Options for engaging solo boosts without channels

F

FarleyUK

Inspired
It feels like there may be a fairly simple answer here, but I can't think of it...

I'm currently running a 'generic' preset with one amp (Plexi 50w), and 4 channels of that amp. 1 to 3 increase in gain, while 4 is a solo channel with the eq and adjustments in the amp etc. These are in turn tied to 4 scenes, which engage different effects (i.e. a circular delay for the lead etc.).

However, when playing with the band, there's a delay when engaging the solo due to the channel change - so what other options are there?

I was thinking I could use a dual amp block, and a spare pedal to adjust the 'normal' gain amounts.... but what's everyone's preferred way of getting around the channel switching delay?

Thanks all!
 
Put a drive block in front of your amp and use scenery to bypass/unbypass the drive block. (or multiple drive blocks for more than 2 scenes)

Or, use a scene controller to turn on the input boost switch on the amp block.

Or, use multiple amp blocks and use a remotely controlled mixer block to fade between them.

Or, use a drive block and multiple scene controllers to progressively add more gain with different scenes.
 
Bump the scene level up in the output block.

Edit: after thinking about this, not sure it would solve the channel switch gap...prolly not.
 
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GlennO said:
Put a drive block in front of your amp and use scenery to bypass/unbypass the drive block.

Or, use a scene controller to turn on the input boost switch on the amp block.

Or, use multiple amp blocks and use a remotely controlled mixer block to fade between them.

Or, use a drive block and multiple scene controllers to progressively add more gain with different scenes.
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To clarify, the gap comes from switching scenes or channels on an amp block?
Not from doing that on other block types, like drives?
And it still happens if you only change amp channels directly, not scenes?

Yes I know I should do these experiments myself, but it seems others already have, so hopefully I can piggyback onto their experience :)
 
Dave Merrill said:
To clarify, the gap comes from switching scenes or channels on an amp block?
Not from doing that on other block types, like drives?
And it still happens if you only change amp channels directly, not scenes?

Yes I know I should do these experiments myself, but it seems others already have, so hopefully I can piggyback onto their experience :)
Click to expand...
Channels. So, the trick is to avoid switching amp channels (and to a lesser degree, drive channels) when you switch sounds, if your goal is to avoid the gaps.
 
My approach- Use scene controllers to up the gain on a scene by scene basis. Add a drive block, eg ts808, Sd1, on the drive pedal crank output, keep gain knob low, tone to taste. Or in place of or in conjunction with, engage and select input boost type in the amp block. For volume/solo boost add a filter block, I like to gently roll off highs and lows and add a 3-5db boost for solos.
 
If you have enough cpu, you could run two completely separate paths on the grid, with a different amp block as mentioned above,.. the mux block works well to chose which path is active. As far as the actual vol boost, instead of using the amp level, or scene level in the output block, I like to use an actual vol or filter block. This way you can use your lead path without the boost on if you need a lead sound without a boost.
 
I use a Control Switch for boost/solo and it's completely seamless. In the Amp block it turns on the Input Boost Switch, turns off the Bright Switch, increases the Input Drive and the block Level. I use it at times to also turn on a Drive, turn off a Compressor, increase the Level of the Cab block and reduce the Mix in the Reverb and Delay blocks.

A CS can be attached to any modifier in any block so you can attach it to the Bypass of a Drive and/or GEQ/PEQ block to turn on for a solo tone, the Level of the Cab block or Output Block for more volume or the Tone controls in the Amp block etc.... You can also turn the Amp Output EQ on/off, change Delay and Reverb Feedback/Time, Mix and/or Level with it as well, any parameter with a modifier can be attached to and controlled with a single CS.
 
I use a VolPan block after the amp/cab in every preset, as I have a dedicated volume expression pedal on my board.

To do lead boosts, I either use a controller to modify the output level of the VolPan from -4.5dB to 0dB, or the scene change switches its channel from one where the Output Level is -4.5dB one where it is 0dB. I don't notice any gap switching channels on the VolPan, as it's likely simple enough to switch channels nearly instantaneously. I suppose you could use a scene controller on the Output Level to bump it up and pull it back much like the controller switch or pedal, too....
 
I used to use an expression pedal for engaging a boost for a solo section. There are many parameters ( fx mix/level, eq mix, compression mix) you can link in as well as the overall level and gain amount. I used a stock (3 dB?) boost for the 0-80% throw for "normal" use. Also, try leaving an extra couple dB of gain/volume for a "push over the CLIFF" on the last 20% of the pedal throw for emergency use. The top part of the throw is also a good spot to turn on a compressor to make a "sustainer" activate and hold notes and easily slip back out of that effect without pushing a button or eating up a scene while maintain a fluid sound.
 
I realise I am not really answering the op’s question, but…
I use an expression pedal for volume. Not only for solo boosts but also for in- or decreasing volume when changing presets and they differ. I purposely bought an expression pedal with a wheel on the side so I can manipulate the difference between toe up and toe down on the fly. No programming involved. I do this because my monitor or foh or both differ per gig. That means the difference between min and max volume settings on the pedal change too. You do not want to play a brilliant virtuoso solo that is barely audible or play sucky notes when going waaay too loud in comparison to the rest of the band volume. I find the boss big metal pedals my weapon of choice though a bit heavy. A boss ev5 is cheap and lightweight.
Oh, and it is just master output volume. Nothing fancy.
 
IronSean said:
You could use scene controllers to adjust the knobs scene to scene instead of having to switch amp channels.
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The tutorial for scene controller got 20 steps 🤦. Seriously when I see this 🤦 . I’m really happy to not use channels anymore , goodbye the gap 👌🏻
 
As mentioned dual amps or scene controllers will be seamless and enable you to make changes to your amp block. A control switch linked to amp boost, fat switch, bright switch, amp EQ etc also give you plenty of powerful tone sculpting options

The channel switching is so fast now though that in a live context, with a band, playing rock music as I believe you do - is the gap noticeable?

I started using scene controllers on the AX8 and continued to use them when I got the III. I now have some presets with scene controllers and some with channels but honestly couldn't tell you which were which unless I was playing in isolation, effects spillover masks changes too
 
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