Ditching pedals for "on-person"

devilock76 · #1 09-10-2010, 11:53 AM

I am thinking of getting away from pedals on the floor for effects. I don't do much mid song switching and in most cases don't use a ton of effects. But I use enough and like the convenince of my multi fx (gt-6b, boss) pedal for muting and tuning. However having recently gone wireless with the line 6 g30 I am just looking for more and more ways to declutter and dewire and simplify my live rig. So I have the thought of going for a Pandora PX5D. The idea is to go from my bass to the pandora, to the g30 transmitter so basically my effects and everything are whereever I am completely wireless from the amp. I was thinking of maybe using some velcro tape or some setup like that, actually on the bass (or the strap with a clip). The advantage of it being on the bass is I could just quick hit a preset button to switch sounds with a finger while playing.

Anyway any thoughts on the Pandora and using it live. I like the idea of it, and I like the idea of being able to put some compression infront of the wireless because when I slap it tends to clip out the wireless and this might help solve that problem. It gives me the tuner and mute I need. The only downside I see is it makes when I switch basses on stage slightly more cumbersome and of course even more batteries to consume and worry about live.

What would be really cool is a rack FX unit that had a wireless remote I could carry on my person almost like a tv remote. Then we would really be cooking with fire.

Ken

Chrisk-K · #2 09-10-2010, 12:05 PM

Get a PX4D if you want to save money. The bass section of the PX5D is the same as that of the PX4D. The Pandora comes with a clip which can be used with a strap or a belt. Anyway, I like my PX4D more than my Bass POD XT. Marlowe DK on Youtube records most of his basses with a PX4D and he sounds fantastic.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #3 09-10-2010, 12:07 PM

Wireless MIDI units exist. You can rackmount your effects and use a MIDI switcher, or just use a multieffect in your rack that is MIDI-capable (almost all of them are). Then, you can either put a simple MIDI controller on the floor that would wirelessly control your effects, or you could even find/build a MIDI controller that could fit on your person. Heck, build a little MIDI controller into an armband and look like you're from Star Trek when switching effects

devilock76 · #4 09-10-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Wireless MIDI units exist. You can rackmount your effects and use a MIDI switcher, or just use a multieffect in your rack that is MIDI-capable (almost all of them are). Then, you can either put a simple MIDI controller on the floor that would wirelessly control your effects, or you could even find/build a MIDI controller that could fit on your person. Heck, build a little MIDI controller into an armband and look like you're from Star Trek when switching effects

Those appear a bit bulky for on person. And well a floor transmitter has to be powered so there would be power cabling going to that. I mean if there was a good 1u rack fx unit someone could recommend for bass use that had a compression setting in ti I would consider that and just forgo being able to switch fx whereever I am for now.

Ken

devilock76 · #5 09-10-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

Get a PX4D if you want to save money. The bass section of the PX5D is the same as that of the PX4D. The Pandora comes with a clip which can be used with a strap or a belt. Anyway, I like my PX4D more than my Bass POD XT. Marlowe DK on Youtube records most of his basses with a PX4D and he sounds fantastic.

Well they have a sale at Guitar Center this weekend and for simplicity trading in my gt-6b might be easier. The nice thing about the 5d is vs the 4b is it can be for both bass and guitar and I could double duty it well. I still also have my old zoom GFX-8. The GT-6b is a whole lot of weight for the little I do with it. The one thing I am losing is SOS which as cool as it is I just about NEVER use. Always wanted it, till I had it and never used it. If I ever decide I need it I will just get an RC-20.

Ken

Swimming Bird · #6 09-10-2010, 01:25 PM

I used to use a Pandora PX-3B. I found it kind of hard to flip between presets on the fly and there is no way I would do it in the middle of a song.

devilock76 · #7 09-10-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

I used to use a Pandora PX-3B. I found it kind of hard to flip between presets on the fly and there is no way I would do it in the middle of a song.

The one thing the 5d has on the front panel is 4 quick preset buttons that you can save your 4 most used patches. Even still mid song switching is such a rarity for me playing wise that I just don't see the need to worry about it over tone quality and convenience.

Ken

THand · #8 09-10-2010, 01:44 PM

I have the Pandora PX5D. Bought my son the 4D. They (Korg) make an adapter that fits both of them for @ $10(not supplied)....that will save you some batteries.
If I don't use the backlight for the screen I get a week or two out of it using just batteries. With the back light on, maybe 8 hrs. The USB lets you hook up to your computer. They have more software you can download to make you own settings. Mine also came with Ableton Live software, but I haven't explored it much. Other tidbits: The headphone jack is 1/4", so you need an adapter for iphone type headphones (not supplied). They also don't supply an adapter/cord to connect an mp3 player, but they are available at Radio Shack for cheap. I like mine alot & I think the 5D is better built and offers more of everything than the 4D.

devilock76 · #9 09-10-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THand

I have the Pandora PX5D. Bought my son the 4D. They (Korg) make an adapter that fits both of them for @ $10(not supplied)....that will save you some batteries.
If I don't use the backlight for the screen I get a week or two out of it using just batteries. With the back light on, maybe 8 hrs. The USB lets you hook up to your computer. They have more software you can download to make you own settings. Mine also came with Ableton Live software, but I haven't explored it much. Other tidbits: The headphone jack is 1/4", so you need an adapter for iphone type headphones (not supplied). They also don't supply an adapter/cord to connect an mp3 player, but they are available at Radio Shack for cheap. I like mine alot & I think the 5D is better built and offers more of everything than the 4D.

Is there any type of warning for the battery power dying?

Ken

THand · #10 09-10-2010, 01:48 PM

I forgot to mention that you can get peddles for the 5D for faster preset changes, but that defeats your purpose I think.

THand · #11 09-10-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilock76

Is there any type of warning for the battery power dying?

Ken

There is an indicator that comes on, but it VERY small and hard to see, especially w/o the backlight. It would be better if they just had a red led come on, but it is just a small icon on the screen, and it doesn't give much of a heads-up. Mine will re-boot itself right before it dies. Higher output pups seem to kill it faster, but I can't prove that, but it does at least seem to be that way.But if you put in fresh batteries before a show, it will last for the show, regardless of how hot the pups are.

devilock76 · #12 09-10-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THand

I forgot to mention that you can get peddles for the 5D for faster preset changes, but that defeats your purpose I think.

Honestly I am not even 100% on keeping it on my person. I do know every bit of compacting and lightening my rig overall is awesome.

Ken

THand · #13 09-10-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilock76

Honestly I am not even 100% on keeping it on my person. I do know every bit of compacting and lightening my rig overall is awesome.

Ken

I can't remember who it was, but I recently saw somebody on here that used the PX5D, and nothing else...Bass, to the Korg, then direct to the PA. That's about as light as it gets.

devilock76 · #14 09-10-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THand

I can't remember who it was, but I recently saw somebody on here that used the PX5D, and nothing else...Bass, to the Korg, then direct to the PA. That's about as light as it gets.

That is awesome, I think I still like having my amp rig (which is very light) as well. Just to have more control of my reference volume on stage.

Part of my disdain for pedals is they are just striking me as more and more just a stage clutter. More cabling to run everywhere. Less is more and all that.

Plus I like the recording interface aspect of it.

Ken

THand · #15 09-10-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilock76

That is awesome, I think I still like having my amp rig (which is very light) as well. Just to have more control of my reference volume on stage.

Part of my disdain for pedals is they are just striking me as more and more just a stage clutter. More cabling to run everywhere. Less is more and all that.

Plus I like the recording interface aspect of it.

Ken

I have been appreciating mine more and more as a practice amp, the portability helps me be able to practice pretty much anywhere. There are so many roles that little box can handle, it is amazing. But the interface is not very intuitive, so if you get one...keep the manual! I need to study it more myself, no telling what I'm missing.

devilock76 · #16 09-10-2010, 02:24 PM

I guess the big question is is it gig worthy. I wouldn't try to make adjustments live in patches. Just use my 4 go tos and the tuner.

Ken

Sound Chaser · #17 09-10-2010, 02:25 PM

Chest-mounted MIDI controller?

devilock76 · #18 09-10-2010, 02:26 PM

And how would something like this work IN FRONT OF the transmitter for the Line 6 G30, at the guitar. Because setting a POD or something on top of my rig is viable to me right now as well. I just want to get away from floor pedals and if I do have a pedal, well a midi controller at most I think. As much as I love the idea of also going to massive stomp box insanity, they are just not practical for my purposes either.

Ken

devilock76 · #19 09-10-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sound Chaser

Chest-mounted MIDI controller?

WIN!!!

THand · #20 09-10-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilock76

I guess the big question is is it gig worthy. I wouldn't try to make adjustments live in patches. Just use my 4 go tos and the tuner.

Ken

That's going to be your decision. They have been gigged successfully, but may not be for you.
BTW, the tuner has a mute, so you can tune silently.