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Post by carrjimi on Feb 16, 2022 5:43:38 GMT -7
Hey kids,
Interested in getting some opinions on a solo volume boost when using the CAZ. I play in a pretty loud 3 piece band and trying to figure out the best way to get my solos louder when we do gigs. Usually there is no soundman, so I have to do everything from my pedalboard. I have a Wampler EQ pedal in the effects loop and have the volume maxed but it's not enough to put my leads out front.
I also don't want to mess with the tone of the amp in general because it sounds so damn good. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
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Post by nick0 on Feb 16, 2022 7:07:53 GMT -7
I don't have a CAZ unfortunately! This may fall under the "messing with the tone" umbrella. However, I have found that pushing those mid and upper mid frequencies works really well at raising the apparent volume and getting on top of the mix. Try a tube screamer or klon style overdrive into the front with the gain set lower"ish" on the pedal. I like the Tumnus side of the Wampler Gearbox at the end of my drives in the signal chain for a final boost. Just my $0.02 for you. Good luck!
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Post by adam on Feb 16, 2022 7:31:44 GMT -7
I haven't tried it, but what if you use some pedal that cuts the volume and leaves the tone intact and then disengage it when you solo? Who knows, the amp might even sound better like that.
I used to use some TC rack stuff like the G-Major, and one of the CC controls is for boost. The patch would be set for say -3 or -5db, then the boost basically set it to 0. It worked really well. Or you could setup say 5 patches, one bypassed, and a few with different delays or whatever and different volumes. If the big rack idea is unappealing, something like an Eventide H9 on the amp would work too. Just some ideas.
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Post by carrjimi on Feb 16, 2022 8:05:19 GMT -7
Intersting idea. I'll give it a shot. Thanks Adam!
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Post by Don A on Feb 16, 2022 8:13:20 GMT -7
If the amp has a series FX loop, you may be able to use a device like the Soldano Soundman Eliminator. It's a passive, bypassable volume box that you put in the FX loop. When the pedal is engaged, the signal is reduced through a potentiometer. When it is bypassed, you get the amp's full volume for a perceived boost. I added an LED to one that I built. I have it set to light up when the pedal is bypassed for full strength signal. I believe you would use this as the last pedal in your FX loop. Mine works very well in the amps I've used it with.
Edited to add:
I think you could use an EQ pedal in the same manor, set to cut, rather than boost, then bypass it for solos.
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Post by nick0 on Feb 16, 2022 8:15:54 GMT -7
Good idea with the simple volume pot!
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Post by nick0 on Feb 16, 2022 8:32:14 GMT -7
JHS makes one. Little Black Amp Box Passive Amp Attenuator $65 on Sweetwater.
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Post by Don A on Feb 16, 2022 9:01:58 GMT -7
JHS makes one. Little Black Amp Box Passive Amp Attenuator $65 on Sweetwater. That's not bypassable.
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Post by nick0 on Feb 16, 2022 9:27:21 GMT -7
JHS makes one. Little Black Amp Box Passive Amp Attenuator $65 on Sweetwater. That's not bypassable. Yep. Good call! I missed that.
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Post by carrjimi on Feb 16, 2022 20:09:08 GMT -7
Thanks all!
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Post by adam on Feb 16, 2022 20:37:02 GMT -7
One more idea, and I can't try it because everything is ripped up right now, but the TC Spark boost might work perfect in the loop to dial down the rhythm sound and then just bypass for the lead sound. I think they are $69 at SW.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 17, 2022 5:44:33 GMT -7
I've used the Boss FV500L (low impedance) volume pedal for this application. They have two versions and the "L" version is intended for line level signals. There is a dial on the side for minimum volume. Toe down is full normal volume. Then you adjust the knob for your minimum heel down volume. It works great having it preset rather than trying to find the exact low volume setting quickly with your foot. The down side is it's absolutely huge.
If size is an issue look around for a line level volume pedal with an adjustment for the low volume. Or make something like in Don's post. That would be perfect too.
Good luck with it!
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Post by adam on Feb 17, 2022 16:39:49 GMT -7
I have one of the huge boss volume pedals too, though not sure of the impedance of mine. Or maybe it's a continuous controller. I don't remember, but I think it's in a box with my Sholz rock module stuff. Regardless, good idea, and maybe I can also try my other way huge Ernie ball volume pedal and see how that works. I think the key on all this is let the amp be loud and proud when soling and figure out a way to just dial back the rhythm volume. The minimum volume pot on the boss stuff makes some sense though.
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Post by carrjimi on Feb 17, 2022 17:21:35 GMT -7
I have one of the huge boss volume pedals too, though not sure of the impedance of mine. Or maybe it's a continuous controller. I don't remember, but I think it's in a box with my Sholz rock module stuff. Regardless, good idea, and maybe I can also try my other way huge Ernie ball volume pedal and see how that works. I think the key on all this is let the amp be loud and proud when soling and figure out a way to just dial back the rhythm volume. The minimum volume pot on the boss stuff makes some sense though. I think that's the best way. I was thinking about finding the guts to a volume pedal and make it into a boss type pedal somehow. I did a gig last night and I used a Wampler EQ pedal in the loop and really couldn't get enough of a boot. Maybe get a second CAZ....
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Post by carrjimi on Feb 17, 2022 17:25:25 GMT -7
I've used the Boss FV500L (low impedance) volume pedal for this application. They have two versions and the "L" version is intended for line level signals. There is a dial on the side for minimum volume. Toe down is full normal volume. Then you adjust the knob for your minimum heel down volume. It works great having it preset rather than trying to find the exact low volume setting quickly with your foot. The down side is it's absolutely huge. If size is an issue look around for a line level volume pedal with an adjustment for the low volume. Or make something like in Don's post. That would be perfect too. Good luck with it! I think that the way to go
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Post by adam on Feb 17, 2022 18:32:23 GMT -7
I have one of the huge boss volume pedals too, though not sure of the impedance of mine. Or maybe it's a continuous controller. I don't remember, but I think it's in a box with my Sholz rock module stuff. Regardless, good idea, and maybe I can also try my other way huge Ernie ball volume pedal and see how that works. I think the key on all this is let the amp be loud and proud when soling and figure out a way to just dial back the rhythm volume. The minimum volume pot on the boss stuff makes some sense though. I think that's the best way. I was thinking about finding the guts to a volume pedal and make it into a boss type pedal somehow. I did a gig last night and I used a Wampler EQ pedal in the loop and really couldn't get enough of a boot. Maybe get a second CAZ.... I thought of that too... just engage another amp and that will do it.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 17, 2022 18:44:31 GMT -7
I have one of the huge boss volume pedals too, though not sure of the impedance of mine. Or maybe it's a continuous controller. I don't remember, but I think it's in a box with my Sholz rock module stuff. Regardless, good idea, and maybe I can also try my other way huge Ernie ball volume pedal and see how that works. I think the key on all this is let the amp be loud and proud when soling and figure out a way to just dial back the rhythm volume. The minimum volume pot on the boss stuff makes some sense though. I think that's the best way. I was thinking about finding the guts to a volume pedal and make it into a boss type pedal somehow. I did a gig last night and I used a Wampler EQ pedal in the loop and really couldn't get enough of a boot. Maybe get a second CAZ.... Well getting another CAZ would be the best bet lol! The Boss FV500L really works great. It's really no different sounding than walking over to the amp and raising or lowering the master a little. When you set your minimum volume it still gives you the whole sweep of the pedal, even if you just have a little change in volume set. So you can feather it and swell into the lead volume or anywhere between your two levels. Not needing a battery or power source is handy too. Other than being the size of an army tank it's perfect. I've tried the clean boosts and had mixed results. Sometimes they work alright, sometimes not so much and they always seem to add noise or change the tone some. I never tried the volume pedal with the CAZ, but I've used it many other amps with modern loops and it worked great every time. Maybe someone makes a smaller compact line level adjustable level volume pedal now?
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Post by frankie on Feb 23, 2022 13:56:00 GMT -7
I've used the Boss FV500L (low impedance) volume pedal for this application. They have two versions and the "L" version is intended for line level signals. There is a dial on the side for minimum volume. Toe down is full normal volume. Then you adjust the knob for your minimum heel down volume. It works great having it preset rather than trying to find the exact low volume setting quickly with your foot. The down side is it's absolutely huge. If size is an issue look around for a line level volume pedal with an adjustment for the low volume. Or make something like in Don's post. That would be perfect too. Good luck with it! I think that the way to go The Boss 500L is just a 25k pot instead of a 500k pot. You could pretty easily make a box like listed above using that lower impedance pot.
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