aristotle
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 771
So I've been using the Archon a bunch recently, and really like how I have the lead channel dialed in. I run the gain back (relative to the insane levels that the Archon lets you get...) and it really is a dynamic and organic and touch sensitive, blah blah... In the past, with all of my amps when used live, I always set it up so that all pedals are in front of the amp because gumming up the floor with send and receive leads and having two separate chains on the floor seem more trouble than they're worth. So, on a multi-channel amp, if a song wants some effects, I go to the clean channel and put whatever dirt I might want in with a dirt pedal, and add whatever delay effects that are required.
Typical set up is tuner followed by two or three dirt pedals (only ever use one at a time) followed by delay, chorus, univibe, whatever, followed by a clean boost then to the amp.
Since I really like the Archon lead tone though, and since some of the songs that we're doing really want more effects than I've wanted / needed in the past with classic rock, I've been experimenting with running delay->univibe->chorus in the loop. So, I have two separate chains on the floor, three guitar cables running back (two for the loop and one to the amp input) and the Archon foot controller with its cable. Sounds fantastic, but yuck in terms of setup and floor mess.
Now, I know I could make up a custom snake that would keep everything neater, and organize the pedal situation better on the floor, but thought that it would be a good excuse to get into the wonderful world of midi control / presets. I'd have a midi floor pedal that with a button push would simultaneously set amp channel, amp loop on / off, would select which pedals are put into the chain in front of the amp, and set which pedals get put into the loop chain.
I'm in the process of investigating, but was wondering what any of you might use as a solution. Here are my thoughts at the moment...
1. Although I want this to work with the Archon, I'm an amp whore, and I'll be wanting to use it with my Roadster, my 6100, my Orange, whatever I might decide that the amp du-jour is. So, my JVM410 for example can be controlled by midi directly, but the Archon can't.... I don't want to have to trash whatever I have put together entirely if I want to use a new amp. So, I want a solution that works with switch closures and also is able to send midi commands to amps in a flexible way (it's not a very standard thing evidently in terms of how amps with midi are controlled...) Cables will be a sticky point, I know.... The Archon for example has the din connector, but it's essentially switch closure.... But I'm OK with making a cable that goes from a couple of quarter inch jacks to the Archon connector.
2. I'll probably only have...say...8 presets at most. I don't want some huge pedal board that has dozens of buttons.
3. I don't mind setting this up in a rack, but I don't mind a board solution set up behind (or even in front of) the amp on the floor.
4. I haven't tried out any rack effects units like GForce, but I like the idea of being able to swap pedals in and out as I find ones that I like for the loop stuff.
There is a ton out there, with either way more than I want, or just a little less. Looking at Voodoo labs stuff, but not convinced that it'll do everything I want at a reasonable price. I'll keep you informed of my progress with this, but was curious what you guys do......
Typical set up is tuner followed by two or three dirt pedals (only ever use one at a time) followed by delay, chorus, univibe, whatever, followed by a clean boost then to the amp.
Since I really like the Archon lead tone though, and since some of the songs that we're doing really want more effects than I've wanted / needed in the past with classic rock, I've been experimenting with running delay->univibe->chorus in the loop. So, I have two separate chains on the floor, three guitar cables running back (two for the loop and one to the amp input) and the Archon foot controller with its cable. Sounds fantastic, but yuck in terms of setup and floor mess.
Now, I know I could make up a custom snake that would keep everything neater, and organize the pedal situation better on the floor, but thought that it would be a good excuse to get into the wonderful world of midi control / presets. I'd have a midi floor pedal that with a button push would simultaneously set amp channel, amp loop on / off, would select which pedals are put into the chain in front of the amp, and set which pedals get put into the loop chain.
I'm in the process of investigating, but was wondering what any of you might use as a solution. Here are my thoughts at the moment...
1. Although I want this to work with the Archon, I'm an amp whore, and I'll be wanting to use it with my Roadster, my 6100, my Orange, whatever I might decide that the amp du-jour is. So, my JVM410 for example can be controlled by midi directly, but the Archon can't.... I don't want to have to trash whatever I have put together entirely if I want to use a new amp. So, I want a solution that works with switch closures and also is able to send midi commands to amps in a flexible way (it's not a very standard thing evidently in terms of how amps with midi are controlled...) Cables will be a sticky point, I know.... The Archon for example has the din connector, but it's essentially switch closure.... But I'm OK with making a cable that goes from a couple of quarter inch jacks to the Archon connector.
2. I'll probably only have...say...8 presets at most. I don't want some huge pedal board that has dozens of buttons.
3. I don't mind setting this up in a rack, but I don't mind a board solution set up behind (or even in front of) the amp on the floor.
4. I haven't tried out any rack effects units like GForce, but I like the idea of being able to swap pedals in and out as I find ones that I like for the loop stuff.
There is a ton out there, with either way more than I want, or just a little less. Looking at Voodoo labs stuff, but not convinced that it'll do everything I want at a reasonable price. I'll keep you informed of my progress with this, but was curious what you guys do......