External switch: Any recommandation on makers?

[nismofreakish]

Hi fellow Mesa fan!

Since I have my new Roadster, I find myself only using the 4 channels switches
so, considering the HUGE size of the stock footswitch and the closeness of the switches, I'd like one that will suit my needs without taking that much place.

Thus, I have 2 questions.

I already bought switches from Voodooman and haven't had any real problems, although he's slow and that I didn't receive exaaaactly what I ordered (minor led color thing). But I was wondering who makes that kind of switches? I briefly heard about the Switchdoctor and Paynes something, but I might be wrong, but shipping to Canada seems to be a problem for one of those two... well. Any comments, feedbacks, suggestions about who else would make what I need, quickly and reliable?

My second question is about reverb. Since I always leave it ON (to avoid the pop/delay thing), do I need to have a switch for it ? I'd like having only 4 switches, with a lot of space between them, so adding another switch wouldn't be that great.

Thanks!

 

[droptrd]

yeah i like switchdoctor. Ive heard all great things about Payne Labs. There is a link for them at the top of this page. Id check em out.

 

[nismofreakish]

Ok thanks! Any other makers?

 

[jetdriver]

I was wondering if the Mark V FS would work. Looks to be the same height as the stock Roadster FS, but in a 4x4 format, so only half as wide.

I was lucky that my Roadster came with an AMP Gizmo as part of the deal, so I bought a Randall RF4 4 button MIDI FS to change my channels, and run that to the Amp Gizmo. That was, you can have one button perform any of the 8 different functions, even several at once. That's one option, though a bit more expensive. You could find a used Amp Gizmo for about the price of a new factory FS, and the RF4 can be found for under $100. Then you retain all the functionality of the factory FS in a 4 button format. Just my $.02.

Good luck, whatever you get!

 

[Dino334]

To answer your question about channel switching and effects, here's an easy way to utilize at least 3 out of the 4 channels on your Roadster using a TC Electronics G-Major (you can find them relatively cheap on ebay now) without the need for an amp gizmo.

I keep my big-a$$ footswitch plugged into the amp and I select channel one for my cleans. The footswtich sets on top of my rack and out of the way. I run my guitar into my TS-9, into my Rocktron Hush C (rack) and into the head. In my Roadster's loop I have the TC G-Major into my BBE (both rack). I use a Furman for power conditioning and a Behringer FCB1010 (UnO chip on the way) for all switching and midi.

From the TC, you insert a TSR (1/4 jacks) Y cable. The Y cable is stereo plug on the main input and Y's out to two mono plugs. I insert one mono plug into the channel 3 (switch 1 on the TC setting) 1/4 inch jack in the head, and the other plug into channel 4 jack (switch 2 on the TC setting) of the head. The Roadster will change amp channels, as well as effects, with **** near zero latency, as per your settings/patches from your TC.

So I have my patches set up as follows:

Bank 00:
Patch 1 is metal verb (channel 3 roadster with some verb)
Patch 2 is metal chorus (channel 3 w/chorus)
Patch 3 is metal delay (ch3 w/delay and verb)
Patch 4 is clean (ch1)
Patch 5 is clean with delay and chorus

Bank 01:
Patches 6-10 are the same as above with channel 4 instead of channel 3

Bank 02 is a mixture:
Patch 11 is same as patch 1
Patch 12 is same as patch 3
Patch 13 is same as patch 6
Patch 14 is same as patch 8
Patch 15 is same as patch 5.

Anyway, you get the picture. With the TC electronic G-Majors, you can do all of your switching and effects (if you are willing to forego one amp channel) without the need of an amp gizmo or other midi/channel switching unit. Of course you can use any of the three channels you'd like.

And for the cost on ebay, you can pick one up cheaper than the cost of a midi switching unit and floorboard. The bonus is...you get the effects and versatility of the G-Major as well! You can find a smaller and more convenient midi switch pedal to use if you'd prefer, but the FCB does everything with the 2 expression pedals built in (volume pedal/ effects mix, etc).

Sorry for the long reply. I'm just really excited and happy about my new Mesa that I've had for about 3 weeks now. I feel like I'm in my 20's again!!

Hope this gives you some info on the topic.

 

[domct203]

FWIW-

Mesa does not recommend using a common ground switching system (G Major relays) with the Roadster for channel switching. I know that alot of users here do it, but you do so at your own risk of burning out a switching relay in the amp. Just a heads-up, it's your amp, do as you wish with it. A Voodoo labs control switcher is cheap compared to Tech Bench Time IMHO, and you will have control of all four channels, then you could use the G Major to control two of the three remaining external triggers (loop, reverb & solo). That's how I do it (but with an Axess CFX4). The FCB1010 also has the same relay setup as the G Major, just with two mono jacks instead of a TRS jack. You could use one of those to control the last external trigger on the amp. So for a $139 investment (Voodoo switcher) you can have complete MIDI control of your rig, and leave the big a$$ footswitch at home.


Dom

 

[nismofreakish]

Thx Dino 334, I already had a G major, it was nice but I sold it. I now have my own stomp pedals, don't want anything as a rackmount, all in pedalboard, but thanks!

After some thoughts, I know exactly what I want: A replacement footswitch with 4 buttons controling the 4 channels, but each one with its own loop. I really want to get out of the FX loop, which is sucking too much of my tone. Kinda I had before with two amps and an A/B switch (all effects in front), but know it would be like having 4 amps.

Just don't know anybody so far who wants to do it. Brian from loopswitcher doesn't want to, so I'm looking elsewhere. If you can suggest me anything, please fire away!

 

[Dino334]

Dom,
I was unaware of this. THANKS a million. Being another new Mesa user, I really appreciate the heads up. I will disconnect the switching in the G Major and look into the Voodoo labs control switcher or amp gizmo.

The manual reads:

EXTERNAL SWITCHING: These seven jacks are provided so that you may control the 4 Channels, the EFFECTS LOOP, The
Reverb and the SOLO feature with an external master Switching device. This is essential to use the Roadster as part of a Midi rig where all sounds are called up via a Midi Footcontroller and both amplifier and effects settings are stored under a midi program number. The logic used to trigger these ports is simple tip-to-ground, latching type and most Master switching systems incorporate several jacks dedicated to this logic.

The EXTERNAL SWITCHING jacks override the Roadster’s Footcontroller. Once a Channel
or Feature has been triggered “On” at the EXT. Switch ports, it may not be controlled or
turned “Off” until the logic at the Switch Port is reversed.

***UPDATE***
As a response to your post Dom, I researched the Voodoo and RJM Gizmo. I went with the amp gizmo and the Mesa cable to have control over the full capabilities. I would have been ticked off if I had burned up the relays in the head. You'd think there would be word about this in the manual. Many many thanks Dom!! I'm sure glad I found this board to get much needed info and advice from you veteran Mesa owners.

 

[nismofreakish]

Anyone would have another name for me? Please?

I'm starting to despair...