Soft, quiet, clickless switches. Why don’t more builders use them?

[ThinCrappyTone2]

Maybe a silly suggestion, but depending on the type of effect, and how critical it is to the ambience of the moment in the song, could you apply the "offending" effects in post-production? There are pretty great plugins for almost any type of sound now, so as long as not having it during the live take isn't a deal breaker, this could be a solution for you...

Thanks for the idea, @sloppy_phil .This is a viable solution, but i must say, I am a little surprised at all the comments that sort of fall into the "change the way you make music to accommodate loud-clicking buttons" category.

Don't get me wrong, all the suggestions for practical workaround arounds are solid advice, and much appreciated. But I'd rather just swap out the three offending pedals with silent ones. It's kind of like when people talk about solving neck dive by hooking their bass to their pants. Yeah, it's a solution, but at some point it may be time to find a non-diving bass

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

Check these out — Lehle D. Loop SGoS. Even the switches on their own, can be installed as a remedy for the clickity click.

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Thanks, @Tom Bomb ! I will check them out

 

[sloppy_phil]

@RustfeatherBass You make a fair point! Though, one could argue that changing your pedals out for ones that have silent switching is, to an extent, also changing the way you make your music. Adding those Lehle loop doodads would also be a change in some way.

So, either way, change is afoot! I'd agree with you, though, the least invasive solution would appear to be adding the looper; keeps all your sounds, and recording technique, intact.

 

[Tom Bomb]

They may suit. Aside from the quiet nature of their switches, the midi potential of these beauties, in a chain, is something else entirely Good luck with it.

… I will check them out

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I'm tempted to look for a Youtube video comparing the two types of switches, but it will likely be a bunch of clickbait titles.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

@RustfeatherBass You make a fair point! Though, one could argue that changing your pedals out for ones that have silent switching is, to an extent, also changing the way you make your music. Adding those Lehle loop doodads would also be a change in some way.

So, either way, change is afoot! I'd agree with you, though, the least invasive solution would appear to be adding the looper; keeps all your sounds, and recording technique, intact.

ah, yes, you speak truth my friend. Swapping out pedals I actually love, for pedals I'm not sure about is, I guess, simply another version of tying my bass to my pants

 

[SteveCS]

ah, yes, you speak truth my friend. Swapping out pedals I actually love, for pedals I'm not sure about is, I guess, simply another version of tying my bass to my pants

You should take a serious look at the EHX Tri-Parallel mixer. Of course if your sounds depend on a series chain ('X' or 'Y' and 'X into Y') it won't help as there is no series option. But for me, parallel processing was a game-changer in all respects, in particular the abilty to truly layer/blend sounds with tangible separation thanks to the inbuilt 'tilt' EQ.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

You should take a serious look at the EHX Tri-Parallel mixer. Of course if your sounds depend on a series chain ('X' or 'Y' and 'X into Y') it won't help as there is no series option. But for me, parallel processing was a game-changer in all respects, in particular the abilty to truly layer/blend sounds with tangible separation thanks to the inbuilt 'tilt' EQ.

That sounds like a pedal that could be a game-changer, and a creativity inspirer. I will check it out!

 

[HelpImaRock]

Well, youshouldnt be hitting switches while you're recording. You should really record, then record seperate tracks for each effect. Otherwise, you're going to make a whole lot more work for your engineer.

I think it depends on what you're going for. When we recorded our EP, we did all the basic tracks live, playing the songs all the way through, including any effects changes. Coupla punch ins, some overdubs, and then vocal tracking later, we were done. But that's an ethos and not necessarily for everyone.

 

[eeyorebass]

The Lehle switch linked earlier is a momentary switch. They aren't a direct replacement for typical, latching 3pdt switches. They are used to trigger relay-based bypasses. If your pedal doesn't use a relay, you would need to add one along with the switch for it to work. Link Removed.

If you're looking at loop switchers, Saturnworks offers "soft-click" latching 3pdt switches as an upgrade option. They have a video comparing them to common switches. They are still clicky, but much quieter.



GigRig has their Quartermaster series, which are simple relay based loop switchers. Most relay based switchers are going to be of the fully programmable type.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

The Lehle switch linked earlier is a momentary switch. They aren't a direct replacement for typical, latching 3pdt switches. They are used to trigger relay-based bypasses. If your pedal doesn't use a relay, you would need to add one along with the switch for it to work. Link Removed.

If you're looking at loop switchers, Saturnworks offers "soft-click" latching 3pdt switches as an upgrade option. They have a video comparing them to common switches. They are still clicky, but much quieter.



GigRig has their Quartermaster series, which are simple relay based loop switchers. Most relay based switchers are going to be of the fully programmable type.

Great info, @eeyorebass ! Thank you

 

[Deleted member 368008]

Lehle is the way to go, both individual switchers or their "switch looper" pedals. Either or they both last longer and will not ever click louder as they age. Sturdy builds they are, too...

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Ah, I hear that as a good way to avoid this. Especially since I am the engineer! But in this case, recordings are live, in-the-room. It's not a multi-track overdub situation.

This is the scenario: trying to get a great live take with the full band, with no overdubs, everything is perfect, then in the quiet part, THONK. I could overdub each effected track, but then it's not a truly live recording anymore.

In that case, just click away. I missed the part about live, rehearsal recording...I guess

 

[Aloe]

a mechanically loud switch is not equal to a click in recording, it's more about the bypass organization (could be relay-based popless or no relay with a pop). some pedals with quiet switches also pop when switched to true bypass. and some pedals still pop in buffered bypass.

this said, I love my switches mechanically loud, so I'm sure I clicked them. I didn't have any problems with the mechanical switches, but sometimes 'softer' momentarily switches failed me: clicked but didn't act. if the mechanical on/off switch clicked, it surely worked IME.

I hate the popping sound when the pedal is on and off tho, but changing this isn't that easy as swapping a different switch.