A/B Switch Help Please! (MXR Bass Synth MB301)

[jenniplease]

This question is for the pedal heads, masters of signal flow.

As I wait for my long backordered MXR Bass Synth to arrive I am thinking about how to get the most out of it. I don't yet have all of the devices I would need to test a solution I'm thinking about. I will eventually gather all the necessary items to test but I value (enjoy!) thinking ahead and learning from others. I don't post on TB but I've gratefully read it as a resource going on 13 years. Please forgive me if I'm not explaining what I want to achieve or phrasing this question adequately.

I need to control the synth pedal entirely with my feet while performing.

The unit has 8 preset slots you can cycle through with a little button below the stomp switch. You can control the preset switching externally with a momentary tap switch (TS cable). The pedal also allows you to sweep through two tone settings within one preset (I think) with an expression pedal (TRS). The company's in-depth video manual demonstrates that the device has one (1) control jack labelled 'CTR' to receive either a tap switch OR an expression pedal.

My question: if I connect both external controls using a TRS A/B switch should that work? Do you foresee any issues?

It seems like one shouldn't need to explain why one wants foot control . But I have tried asking this question elsewhere and received replies to "just use the preset switch". I truly need to use my feet. I have a neurological condition where repeated bending makes me unwell. This is especially true later in the day and in dim light. i.e. at a night show in a venue. Not a great affliction to have as a working musician but I do be working! Please, respectfully refrain from suggesting simply pressing the on-board preset switch or prepare to be razzed or ignored.

Thank you for reading my essay.

 

[bholder]

I can't help with your specific question, but I'll commiserate and share my "solution"...

My "condition" is only being old and fat, but I don't like repeated (or single) bending much at all either. I got a dowel and put rubber tips on the ends - one that fits snug over the tip (for pushing buttons) and one larger diameter, inverted, screwed and glued into the other tip, for twiddling knobs. An imperfect solution, but it works - I really wish someone would make a real commercial version.

 

[jenniplease]

I can't help with your specific question, but I'll commiserate and share my "solution"...

My "condition" is only being old and fat, but I don't like repeated (or single) bending much at all either. I got a dowel and put rubber tips on the ends - one that fits snug over the tip (for pushing buttons) and one larger diameter, inverted, screwed and glued into the other tip, for twiddling knobs. An imperfect solution, but it works - I really wish someone would make a real commercial version.

Old and fat is a comorbidity I'm quickly developing precisely because of my broken brain and Time.

I love your solution! Thank you! Because I couldn't handle bending to change my setting between or even mid song, I switched from a 'real' pedalboard to digital (HX Stomp XL) a couple years ago. Haven't looked back until now that this new synth pedal seems to do exactly what I need for synth on a bass guitar, especially for covers gigs.

I'll keep your suggestion in my back pocket if the unit can't decipher what I'm trying to tell it with external pedals.

 

[SLO Surfer]

This question is for the pedal heads, masters of signal flow.

As I wait for my long backordered MXR Bass Synth to arrive I am thinking about how to get the most out of it. I don't yet have all of the devices I would need to test a solution I'm thinking about. I will eventually gather all the necessary items to test but I value (enjoy!) thinking ahead and learning from others. I don't post on TB but I've gratefully read it as a resource going on 13 years. Please forgive me if I'm not explaining what I want to achieve or phrasing this question adequately.

I need to control the synth pedal entirely with my feet while performing.

The unit has 8 preset slots you can cycle through with a little button below the stomp switch. You can control the preset switching externally with a momentary tap switch (TS cable). The pedal also allows you to sweep through two tone settings within one preset (I think) with an expression pedal (TRS). The company's in-depth video manual demonstrates that the device has one (1) control jack labelled 'CTR' to receive either a tap switch OR an expression pedal.

My question: if I connect both external controls using a TRS A/B switch should that work? Do you foresee any issues?

It seems like one shouldn't need to explain why one wants foot control . But I have tried asking this question elsewhere and received replies to "just use the preset switch". I truly need to use my feet. I have a neurological condition where repeated bending makes me unwell. This is especially true later in the day and in dim light. i.e. at a night show in a venue. Not a great affliction to have as a working musician but I do be working! Please, respectfully refrain from suggesting simply pressing the on-board preset switch or prepare to be razzed or ignored.

Thank you for reading my essay.

I’ve had the MXR Bass Synth since early September, and I don’t think your idea of an A/B switch to switch between tap button and expression pedal will work. Next to the TRS out jack is a teeny little switch to go between tap and expression functions. So you would still need to bend over to use a paper clip or fingernail to move that little switch. The other user’s idea of adding a button to the top of the preset switch would be really tricky to get right for several reasons. The button is a super small rubber circle, and sits almost flush with the casing. The button is the same size and the 4 preset lights and sits super close inline with them. Any button extender attached to it, if you could even attach since it’s so small and recessed, would probably block one or more of the lights.

If you really need both an expression pedal and ability to switch presets with your foot, you can use the expression pedal function like normal, and then just hold the normal foot switch for 3 seconds which changes the on/off footswitch function into a preset selection button where you can then cycle through the presets with each subsequent push. The problem with that is when you hold down the footswitch to get to preset selection mode, it turns the pedal on or off at that time. This lead me to buying a tap pedal for cycling through the presets without turning the pedal on or off. I personally don’t need an expression pedal.

It’s good you’re thinking ahead about this stuff. I didn’t. After getting the Bass Synth I quickly found I needed to buy an external tap pedal and volume pedal to make it work the way I needed. Tap pedal for switching presets without turning the pedal on/off, and volume pedal placed after the Bass Synth because you can’t fade out of a note with the Bass Synth. Most notes just abruptly stop. Even if you slowly drop the volume knob it doesn’t lose volume until it reaches its threshold where it just completely cuts out from 100 to 0. And at the end of some songs I need to slowly have the volume fade out on a held note while using the Bass Synth pedal.

Good luck!

 

[Rocksolid]

There is someone who made a switcher pedal. There's a video on one of the bigger threads for this pedal shared from facebok. It switches between patch selection and use of the expression pedal.

 

[Rocksolid]

If you really need both an expression pedal and ability to switch presets with your foot, you can use the expression pedal function like normal, and then just hold the normal foot switch for 3 seconds which changes the on/off footswitch function into a preset selection button where you can then cycle through the presets with each subsequent push. The problem with that is when you hold down the footswitch to get to preset selection mode, it turns the pedal on or off at that time. This lead me to buying a tap pedal for cycling through the presets without turning the pedal on or off. I personally don’t need an expression pedal.

I like this, despite just posting about an A/B switch above.

I will likely put mine in an effects loop in my HX Stomp and turn it on and off via a patch (with other EQ/Gain/comp within the patch) in the stomp leaving the Bass Synth permanently on. leaving it in patch changing mode in my application could really work. Same could be done with a LS-2 I guess.

 

[T McClure]

I also strongly recommend putting one of those plastic covers over the main switch. The small preset button below the main switch can be easy to accidentally hit when you're turning the pedal on or off, and the bigger plastic button helps prevent this.

But I wouldn't go with one of those massive metal discs because then you probably can't see the LED telling you it's on.

 

[jenniplease]

I’ve had the MXR Bass Synth since early September, and I don’t think your idea of an A/B switch to switch between tap button and expression pedal will work. Next to the TRS out jack is a teeny little switch to go between tap and expression functions. So you would still need to bend over to use a paper clip or fingernail to move that little switch. The other user’s idea of adding a button to the top of the preset switch would be really tricky to get right for several reasons. The button is a super small rubber circle, and sits almost flush with the casing. The button is the same size and the 4 preset lights and sits super close inline with them. Any button extender attached to it, if you could even attach since it’s so small and recessed, would probably block one or more of the lights.

If you really need both an expression pedal and ability to switch presets with your foot, you can use the expression pedal function like normal, and then just hold the normal foot switch for 3 seconds which changes the on/off footswitch function into a preset selection button where you can then cycle through the presets with each subsequent push. The problem with that is when you hold down the footswitch to get to preset selection mode, it turns the pedal on or off at that time. This lead me to buying a tap pedal for cycling through the presets without turning the pedal on or off. I personally don’t need an expression pedal.

It’s good you’re thinking ahead about this stuff. I didn’t. After getting the Bass Synth I quickly found I needed to buy an external tap pedal and volume pedal to make it work the way I needed. Tap pedal for switching presets without turning the pedal on/off, and volume pedal placed after the Bass Synth because you can’t fade out of a note with the Bass Synth. Most notes just abruptly stop. Even if you slowly drop the volume knob it doesn’t lose volume until it reaches its threshold where it just completely cuts out from 100 to 0. And at the end of some songs I need to slowly have the volume fade out on a held note while using the Bass Synth pedal.

Good luck!

Thank you for thoughtful response! I truly appreciate hearing your perspective from your experiences with the pedal.

Thankfully regarding decay, sustain etc most of my rep that will (I hope!) benefit from this pedal are parts with super short articulation. I anticipate I’ll have some fun with tracking. But that’s part of the fun I’ll definitely keep your suggestions in mind for longer durations.

I think you might be mistaken about the dip-switch though. One position is AUDIO which splits the stereo out to L and R mono. The other position is TAP/EXP meaning the same position would be used for whichever external control you connect.

What I’m inexperienced with is understanding how the CTR jack will respond to having a TRS A/B connected. Tap signal would arrive along tip and sleeve. Expression pedal along tip, ring and sleeve. So… if a TRS cable is connected to CTR will the pedal think everything incoming is from an expression pedal? I don’t know.

I haven’t wanted to bother MXR or Ian with my question but maybe I will need to.

EDIT: I think homemade switcher pedal in this thread answers my question. Thanks all!

 

[jenniplease]

There is someone who made a switcher pedal. There's a video on one of the bigger threads for this pedal shared from facebok. It switches between patch selection and use of the expression pedal.

Whoa! Sick. Thanks for putting me on.

 

[jenniplease]

I also strongly recommend putting one of those plastic covers over the main switch. The small preset button below the main switch can be easy to accidentally hit when you're turning the pedal on or off, and the bigger plastic button helps prevent this.

But I wouldn't go with one of those massive metal discs because then you probably can't see the LED telling you it's on.

Helpful! Thanks man

 

[SLO Surfer]

There is someone who made a switcher pedal.

I think you might be mistaken about the dip-switch though. One position is AUDIO which splits the stereo out to L and R mono.

Yup, you are correct! I was mistaken and thinking about the new volume pedal I got (Dunlop mini X). It has a dip switch to switch from volume mode to expression mode and I confused it with the MXR switch.

After watching the video @Rocksolid shared, now I think I need another expression pedal and A/B switcher. Lol I had no idea getting the MXR Bass Synth would require buying 3-4 other pedals.

 

[Rocksolid]

Yup, you are correct! I was mistaken and thinking about the new volume pedal I got (Dunlop mini X). It has a dip switch to switch from volume mode to expression mode and I confused it with the MXR switch.

After watching the video @Rocksolid shared, now I think I need another expression pedal and A/B switcher. Lol I had no idea getting the MXR Bass Synth would require buying 3-4 other pedals.

For what it's worth, I sent this clip to @Pedalnetics a week or so ago, and I am hopeful he will be making me one. I think this switcher is a game changer for this pedal.

 

[Mr123Clark]

Just got my bass synth in and was wondering if anyone has made progress here on figuring how to set up a dual switch like in the video above. Also I opened up the pedal and there's an internal dipswitch - anyone know what that does?

 

[Rocksolid]

Just got my bass synth in and was wondering if anyone has made progress here on figuring how to set up a dual switch like in the video above. Also I opened up the pedal and there's an internal dipswitch - anyone know what that does?

I don't have my Bass Synth yet, but I have my switcher from @Pedalnetics

 

[Mr123Clark]

I don't have my Bass Synth yet, but I have my switcher from @Pedalnetics

Switcher looks great! Would it be possible to know the dimensions? I’d be interested to see if i could fit something like that on my board

 

[Rocksolid]

Switcher looks great! Would it be possible to know the dimensions? I’d be interested to see if i could fit something like that on my board

Same size as this:

HX Stomp SideAux 2 - Pedalnetics

Looking for a thin switch to sit beside your HX Stomp with a similar height, to give you access to your FS4/FS5 functions? Well here you go!

pedalnetics.com

 

[lidl e]

I don't have my Bass Synth yet, but I have my switcher from @Pedalnetics

That is exactly what I'm looking for.

Does the footswitch for the switch actually change the presets or you still need another tap button to actually change presets? Does the footswitch just activate the functionality?

 

[Rocksolid]

That is exactly what I'm looking for.

Does the footswitch for the switch actually change the presets or you still need another tap button to actually change presets? Does the footswitch just activate the functionality?

One switch changes the presets, the other activates the expression. Have a look at the video in post #5

 

[sunbeast]

That is exactly what I'm looking for.

Does the footswitch for the switch actually change the presets or you still need another tap button to actually change presets? Does the footswitch just activate the functionality?

I'm pretty sure the "Expression" switch is a latching switch that changes the output jack connections between TS (tap switch) connections to the "Preset" footswitch on one hand and TRS (expression pedal) connections to the expression pedal jack on the other, then the "Preset" switch is a momentary switch that changes presets only when the Expression switch is turned off.

 

[lidl e]

One switch changes the presets, the other activates the expression. Have a look at the video in post #5

I'm pretty sure the "Expression" switch is a latching switch that changes the output jack connections between TS (tap switch) connections to the "Preset" footswitch on one hand and TRS (expression pedal) connections to the expression pedal jack on the other, then the "Preset" switch is a momentary switch that changes presets only when the Expression switch is turned off.

Cheers, both.

Ordered the mini version just there.