Momentary Channel Switching

[Pbadness]

OK, I'm a complete noob here, but I need a little help. I have a two channel preamp that I need to make a footswitch for. It has a button on the front to switch channels, but I need to use a footswitch. The manual says that the footswitch jack is for a momentary type switch. I just ordered a SPDT stomp switch from small bear. Does anyone know how I would wire this up? I planned on making a box, and putting a female 1/4" jack in it, and using a standard 1/4" guitar cable for the connection to the preamp. (which also has a female 1/4" footswitch jack) any help out there?

[petemoore]

Momentary means the connection is transient, or ... like..while pushing down only.

[Pbadness]

OK, here is exactly what the manual says:

"Remote Channel Switching:
The 1/4" (tip/sleeve) Channel switch provide noise-less switching between channels when used with a momentary footswitch. This switch should be a normally open, temporarily closed type."

So, I figured I would get a SPDT Momentary stomp switch, a 1/4" mono jack, and a box. Then wire the jack to the switch, and use a standard guitar cable to connect my footswitch to the Remote channel switch jack on the preamp. I am just not sure which wires to connect where. Also, would I need to use a different type of cable with two conductors instead of a standard patch cable? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Transmogrifox]

A standard patch cable DOES have two conductors.

With an SPDT, the "pole" is in the middle.  One of the other two lugs will be not connected to the pole in the center.  When you press down the swtch, it will engage with that "throw" (lug, contact, etc), and desengage the other throw.  Find which two are not connected in the non-engaged mode (normally open).  Connect the tip to the center pole, the ring to the other lug that is normally open.

That's all there is to it.

A simple way to do it is wire the center pole to the tip connection on the jack.  Pick one of the throws, connect that to the ring.  Try it. If it doesn't work, try the other throw.

[petemoore]

the scenario fundamentally changes with the word 'momentary' being the operative word...ok...that's differnt than 'just an SPDT'.
 Who know how many lugs your thingy takes, except the one who looks at the jack to determine this..we'll just go ahead and assume it's a two conductor function switch, since no text suggests otherwise...ya need 2 conductors at least to start remote switching...after that the 'odds' improve, and only 1 added conductor per switch function is needed since you've got the ground pre-established...confused...I am.
 Not, so then you just connect whatever [other conductor] to ground to make the switch switcht the remote switch in the amp, if there is one [which there probably is 1]. If there are two, you'll probably get one working with a two conductor system [1/4'' mono two conductor connector cable] ... you don't need sheilded cable for this by the way.
 If there's a stereo jack [3 conductor] we assumed too much for 2 function switching or 'it works']
 I'm just saying sometimes they have a dual switch on these ... one Ch Sw, and a reverb or something...who knows...if there's only one button on the front of the amp then probably its 1 function.
 With a 2 conductor/1 function system, the absolute worst case scenario is they don't get connected and don't switch...the only other scenario is they get connected and switch....assuming there are no scenarios inside the amp switching.

[Pbadness]

Hey thanks guys. It is a very simple preamp with only a clean and dirty channel, and no effects whatsoever. There is a single little button on the front, which doesn't latch, which changes it from clean to dirty and back again... I'm sure that if I use the tip to the center lug, and the ring to the normally open lug, then it should switch from clean to dirty and back again, just as I've always hoped... :lol:
That was my guess, but I was a bit confused by the third pole on the spdt switch. Your guidance has been much appreciated. My only problem is, I just ordered an spdt switch Today from small bear, and the way it sounds he is two weeks out at least. Shit, I have a gig this Saturday night that I really needed to have channel switching for. Oh well, maybe I can scrounge something up somewhere. I just wasted $10 on a stomp buttonn, though...oops! :oops:
Thanks again for all your help guys.

[Transmogrifox]

worst case scenario:  get a springy type door stopper, a 4" chunk of 1X4 lumber (or plywood, or some board), aluminum foil and a stapler.  Screw the door stopper to one side of the board, staple a sheet of foil on the other side.  Staple a wire to the foil and connect it to one conductor from a jack, then strip the other one long and wrap it around the top of the door-stopper. and route the rest down the stem and to the other jack.  Stomp on the door stopper to make a contact between the bare wire on the door stopper and the foil sheet, and voila! You have Brutus Caveman's momentary normally open switch.

Now if you want a real weird effect.  stick one contact somewhat suspended near the doorstopper so it switches on and off every time the door stopper passes by.  Then you kick the thing and get a real weird fast tremolo type switching between your clean and dirty channels untill the door stopper comes to rest.

Am I sick?

[Pbadness]

Uhhhh...Perhaps I'll just try Radio Shack until my small bear switch comes in... :?
You are sick, but sick as in phat, y'knop? Like Def? :wink:

[stinkfoot]

The easiest/quickest solution - albeit not the most PC, considering this is a DIY forum :wink: - is to simply use a bog-standard keyboard sustain pedal. Find one that works with Roland/Yamaha keyboards and you're set.

/Andreas

[Pbadness]

*In best Mr. Burns voice* Excellent...excellent...
I'll try that!
Thanks!

[Pbadness]

Thanks a bunch guys! It's such an easy build, I feel bad for wasting peoples time here...ha... Anyhow, I bought a momentary normally open switch at Radio Shack, and wired it up in a box with a jack, and BAM! It works perfect! I will simply replace the cheap plastic radio shack switch with my metal sturdy smallbear switch when it comes in. Thanks again to all. Peace!