Bypass Looper Advice Layout Q's?

[Unrepresented]

Hi,

I am likely looking to purchase a bypass looper in the near future to segregate some of the pedals I have to make it easier to switch between effects chains.

Current config is Bass --> POG ----> Fulltone BassDrive ----> X Blender ----> [Bass Microsynth ----> AF-9----->Psilocybe].

I think having the Microsynth and Psilocybe in their own loop will work. The X-Blender has to stay with the AF-9, so that's another loop right there. I'd also like to have a clean bypass that lets me get my uneffected sound back immediately.

Here's my tricky part:

How can I set it up so I can switch between two effect strings that share a common pedal?

The song I've been working on lately has a switch between:

bass ----> POG ---> BassDrive

and

bass ----> POG ----> XBlender ----> AF-9

Is there an easy way to set up a bypass loop strip that will allow for changes like that, while still giving me the separate loop for clean bypass and a chain for my Bass Microsynth/Psilocybe without having to turn off the POG separately?

What builders am I looking at? What features would I want? Is this even possible? Am I stuck with a compromise of a bunch of smaller bypass loops where I'm still stuck tap dancing?

Sorry, for the long post, just really trying to give details so that someone who knows their stuff can understand my setup.

Thanks to anyone who can offer some advice.

[Fnord Explorer]

I use a Radial Bigshot to run two separate effects chains. It's passive and has true bypass.

I basically run it:

Input
Loop 1 ----> Bass Microsynth --> XO Q-Tron+ --> Boss GEB-7 Bass EQ
Loop 2 ----> DOD Bass Overdrive ---> Boss MT-2 Metal Zone ---> Boss PH-1R Phaser ---> Boss BF2B Bass Flanger
Output
BBE DI Box
Amp


It works pretty well for me. I just switch what pedals in each chain are "on" between songs and only have to worry about hitting one or two switches instead of like six of them.


You might have to add another looping pedal to do what you are looking for and segregate the POG at the beginning of the chain maybe?

[cheapbasslovin]

If you can find a 4pdt push button switch, you could make -or have made- a dual true bypass switch w/out led that does what you want, or you could place two 3pdt close enough to each other that you couldn't hit one w/out hitting the other. The last idea would be to get a relay based system which allows for many many poles of switching. I know there are a handful of guys that could make this stuff for you but I don't know who they are.

Here is a pic of the TBP 3p diagram. It's from this website about DIY TBP strips. Expand as necessary.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

If you can find a 4pdt push button switch, you could make -or have made- a dual true bypass switch w/out led that does what you want, or you could place two 3pdt close enough to each other that you couldn't hit one w/out hitting the other. The last idea would be to get a relay based system which allows for many many poles of switching. I know there are a handful of guys that could make this stuff for you but I don't know who they are.

Here is a pic of the TBP 3p diagram. It's from this website about DIY TBP strips. Expand as necessary.

I am currently trying to get by, using your latter suggestion. I have the bassdrive pedal next to the X-Blender pedal and can engage both switches simultaneously with about 90% accuracy. Having a failure of either switch to engage/disengage unfortunately causes a tone meltdown. I'm hoping to find a more satisfying and reliable solution.

I had never heard of a 4tpb switch before. I will have to learn myself on them. I'm familiar with a local custom pedal builder (modded my Bass Microsynth to true bypass and got the power light to function as a much more useful "on" light), but there's also a number of internet options too, with lots of bells and whistles available if you go custom.

I just wanted to find out the realities and advice here first, builders here feedback and requests but musicians work with the stuff firsthand.

Originally Posted by Fnord Explorer

I use a Radial Bigshot to run two separate effects chains. It's passive and has true bypass.

I basically run it:

Input
Loop 1 ----> Bass Microsynth --> XO Q-Tron+ --> Boss GEB-7 Bass EQ
Loop 2 ----> DOD Bass Overdrive ---> Boss MT-2 Metal Zone ---> Boss PH-1R Phaser ---> Boss BF2B Bass Flanger
Output
BBE DI Box
Amp


It works pretty well for me. I just switch what pedals in each chain are "on" between songs and only have to worry about hitting one or two switches instead of like six of them.

Sounds promising.

a) are the two loops set up in parallel or series? If you activate one does it disengage the other?

b) is there a direct bypass ability that you can easily go from playing an effected loop to instant clean?

Originally Posted by Fnord Explorer

You might have to add another looping pedal to do what you are looking for and segregate the POG at the beginning of the chain maybe?

I'm really trying to avoid that. My goal is less tapdancing and less board space and power outlets stolen by effect pedals that don't contribute cool sounds. I have a feeling it may end up being a realistic choice though.

I'm considering going with the Barge Concepts new X series because I finally found a use for a foot controlled blender on one of my songs. I officially admit I'm wrong where I made fun of them for being redundant.

[Fnord Explorer]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Sounds promising.

a) are the two loops set up in parallel or series? If you activate one does it disengage the other?

b) is there a direct bypass ability that you can easily go from playing an effected loop to instant clean?

It's set up in series. There are two switches and they work completely independently. If you click the first one off, it just bypasses to the second one. If the second one is off it bypasses the Bigshot completely and just runs the signal from your bass straight to your amp. So, say I have the Microsynth/Q-tron on in the first loop and I need distortion to make some gagging duck noises, I just hit loop 2 and it adds that loop to the signal chain. And then I can hit both of them and just have a pure signal. True Bypass, no color or tone suck at all.

I'm really trying to avoid that. My goal is less tapdancing and less board space and power outlets stolen by effect pedals that don't contribute cool sounds. I have a feeling it may end up being a realistic choice though.

Well, the Bigshot is passive, so it doesn't need power at all and it has a pretty small footprint overall. The downside is that since it's passive, there are no LEDs telling you which loop is running.

I do believe there are MIDI-based controllers that are more elaborate for switching purposes but I imagine they are pretty expensive. That's a possible option too. Of course, if your POG is true bypass, you could just put it by itself in front of the Bigshot (or similar pedal) and operate it independently.

[cheapbasslovin]

If you build a dual TBP pedal, you can put both switches in one box less than an inch away from one another. I think that if they are that close you can't hardly hit one without the other. So you would have:

Bass --> POG ----> TBP pedal A ----> X Blender ----> Amp.

X Blender Loop out ---> TBP Pedal B ---> AF-9 ---->Psilocybe.

TBP A out---> Fulltone Bass Drive ---> TBP A in.
TBP B out ---> Bass MicroSynth ---> TBP in.

The biggest problem with this setup is if by some chance one switch engages and the other doesn't you'll have a hell of a time getting back straight, but i think you'll have no problem hitting them both if they are right next to each other on the same pedal. (check alignment before set ) The main thing is you need at least 4 poles to do the bypass switching and 5 to do it with an LED. If you can manage that you can make it happen.

Found a couple sites that may be able to help if you aren't interested in diy.

Here

Here

or Here.