At last , I'm able to manage the drive section on pedalboard.

joel · 2013-01-18T10:20:39+00:00

I've had a wobbly journey in my personal quest for drive tones and I've only recently reached my destination. :-[ I know there are many others who are on the same drive pedal 'merry-go--round' and I'm not going to discuss my journey here , but rather my destination. Some guitarists want different colours and textures of drives available on their boards, but fail or don't know how to marry them together successfully. I'd like to share a simple , concise solution to this problem. This post is not aimed at guys who already know all this , I'm just hoping to help others that are still on the 'merry-go-round' . 8) This will also work with your choice of drives. The whole secret here , which I was missing all the time ☹ , is the use of an fx loop switcher on your board , if you use multiple drives. ( Thanks to Mr.Richard Pryor and Mr.T ) for enlightening me on the application of drives and Fx looping. Ignoring all other pedals on my board , heres what's happening in the drive section. Firstly I set my amp to a pristine , full bodied ,clean tone ,with no 'hair' whatsoever. Then I have a dual ,transparent ,smooth drive pedal that gives me hair and more hair , for rythmn playing, as needed. ( Barber 1/2 Gainer) , either one of which is on all the time , at the same volume as the amp . This goes straight into an fx looper (Road Rage) . (thnx Mr.T ) In the Fx loop , I have a Duel @ Dawn pedal ( also set to the same volume as the amp) ,for my lead tones and an Xotic BB MB , (thnx BrentcGP) , that I use only as a boost , with a mid-hump. This is also on all the time , at a predetermined boost level , with its gain set to zero and the tones set equal to the Barber. So , heres how this set up works . All tap dancing is done whilst the loop is off and I'm playing rythmn in any particular song . I pre-select and switch on one of 6 different pre-adjusted lead drive tones I want from the Duel @ Dawn. At this point in time , everything is prepared and ready for the solo. I hit the Road Rage fx looper at the appropriate time .....and VOILA ! . Instant desired lead tone , with mid boost. You can use any combination and number of drive pedals you want , in as many loops as you want. At present , I only use one loop . The pedals I use , are my personal favourites. I'm a happy camper at last ! In a nutshell , if you use multiple drives and fail in the department of getting them to work together as a team, get an Fx looper ! This enables you to switch multiple pedals on and off , silently , precisely at the same time , without tap-dancing like a banshee. There are even further possible uses of the drives with this existing setup , which are cool too. Thanks to Mr. Benjamin Craig ( Bottledtone here on GFSA ) , for making the best drive pedal I've ever had . The Duel @ Dawn is absolutely superb ! Btw , Benjamin also makes fx loop pedals. (Shameless punt !) I hope this helps somebody.......

RJN

Much appreciated Joe ! :applause:

Norman86

Awesome Joel ?
That looks great!

Now about the rest of your pedalboard there ? lets have a looksee hey!

ezietsman

I'm probably being dumb but I don't follow.

You have one pedal that can do a bit of drive and more drive, used for rhythm. That one is on all the time. Then you have 3 more pedals, each which is used on its own, but together with the first one, for leads?

Surely:

Without the looper: you have stomp once to get from rhythm to lead, once for rhythm to clean and twice from clean to lead?

With the looper you have to stomp an extra time? Stomp to select pedal, stomp again to enable it?

ezietsman

stomp both buttons at once?

mtmattan

Awesome stuff!
The drive section always seems to be the one people put most effort into.
ie which pedals have "that tone" I want.
If you've found your tone, you'll be a happy man ?

AlanRatcliffe

I think finding the right drive pedals (or combinations) is the most individual search we go through. And even when we're "done", we don't stop experimenting with different things.

So congrats on finding not only your right selection of pedals, but also a way to use them together that works for you.

Of course, the next step is a programmable loop system...

Attila

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Of course, the next step is a programmable loop system...

No Hell Alan .... now Joel will have sleepless nights ?

Thanks Joel makes sense

kayDUB

Been struggling with not being able to turn my stacked drives off at once for some of our newer songs - need to get from 2 drives to clean quickly, and this is the ticket!
Thanks Joel! Think I must build one ?

Just to fuel the programmable looper fire ?, saw this recently, looks amazing and can MIDI control 2 'factors/timeline. $399. on the want list! You can save presets for any combination of the 5 loops as well as MIDI settings.

http://www.disasterareaamps.com/shop/dpc-5

ActionArnie

Now that. Is just what I need

singemonkey

kayDUB wrote Been struggling with not being able to turn my stacked drives off at once for some of our newer songs - need to get from 2 drives to clean quickly, and this is the ticket!
Thanks Joel! Think I must build one ?

Just to fuel the programmable looper fire ?, saw this recently, looks amazing and can MIDI control 2 'factors/timeline. $399. on the want list! You can save presets for any combination of the 5 loops as well as MIDI settings.

http://www.disasterareaamps.com/shop/dpc-5

I have never seen a device with a more appropriate name ? Seriously, I get that your needs are different to mine. But I really don't envy you all this stuff. It all looks very bothersome.

Warren

singemonkey

I have plenty pedals dude.

kayDUB

I have never seen a device with a more appropriate name ? Seriously, I get that your needs are different to mine. But I really don't envy you all this stuff. It all looks very bothersome.

Haha ?
And I don't envy your limited toolbox ?

Keira-WitherKay

Back in the day .... 80's ad 90 's when i played in top 40 cover bands on the hotel svcene .... I recall someone telling me dave abbot from abbot and crabb a hugely famous duo who played the best gigs at the time ..... Telling them all you need in a cover band is a "strat and a rat" and you could play anything .... ? but hey i guess times have changed ... I'm just thankful for my jazz gigs at moment i just need one good clean tone ... Cos the variety and choice these days is so immense ... Thanks to technical advancement ... So kudo's to you players who use technolgy to the fullest .... Good work joel .... Let me know when you gig , love to hear your setup