Crowdster Plus footswitch

[Briggs]

OK guys, I've searched the forum (and internet) and can't quite find what I'm looking for. Basically, I want a footswitch to do what the toggle on my C+ does while keeping two signals in and two signals out but with the ability to blend the two. The closest thing I found was on this thread (http://andersonforum.com/board/showthread.php?t=8219) by dplight. I just don't need the extra input for another electric. I don't want a volume/blend pedal. I'd rather have a footswitch and control the volumes on the guitar. Any suggestions?

[tom]

Try Dan at WWW.this1smyne.com. he makes any kind of switch box you daydream up.

[Pietro]

Dan can indeed make one.

I was going to have one made, till I realized I was better served with a volume pedal for each voice, even though I don't control the volume with them, just switch on and off. Why? Because switching on in the middle can sound harsh, and a quick sweep of a volume pedal from 0% to 100% was way more smooth sounding, and ended up being real intuitive for me.

If Dan makes you one, let us know how it works!

[dplight]

OK guys, I've searched the forum (and internet) and can't quite find what I'm looking for. Basically, I want a footswitch to do what the toggle on my C+ does while keeping two signals in and two signals out but with the ability to blend the two. The closest thing I found was on this thread (http://andersonforum.com/board/showthread.php?t=8219) by dplight. I just don't need the extra input for another electric. I don't want a volume/blend pedal. I'd rather have a footswitch and control the volumes on the guitar. Any suggestions?

If you want to DIY you could modify my switchbox to remove the A/B portion but keep the two on/off swithes. Pietro is correct that switching while playing is a bit abrupt sounding, but I'm so used to doing quick mutes for patch changes that I don't find it a problem. Anyway, we could probably come up with a solution if you want to DIY.

[Briggs]

If you want to DIY you could modify my switchbox to remove the A/B portion but keep the two on/off swithes. Pietro is correct that switching while playing is a bit abrupt sounding, but I'm so used to doing quick mutes for patch changes that I don't find it a problem. Anyway, we could probably come up with a solution if you want to DIY.

dplight: Modding your design was exactly what I was thinking of doing. I will usually only switch going into choruses/bridges etc so there will be natural transitions, plus, we have another acoustic player and electric player so my quick mutes should not be as noticeable.

Pietro: I had thought about the volume pedals, but for me, (I'm embarrassed to say) that while I'm leading, I find it hard to stay on the mic while shifting my weight around to have the right touch on the pedals... especially going between two pedals. I guess I'm weird like that. :o

I'm looking at ordering my parts from small bear unless anyone else has any other suggestions? dplight - did you ever install the led's?

[dplight]

dplight - did you ever install the led's?

Not yet. I still plan to, but I've gigged with the box a few times now and have not had any real issues with remembering where I was switched. I think I have all the components I need, except time right now.

I got my parts (box and switches) for the switch box from pedalpartsplus.com. I already had the jacks.

What is it you need to do with the box? Are you running two amps?

[Briggs]

What is it you need to do with the box? Are you running two amps?

I'm just running one amp for the electric side and then the acoustic side going into my baggs para di to the FOH. I'm using a Lava Y cable to split from the guitar. I'm basically wanting to wire it like the toggle switch on the C+ just using my foot to switch from Acous/Elec/Both. I'll just leave the guitar's toggle on both and use the footswitch to switch between each sound.

[Briggs]

OK I've got a couple of different schematics that I think will work. I will however have 2 mono inputs and output since my lava cable will be splitting. My question is: Each schematic puts the resistors in different places (one on output jacks, the other coming off of the led's) is one way better than the other? Here are pics of the schematics:855

856

[dplight]

I did a little doodling around at work and came up with this. Switch A switches between Acoustic and Electric, when switch B is open. Closing switch B activates both Electric and Acoustic regardless of the position of switch A (sorta like a blower switch). If you use 4P2T switches there will be enough spare contacts for LEDs.

857

[Briggs]

I did a little doodling around at work and came up with this.

Dplight, you are the man! Doodling at work? Remind me to tell your boss you need a raise :D I'll prob order all my parts in the next couple of days and let you know how it turns out. Thanks for all of your help!

[dplight]

Dplight, you are the man! Doodling at work? Remind me to tell your boss you need a raise :D

Thank you. I didn't know if this would be what you were looking for or not. It's a good thing that my hobby and job both involve electronics and schematics. Doodling out schematics looks better than playing freecell.

[Briggs]

Hey dplight! I hope everything is getting back to normal for you post hurricane! I'm finally getting some time to work on my a/b/both switch. Below is a picture of what I have: with 2 inputs 2 outputs (1 for acoustic/1 for electric) for the C+. When you get a chance can you doodle up a wiring diagram? If you don't have time that's totally understandable, just let me know.

[dplight]

Briggs,
Made it through Irene with minor flooding and no real damage. I've cleaned the flooded area and have not yet put the studio back together. We got lucky this time.
I got your box picture and I'll draw the wiring over it as soon as I get the chance. Got to try and find the schematic drawing now. I know it's on this computer somewhere.

[dplight]

Here is a quick drawing based on the schematic. Let me know if it makes sense. Also, if there are too many wires on the switch, you can move some of the connections and make the jacks a common connection point without changing the circuit electrically (at least at audio frequencies). I generally like to keep the wires around the jacks sparse and out of the way to not interfere with the plugs.

882

[Briggs]

Hey dplight, I just got the pedal together this week and used it today. It works PERFECT! You are the man! Here's a couple of pics. I just threw some tape on it to keep it straight until I can do some permanent lettering on it. I am thinking about adding leds just so I can look down at it and tell what position I left it in. Again a big thank you and props go out to dplight, without your schematic, I would have been lost on the switch wiring!

[dplight]

Hey dplight, I just got the pedal together this week and used it today. It works PERFECT! You are the man!

Thanks much. I always worry that I had overlooked something. Looks like you did a good job wiring it up.

[Briggs]

It's been a while but here are the final pics of the footswitch. It works great, much thanks to dplight! I don't have the both LED hooked up yet, I think I need to swap the 3pdt switch with a 4pdt. Oh well, there's alway something

http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/briggs69/boxfront.jpg

http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/briggs69/boxinside.jpg

OK, don't laugh, I didn't have any red wire so I used my daughters pink sharpie to keep the wires straight :D

[Pietro]

Cool! I see Lava cables, too. Love them, but I find it super-annoying that the electric side is white and the acoustic is red... shouldn't it be the other way?

Minor annoyance...

[tom]

definitely red for electric!

[Briggs]

For real! I had to put a piece of red tape on my Baggs para di when I first got the cable so I would remember which to plug in! Peter, I love lava cables too!

[dplight]

Nice work. I bet it took awhile to color the wire.

I think there is a way to get the other LED to work with the switches you have if your OK with the power plug and guitar jacks sharing a ground point.

[Briggs]

Nice work. I bet it took awhile to color the wire.

I think there is a way to get the other LED to work with the switches you have if your OK with the power plug and guitar jacks sharing a ground point.

Actually, it probably didn't take me long enough to color the wire, but I think I got more on my finger and thumb than I did on the wire.

I would be ok with that. Would it cause any noise?