How do I build a true bypass looper to compare pedals?

zaulkin · Post by **zaulkin** » 28 Jul 2009, 07:47

Hey DIY dudes,

Once I've saved up some more dosh I'll be after a few small footswitch. It's the kind of thing that looks very simple but is made expensive by places such as Painline and that shop that sells rocks. Basically, I'd just like to get an opinion on how hard it would be for me to make these items and perhaps what I'd need to do that. If anyone happens to have any diagrams or anything I might find useful, that would be a great help too. Here's what I'm after:

Footswitch/looper thing:

I've always had problems going from clean straight to my favourite distortion or modulation sound because I normally use more than one pedal to achieve it. I'd like to make a small footswitch that has 3 buttons. The first button adds my distortion(s) into the chain, the second is for delays/reverb and the last switch overrides whatever I was using and gives me the clean amp sound. I have to make sure that clicking the first or second switch will ADD in the pedals I'm using e.g. if I have distortion on, and then click the modulation, they will now both be in the chain (and the same if I pressed the modulation first, then distortion). Unclicking the clean/override brings me back to what I had. Passive is great, but not always possible so it would be great if it could be powered by the same source as my pedals (Godlyke Powerall).

There are a few other niggly things I'd like to make but I can probably find diagrams on the net for those.

Anyone have any suggestions for me?

CHEEZOR · Post by **CHEEZOR** » 28 Jul 2009, 08:29

Just for clarification, I believe what you are after is an effects loop pedal with 2 sets of send and return jacks and bypass switches for both. Then you want a master bypass switch as well.

I have been wanting to build one of these too. A passive build would be extremely easy. The only things you would gain from making it active would be status LEDs and/or a signal buffer. At least those are the only things I can think of.

If I were to ever build one I think I would like to have status LED's and the buffer, but have the ability to run the pedal without power too by making the buffer switchable and the LEDs would just not function.

I have been wanting to make one because it would be an easy project for me since I dont know a whole lot about electronics, but I understand switches and jacks. lol

Greg · Post by **Greg** » 28 Jul 2009, 08:43

Moved..

Modern Stompbox section is for analysis of Modern Commercial boxes.
Thanks

zaulkin · Post by **zaulkin** » 28 Jul 2009, 10:41

Greg_G wrote:Moved..

Modern Stompbox section is for analysis of Modern Commercial boxes.
Thanks

Sorry Greg, I'm a bit of a noob.

Post by **modman** » 28 Jul 2009, 20:56

https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic ... 871#p39871

I believe it's this what you're looking for, a true bypass looper

diggum12 · Post by **diggum12** » 28 Jul 2009, 21:05

http://www.loop-master.com/product_info ... ucts_id=57

zaulkin · Post by **zaulkin** » 29 Jul 2009, 05:17

modman wrote:https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic ... 871#p39871

I believe it's this what you're looking for, a true bypass looper

That's right. Thanks for the link!

diggum12 wrote:http://www.loop-master.com/product_info ... ucts_id=57

This is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the link, do you think there might be a schematic lying around? I could just buy it I suppose, but I think I'd learn much more from building one and then I could get stuck into making more of my own devices. Also the combined price (in NZ dollars) + shipping to NZ is potentially much more. Hmmmm....

Greg · Post by **Greg** » 29 Jul 2009, 06:02

I had this on my computer from some time ago..
There's no claim of ownership or denial to post... if anyone owns it and wants it taken down, let me know..

Here's what you need:

HydrozeenElectronics · Post by **HydrozeenElectronics** » 29 Jul 2009, 07:12

I made one. They are pretty easy, PM if you have any questions

here is mine:

Post by **modman** » 29 Jul 2009, 09:16

HydrozeenElectronics wrote:I made one. They are pretty easy, PM if you have any questions

please, the whole point of a forum is that others can read and learn without having to ask the (same) question (again). By all means share your questions and answers...

Thanks

salocin · Post by **salocin** » 29 Jul 2009, 10:00

zaulkin wrote:Also the combined price (in NZ dollars) + shipping to NZ is potentially much more. Hmmmm....

Another NZer ! Welcome to the forum. Where in NZ are you?

diggum12 · Post by **diggum12** » 29 Jul 2009, 17:56

zaulkin wrote:
This is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the link, do you think there might be a schematic lying around? I could just buy it I suppose, but I think I'd learn much more from building one and then I could get stuck into making more of my own devices. Also the combined price (in NZ dollars) + shipping to NZ is potentially much more. Hmmmm....

I wouldn't be able to draw one up for a couple of days. BUT I think you could find enough info here to get you stared. http://www.singlecoil.com/tb-strip/tbstrip.html Shouldn't be too hard. Search the page for "master bypass" and omit one of the switches. Done. Just solder the 3PDTs quickly and you'll be fine.

I would think you would basically make a 2 bypass loop pedal. Then take your 3rd stomp and wire the input to the 2 bypass loops on one side and the output to the other. A bypass within a bypass, if you will.

HydrozeenElectronics · Post by **HydrozeenElectronics** » 29 Jul 2009, 22:20

modman wrote:
HydrozeenElectronics wrote:I made one. They are pretty easy, PM if you have any questions
please, the whole point of a forum is that others can read and learn without having to ask the (same) question (again). By all means share your questions and answers...

Thanks

Either or is fine with me, just trying to help

Post by **modman** » 30 Jul 2009, 16:53

here's another true bypass looper page:
http://www.francishsueh.com/blog/?p=248

HydrozeenElectronics wrote:
modman wrote:
HydrozeenElectronics wrote:I made one. They are pretty easy, PM if you have any questions
please, the whole point of a forum is that others can read and learn without having to ask the (same) question (again). By all means share your questions and answers...

Thanks
Either or is fine with me, just trying to help

If you keep the discussion here, it will help others too, now or in the future.

zaulkin · Post by **zaulkin** » 31 Jul 2009, 07:31

salocin wrote:
zaulkin wrote:Also the combined price (in NZ dollars) + shipping to NZ is potentially much more. Hmmmm....
Another NZer ! Welcome to the forum. Where in NZ are you?

Thanks! I'm up in Auckland, good to know that I'm not the only NZer around

I'm still working on getting the right diagram together, after that I'll make an order for the enclosure and the other bits and bobs. Thanks to everyone for their replies - they have been really useful!

Post by **modman** » 31 Jul 2009, 10:12

With the bunch of useful links and a satisfactory end, I close this thread and add it to the FAQ Switching and Wiring

If any more questions occur, do start a new thread in the root of the FAQ folder or under requests.

thanks all.