|
Post by zpilot on Mar 11, 2021 20:05:29 GMT -7
I usually have some sort of build project I do over the winter but this winter I have been busy with other things. Mainly moving but also a couple of major amp refurbishments for customers. Things have slowed to where I can now do a project for myself. I decided on the Super 8 pedal switcher kit from B.Y.O.C. I have had good luck with a couple of other kits from them. I have wanted a switcher for quite a while but all those available had at least one deal killer for me. Those are: * too large * too expensive * programming not intuitive (at least not for my small brain) * not enough loops or presets * features I would not use
Yes I know I'm being very picky. It doesn't look too difficult. My only reservation is what the quality of the relays I get will be. Wish me luck.
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Mar 12, 2021 4:44:25 GMT -7
That looks like a nice project. Keep us posted. I like building stuff like that too.
I had a Carl Martin Octalooper at one point. It was really nice. Each footswitch had a row of 8 mini dip switches just above it. You used the dip switches (labeled 1-8) to select which loop would be actived with the footswitch. Really intuitive. Doesn't fit your search as it's not inexpensive. But nice product non the less.
|
|
|
Post by doctorice on Mar 12, 2021 4:48:14 GMT -7
Let us know how it goes. I keep revisiting getting a switcher, but haven't pulled the trigger. I'm trying to keep my gig board small, and I don't think I absolutely need a switcher for that: it's just tuner, some dirt boxes and delay. What does appeal is being able to build presets using multiple effects and to re-do pedal order via programming.
Have fun!
|
|
|
Post by adam on Mar 12, 2021 17:52:36 GMT -7
Let us know how it goes. I keep revisiting getting a switcher, but haven't pulled the trigger. I'm trying to keep my gig board small, and I don't think I absolutely need a switcher for that: it's just tuner, some dirt boxes and delay. What does appeal is being able to build presets using multiple effects and to re-do pedal order via programming. I bought a voodoo lab dingbat px8 plus pedalboard/switcher a while back and thought it would solve all my woes, but it kind of presents it's own set of problems too. First off, when you really wire all 8 loops, it's a crap ton of cable. It's kind of hard to just wire that keeping the power cables at 90 degrees from the audio cables because there is just so much audio cable, and the power cables are basically set length with a lot of extra. It becomes this jumble-fk of wire which induces it's own set of problems. The programmability part might be useful if you really have everything dialed in and are playing the same 2 hour show every night, but realistically not many or any of us do that. The other thing is how many pedals do you really have on at one time, maybe 2 I'm guessing, and those are probably a random 2. For me, I might have 8 loops programed like I think I want, but in 2 minutes I'm putting the thing in manual mode to get to a certain combination. What kind of works for me is grouping things in a loop, like 3 modulation pedals in one loop which keeps everything simpler, less wire, less noise. That product doesn't allow reordering, but personally I have no need for that. Maybe also of note, you can program the relay speed from say fast (you get a click/pop for sure) to slow (you still get a damn click). The only thing they are really good for is those pedals that completely screw up your tone and then you can keep that out of the signal. In general I'm saying they seem like a great idea, but in real practice you probably only need or want a few pedals anyway, and it's nice to just randomly select them on the fly... like with no switcher. Maybe think about the reordering thing too, like those 2 pedals might make cool sounds in a different order, but probably with completely different settings which nullifies that idea. The older I get, the more I just kind of think simple is the best solution. One channel amp, a boost or 2, mod, delay, then practice your arse off because that will make more difference than any pedal or switcher.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Mar 12, 2021 23:43:45 GMT -7
It is a common misconception that you need to keep signal cables separated from power cables. Pedal power cables are 9 to 18 volt DC and will not induce noise to a signal. Only the higher voltage AC supply needs to be isolated.
For years I played with NO effects other than the reverb and tremolo built into my Fender amps. Sometimes an Echoplex or an analog delay of some sort. I was perfectly happy with that when the repertoire was limited to one style like blues or classic country. What I have done mostly though is play in variety cover bands where I am required to have a large range of sounds on tap. I'm adamant about getting from one song to the next quickly and keeping the flow of a set going. Also, and this is important to me, I need to be able to concentrate on what I am going to play or sing at any moment and not on what combination of pedals I need to step on.
|
|
|
Post by adam on Mar 13, 2021 5:10:16 GMT -7
That's cool, whatever for you is the way to go. Thanks for the tip on the power/audio cables. I might add that the last time I really wired up that pedalboard in a definitive way and used all the loops, it induced noise even with all the loops bypassed. I never figured out where that was coming from and ended up just ripping it apart one day mainly for that reason.
I kind of like the idea of that TC pedal that does all the tc effect stuff. Not sure how it sounds, but that would really make things simple.
|
|
|
Post by adam on Mar 13, 2021 15:00:14 GMT -7
BTW, I was fooling around today through my switcher and the CAZ and it was kind of the same thing again, "where the F is all that noise coming from?". Turned out I had the TC Ditto looper in the path (not in a loop) and that was the whole problem. At least that was the issue today.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Mar 18, 2021 21:12:56 GMT -7
I received the Super 8 a couple of days ago and have finished it. That was quick and I am happy with the final product. For those interested here is a review.
The PCB is nicely done. Plated through holes and double sided. Most components are adequate quality at this price point. The footswitches are especially nice which is good since these will see many cycles. The phone jacks are pretty cheap but probably will be sufficient because what gets plugged in will mainly STAY plugged in, not like a guitar or amp. Since there are so many (19) this was a place BYOC could really hold the cost down. The enclosure is nicely painted and printed. I had to do some filing to get the bottom to properly fit the enclosure. Minor PITA. I also had to take a Dremmel to the edge of the PCB to get it to fit inside the enclosure. Which brings me to my main complaint, sort of. Because it is so small it was a b**ch getting the board, switches and jacks all properly mounted inside. I would cut the wires 1/2" longer than instructed if I was to build another. This definitely is not a kit for a first-timer. As the saying goes, "6 gallons of s**t in a 5 gallon bucket". But that is also a virtue that it IS so small. The LEDs are soldered in place AFTER everything is mounted so you can forget ever disassembling it for service or repair without having to replace all of those. As for sound quality it seems to be totally transparent through the normal input. The buffered input has a 3db or so boost.
Operation and programing are fairly simple once you have done it a few times. You won't need to refer back to a manual. It has 4 banks of 8 presets and 8 loops but I will most likely only use one bank at a time at a gig. Switching between banks seems a little awkward to me and I would probably lose track of which pedals were assigned to anything over 8 presets anyway. What makes sense to me is having one bank set up for each type of gig I am likely to play. One for Classic Rock, one for worship service, etc. All in all well worth the price for me.
One other thing. It requires 300ma 9-12vdc. Probably not a problem with modern power supplies like a Truetone or Zuma.
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Mar 19, 2021 4:10:42 GMT -7
Congrats, sounds like a success. I was wondering how you program the loops to the footswitches. I looked on thier website but must have missed it. . Which brings me to my main complaint, sort of. Because it is so small it was a b**ch getting the board, switches and jacks all properly mounted inside. I would cut the wires 1/2" longer than instructed if I was to build another. This definitely is not a kit for a first-timer. As the saying goes, "6 gallons of s**t in a 5 gallon bucket". But that is also a virtue that it IS so small. Funny. The worst thing I've ever made was a simple bias probe. The kind where it's an in line tube socket that plugs into the amp and you plug a tube into it. It was super simple schmeticaly, but all the wiring had to fit in that little tube socket. Soldering all those tiny wires inside a tube socket was almost impossible. That was the day I realized my eyes are getting old. Got one of those lighted magnified visors after that.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Mar 19, 2021 7:58:28 GMT -7
Programming starts at about 2:50.
So, you make sure you are in LOOP mode in the BANK where you want to store the preset. Next you turn on the loops you want active. To store you then press and hold the button(s) for the location where you want that PRESET until the green light flashes. Done. Just one more thing. You then switch back to Preset mode. Then you can recall your presets.
|
|
|
Post by montego on Mar 24, 2021 2:05:34 GMT -7
I built the Super 8 Switcher something like five years ago. I have it set up for home use in a wet/dry scenario. Since I don't play out of the house I don't use presets, so I can't really comment on that. However I can say that mine came together with no tinkering what so ever, but I do agree that it's a tight fit to say the least. You need to go slow and be careful, but the instructions are very clear - someone has thought through all the steps and present them so that you go from a to z by following the text and pictures.
I find it real easy to use as a pedal switcher. I am a bit reluctant to say it sounds great because it doesn't sound at all. Every pedal on the board sounds pristine though..... So far I have had no issues with it, for what it's worth, though as mentioned - I only play in my home.
Montego.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Mar 24, 2021 3:46:07 GMT -7
Thanks for the info. The only question I had about mine was concerning the life of the relays. Nice to know yours have lasted that long.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Apr 11, 2021 14:36:26 GMT -7
Here is an update on my switcher. I have been very happy with it and it has been everything I hoped....until today. I pushed one of the momentary switches and when I released it the plunger popped right out of the switch. It broke internally. There is nothing I could have done to break it. It is just a defective part. Now I could go through the hassle of trying to get BYOC to replace the switch but I can get another one from AES for $3 and they claim it is a better quality part. So I am out that plus shipping. No big deal. Here is the real bummer. In order to replace it I have to remove the board from the enclosure and that means I will also have to replace every one of the LEDs due to the way it assembles. Again the cost of parts is minimal, about $12, but it is just the extra work that irks me and also wondering about the durability of the other switches. So I am also ordering replacements for ALL of the switches and hopefully they truly ARE upgrades. So when I am done I will have another $30 or so in the switcher. It's not going to break the bank but still, it is irritating. I was contemplating building another because I like this one so much. Would I still do that...probably yes. I would use the better quality switches though. This is probably just a fluke because I have not heard of their switches failing. S##t happens as they say.
|
|
|
Post by John on Apr 11, 2021 15:00:17 GMT -7
I saw this the other day....pretty interesting
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Apr 11, 2021 16:47:49 GMT -7
Yeah, I saw that too. Too big. I've looked at what I believe is the previous generation and it was a little shorter but still too big for me.
|
|