Feedback loopers

ddayseb · #1 03-26-2008, 03:32 PM

Has anyone heard of a feedback looper with a distance sensor, or an antenna a la Z. Vex? I know Devi Ever makes one with a photo sensor...

Taylor Livingston · #2 03-26-2008, 03:47 PM

Sounds like you have.

**5stringwonder** · #3 03-26-2008, 05:39 PM

Sounds like something the 3xfx Photo Theramin can do...

http://www.3xfx.com/

roflol · #4 03-26-2008, 05:44 PM

get the devi ever one

Taylor Livingston · #5 03-26-2008, 09:34 PM

A feedback looper is the easiest circuit in the world to build. Here's a page that goes step-by-step.

http://experimentalistsanonymous.com...opic.php?t=134

Use an LDR in place of the pot and there you have it. $15 tops.

opivy3056 · #6 03-26-2008, 09:41 PM

Im pretty sure theyre super easy to build, but if you dont...

Devi ever makes the "Eye of God"....pretty sure you can get it at analogue haven for a decent price.

Specatular aenima is a sweet fuzz with a feedback loop too. Has some amount of potential for fun/doom.

Swimming Bird · #7 03-27-2008, 12:37 AM

You mean like the Probe pedals, yes? A copper plate acting as a potentiometer to control volume in a feedback loop would be a mighty cool idea. Z.Vex might be of some help if you ask, but I have no idea how to do that off-hand.

If you can find an old Volume Probe (discontinued) you could just put it at the beginning of the feedback loop. Perhaps use the Barge concepts feedback looper so you can still use the effects regularly (or just build your own).

ddayseb · #8 03-27-2008, 07:39 PM

yeah, i'm curious about foot control options besides light, since the silly lighting situations in most clubs seems like it could be a problem. a z vex type antenna is exactly the type of thing i'm thinking about. maybe it's time to wade out into the diy waters...

ddayseb · #9 03-27-2008, 07:45 PM

yeah, i'm curious about foot control options besides light, since the silly lighting situations in most clubs seems like it could be a problem. a z vex type antenna is exactly the type of thing i'm thinking about. maybe it's time to wade out into the diy waters...

Taylor Livingston · #10 03-27-2008, 08:03 PM

A Zvex probe would be very, very difficult to DIY (it has to be tuned to the human body's range of capacitance, which is small). I think it would also be illegal, if that is any concern to you.

An LED next to the LDR would put out some light onto the bottom of your shoe, which would cut the house lighting out of the equation. You could also just use a treadle (expression pedal). If being in control is a big deal to you, you probably don't want to be fooling with feedback anyway.

hartke20g · #11 03-27-2008, 08:22 PM

i've been wanting to find out how to build a Zvex Probe-like effect for years. that ******* RF antenna circuit has been driving me mad, since it seems like no one else in the world with internet access knows how to make one. and i'm not about to drop $350 for an antenna.

Swimming Bird · #12 03-27-2008, 11:39 PM

DIY wise, could you rewire a cheap theremin (like the Hiwatt Echo Theremin)? Otherwise you could get a Z.Vex probe unit and disassemble it.

I still say just find a Volume Probe to put in your feedback loop or ask Zachary Vex for some pointers. Maybe he'd even sell you just a probe potentiometer.

K2000 · #13 03-28-2008, 01:54 AM

The expression pedal sounds like the most practical idea.

1.) It's been done-- Death By Audio has a Total Sonic Annihilation pedal (custom build) photo on their photo/products page. It's not un-doable.

2.) Standing on one foot, diddling a sensor with your other foot while trying to keep your balance and not flub any notes, is the guitar player's job. And something will likely get short-shrifted and suffer... your foot-manipulations, your playing, or your balance.

You don't just want to control the feedback loop with your foot (expression pedal) you want to control it in three dimensional space?

I'm only saying this because I tried to play my Alesis Air Synth with my foot, while playing the bass... it wasn't good, for the reasons I implied. With an expression pedal, you can have both feet on the floor (at the same time!) As Martha Stewart would say, "That's a **good** thing".

ddayseb · #14 03-28-2008, 12:14 PM

yeah, my angle was to save space. i might be able to figure out how to build it with help from a few (aerospace engineer) buddies, but that whole standing thing is probably a deal breaker.

thanks for the feedback! (hardy har)

jonpopu · #15 03-28-2008, 01:16 PM

Just build one into a broken wah... that could solve some space issues I think.

dirtgroove · #16 03-28-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conical johnson

A Zvex probe would be very, very difficult to DIY (it has to be tuned to the human body's range of capacitance, which is small). I think it would also be illegal, if that is any concern to you.
.

why illegal?

Taylor Livingston · #17 03-28-2008, 07:51 PM

Copying a circuit design that is currently in production can in some cases be illegal, and most people who make pedals agree that copying ZVex stuff in particular is unethical because ZVex is a small operation and he has been relatively innovative in the world of effects for guitar and bass.

As I said, it may not be of any consequence to the OP, since most people are comfortable stealing music, etc. Talkbass could possibly get in some trouble for allowing discussion of how to break the law. Just something to consider. If you were to come up with your own way to achieve the same result, it would certainly not be illegal, but if building a feedback looper is beyond your ability, I can say with certainty that designing your own antennae would be out of your league.

To the OP, have you ever seen a Wah Probe? It's about the same size as a small expression pedal, so you definitely wouldn't be saving any space with that design. I would still go with either an expression pedal or an LDR.

dirtgroove · #18 03-29-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conical johnson

Copying a circuit design that is currently in production can in some cases be illegal, and most people who make pedals agree that copying ZVex stuff in particular is unethical because ZVex is a small operation and he has been relatively innovative in the world of effects for guitar and bass.

Ah -fair enough. I thought you were going to give a different reason.

hartke20g · #19 03-29-2008, 11:36 AM

i doubt that's the reason why copying the circuit would be illegal- it's just a theremin. i think the biggest problem would be the FCC since the Zvex Probes use RF waves. but i wouldn't worry- if it was a problem, Zvex wouldn't be making the Probe line anymore.

Taylor Livingston · #20 03-29-2008, 11:52 AM

Well, I've been reading up and it seems that, in contradiction to myself, it likely wouldn't be illegal, even if you copied Zvex's circuit verbatim. Read this:

http://www.muzique.com/clones.htm

In any case, it would be way more difficult than an LDR or expression pedal, without offering any real advantage. There's also no way to set a probe to one value and leave it there while removing your foot. To be honest, I can't think of any reason to want a wah probe over a regular wah, other than novelty.