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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Changing Effects/ Channels When Playing Live

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 27 2012, 03:16 PM

Our very own mate - Mr. mad has inspired me to write this post, regarding shifting effects on stage or while performing a piece from one end to the other.

Of course, when we are recording in the studio, each channel is recorded separately - clean tones in one take then the distorted tones and so on, but when we are on stage, if we aim for a very tight sound, we should pay attentions to this matter.

Usually, if we have a good rhythmic sense, stomping around on effects will not be too much of a difficult task - especially if we are using an effects processor or a midi controller, which is set to activate more effects in your rack or stomps.

BUT biggrin.gif what if you only have the channel switcher and a few stomps - having a midi controller is not worth it and you have to LEARN HOW TO DANCE - this is where I am at right now laugh.gif



I usually have to add reverb and delay to some parts of songs and in the same time switch the channels between clean, crunch and then riff and immediately take out the reverb and delay.

The riff tone has to be dry usually, in order to sound tight so, imagine that if the delay gets in the way at a huge volume, things are not good at all smile.gif

My idea is to always switch the channel first and then take out the effects as fast as possible. I am usually using rhythmic subdivisions in order to move my feet in an orderly way and make the moves as fast as possible.

What are your experiences in this direction and how are you dealing with this on stage or while playing music which requires tone and effects shifting?

Cosmin

Posted by: Opetholic Jun 27 2012, 03:23 PM

Oh man smile.gif I wish I had any experiences to share with you. I am not in a band and have never been so I never played live. But if I were playing live I would buy a small foot switch for my amp smile.gif Are they so expensive anyway ??

Posted by: superize Jun 27 2012, 08:47 PM

I know what you are talking about. We have one song with my band where i have to change between clean and distorted and its not as easy as people may think. Especially changing from distorted to clean.

Posted by: ringmar Jun 27 2012, 09:23 PM

I have to do this while singing. I have no option for tap-dancing on multiple pedals while trying to also sing in time and not move my mouth too far from the mic. Thankfully in this band when I'm singing, I'm generally not playing lead guitar. So I'm only switching switching dirt/clean, not trying to change effects settings as well.

With my new rig coming (Axe Fx2, which I'll control with a Boss GT-10 via Midi) everything will be programmed for one button switching.

If you're using a multi-channel amp (or even a clean amp with pedals for dirt) and then also have modulations and time effects to switch on individual pedals, it gets pretty hairy! People build pretty complex pedal boards to accomplish all these changes in one press of one footswitch. It's not cheap!

Posted by: JesseJ Jun 27 2012, 09:47 PM

I Rarely use effects when I play. My friend always does the effects side of things. But I find it is nice to play with 2 guitarists because you can cover for each other but if there is only guitar player I can imagine it would be much trickier. If you are going to be using multiple effects at once my advice would be get something like a Line 6 floor pod where with 1 stomp you can take all the effects out and bring them back in instead of having to step on 2 or 3 pedals each time.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 28 2012, 01:14 PM

QUOTE (ringmar @ Jun 27 2012, 08:23 PM) *
I have to do this while singing. I have no option for tap-dancing on multiple pedals while trying to also sing in time and not move my mouth too far from the mic. Thankfully in this band when I'm singing, I'm generally not playing lead guitar. So I'm only switching switching dirt/clean, not trying to change effects settings as well.

With my new rig coming (Axe Fx2, which I'll control with a Boss GT-10 via Midi) everything will be programmed for one button switching.

If you're using a multi-channel amp (or even a clean amp with pedals for dirt) and then also have modulations and time effects to switch on individual pedals, it gets pretty hairy! People build pretty complex pedal boards to accomplish all these changes in one press of one footswitch. It's not cheap!


I'm also singing in both bands - backing in Voodoo and lead in Aria and I am playing guitar in both, so yes, it can get pretty hairy as you say it biggrin.gif


Posted by: PosterBoy Jun 28 2012, 06:03 PM

I even have problems with a midi controller and singing changing patches and instant access buttons

Posted by: AdamB Jun 29 2012, 11:29 AM

Recently I started using a pod HD pro with the shorboard controller for live work. You can change the entire rig with one switch if you want. Works great, sounds great, can definantly recommend it!

Posted by: derper Jun 30 2012, 10:15 PM

It is much easier make extreme switches in tone using digital effects, simply because you can edit ALL of the effects prior, save it to a "patch" and just CLICK and you've changed as many tone settings as you want!!

But, I think Cosmin is like me....and we use more "analog" effects, in a traditional pedalboard setup. I may be wrong, but I think I remember that about Coz. And for us, it can take SEVERAL pedal clicks to change tones properly for a song!! Ugh!!

But, for most of my projects and experience, it doesn't pose much of a challenge. That's for two reasons...

1.) I really don't use a ton of effects. I have a botique tube-screamer style pedal for gain (HBE Power Screamer), a Seymour Duncan (clean) pickup booster which is always on for my funk band, but I swap it out for an Extreme Metal (modtone) pedal for EMULATOR. I also use a wah, and a boss OC-2 octave pedal. That's IT!! So the most complicated I can get is to turn on/off the wah, gain and octave....which I don't often need to do.

2.) In fact, I will avoid making more than 2 clicks to change tones for almost all songs/situations. For my bands, it's actually not that limiting.


But for the Coz-man, I imagine that he is responsible for more switching, and VERY specific tones for those epic rock bands and big stage productions!! Coz....time to go "Line 6" maybe? tongue.gif


Kidding. Us "analog effects" people are snobbish, and we would NEVER think about using digital!! dry.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 1 2012, 08:53 AM

I totally agree on the 'snobbish' dear Gabe tongue.gif (holding a little cup of tea with the little finger raised laugh.gif )

I for one have a rather simple setup, but still, I need to switch around with the reverb, delay, phaser and booster, so it's always dancy dancy time laugh.gif

But I would never shift to digital smile.gif it's just not for me

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 2 2012, 08:25 AM

Look into http://www.thegigrig.com/acatalog/switching_systems.html


You put all your pedals into a separate loop (or you could put a group of pedals into the same loop) and then you use dipswitches to make patches with the required loops on. They even have a boost option too

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 2 2012, 10:36 AM

Wow biggrin.gif thanks man - this looks very, very interesting! I'll take some time to inspect wink.gif

Posted by: derper Jul 3 2012, 02:53 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jul 1 2012, 12:53 AM) *
I totally agree on the 'snobbish' dear Gabe tongue.gif (holding a little cup of tea with the little finger raised laugh.gif )

I for one have a rather simple setup, but still, I need to switch around with the reverb, delay, phaser and booster, so it's always dancy dancy time laugh.gif

But I would never shift to digital smile.gif it's just not for me


Hmmm.....tea is so "last-week" (**raises a thimble of espresso**)


Yeah, the delay switches can get tricky. But, I currently don't have/use one. It's something I need/want to add very soon. In fact, my wish list....

-Delay
-(possibly) a chorus
-Compressor
-Boss tuner


Yeah, I've cheaped out on the "standard" tuner. I plug my cheap-o Korg (with built in metronome too!) into the tuner plug on my Volume pedal. Plus, even when ripping for EMULATOR, the Parker simply doesn't go out of tune. Our second guitarist was BLOWN away by that (and he plays an Ibanez Jem!). But my trem is literally "blocked" off with a wood block. I challenged him to do a 2 step bend....still in tune.


And on another pedalboard note.... today I just bought (well, put it on hold while I'm at work! Getting it tomorrow!) a Mesa Boogie "Bottle Rocket" tube boost pedal. Rare, and sounds SO SWEET! Played it briefly and can't get it out of my head. I will post a pic of my pedalboard soon. I actually want to hear some advice/input/thoughts on my current signal flow.

Posted by: jstcrsn Jul 3 2012, 03:22 AM

I would slide(the chord or note) and let the delay ring as I was switching to clean

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 3 2012, 07:11 AM

I am currently using the Hardwire Delay, but I will definitely think about getting the Nova Delay from TC Electronics or the Eventide Time Factor, as I have heard a lot of good things about them and I wish for a serious looping machine.

For instance when I want to record a phrase, I have to hold the delay pedal pressed, while playing and right as the phrases finishes I have to quickly lift my foot off and the phrase will start playing that instant. I need a device who can understand a tempo and act accordingly, by naturally dividing the time frame into bars and fitting everything to the tempo - do you guys know of such a device?

Posted by: derper Jul 3 2012, 07:17 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jul 2 2012, 11:11 PM) *
I am currently using the Hardwire Delay, but I will definitely think about getting the Nova Delay from TC Electronics or the Eventide Time Factor, as I have heard a lot of good things about them and I wish for a serious looping machine.

For instance when I want to record a phrase, I have to hold the delay pedal pressed, while playing and right as the phrases finishes I have to quickly lift my foot off and the phrase will start playing that instant. I need a device who can understand a tempo and act accordingly, by naturally dividing the time frame into bars and fitting everything to the tempo - do you guys know of such a device?


Not sure if I'm understanding completely....I'm getting the impression that a tap tempo will not suffice? I actually wish I could help more but I don't have a ton of experience, personally, with long delay or looping.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 3 2012, 07:29 AM

No, unfortunately the tap tempo option is not available in the case of looping on the Hardwire sad.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Jul 4 2012, 04:34 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 27 2012, 02:16 PM) *
Our very own mate - Mr. mad has inspired me to write this post, regarding shifting effects on stage or while performing a piece from one end to the other.

Of course, when we are recording in the studio, each channel is recorded separately - clean tones in one take then the distorted tones and so on, but when we are on stage, if we aim for a very tight sound, we should pay attentions to this matter.

Usually, if we have a good rhythmic sense, stomping around on effects will not be too much of a difficult task - especially if we are using an effects processor or a midi controller, which is set to activate more effects in your rack or stomps.

BUT biggrin.gif what if you only have the channel switcher and a few stomps - having a midi controller is not worth it and you have to LEARN HOW TO DANCE - this is where I am at right now laugh.gif



I usually have to add reverb and delay to some parts of songs and in the same time switch the channels between clean, crunch and then riff and immediately take out the reverb and delay.

The riff tone has to be dry usually, in order to sound tight so, imagine that if the delay gets in the way at a huge volume, things are not good at all smile.gif

My idea is to always switch the channel first and then take out the effects as fast as possible. I am usually using rhythmic subdivisions in order to move my feet in an orderly way and make the moves as fast as possible.

What are your experiences in this direction and how are you dealing with this on stage or while playing music which requires tone and effects shifting?

Cosmin

Oh man! It took me forever to learn my dance on the stomp boxes! Now I can switch everything and still play a show! Took a lot of time and practicing at home!

Posted by: derper Jul 4 2012, 09:54 PM

I'm going to post a separate thread also, but here's a glimpse at my current and simple setup.

I just bought the Mesa Bottle Rocket Tube drive the other day....WAY better than the drive channel on my fender deluxe!! Also, it may actually end up replacing the Power Screamer (HBE....love that pedal too!) but I have yet to determine. Also, the new "Extreme Metal" pedal swaps into the Seymour Duncan Pickup(Clean) Boost spot when I play with EMULATOR. For jazz/funk/everything else, the Pickup Booster stays on always.

Other than that, a standard Crybaby wah and Ernie Ball Volume Jr. Always extra strings on the board when gigging. Also, it's a cheap/ghetto power strip and not a one-spot.

 

Posted by: Max Sokolov Jul 4 2012, 10:05 PM

Oh, I remember several times, when I missed my dist button and began playing part with "awesome" ceramic bridge humbucker clean sound... smile.gif With time and practice it goes away) I always switched my tremolo off, then channel, then delay and other effects.
Currently I'm using axe fx with rocktron midi mate controller - it's a pleasure!

Posted by: mad Jul 4 2012, 10:38 PM

I'm honored wink.gif

Well, when recording a whole piece I use my Zoom G2.1u. With this one I can shift the effects back and forward - which can be tricky if I use 3 effects in one piece (e.g. Cosmins Katatonia Style lesson) and have to switch from effect 3 to 1.. currently I cheat by just copying the first effect to the 4th position so I just have to move forward tongue.gif

When rehearsing I use my Sanpera II board with the corresponding Vypyr Head, like it!



This combination used to be a little buggy until I installed a newer firmware into the Vypyr: sometimes while changing the effect the amp's software crashed and all you could hear was a loud roaring and beeping noise from the cab.... I never played live on stage, but I remember having a nightmare where exactly that happened... blink.gif

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 27 2012, 02:16 PM) *
Our very own mate - Mr. mad has inspired me to write this post, regarding shifting effects on stage or while performing a piece from one end to the other.

Of course, when we are recording in the studio, each channel is recorded separately - clean tones in one take then the distorted tones and so on, but when we are on stage, if we aim for a very tight sound, we should pay attentions to this matter.

Usually, if we have a good rhythmic sense, stomping around on effects will not be too much of a difficult task - especially if we are using an effects processor or a midi controller, which is set to activate more effects in your rack or stomps.

BUT biggrin.gif what if you only have the channel switcher and a few stomps - having a midi controller is not worth it and you have to LEARN HOW TO DANCE - this is where I am at right now laugh.gif



I usually have to add reverb and delay to some parts of songs and in the same time switch the channels between clean, crunch and then riff and immediately take out the reverb and delay.

The riff tone has to be dry usually, in order to sound tight so, imagine that if the delay gets in the way at a huge volume, things are not good at all smile.gif

My idea is to always switch the channel first and then take out the effects as fast as possible. I am usually using rhythmic subdivisions in order to move my feet in an orderly way and make the moves as fast as possible.

What are your experiences in this direction and how are you dealing with this on stage or while playing music which requires tone and effects shifting?

Cosmin

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 5 2012, 07:55 AM

Well, maybe a midi controller would be a good idea after all for me as well smile.gif I'll look into it a bit more and who knows? I will also get a wah and a whammy in the near future, but those don't need to be controlled with such a device.

Posted by: SirJamsalot Jul 5 2012, 10:08 PM

haha. I have a hard enough time finding the channel button on my amp while playing live. I tend to use the volume pot to clean up - just turn down for soft parts, and turn up for the dirt. But I really do need a few pedals - delay and boost for solos. Call me simple biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 6 2012, 07:52 AM

QUOTE (SirJamsalot @ Jul 5 2012, 09:08 PM) *
haha. I have a hard enough time finding the channel button on my amp while playing live. I tend to use the volume pot to clean up - just turn down for soft parts, and turn up for the dirt. But I really do need a few pedals - delay and boost for solos. Call me simple biggrin.gif


It's not simple at all wink.gif in my opinion, a player who is capable of getting a good clean tone by lowering the volume pot and going back to full control and big gain by cranking it up, is a true tone master biggrin.gif

Posted by: jstcrsn Jul 7 2012, 02:03 AM

QUOTE (SirJamsalot @ Jul 5 2012, 10:08 PM) *
haha. I have a hard enough time finding the channel button on my amp while playing live. I tend to use the volume pot to clean up - just turn down for soft parts, and turn up for the dirt. But I really do need a few pedals - delay and boost for solos. Call me simple biggrin.gif

okay- you are no longer christian -your name has been changed to simple

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 7 2012, 10:58 AM

Simple JamsAlot biggrin.gif

Posted by: SirJamsalot Jul 7 2012, 11:12 AM

ah man, you guys are killin me. Okay, call me simple biggrin.gif:P

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