think it's "quaint" or basic. But I'll tell you what -- it sounds killer, is simple to use, and it has a few tricks up its sleeve. Regarding what he said about redundant pedals -- I like to combine some pedals to get other sounds that you might not think would work. For instance, need a univibe or slow Leslie sound? Chorus + phaser. Exactly right? Nah, but live it's close enough.
I know for a fact that some players look at my touring board and think it's "quaint" or basic. But I'll tell you what -- it sounds killer, is simple to use, and it has a few tricks up its sleeve. Regarding what he said about redundant pedals -- I like to combine some pedals to get other sounds that you might not think would work. For instance, need a univibe or slow Leslie sound? Chorus + phaser. Exactly right? Nah, but live it's close enough.
Exactly. My large board is a little more complicated with the ES-8 but it actually allows me to simplify a lot of stuff since I sing so much on stage and can't manage multiple pedal changes that accurately. It also makes how pedals are placed on the board kind of irrelevant. And having the looper keeps me from kicking knobs with my size 13 feet.
I thought that having the ability to dial in exact sounds with all of the midi shit was going to be really useful but since I play in a band with no setlists (and a drummer with poor time) it's impossible to be that exacting with sounds and actually access them quickly enough for so many songs so I end up doing more of what you're talking about. Just get close enough and it's all good.
I do have to say that I wish there was something like the EHX Synth9 but Strymon-style with a bunch of keyboard sounds all in one box that was Midi controlled. Since I do the trio all the time it would be nice to have fake piano or synth sounds but I can't afford to carry around that much more shit with the individual pedals for the amount that I'd use them.
Psychotronic
Bored Silly
Right, I completely agree. And it's why I have no plans to go back to anything that requires programming sounds. Sometimes you need to figure out how to get this sound RIGHT NOW that you may not have planned on. Much easier with pedals, obviously.
And I get that that approach is not for everyone, but I think for most working guitarists, it's a must.
And I get that that approach is not for everyone, but I think for most working guitarists, it's a must.
Help!I'maRock!
Mediocringly Derivative
All of this is why I stick to a PTjr or smaller, and don't have a switcher yet. And even with a small board, I've had exactly the problems the guy described, including kicking pedals on when using a volume pedal (or moving the volume pedal when turning a pedal on).
My goal is to build a board for my next project that only does the things I want for the project. Then I can get a switcher and a power supply once that vision is set.
My goal is to build a board for my next project that only does the things I want for the project. Then I can get a switcher and a power supply once that vision is set.
Psychotronic
Bored Silly
Yeah, for sure. And here's something else that you don't hear people talk about with regards to pedal placement -- mini pedals. Yes, you can jam more of them on your board, but it makes it easier to hit the pedal next to it. Happens to me regularly.
Chad
Slender Hobbit
For probably 98% of the audience, you could just use the phaser for a univibe or slow Leslie. Most people don't notice a difference and with a full band going in a live venue, no way they would.
Chad
Slender Hobbit
Exactly why I got rid of the mini pedals I had. If I had a switcher, they would be great, but I don't.
Help!I'maRock!
Mediocringly Derivative
If we're talking about the audience, nobody out there actually cares. IMO, it's all about the player.
I like mini pedals, but I only use them for certain things. I've definitely gigged them and turned them on when I didn't want to, but I do that with giant pedals too.
Yep.
I have a few mini pedals on my big board but they are either in loops or isolated from other stuff.
The smaller one I have to pay more attention to when I use it but there are few pedals to deal with so it's a little easier.
Psychotronic
Bored Silly
You're absolutely right. But, I'D know, and if I can get as close as possible -- for me, it makes me play better when things sound "right", or as close to right as I can get in the moment.
reverend1
Kick Henry Jackassowski
I don't think most people notice subtle difference in tone, like Leslie sounds. They are talking, drinking, hopefully having a good time. They are analyzing ever nuance of your tone.
Chad
Slender Hobbit
For me, I've never been in a cover band, so I've never had to be "right." Obviously I have played some covers over the years, but it's always been an original band doing our take on the song, so again, it never had to be "right." I've never gigged with more than a single distortion pedal before. Either a Rat or a Hyper Metal out in front. At least I think it was a Hyper Metal. It was the first band I played guitar in and I needed a distortion pedal, so I went to the local shop and said I needed a distortion pedal and that is what they had
Help!I'maRock!
Mediocringly Derivative
I played with a guy who insisted on 4 drive pedals to cover everything we were doing. He rode the volume pretty well, but insisted on different drives for different songs, "for authenticity". And he ran in stereo with an Axe-Fx. It was ridiculous.
* looks for colbert head desk smiley *
sleewell
Kick Henry Jackassowski
the drives on the axe are great. good enough for countless pros.
would have been a fun experiment for him to play part of a show with his pedals and part with the axe for dirt and then go up to people after and ask if they heard any difference.
Chad
Slender Hobbit
I just got to watch the video. Again, I've never gigged with more than a single dirt pedal. Sure at Pragestock and at the Barn, I've had some crazy boards, but those were just one off jams, not a paying gig. With no real board experience, I still knew when setting up my board, put the pedals you kick on and off the most on the bottom row. It may make cabling a little tricky, but you won't kick any knobs while kicking those on and off a million times a gig. It's also a reason I really love the Holey Board Zig I just bought. It puts the back row of pedals up high enough so you don't kick the knobs on the front row and you can easily expand it.