new to rack gear, questions, what am I searching for?

[guitarist17]

I'm new to rack/effects stuff/midi, and could really use some of your guys help!

 

 

What I plan to do is, have 2 amps heads as the staple of my rig, and 2 guitar cabs, the VHT Ultralead, and a splawn quickrod, or bogner xtc.....as far as cabs , I will probably use 2 vht 4x12's. now, for the tricky part.

 

 

I want my entire rig to be setup for maximum simplicity, which includes no tap dancing on stage. What I want, is to have one main pedal up front, to control my ENTIRE rig. This where I run into problems, as i only want to use ONE effects processor for all of my effects needs, my gmajor. How do i accomplish this, or is it even possible?

 

I want to be able to step on a button, and have just the xtc's clean running, with some delay, then step on another button, and have both amps running at the same time dry for my rhythm tone, then step on another patch, and have it be set up louder with delay/chorus for my lead tone....etc etc etc.

 

this is where my main question is, WHAT EXACTLY DO I NEED TO DO TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE? I've heard the ground control/gcx stuff is great, but I will need to be educated on its programming. I also will need to know EVERYTHING I need to make this rig as simple as possible at my feet on stage, that really is the main goal here, neatness

 

So, thanks in advance, I hope it is clear what i am trying to do, and I hope I didn't confuse anyone, thanks guys

 

Chris

[tats_dragon]

Whatever system you choose there will be a learning curve.

I sound like a broken record but the Sound Sculpture Switchblade is what you need.

What ever combination you can imagine is achievable with the Switchblade.

Between the FCB1010 and the G-major you already have 4 relays to channel select your amps. If that's not enough, look into the Axxess Electronics gadgets.

 

Jun

[GITTarzann]

I have a SS Switchblade GL and love it!!

 

Pretty damn expensive, but a killer unit and pretty easy to use.

[succubus]

I think they got everything you need right here.

 

http://www.axess-electronics.com/

[succubus]

I'm almost done building a Switchblade clone.

I'm into it for just over $300 right now, mainly in relays, jacks and AVR processors. Currently working on the footswitches, which are hand made pancake switches.

[starsnuffer]

I've had great success with a few simple gadgets. Namely RJM's amp

gizmo (midi control for amp switching and axxess electronics GRX4

(midi controlled looper).

 

My rig isn't huge, it doesn't require something insane like a bradshaw

or CAE system, but it can be a little complicated. Here is what I use

live:

 

buddah wah

ISP decimator

Keeley TS9

Keeley DS1

Bogner XTC 101B

Mesa dual recto (3 channel)

G-Major

Behringer patch bay

THD hot plate (8 ohm)

RJM amp gizmo

Axxess GRX4

Radial tonebone headbone (amp head switcher)

Behringer FCB1010 midi controller

 

I go from my guitar (mostly carvin 7 strings and fender strats)to the

wah then into the GRX4. The GRX4 has a built in buffer. From there I

can loop in and out my noise gate (always on except for clean

settings) and either or both of the boost pedals. From there my

signal goes into the radial tonebone. It also has a buffer but since

its pointless to buffer twice, I use its non-buffered input. The

headbone switches my signal between the two amps. Each of the amps

has a parallel effects loop. The send for both amps goes into the

patch bay, which then sums into the G-Major input. G-major output

back into the patchbay splitting to the two amps returns. This lets

me keep just one G-major for both amps. The speaker out from both

amps goes into the headbone, then to the hot plate. I use the hotplate

mostly as a speaker master volume so I don't have to dork with the

volume on both heads. This also lets me turn down for when we

practice (which is usually with an electronic drum kit).

 

The FCB1010 controlls all of this. The single amp gizmo controls

switching for both amps (custom cable for the bogner, 2 mono 1/4 for

the recto to control the 3 channels, I don't use the solo or FX

defeats on the recto). I use the extra (4th) relay in the amp gizmo

to control the footswitch on the tone-bone for head switching (I could

also use the g-majors relay or even setup the GRX4 for a relay if I

wanted). The GRX4 is completly noisless and seamless when switching in

and out the boost pedals and noise gate. I have patches for a wide

range of sounds, but I also use the aftermarket firmware for the

FCB1010 to run the top 5 buttons as "stomp box" mode, which allows me

to have control over a few effects no matter what patch I'm using.

 

All this fits easily within 1 SKB 6 space rack case and it's pretty

light. I just have that, the 2 heads, and an Avatar 2x12 that I mic

to lug around. The only thing on the floor is my wah and the FCB1010

which I've modded for phantom power so it's just a single midi cable

to the rack.

 

The amp gizmo is about $300 and the GRX4 was $200. I think the

FCB1010 is $120 or so new. I used george L's cable kit for most of

the stuff with a few extra patch and speaker cables so you figure

about another $150 or so for cables. It's a very cost effective

solution when compared to a CAE or bradshaw setup, but then again it

all depends on what you use.

 

I hope that helped.

 

-W

[tats_dragon]

succubus,

 

I'm almost done building a Switchblade clone.

 

 

So the functions and specs are exactly the same?

 

Jun

[succubus]

I wouldn't say exactly the same.

I'd say Improved to my liking.

[GITTarzann]

Originally posted by succubus I wouldn't say exactly the same. I'd say Improved to my liking.

 

I would love to see some pics !!

[succubus]

I'll post when I'm done.

Patience. I expect to be done by Thanksgiving.

[GITTarzann]

 

Excellent.

 

That seems like quite an undertaking.

 

Props to you for being able to do it !

[Themetallikid]

I'm selling a G Major and Behringer FCB1010 which was mentioned above...PM me an offer if interested...I have a 4 space rack case as well.