What am I looking for??? (switching multiple stompboxes)

[carrejans]

Hi guys, I'm looking for something, but I don't know it's name. I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about. 
I've searched the internet for something like this; but haven't find exactly what I want.

Ok, I have about 8 stompboxes. (changes constantly)
Sometimes during a song, I have to switch between for instance: "overdrive + delay" to "distortion + octave".
Another song, I have to change from "reverb + dela"y to "distortion + tremelo".

I know there exist pedals, where you plug in two loops (mostly a clean one and a dirty one), so you can switch easily between them.
But I need something more versatile.

Actually I need something, so I can use my stompboxes with the ease of a multi-fx. Some device where I can plug all my fx into, and then can program each stompswitch with the desired stompboxes. (but I don't have to be able to also change the parameters (like tone, drive, ...) of the individual pedals, which is also possible with multi-fx devices)

- How is this called?
- Can you give some examples of currently available devices on the market?
- Is it also possible to make this completely analog. (maybe some dip switch per each stompswitch on the device to select which pedals)

THANK YOU!!

[jkokura]

A commercial version is called the Octaswitch made by Carl Martin. R.G. has a bunch of articles at Geofex about how to build one. A few guys around (one in europe I think) make them for sale as well. They're expensive, and you need to have an understanding of some pretty complex circuitry to make one work for your self.

Some people go to Midi to solve this, but we're talking about something pretty big. A good example of a midi system to do this would be the new switcher/commander by Voodoo Labs. There's also Lehle switchers also, but those are a little bit small and don't seem to be quite what you're looking for.

Jacob

[carrejans]

Yes!! The Octaswitch is exactly what I'm looking for!! (funny that it also uses dipswitches, like I was thinking)

Now, of course I have to check if it will be possible for me to build something like this.
Will do a forum search on this.

[jasperoosthoek]

You can swich with relays. It won't pop if done correctly.     A microchip to control the states will work. But competely analog is possible inprinciple. You can have rows of dip switches that access columns of relays. DPDT, true bypass. Each relay might need a switching transistor.

Each dip switch block is one setting. One switch in the block per relay. You need diodes from each individual dip switch to the coil of the relay or transistor controlling it. Lots of diodes... But they are 10c a piece.
The only problem would be how to energize one row of switches and turning the rest off. There must be some chip that works with momentary switches and can turn the rest off when you press one footswitch. You can even have leds indicating the relay and the preset. You need them cause the effect have to be always on. If you want to change the setting just flick the dip switch and it's changed.

I hope it is a bit clear. I can make a drawing later.

[carrejans]

Thank you. Most of it is clear.
But I think I will just go out and buy this octaswitch. Because I need it pretty fast; so no time for a project of this size.
It costs around 250€ new; that's reasonable.

[Ronsonic]

I've got clients who use and love The Gig Rig switchers. Might be a bit much for your needs but great stuff.

The Octaswitch looks like a very good option as well. I've threatened to build myself such a thing with thoughts to producing them. But beating that price will be difficult. For my own, i've got an old lighting controller to hack, but to make more of the things is another matter entirely.

[jasperoosthoek]

It doesn't seem to be able to access each effect in the conventional way. Say switch 1 for connected effect 1. (Please tell me if it does.)

Four years ago I wanted to build a unit like this with a micro-controller. A friend who is a professional musician now looked at my relay switch board with despair. "What the hell is that?" He asked me. Eventually if put all my effects in their own box with true bypass switches. This inspires me to look at such a switch box again.

Still this idea seems very nice but it just lacks one thing: A second mode which just turns each effect on or off. So you'd need an 9th button that selects between those modes, maybe have dual color LEDs at the footswitches to show which mode is used (Red for dip switch presets, yellow for on/off mode). IMO that would give you the most versatile box. Right now you can only have the presets. But what if you want to add that one effect to some preset mode that you normally not do but feel like that day?

[jkokura]

There's a guy who builds just exactly what you're talking about Jasper.

Nikolay builds under his own company N-Audio. Check out his stuff here: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=83338.0

Jacob

[jasperoosthoek]

That's more line it! Two banks of presets and a free mode. It's expensive but looks very tough and well built.

I can't see why the Carl Martin doesn't have that.

[jkokura]

It kinda does. The only mode it doesn't have is free mode: http://www.carlmartin.com/product_combinator.htm

Jacob