A / B / Y Pedal that doesn't lose volume

[onosson]

I play keys as secondary instrument on many of my gigs lately. I run my keyboard (Nord Electro) and my bass (all my basses are passive) through a Morley ABY pedal. When I use the A/B switch to alternate between instruments, everything works as it should. However, I am in a couple of jam host bands, and sometimes we want to use both the bass and the keys for separate players. When I engage the A+B switch to run both instruments, the volume on the bass drops considerably (and a lot of the high end is missing as well). I assume this has something to do with different impedances, although I don't know enough about electronics to be sure of that.

My solution for now is to run my bass through my BBE OptoStomp compressor before going into the switch - this doesn't completely eliminate the problem, but I am able to boost the level quite a bit, and the frequencies don't seem to be lost as they are without using the OptoStomp (I'm using it just to boost the levels, I have the compression dial rolled down to its lowest setting)

Is there any existing A/B switching pedal that will enable me to run two instruments of differing impedances without loss of level? Or would some sort of mini-mixer be a better solution? Or something I haven't thought of?

[Von Felgenhauer]

Level will always decrease when you add more loads like another instrument. Maybe a buffer pedal or boost in front on the bass line?

[onosson]

Yes - the OptoStomp is my interim solution as it does boost the level, though not quite enough. I guess I just need a dedicated clean boost pedal or device.

[bigchiefbc]

I often use a Boss LS-2 to combine the signals of my bass and synth into my amp. It can't do true A/B/Y without changing modes, but as long as you're not going to want to go from A/B to Y during a song, it shouldn't be a big problem. What I generally do is run my bass into the input and my synth into the Return A, (leave loop B empty, and it will just use your input signal for channel B) and then put it in either A<->B mode or A+B Mix mode depending on the song. It has a separate volume knob for each channel, works fantastically. Since it's buffered, there is no volume drop or problem with impedences at all.

[zachoff]

I have a Loop-Master ABY. It's true bypass but I can see what you're talking about... You're basically saying the A+B mode should be twice as loud as the A or B mode, right? Honestly, I have no idea why it does that. Maybe each signal is half as strong in Y mode? Anyway, a true bypass A/B/Y technically shouldn't strip volume, but it seems to. I didn't answer your question.

[caeman]

The de Lisle ABC and ABY switches have minimal to zero volume loss.

Hand-Wired Effects Pedals

[onosson]

Thanks for the tips everyone!

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

I often use a Boss LS-2 to combine the signals of my bass and synth into my amp. It can't do true A/B/Y without changing modes, but as long as you're not going to want to go from A/B to Y during a song, it shouldn't be a big problem. What I generally do is run my bass into the input and my synth into the Return A, (leave loop B empty, and it will just use your input signal for channel B) and then put it in either A<->B mode or A+B Mix mode depending on the song. It has a separate volume knob for each channel, works fantastically. Since it's buffered, there is no volume drop or problem with impedences at all.

+1 LS-2

[JimmyM]

Back in the old days, before the wheel, amps always had at least two channels and as many as 4 inputs. That means us broke kids would try to plug at least 2 instruments into them. It never worked, though...one instrument would phase the other one out and neither of us could get a sound. That's what's happening with your rig.

If you want to do that, a simple ABY box just won't get it no matter how good it is. You need a mini mixing board. Not an especially ideal solution either, but I guess it's better than carting two amps, and it's a lot better than using just an ABY box.