Multi-effects Builds?

[Frank_NH]

Hello all,

Looking forward into 2016, I'm considering expanding my horizons and doing a multi-effects build.  One reason for this is that for my live gigging I tend to use a limited number of effects on my RP1000 multi-effects unit, mainly one or two overdrives, delay, reverb and sometimes chorus.  It would be very convenient to have all of my favorite effects in a single enclosure, with individual switches to engage them, and only a single power supply to worry about.

I would decide upon a fixed order beforehand (testing the layout before boxing), so I wouldn't want to over complicate things with an effects order switch (although I suppose there may be a purpose for that down the road).

I know some here have built mult-effects boxes.  Any thoughts on design?  One thing I though about was having a filtered master power supply feeding the individual effects boards (also being mindful of the current draw).  And using the standard true bypass 3PDT switching should permit individual effects to be engaged/disengaged.

Here's my preliminary thoughts on the effects chain:

(1) Klon (pre-amp)
(2) Honey Bee (OD 1)
(3) Tube Screamer (OD 2)
(4) 1776 Multiplex Jr. (Delay)
(5) 1776 Rub-a-dub (Reverb)
(6) Boss FA-1 (Boost)

I have boards for all of these (though I may build another Klon especially for this project - can't have too many Klons ).  I would just need to get a suitable enclosure to fit them all.

For those who have built multi-effects, let me know your experiences.  Thanks!

[cylens]

I've built one for someone, with:

Fulltone OCD (drive)
Mountainking Megalith / Dam Meathead (selectable thanks to a toggleswitch) (fuzz)
Deep Blue Delay
EQD Ghost Echo (reverb)

I'm thinking of building one for myself, and these are a few thoughts I've had, after demoing/crash testing:

-> a "standardized" connexion to the switching would be cool, allowing to "change modules" easily (I hate the idea of something that will not change), like a 4-pin Molex for IN/OUT/9V/GND
 
-> I'd definitely use a few switching jacks in order to be able to patch the effects the way I want, just in case...

-> I'd stick a voltage doubler inside, just in case, too...

-> I'd use relay bypass switching: the enclosure I've used previously and would is not as sturdy as diecast aluminium ones and switches make a "clunky" noise.

here's a pic of the aforementionend project:

[kirshman]

One of the things I did with my drive section for awhile was build 4 drives with everything but the switching in a 1590dd.  I had all the knobs and jacks mounted on the top of the DD then ran it to my looper for switching.  It was nice cause then I wasn't married to an order.  Just switch it in its looper location now my crunchbox is in front of my klon and so on.  I had it at a show and someone offered me way to good a deal to pass up so I'm gonna build another one.

[cylens]

yes, excellent idea, indeed!

[Frank_NH]

Nice one Cylens!   What power supply did you use??  Thanks also Kirshman.  The looper idea sounds interesting.

[cylens]

I did test it with various power supplies: godlyke power-all, harley benton powerplant junior and an EHX one, worked great with all of these

[motterpaul]

Just my 2-cents based on my years playing plus studio experience.

The one advantage to looper pedals is not having to hit three switches just to change your effects lineup. For example, I like to loop Overdrive and delay. So, another idea for me might be a series of "combination" boxes, rather than just one.

But this is my order...

Wah first (due to input impedance issues)

A compressor next gives all of your drives more pluck and sustain. Yes, it can add noise but we will address that later.

Next I like a low gain booster for beefy but not too hairy rhythm sounds - something like LovePedal, Xotic boost or a Klon. A good compressor can actually push this even harder if you want to use it for an alternative overdrive (rather than just a gain boost)

Next I like to have an overdrive for lead solos - which I usually substitute for the boost. Right now it is a Wampler Ecstasy. Normally the compressor can stay on, but whether or not you want the boost to also stay on depends on your selection of circuits. You can get TOO much gain.

Phase & Chorus - some people want them in front of the gain pedals (rhythm and lead) - while some want them after. Personally, I like them after since you can still get a clean chorus sound just by switching off the OD/boost pedals. And I might want chorus on the gain tone, but a lot of people also think of chorus on overdrive as "too 80s".

Delay - personally I like to loop it to the solo OD pedal so it only comes on during solos. You can just leave it on it it is tied to another effect (or put them both in one box)

Reverb should always come after all else so it reflects your real tone. The problem with reverb pedals is that the amount of reverb changes depending on how hard you are hitting the pedal - this is why I prefer to have reverb in the amp (effect loop, spring unit) rather than in front of the amp.

Finally - a noise gate cures any noise buildup you get from having the compressor and other gain devices up front. You can also put this in an effects loop to avoid shifting threshold levels.

Also personally, I like the idea of "either/or pedal switches - you can use a 4pdt to switch off a boost and turn on an overdrive (the extra set of poles gives you an A/B set of LEDs to show you which on is on - but this is usually done in a loop box, not an all-in-one pedal).

[motterpaul]

For your efx selection I would personally try this first:

(1) Klon (pre-amp)
(3) Tube Screamer (OD 2)
(2) Honey Bee (OD 1)
(6) Boss FA-1 (Boost)
(4) 1776 Multiplex Jr. (Delay)
(5) 1776 Rub-a-dub (Reverb)

But since I have not played with the order of all your specific effects, it is hard for me to say if it is better to Klon your ODs before or after.

(but I would also add a compressor and wah up front, and consider a noise gate at the end)

[Frank_NH]

Thanks Paul!  Great information.  My main intention is to make set up at gigs easy and quick with just one multieffects pedal to cover all of my tones.  But that may be asking too much, and a coventional pedal board would perhaps be the best solution.  Still, combining effects into integrated units may have some benefits and help to simplify my pedal board.

[motterpaul]

My pleasure. I am no expert but I have done considerable research. I went from having a pedal board where I bought everything and used a high gain amp with an effects loop, to now having a clean amp and trying to get the same thing done with just pedals up front - and it is a challenge.

I think it helps to remember that the guys who do that first way generally do this:

Wah (tuner) chorus, flanger and phase all usually go before the amp.

Then you get your gain from the amp's preamps (I used Marshall 2-channel amps; 2205, DSL 50 or 100, or an EVH 50 or 100-watt)

Then from the series effects loop (post pre-amps) you use something to boost volume for leads. Many people use a volume pedal. Importantly, when boosting a high gain amp - if an amp's pre-amp (the 12ax7 stage) is already gained out, you can't really push it any harder, so you need to get the volume jump after the pre-amp stage. So you boost it at the effects loop (ppiv / pre-output section).

I used a Tim mostly just on the gain side (I don't like volume pedals - too hard to control) and I could add just a little crunch; plus it has a loop of its own so I could insert a delay pedal.

I followed the Tim with an EQ (not used much) and a noise gate - then back to the OT stage via effects return.

Making the transition I am going with pedals all up front into a fairly clean JCM800:

Wah, Diamond Compressor, Love Pedal Eternity (clean boost setting), Wampler Ecstacy, I am buying a delay because I want one that does ducking and none of the builds here (or PCBs at other sites) seem to have it. I got the Boss Waza delay because many stores are currently adding in a rechargable 9v power supply that is supposed to drive several pedals for about 4 hours on one charge.

I plan to loop to OD and delay, so I don't get volume changes on the delay when I change to other pedals (only the OD will get delay). For the reverb I installed the spring reverb in my amp (post pre-amps/pre-rectifier) so it also stays at the same relative volume.

I did build the Deep Blue delay without the input volume pot, and I recall Mark asked me why I liked it better. I said it sounded cleaner (which it did), but I soon figured out he had put that input volume control on there so you can turn it down when you turn on a boost pedal (assuming it is at the end of your post-guitar chain). With no input volume control the amount of delay goes too high anytime you boost your input signal (ahead of the delay).

That is the problem with having everything up front - either you need loops, or else certain pedals  act unpredictably when ganged together, which is very hard to handle in a live situation. Also, when you start doing this you might need more than one delay pedal - one for clean and another for leads - but that is what loops are for, right?