Planning a small pedalboard

A reader’s question:

I guess, you are well versed in planning pedalboards.
I have a big studio board, which I like a lot, but for it is not even easy to manage the transport.
Now, I want to assemble a smaller and more compact pedalboard.
For overdrive effects I use my amp and the Ibanez Tubescreamer TS 808 and the Vahlbruch Kaluna.
Due to the lack of space, delay and modulation ought to be (as far as possible) combined in one enclosure. I also think midi might be important…
The Boss GT 1000 Core could be one of those which offers all the sounds I know (DD, MD and RV of the 500 series).
But it also has uncountable overdrive effects that I do not need. Nevertheless, is the quality of the delay, modulation and reverb therefore worse?
Do you know an alternative to the GT 1000 Core, or do you think it is ok?
I really like Boss pedals, live on stage and also in the rehearsal room. And especially here, I need a compact pedalboard.
In the studio I use my big pedalboard – mostly analog.
By the way: I am not even a fan of editing, so a small display and a easy handling would be perfect.

DelayDude:

Its always a bit difficult to assemble a compact pedalboard that is also flexible.
The Boss GT 1000 Core might be a solution, but for you already have several overdrive pedals, it would be even better to choose a pedal that is specialized in creating delay- and reverb-effects. The more features a pedal offers, the less capacity can be used for every single effect.
But if you want a multi effect anyway, the Eventide H9 might be interesting for you. It offers midi, is compact and has a superb sound. Furthermore, you can select 4 parameters per preset directly and control them via a pot. After you have successfully completed the programming, it is pretty easy to handle. But it is not able to combine several effects. Thus, it would only act as a delay or a reverb.
As an alternative, you could also choose the Line6 M5. It offers midi as well, sounds pretty nice, is a real bargain, the programming is quite easy and it is compact.
I use the M5 on one of my pedalboards as a supplement. But, similar to the H9, it only offers one effect at the time.
The handling of the HX Stomp whereas seems somewhat confusing to me.

For most combined pedals have a certain focus, it makes sense to think about your preferences first. What is more important to you: a delay or a reverb?

The Boss devices (DD-500 and RV- 500) also offer a reverb and a delay setting. If you are looking for a flexible delay and only need a little reverb, the DD-500 might be the perfect match for you anyway.

And the Empress Echosystem offers reverb besides the numerous delay effects.
For the Boss pedal as well as the Empress pedal offer the possibility to combine two presets, you would be able to get both.

But the only “real” pedal that combines delay and reverb and that can be controlled via midi is the Source Audio Collider. It is a combination of the Nemesis and the Ventris. But for a really distinguished adjustment, you will have to use the app. Anyway, if you have adjusted the basic sound (or use the presets), the pots will be sufficient to customize the sound.

Sound vs. handling

Provided that you are also looking for modulation, things will get a bit more complicated.
Of course, you can use the delay part of the Collider to create effects like chorus/vibrato (modulation of the delay time) and tremolo (modulation of the level), but this is not as easy as with one of the common modulation- effect. In this case, the handling of a multi-effect would be easier. In the end, you have the choice between sound and handling.

If the pedal ought to be compact and extensively equipped at the same time, you won’t be able to avoid menus and a display to adjust your sounds. Or you chose two pedals instead of one. The Collider for superb delay/reverb and a separate modulation pedal. With midi control in addition, this might be a very good option.

It always depends on your individual preferences and needs. For there is always too little space on the pedalboard, I dispense with a modulation pedal and create the vibrato- or tremolo-effect with my delay pedals. And I can also forgo flanger and phaser.
Regarding a compact pedalboard, to me it is generally more important to pare my pedals down to those which are really necessary for my music.
And to be honest, I don’t like menu-diving or the use of apps as well, thus I use the space on my pedalboard for the most important effect pedals.

Mostly, it makes sense to start with a little number of pedals first and add further pedals later. Removing a (unused) pedal from the pedalboard is habitually harder.
For I love delay- and reverb-sounds, I use only little space on my pedalboard for drive pedals (either booster and overdrive in one enclosure or even a single overdrive pedal).
And less pedals on the board will in the end improve your basic sound.

Enjoy planning your new pedalboard!

Fulltone Tube Tape Echo vs. Echoboy VST

Because of the request of one of my followers, I made this comparison of the Fulltone Tube Tape Echo vs. Echoboy VST. Check out the sound of the classic compared to different settings of the digital VST.

0:13 TTE brighter and grittier setting vs. Echoboy echoplex setting Continue reading “Fulltone Tube Tape Echo vs. Echoboy VST”

Fender Silverface Princeton Reverb – the perfect bedroom/rehearsal amp

Fender Silverface Princeton Reverb Some time ago, 100 Watts amps have been really common, but at the moment, small tube amps are as popular as never before. And there are many reasons, why. Continue reading “Fender Silverface Princeton Reverb – the perfect bedroom/rehearsal amp”

My favorite budget delays

Because of the numerous requests regarding my favorite bugdet delays, I tried to figure out my top delays within the categories tape emulation, digital delay and analog delay.
The order of the delays within the respective group or video is not a ranking, for I am unable to tell which of them I like best.

0:04 NUX Tape Core Deluxe Continue reading “My favorite budget delays”

Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail

Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail The Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail is a pedalboard-friendly analog delay.
Initially, the mono pedal came around in a stylish silver-blue lacquering, while the more recent version attracts attention in an intensive blue. Continue reading “Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail”

Seymour Duncan Andromeda

Seymour Duncan Andromeda delay pedalThe Seymour Duncan Andromeda is a rather lee pedalboard-friendly digital delay that throws extensive features in the ring to fight for its space on the pedalboard. Continue reading “Seymour Duncan Andromeda”

My favorite tape emulations

Because of the numerous requests regarding my favorite delays, I tried to figure out my top delays and I want to start this three-part series with my favorite tape emulations.
The order of the delays within the respective group or video is no ranking for I am unable to tell which of them I like best. Thus, the presentation is according to the alphabetical order of their names.
Check out the reasons why I have chosen these delays here.

0:03 Echosystem Continue reading “My favorite tape emulations”

My favorite tape emulations

Many times, I have been asked about my favorite delay pedals and I must confess, that this question is soo hard to answer to.
Nevertheless, after a long time of thinking and trying, I figured out groups of my favorite delays regarding the categories analog delays, digital delays and tape emulations. Continue reading “My favorite tape emulations”

Boss DD-8 vs. DOD Rubberneck

This is a comparison of the Boss DD-8 with the DOD Rubberneck.
On request, I made this video. In comparison to the DD-7, the analog mode of the DD-8 has been changed. So, I wanted to compare this sound to another analog delay (DOD Rubberneck).
Furthermore, you will get slapback sounds, run-away feedback and oscillation.

1:13 slapback Continue reading “Boss DD-8 vs. DOD Rubberneck”

Review: Boss DD-8 part II

Boss DD8After you have learned all about the construction and the standard sounds of the Boss DD-8 in the first part of this review, I will now introduce the special modes of this compact digital delay. Continue reading “Review: Boss DD-8 part II”

Review: Boss DD-8 part I

Boss DD8The Boss DD-8 is the most recent compact Boss delay and the direct successor of the DD-7.
In this two- part review, I will first present facts about the construction and the standard sounds of the Boss DD-8, before, in the second part, I will dedicate myself to the special modes of this compact digital delay. Continue reading “Review: Boss DD-8 part I”

Boss DD-8 special sounds

This is a demo of some special sounds of the Boss DD-8. Besides +RV and shimmer, I also present sonic options of the modes mod, warp and GLT.

0:05 +RV Continue reading “Boss DD-8 special sounds”

Review: Boss DD-200 part II – special algorithms

Boss DD 200The first part of the DD-200 review was dedicated to the design and the fundamental sounds of the latest Boss delay-creation.
Now, I would like to take a closer look to some special algorithms of this digital delay. Continue reading “Review: Boss DD-200 part II – special algorithms”

Boss DD-8

This is a demo of the Boss DD-8 .The Boss DD-8 is the most recent compact Boss delay and the direct successor of the DD-7. It provides a looper and 11 delay modes.

 

0:10 Standard Continue reading “Boss DD-8”

Review: Boss DD-200 Part I

Boss DD 200The youngest member of the Boss family is the Boss DD-200. Although it comes around in a compact enclosure, it offers numerous features.

In this first part of the review, you will learn more about the design and some sounds of the Boss DD-200. The second part will be about some special algorithms. Continue reading “Review: Boss DD-200 Part I”