Menage a trois?

[jimmy54]

Hi fellas,

If I was building three different effects to go in the same enclosure, how would I wire it up so that each pedal had it's own in/out jacks (therefore three sets of two so that you could use them individually or place other effects between them), but that you could also just use the first input and the last output jack and use all three effects in series?

Cheers

[nelson]

Use switched jacks and connect them in series.

I dont see the point in wasting all those jacks, when you could just switch the circuits in and out of the signal path with stomp switches using two jacks and have the same functionality.

[jimmy54]

Nelson, the reason I fancy doing it that way is that it will allow me to place an effect in between two that are in the enclosure .  For example if the last pedal in the enclosure was a vibe I may want to add additional pedals before that effect but after the other effects in the enclosure.  Just gives more flexibility at the cost of a few extra jacks.  Any idea on how you would be able to wire it up? (it may be too much hassle and your suggestion would be best).

[Alex C]

Take a look at R.G.'s "Jimi In a Box" Article here:
http://geofex.com/Article_Folders/jiab/jiab.htm

[nelson]

Ofcourse!

Using switched jacks like this



(I believe Aron sells some)


When you insert a jack it creates an open circuit on one side of the socket.

So you would wire up the effects as normal. But connect the switched output socket of each effect to the input of the next. That way when there is nothing inserted into the jacks you have the output of effect 1 going to the input of effect 2 and likewise for 2 to 3. When you insert an effect inbetween the output of one and the input of two it switches this connection out and runs the signal through the effect, likewise for 2 to 3.

I hope thats clear.

[nelson]

Take a look at R.G.'s "Jimi In a Box" Article here:
http://geofex.com/Article_Folders/jiab/jiab.htm

I wish I knew about that article.

Would have saved me some typing.

[jimmy54]

Crystal clear, thanks for the help Nelson.

[jimmy54]

Well, maybe not so crystal.  These switched jacks, they are not the same as stereo jacks that are used to disconnect a battery when no plug is in, no?  Are they almost the opposite of this.  Can you get them in a non-plastic version (like the metal switchcrafts ones)?

[nelson]

Well, maybe not so crystal.  These switched jacks, they are not the same as stereo jacks that are used to disconnect a battery when no plug is in, no?  Are they almost the opposite of this.  Can you get them in a non-plastic version (like the metal switchcrafts ones)?

No they arent just like normal open stereo jacks.

No you cant get them open like the metal switchcraft ones.

normally closed switched jacks. They are mainly used on amps, Aron sells them!

Good luck.