Signal Chain - Guitar/Amp/Effects

[moelar2]

I'm trying to help my guitarist create a setup that makes sense for our situation. he currently owns a GT6 effects processor and a Line 6 combo amp (without an effects loop) and the new Line 6 Spider half stack, which odes not have an effects loop either. The basic idea is that we want to be able to utilize the amp's natural distortion, but use the GT6 for everything else. Granted, the GT6 has some good distortion patches than can be used, but for the purpose of this discussion, let's assume that using the distortion on the GT6 is NOT an option. Is there a way to set this up so that the amp is used for distortions and the pedal is used for everything else WITHOUT having to switch different pedals. For example, if we are in a verse that utilizes some sort of delay/chorus/synth sound from the GT6, but then goes into a Chorus section than is distortion only...you would have to first disable the delay/chorus/synth sound from the GT6 and then go to the footswitch on the amp and change that to distortion...all of this would virtually have to be done simoultenously for the sake of continuity...is there an easier way to do this where an Effects loop is not available?

 

[Ed Dixon]

Use a floor controller to make those changes. The Behringer FCB1010 works well for most.

Ed

 

[Light]

Read my posts in THIS THREAD. Bob Bradshaw makes everything you need, and they are not all that expensive. For instance, you could use a Custom Audio Electronics RL-8 and a passive splitter. The guitar goes into the splitter, which then sends a signal to two of the RL-8's relays. One relay goes to the GT-6, one goes to the Spider Half Stack. Assuming that the GT-6 accepts midi control, you can then control the whole rig from a basic midi controller, such as the Behringer mentioned above (though I would rather spring for the CAE RS-10, but that is me). You can even use the other relays in the RL-8 to change channels in your amp. And you have because the RL-8 uses relays, there is no electronics between you and your amp, so you get the tonal advantage of loading your guitar and amp optimally.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[Ed Dixon]

For most the Bradshaw unit is overkill. You can get a Behringer FCB1010 for $129 and your set.

Ed

 

[moelar2]

Excellent! Thank you for your feedback, it sounds like that is exactly what I'm looking for!

 

[Ed Dixon]

The FCB1010 can control up to 5 separate MIDI devices, has 2 expression pedals, and can also control 2 devices turned on/off using standard 1/4 inch shorting jacks (like what is used to control many amp channel switching and overdriver on/of).

Ed

 

[Light]

The FCB1010 can control up to 5 separate MIDI devices, has 2 expression pedals, and can also control 2 devices turned on/off using standard 1/4 inch shorting jacks (like what is used to control many amp channel switching and overdriver on/of).

Ed

But it doesn't switch between different amps, which is the primary issue he was looking for.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[moelar2]

Ok, now I'm confused.

In case you are not familiar, the spider, or line 6 products for that matter, use a RJ-45 ethernet cable for their channel switching (as opposed to a 1/4 operated switch pedal). The spider's do not have midi capabilities - so that eliminates midi controlled devices. So, how are either of these products going to access the four different channels on the Spider (A, B, C, D)? What would the signal chain look like?

 

[Ed Dixon]

I am not familair with that amp. It sounds like you do have a problem. Gear with a propritary interface does limit your choices.

Ed

 

[Ed Dixon]

The users manual for the Spider series only references the somewhat expensive Line 6 floor pedals. With no MIDI, your options are very limited.

The FCB can probably handle the GT-6 ok, but will do nothing for the Line 6 amp. But since the GT6 already is a floor unit, that may not make sense either.

For what it's worth now, avoiding gear with non-standard interfaces is something to consider...

Ed

 

[Light]

Ok, now I'm confused.

In case you are not familiar, the spider, or line 6 products for that matter, use a RJ-45 ethernet cable for their channel switching (as opposed to a 1/4 operated switch pedal). The spider's do not have midi capabilities - so that eliminates midi controlled devices. So, how are either of these products going to access the four different channels on the Spider (A, B, C, D)? What would the signal chain look like?

Well, you could probably open up the Line 6 floor board and put some jumpers on the switches so you could control them from something like the RL-8. It looks as though that would work, though you would have to modify the Line 6 pedal board. I would just put a multi conector which is wired to the switches in the floorboard, and use a multi core cable with a fan out on one end.

Of course this is the difficult way to do it. You could also just use an A/B switch to go between the two rigs. You then have an active rig and a standby rig. That would be the cheap way to do it.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi