Switching systems... - Who uses what and why?....

[davenit]

What do any of you use and why? Thanks - Dave

[oooo]

I have a Lexicon MPX R-1 midi pedal that I use to control my rack. *It also has a couple of relays on it. *I use these to switch the channels on my amp. *O.K., lets use my setup for an example... Channel one is dead (kills signal totally for tuning and just silence) channel 2 is Clean on amp, and a slight chorus on FX processor, now if I step on channel 3 my midi controller changes my fx processor to a delay and the relay switches my amp to a distorted channel. *Instead of having to change my amp with one step and then having to switch my FX with another. *Its a lot easier and I don't have to tap dance to change sounds.
*I'm in the market for a Digital Music Corp GCX changer. *Basically, this is 8 effects loops that can be programmed to be in and out of the signal path. *That way I can use my stomp boxes, placed in my rack, and kick them in and out of my signal path with one touch of the pedal via midi. *I hope i didn't make it sound more confusing than it already is... hope that helps some.

[ryan]

My rig is in a constant state of flux...

I like the ease of the Pod/Floorboard setup, but I also dig using my 5150 with a (Rolls) RFX Patchwork.

The patchwork is like the DMC GCX Changer, but it's WAY LESS MONEY. *Catch is, it does four loops and four switches (which is enough for me...)

For actual switching, I use a DMC Ground Control pedal, which is fully programmable on 8 MIDI channels. *As the other guy said, doing the Eric Johnson tap-dance during songs is not for me. *I want one button to switch EVERYTHING. *The Ground Control and the Patchwork do that for me.

I have various settings across the banks, but they generally go:

1. *Distorted Rhythm sound -- Just the 5150 lead channel.
2. *Clean sound - 5150 Rhythm channel w/ chorus & reverb
3. *Delay Lead - 5150 Lead w/ delay & a bit of boost
4. *Reverb Lead - 5150 Lead w/ reverb & a bit of boost
5. *Whammy Lead - 5150 Lead w/ verb & Digitech whammy pedal
6-10 are usually song-specific, like if I need tremolo in a middle section, or a crazy flange for an intro.

The way the Ground Control is laid out, the first four patches are in the front row, as are the bank buttons. *This is set up so that you can use 5-10 with a GCX for turning effects on and off... *I prefer using one button to switch everything, rather than have one button which picks clean/distortion and 6 buttons for various effects. *Since the pedal works either way, it's great for what I do.

Oh, and by the way - Out of the box, the Patchwork is wired to provide MIDI Phantom Power to the Ground Control, so you don't have to drag a wall-wart out on stage.


While I'm on a roll here, I will mention that I have also played around with switching the Pod & the 5150 simultaneously. *It works very well, just requires a bit of crazy wiring. *I can use the 5150 for regular rhythms and the Pod for cleans and lead sounds. *The only thing I didn't like about that is the fact I don't have a noise gate, so the bare 5150 channel is kinda clunky where everything else is dead quiet when you're not playing.

[tomizm]

I use a Rolls PatchWorks with my 3 channel Mesa Mark IV and a Lexicon MPX-100.
The Rolls has 4 channel switchers and 4 loops. *I use the 3 channel switchers for the 3 gain channels, and the 4th for the EQ. *Then the Lexicon has MIDI control (with a delay in reaction, Im VERY dissappointed) so that ties into the loop.
All controlled on the floor by an ADA pedal.
Reason - The Patchworks was barely over $120 new. *Much cheaper than all the other alternatives (Rocktron, Bradshaw)

[ChrisReedSmith]

See this is what I love. This is exactly what I want to build my rig into. A simple floor setup so that ONE button changes WHATEVER I want. If my tone changes in anyway...it takes one button to change it. And thats it. I love that. And I think it's great that now-n-days you can do it with WHATEVER YOU WANT. stomp boxes?? SURE. Effects racks? hook up 10 if you want. go to town. theres always a way to hook it up and make it easy. thanks to MIDI. god bless you MIDI.

[steve]

Very old and very bullet-proof Rocktron/Bradshaw RSB18R/F switching system. 10 mono + 1 stereo loop set-up, 4 control switches (for amp channel switching, etc.) full midi, expression pedal(s) [I have one on there for the built in programmable VCA - volume controller - a second can be added, and either can be assigned to anything that is 'performance midi' capable...].
For convenience/portability, since I got the POD 2.0, I have added one of their proprietary Floorboard units to allow direct access to the POD's goodies while I'm away from the RSB18. But, when the Bradshaw is in control of it, it's instantaneous jumps from one setting to the next - no scrolling up through banks on the POD or anything. The stereo Hush on the rack portion of the switcher is nice, too.
=]

[ericbrowning]

I don't personally use anything, (not too many effects, so no need), but I'd like to comment on John Enswistle's rig at the Cleveland Who concert. *He had a massive rack rigged up, and several different preamps it looked like. *He used a variety of different sounds for his bass, and even drastic tone changes were made by pressing a single switch on a large floorboard. *I can't confirm what it was, but looked like a fairly generic MIDI controller.