controller/bypass looper?

eyvindwa · #1 07-08-2010, 11:43 PM

Hey guys,

I didn't quite know how to phrase the title of this topic, so please bear with me...

What I would like is a unit that allows me to connect my effects to different loops, and to create presets that e.g. turn on both effects A and B, or B and A (in that order). It would in other words be like a true bypass strip, only programmable. Does anyone know of such a thing (that preferably doesn't cost an arm and a leg)?

bongomania · #2 07-09-2010, 12:22 AM

I know some that do cost an arm and a leg: CAE, Voodoo Labs, Pete Cornish...

Also a couple of smaller co's have made order-switchers, i.e. pedal A into pedal B or vice-versa, but I don't recall the details ATM.

Explorer · #3 07-09-2010, 12:26 AM

I'm unclear as to whether you just have two effects and just want to switch them in order, or more than two.

If you have more than two, and if you can live with having a fixed line of effects (A -> B -> C -> etc.), most loop selectors will do that, and some are fairly inexpensive.

If you're looking to be able to change the order of the effects (A -> C -> B, B -> A, etc.), then you're looking to spend an arm and a leg. The least expensive I'm aware of is the Sound Sculpture Switchblade 8, which is $850 direct pricing.

Sound Sculpture has three versions available. Here's the website:

http://www.soundsculpture.com/products/switchblade.htm

Good luck!

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@bongomania: I'll be getting that FEA dual optical compressor/limiter you recommended. Great suggestion. Thanks!

eyvindwa · #4 07-09-2010, 01:16 AM

Sorry for being unclear.

First of all, I have more than two pedals (a lot, actually). I would like to be able to store different combinations of pedals, say A & B, A & C, B & C & D etc, and switch between these with a single click.

If possible, I would also like to able to switch the order of the pedals, e.g. from A -> B to B -> A in a preset, but this criteria is less important than the former (and if this is a major price booster I might decide to skip it for now).

lowmid · #5 07-09-2010, 05:40 AM

musicomlab EFX, not cheap but not that expensive either!

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #6 07-09-2010, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowmid

musicomlab EFX, not cheap but not that expensive either!

You can get them used at good prices sometimes as well. Here's a list of similar pedalboard programmable bypass loopers. I personally prefer digital ones over the analog ones, as you can store far more presets in banks. Some of these are quite expensive, but I figured I'd list them all for anyone interested. The Carl Martin ones are pretty affordable, although not digital. I found most of these listed on another forum.
MusicomLab EFX MK II
Loopholic
Providence PEC-2
Providence PEC-4
Vintech units
Wobo Proglooper
G-Lab (multiple systems)
Carl Martin Combinator
Carl Martin Octaswitch
The GigRig
Brunetti Vector
Voodoo Labs Pedal Switcher/Commander

There's also rack systems that do this, but you need MIDI controllers for them, which sounds more complex than you're looking for.

fitz420 · #7 07-09-2010, 07:50 AM

not affiliated with the company, but i've always been intrigued by this even though i'm not sure about the build quality, etc. i think some of their effects have had decent reviews here on TB

http://marsfxusa.com/07.aspx

eyvindwa · #8 07-09-2010, 12:01 PM

Thank you, guys! Any personal experience with any of these you would like to share?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #9 07-09-2010, 12:27 PM

I owned the Musicomlab and it was great. I currently use G-Lab MIDI switchers loop switchers, and they're quality units, so I imagine the other G-Lab stuff is nice as well.

**john turner** · #10 07-09-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitz420

not affiliated with the company, but i've always been intrigued by this even though i'm not sure about the build quality, etc. i think some of their effects have had decent reviews here on TB

http://marsfxusa.com/07.aspx

wow, that's a pretty feature-filled unit for the price. interesting.