Your preferred form factor/size for 2-switch pedals

Taylor Livingston · #1 10-02-2011, 07:31 PM

Imagine a pedal with about 6 knobs and 2 footswitches. There are endless permutations of orientation and switch/control arrangements, and I'm interested to know what you find to be ideal among these. I've made up a little graphic, and I'm hoping to hear your thoughts on which of these suits you best, as far as usability, fitting on your pedalboard, etc. Smaller is usually seen as better as far as pedals go, but at what point do you feel that this compromises usability (bumping knobs when you press a footswitch/hitting the wrong switch when you mean to bypass the effect)?

Options A and B are the same size box, but with different orientations. A places the footswitches closer together (approximately 1.75" - 4.5cm - center to center) but farther from the knobs. B places the footswitches farther apart, but each switch is much closer to the knobs.

Options C and D are essentially the same, but in a wider box. Option C is only 1" (2.5cm) wider than Option A, but has the footswitches a reasonable distance from both each other, and the knobs.

Kwesi · #2 10-02-2011, 07:35 PM

The thinner, the better, at least to me so I'd say option A.

Hyssar · #3 10-02-2011, 07:35 PM

I prefer 'B', because even when placed vertically on my board, I'm less likely to accidently step on both footswitches when I'm trying to hit the top one. 'D' comes second.

Edit: typo

Smurf-o-Deth · #4 10-02-2011, 07:44 PM

I seriously hate B. That orientation is a pain in the ass to affix to a pedaltrain board without wobbling all over the damn place, and it really doesn't provide any useful space saving versus C or D. C offers the best mix of space saving and usability if the second footswitch needs to be used a lot (like a tap tempo, et cetera).

Warrior_Bass · #5 10-02-2011, 07:48 PM

Option C seems to be a good compromise for distance between switches. The width of the pedal is the most important dimension to me, and option C seems acceptable. The knob placement is least important, although I prefer option C for this, too.

sutarappa · #6 10-02-2011, 07:51 PM

I like the layout of A and C options. A narrower right-to-left dimension fits more logically into how I like to arrange a pedal board. I don't mind if the switches are close per option A especially if the functionality of the pedal would benefit from an optional single stomp to hit both switches. Thanks for the inquiry!

Smallequestrian · #7 10-02-2011, 08:37 PM

If one of the switches on A is something that you might expect to hit often, or in the middle of the set, then it becomes very hard to it hit precisely. C is by far my favorite...B is probably the worse.

Dazonbass · #8 10-02-2011, 08:47 PM

I picked D but after more thought, C would probably work better. I started to think about my MXR 80 and how it is a little out of place in the middle of everything.

natw42 · #9 10-02-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

If one of the switches on A is something that you might expect to hit often, or in the middle of the set, then it becomes very hard to it hit precisely. C is by far my favorite...B is probably the worse.

+1

fivestringgecko · #10 10-02-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

I seriously hate B. That orientation is a pain in the ass to affix to a pedaltrain board without wobbling all over the damn place, and it really doesn't provide any useful space saving versus C or D. C offers the best mix of space saving and usability if the second footswitch needs to be used a lot (like a tap tempo, et cetera).

+1 to everything. Fromel did a custom for me sized like option B and I learned exactly what Smurf mentioned. It's a cool pedal, but it can be pretty tricky to mount. Just BARELY bridges the gap on my PT Mini and it does move a bit when I step on switches. I could turn it 90 degrees, but that causes other problems.

C is my choice as well.

5sg.

fivestringgecko · #11 10-02-2011, 10:35 PM

P.S. I think that it's really cool that as a builder, you're hitting up the Talkbass public for opinions. Nice to see and very classy sir!

5sg.

hairyampdroolin · #12 10-02-2011, 10:38 PM

To state the obvious, pedal trains are the most picky when it comes to pedal design, designing something that is easily mountable on such a board is probably a priority. With jacks and power at the top

So A or C depending on the function of the footswitches

bongomania · #13 10-02-2011, 10:44 PM

I voted B just because I am a fiend for efficient usage of space; however I totally agree that it is too wobbly a lot of the time, especially with velcro or on a Pedaltrain. If it's screwed down with those bike-chain metal tabs, then it's not wobbly at all.

wolffman · #14 10-02-2011, 11:01 PM

Can't answer until I know what kind of pedal it is

Waterpilot · #15 10-02-2011, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

If one of the switches on A is something that you might expect to hit often, or in the middle of the set, then it becomes very hard to it hit precisely. C is by far my favorite...B is probably the worse.

+1 I voted C only because I assume I'd want to be able hit both switches easily and because if it's a great pedal I'll make it fit.

tombaker · #16 10-02-2011, 11:29 PM

Is this for the Cygnet 2? If it's going to have tap tempo then I think I'd prefer to not have A where the switches are close together. I think C and D are the best for something like a Pedaltrain which a lot of people use. Now that I think about it, C is best because with D, if you're using right angle jacks on a Pedaltrain, you're going to have to move the pedal higher up on the board so the jacks can hang over the gap. So D is essentially saving unusable space and takes more space in width.

Eric! · #17 10-03-2011, 01:34 AM

I'm going with a definite Option C! It's the perfect compromise of stompin-space and portability!
I think I know EXACTLY what this is for. Maybe.
Maybe not.
Either way, I really dig C best. A would be okay, too.

Would one of your switches be tap tempo, by chance? C still works, I think

Here's a killer example of how C looks in full form.
Your diagrams rock, by the way. And this thread is made of win.

behndy · #18 10-03-2011, 02:16 AM

yer. C is what i'd prefer too. for all the reasons mentioned above - enough room for two switches without being hard to mount/a wobble bastahd.

thanks for asking!

warwick.hoy · #19 10-03-2011, 02:32 AM

C here; although I'd settle for A.

In the end it's not a big enough deal for me to gripe about,...I'll find a way to get it on that pedalboard (including buying a bigger one if I have to).

kevteop · #20 10-03-2011, 02:42 AM

A or C. I don't like landscape-format pedals because the front row of a board needs to be as useful as possible, so I would rather a pedal take up more depth than width. (This is also why I prefer the jacks to be on the top edge where practical).

My SFX mixer is in format 'A', because the two stomps are on/off switches for two parallel loops and it's handy to be able to press both stomps at the same time. But if I had a pedal where this isn't really useful functionality, format 'C' might be preferable.