Remote switching for racked effects.

Cymbal Monkey · Post by **Cymbal Monkey** » 09 Jan 2011, 22:38

I want to rack mount my effects and have a switch bank on the floor. From what I've been reading, relays seem to be the way to go. Problem is, I don't know what kind or how to do it. So if anyone knows how... that'd help... Musique has a board for true bypass switching with a relay, but some of my pedals (Darkside) are not true bypass. So can anyone give me some help here?

OC26 · Post by **OC26** » 14 Jan 2011, 18:58

I designed this some years ago. It works fine for a 4 fx rack.

Cymbal Monkey · Post by **Cymbal Monkey** » 16 Jan 2011, 22:39

Can you give me some more info on how to rig this up? (Noobie here)

OC26 · Post by **OC26** » 19 Jan 2011, 16:17

Sorry Cymbal Monkey. I'd been busy...

Just put all the circuit above inside a box in your rack. Connect each of the 4 send jacks to your 4 stompbox inputs. Connect each of your outputs to the return jacks. Plug your guitar to the input in the A section. Connect the A section output jack to the B section input jack, and so on. Connect the D section output to your amp.

All switches are momentary SPST. Hook up a 5 pin DIN cable (4 pins for REMOTE A, B, C & D; 1 pin for ground. Connect the other end of the DIN cable to a remote four momentary stomp footswitch.

When powered, a positive going pulse is generated at Ra/Ce, wich resets the unit to full bypass. You can bypass the unit anytime by pressing the Reset momentary switch.

the_ungod · Post by **the_ungod** » 19 Jan 2011, 16:31

Hi,
I've once build a midi switch that can control 12 relays for stompboxes... if you need help...

OC26 · Post by **OC26** » 19 Jan 2011, 17:00

the_ungod wrote:Hi,
I've once build a midi switch that can control 12 relays for stompboxes... if you need help...

Sure! Much better.

Cymbal Monkey · Post by **Cymbal Monkey** » 30 Jan 2011, 02:56

the_ungod wrote:Hi,
I've once build a midi switch that can control 12 relays for stompboxes... if you need help...

I do need help! This sounds brilliant!

Cymbal Monkey · Post by **Cymbal Monkey** » 30 Jan 2011, 03:04

Could I use an XLR7, ground the housing, and switch 7 effects that way?

OC26 · Post by **OC26** » 31 Jan 2011, 08:29

Cymbal Monkey wrote:ground the housing?

I am not sure that's a good idea... An 8 pin DIN system would be better.

The_ungod idea is most effective anyway for a large system

the_ungod · Post by **the_ungod** » 31 Jan 2011, 10:37

OC26 wrote:
Cymbal Monkey wrote:ground the housing?
I am not sure that's a good idea... An 8 pin DIN system would be better.

The_ungod idea is most effective anyway for a large system

Hi,

My system was based on this one...
http://www.jimkim.de/html/guitar01_01.htm

I made a pcb with one midi in, and 4 outputs for relay control. Then i made 4 of these to get 16 out's....

With this 16 outputs i made these options:

1 - Guitar AB
2 - Tuner Out
3 - 15 - FX Pedals
16 - Amp Channel Switch

Of course you can make your own connections.

Here are the files (schematics and pcb)
http://hotfile.com/dl/100803478/876cf39 ... t.zip.html

I've built it in a 2u rack and i control it with an fcb1010...

Some pics
Complete build

Inside View

Chassis

Mounting first relay boards

Power Supply

Assembly

My partner inspecting the job...

More chassis...

The module boards