"Bypass box" for pedalboard

[Willy]

Hi
I need to build this for a friend of mine:
He´s a bass player and use a Zoom multieffects which he like, but the bypass mode colour the sound of the signal. So, he asked me to build a "bypass box" that completely bypass the pedalboard when is on.
Is this possible with a pasive circuit? (I don´t know 4pdt or something like that). If not, I need advice.

Thanks in advance!

[Mark Hammer]

Very possible.  Some folks need to have a visible indicator, and some folks don't.  If an indicator is needed, then so is an LED, a more complicated switch, and power.  If an indicator is not needed, then basically all you need is a box, four jacks and a stompswitch.  Look at the FAQ docs here for wiring up a bypass switch, and instead of wiring up the switch to a circuit board stuck in the box, send the wires to a set of send/receive jacks, and treat the off-board stuff as if it were a circuit.

You can do that with a standard DPDT stompswitch.  If you want an LED indicator, a 3PDT stompswitch is preferred.  This will do everything the scheme above does, but it will use the 3rd set of contacts to switch power from an onboard battery to an LED (via a suitable current-limiting resistor; usually in the neighbourhood of 1.8k to 15k when using a 9v battery, depending on LED brightness).  For those who like it snazzy, you can use the 3rd set of contacts to switch between two LEDs (e.g., red and green), bu that just shortens the life of the battery since it is never unused.  Turning an LED off when the loop is not in effect reduces current consumption compared to switching between two different LEDs to indicate status.  Your choice.

[D Wagner]

Is this possible with a pasive circuit? (I don´t know 4pdt or something like that).

Willy,

It is possible, and R.G. Keen wrote a great article on the subject here:

http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/juggler/juggler.htm

I hope you find this article useful.

Derek

[bettycat]

You can have a look at my step-by-step instruction for most answers about such boxes - www.singlecoil.com/tb-strip/tbstrip.html

[Willy]

Thanks, guys, for the answers. I´ll check the links.

Willy

[Mike Nichting]

Hey Willie,
I have a very simple passive layout for a bypass box using a DPDT. If you need a LED you can use a 3PDT switch.

Email me and I will send it to you.

Mike Nichting