• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

PYPB XL: Midlife Crisis

My latest variation on my Pedaltrain Mini:

I would love, love, love if Mono released a case for the Mini. Just not ready to go to my bigger Jr or PT-1.

8232828978_73e7be359d_c.png
 
It was modded by JHV3. Audio path upgrades, footswitches upgraded to a more sturdy variety, blue LEDs. The knob is a volume boost. The extra footswitch puts the M5 into patch select mode so you don't have to stand on two buttons at once. Very happy with the upgrade.
 
yah. he modded my M9. sounds a bit better, Overall Volume Knob is good. the patch mode change is a GREAT idea though. that's why i got rid of my M5 and went back to an M9. screw the way that you have to do change patches originally.
 
Yes, hit patch select, scroll up or down with the bottom buttons and then hit patch select again to choose that patch. Much easier than trying to get two switches pushed at the same time.

Oh, and I'm using a OneSpot to power the board, but I'm using a OneSpot separate power supply for the M5. When I chain it with other effects it gets a buzz on certain colors of the screen. This happened with two other M5s that I had and two others that I tried in the store. But if it's on it's own, it's happy.
 
ahhh. You are obviously tight on space there and like to travel light, but midi and the M5 are a perfect match. I think in stand-alone I would want to to change patches like the Zoom B2 and have a switch like you added to go into search mode if needed. Then you could just have a bypass patch every other patch or so then scroll up and down instantly. That's may be just me.
 
ahhh. You are obviously tight on space there and like to travel light, but midi and the M5 are a perfect match. I think in stand-alone I would want to to change patches like the Zoom B2 and have a switch like you added to go into search mode if needed. Then you could just have a bypass patch every other patch or so then scroll up and down instantly. That's may be just me.

Yeah, my goal is to get everything on a Mini. I don't use a lot of effects so my goal is to carry just enough gear to handle most situations. Sound guys like the Thumpinator, even just telling them about it makes them appreciative that you're at least thinking about their PA subs. I may put the tuner down where the chorus is to act more as a kill switch than anything. Then if there is ever any noise anywhere in the chain besides the sans amp I can kill it completely. If I'm going to do a lot of phaser, I'll swap out the CS-9 for a MXR EVH 90. The M5 really is a swiss army knife of pedals. Some of the models aren't stellar, but they're good enough for most situations and the Octave is killer. I may try to put the Thumpinator under the board, but that's going to require some cutting. Also considering putting some higher quality cables on the board. The LiveWires are usually fine, but I had one break at the solder point a week or two ago, so that has me thinking about some Lava cables. But I want to finalize where I'm putting everything before I start with expensive cables.
 
Yeah, my goal is to get everything on a Mini. I don't use a lot of effects so my goal is to carry just enough gear to handle most situations. Sound guys like the Thumpinator, even just telling them about it makes them appreciative that you're at least thinking about their PA subs. I may put the tuner down where the chorus is to act more as a kill switch than anything. Then if there is ever any noise anywhere in the chain besides the sans amp I can kill it completely. If I'm going to do a lot of phaser, I'll swap out the CS-9 for a MXR EVH 90. The M5 really is a swiss army knife of pedals. Some of the models aren't stellar, but they're good enough for most situations and the Octave is killer. I may try to put the Thumpinator under the board, but that's going to require some cutting. Also considering putting some higher quality cables on the board. The LiveWires are usually fine, but I had one break at the solder point a week or two ago, so that has me thinking about some Lava cables. But I want to finalize where I'm putting everything before I start with expensive cables.

Having a small board can save you $$. I have plenty of space and it's difficult to not fill it up. I know you like the Octave on the M5, so do you the Boss Octave to stack with something on the M5. And you hit it on the head, it's usually good enough for live stuff. You have to be honest with yourself and realize that it's not going to all make it FOH like it sounds in your IEM's or at home. That's why there are a lot of people going to the B3, and it sure can be fine for live.

Thanks for GAS'ing me into getting a Thumpinator. I've been wanting one, but now I'm going to pull the trigger.

edit: Micro Thumpinator ordered :)
 
I got some test clips with the El Oso on my soundcloud. I'll get them up when I'm not being blocked by work filters.

The El Oso pedal is a really good pedal. I don't have a ton of experience with fuzz pedals. I lucked out and got it as my second fuzz. It replaced the EHX BBM (which is a good pedal to start in your quest for fuzz). I would say the pedal goes from mild to buzzsaw. It never really hits straight hissy distortion gain levels like some others. I will say that I feel like on it's own, the El Oso does a very nice grit tone. With the BDI21 behind it (there has to be some kind of boost/compression going on), it sounds massive. It takes it from minor threat to major threat. combine with a few 15" cabs and you are gold.

Sorry I don't have the clips right now, but I will say this. Aside from a few botique builders, my fuzz gas is gone. There are a handfull of pedals I would like to try because they just have that reputation. Fuzzrocious stuff, Bluebeard, and a buddy who builds stuff under the name Dunwich.

Dunwich has a GT120 fuzz prototype that he is working on that sounds really, really good. He is also working on a multi gain stage pedal that sounds really interesting.

In short, I love the El Oso. The blend knob is what makes this pedal so awesome. (IMO, YMMV, standard disclaimer) ;)