Option Knobs -Real-Time Foot Control Of Your FX Pedals

maddrakkett · #1 07-19-2008, 11:24 AM

My review of Option Knobs

Learn more or order at http://www.optionknob.com

I placed an order for 3 Option Knobs and they promptly arrived 3 days later. I've had a little time to try them on my pedals and they are really cool! I put one on the Time pot of my Line 6 ToneCore Echo Park and now I have live real-time control by using my foot to get everything from subtle time changes to the "UFO landing" effect. I put the second one on my Micro Q-Tron Drive control and I get a psudo wah-wah effect along with the normal dynamic filtering! But it will take time to get the hang of controlling it as smoothly as a wah rocker pedal... The last one I put on the Speed control of my ZVEX Seek Wah II (the Option Knob actually fits perfectly right over the micro-size knob on the ZVEX).

The pluses of these cool effects pedal accessories outweigh the minuses, but I will list the only negatives I could find:

There are some drawbacks to be aware of: 1. You will pretty much have to choose one function to control per pedal, as the Option Knob's wing-span takes up the majority of the width of most pedals, unless you have large pedals, so if you attempt more than one O' Knob on a pedal, they will bump wings. 2. If your pedals are close to each other, you have to watch that the wings of the O' Knobs don't hit the side of the pedal next to it (such as a wah pedal that's taller than the knob location on regular pedals) or the wing of an O' Knob on a pedal next to it. 3. If you aren't careful, you can easily break plastic pots (such as those on the Line 6 ToneCore modules). I don't plan on mistreating my pedalboard, but if you get in a band with a wild singer or "guitard" who loves to run all over the stage and your pedalboard, then you might be replacing pedals over and over...whether or not you have the Option knobs...

The drawbacks really aren't a factor though, as you only have one foot free to control one function at a time. Of course I've already found five functions that the O' Knobs will easily handle on my pedalboard and it's so cool to get such control in a live setting without having someone else tweaking the knobs while I play. Having your own control brings a more personal, musical, and natural feel to the performance!

I was skeptical at first, but I've come to find that Option Knobs are an innovative, forward-thinking item that helps in the little things that add to a musician's creativity and success. Sometimes it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference! These are well worth the money and my pedalboard now looks more unique (or ugly) than most!

Here's a couple of pics of them on my PedalLID board (click image to enlarge):

wdinc01 · #2 07-19-2008, 11:35 AM

As cool as that is, it looks ridiculous. And though I'm usually one for ridiculous, I think that's maybe a bit too ridiculous.

That being said, I think I could really use one of these for my Memory Man w/ Hazarai. Use it to switch between the modes, and hopefully it can I can press down on it with the Option Knob installed so I could switch to my presets.

Definitely interesting, although I think they could have designed it to be a little smaller.

Edit: After watching this video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZVBt...EC341C&index=0 ) of someone using it, I take back what I said. It's not as big as I thought it was. Definitely something to look into.

anyonefortennis · #3 07-19-2008, 11:39 AM

This is the real deal

http://www.toneinprogress.com/

canshaker · #4 07-19-2008, 11:44 AM

I needed to mess with the time knob on MY Tone Control during a show, too.
What I did what (Now, don't get overwhelmed, it's actually very easy...)
was take the whole thing apart very carefully, soldered some wire to connect the time knob leads to a jack, drilled a hole in the battery compartment to store the jack (I plug it in, so I don't need batteries), and I have an expression pedal plugged into it. Works great!

SpankyPants · #5 07-19-2008, 11:51 AM

Have you guys seen Devi's peeplug?

On a side note, I wish she named it the Peep-Plug, because PeePlug sounds so painful.

maddrakkett · #6 07-19-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anyonefortennis

This is the real deal

http://www.toneinprogress.com/

That's pretty dang cool and easier to control than the O' Knob! But it also doesn't fit o my pedalboard and it costs a lot more...

If I had less effects and only one parameter needed to control, this would be ideal!

Andy Will · #7 07-19-2008, 12:21 PM

Nice idea, but what happens when someone would need to put their pedal board in it's bag/case?
There would be high risk of damaging the pots in your pedal I would have thought

SpankyPants · #8 07-19-2008, 12:36 PM

+1

I'd be too worried about breaking off a pot shaft.

OptimusPrime · #9 07-19-2008, 01:12 PM

I want one for phaser intensity and flanger width.

maddrakkett · #10 07-19-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Will

Nice idea, but what happens when someone would need to put their pedal board in it's bag/case?
There would be high risk of damaging the pots in your pedal I would have thought

That is definitely something to consider. My pedalboard is built into the rear lid of my 6-space rack, so I don't quite have that problem. You could also pull the knob off each time you pack your board I suppose...

JEBassman · #11 07-19-2008, 02:59 PM

It's helpful to have another choice for accessing the little knobs on our pedals. With the regular setup of pedals on the floor, it is a royal pain trying to modify settings while playing. These wing-shaped knobs probably don't solve access to every pedal, but they could definitely help with accessing some favorite effects. Thank you for your review!

I've moved my pedals up high, on top of my rack, so that I can access the knobs. Of course I can't turn the effects on and off easily while playing, so my method is not perfect. I'm glad there are some alternatives out there; maybe I'll add the Option Knobs to my GAS list...

SteveMcB · #12 07-19-2008, 04:24 PM

That's a cool concept. Not for me, but still cool.
BTW, maddrakkett, is the liquaflange module there to allow you to swap out with the echopark, or are you actually using it without the pedal enclosure? (can this actually be done?)

Steve

maddrakkett · #13 07-19-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMcB

That's a cool concept. Not for me, but still cool.
BTW, maddrakkett, is the liquaflange module there to allow you to swap out with the echopark, or are you actually using it without the pedal enclosure? (can this actually be done?)

Steve

The Liqua-Flange module is strapped to the board for swapping out with the Echo Park, depending on the mood or gig.

If someone could figure out the function of each contact on the module, I bet it would be possible to run them separately or even build a super dock that could house several Line 6 modules for a complete self-contained pedalboard system. In fact, I wonder if Line 6 hasn't already thought of such an idea and for the future? I actually like some of the effects better in their ToneCore modules than in their POD boards and GearBox computer program. I used to have a Bass POD XT LIVE! and I still use the GearBox with Bass Expansion and FX Junky add-ons, but the ToneCore stuff is fuller, richer, and warmer, like analog pedals!

idoru · #14 07-20-2008, 05:45 AM

This thread delivers for me in that PedalLid concept alone - duly borrowed, tomorrow I'll be converting my 6 RU lid to hold some goodies. I can fit 8 - 10 Boss-sized pedals in there, with enough space in the rack to do it in two levels for ease of access. Brilliant

c-

magneezius · #15 07-21-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpankyPants

Have you guys seen Devi's peeplug?

On a side note, I wish she named it the Peep-Plug, because PeePlug sounds so painful.

The only problem with the Devi Peep plug is it plugs into the Expression pedal output of effects pedals. Therefore this can only be used on pedals that have an expression pedal output. This doesn't work with a majority of pedals.

niftydog · #16 07-21-2008, 09:16 PM

Hmmm, pot-shaft-snappers!

Also, too bad if the two pots you want to control are right next to each other.

Interesting though.

dgelting · #17 11-06-2008, 03:22 PM

I'm so glad I found this thread. I was hoping to find some sort of "extra tall" knobs so I could get at one with my foot, but this is even better!

What is the Devi PeePlug's default position (when your foot is not near it)? Is that adjustable (like the expression pedals that have a range knob on them)?

RCCollins · #18 11-06-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anyonefortennis

This is the real deal

http://www.toneinprogress.com/

Super cool, but wouldn't an ehx Hotfoot be the REAL real deal? it's the original after all..

dgelting · #19 11-15-2008, 01:28 PM

The option knob is a cool thing - I just got some a few days ago.

The warnings about pot snapping are to be heeded. I have a board with a good lid velcro and stuff, so transport wasn't a problem. I learned the hard way that you have to be VERY careful not to put downward pressure on the wings as you turn. I was touching the top of the wing with my foot and turning, and I now have a broken pot shaft on my MicroPOG. If you're going to use these, you must turn the wing gently using the side of the wing. Not always the eaisest thing to remember in the heat of a live performance.....