Help building a pedal router to select pedals between FX Loop and Front

[guijs]

Hello,

I need some help to build a pedal router.

I have some pedals connected at the front of the amp, and some pedals connected at the FX Loop. My problem is that, depending on the guitar I use, there are pedals (e.g. Chorus and Phaser) that sometimes goes better at the front, or that sometimes goes better on FX Loop.

My amp has a function that I can select the FX Loop to be always ON on ch1 for example, and off on ch2. This way I can use effects on ch1 and no effects on ch2, so when I switch between amp channels I only need to hit one button instead of turning on/off all the effects.

I need a pedal router that allow me to change my Chorus and Phaser pedals between the front and FX Loop chain. Something like the drawing bellow. I need to change pedals connected to IN/OUT between line A and B, but if I select line A for example, line B must be still passing signal.

What kind of switches should I use? A 3/4PDT switch to route between line A/B and another to connect the send/return of the lines?

[FlyingZ]

Edit: I reread your post and this might not be what you wanted.

This was many years ago and I still use live it today. 1 to 10 stomps per song knock on wood.
Make sure grounds between loops are isolated. Plastic jacks help.

Hope this helps, it's all that survived a hard drive crash.

[slacker]

Here's a way to do what you want with a 4PDT switch



Where it says modfactor in the middle is the loop where you'd put your chorus and phaser.

[FlyingZ]

Combining the grounds is bad.

[slacker]

Yeah it could be bad in some circumstances, in this case though the ground of the input jack of the amp is highly unlikely to be at a different potential than the ground of its fx loop so there shouldn't be a problem. It's no different than running pedals in front of the amp and in the fx loop off the same power supply.

[guijs]

Thanks all for the help!

I do use the same Voodoo Labs power supply for all Front/FX Loop pedals.

I think I finally found what I need. Is the diagram below correct? I got this drawing and made some (ugly) modifications.

[slacker]

That looks like it should work to me.

[FlyingZ]

Before you spend your money run a wire from effects loop ground to input ground and check for noise. A huge part of amplifier design is in proper grounding to prevent loops. You are connecting a ground in front of your amp to somewhere in the middle and may create hum.

My fender amp hummed like crazy.

[guijs]

Before you spend your money run a wire from effects loop ground to input ground and check for noise. A huge part of amplifier design is in proper grounding to prevent loops. You are connecting a ground in front of your amp to somewhere in the middle and may create hum.

My fender amp hummed like crazy.

Maybe a silly question but can I do that by connecting a regular cable from amp front to FX Loop?

[FlyingZ]

Nope but you could touch the tips of your cable to the outside of both jacks as if it were a wire.

[guijs]

Nope but you could touch the tips of your cable to the outside of both jacks as if it were a wire.

Great, I did it and no hum or noise at all. 

[guijs]

Just to let you guys know that I have built the pedal yesterday and it perfectly works!

I bought a AB looper that comes with a 3PDT switch and I rewired it with a 4PDT switch.

Thanks all for the support.