here is my intended live-performance layout (from Pedalplayground.com)... I have the Board, the AM4, the Power supply, the Riverside / Multi-Switch, the PS6, etc... just waiting on the EV30 and the Pirate Midi Aero.
Yes, I over-plan everything. It's the career Submariner in me... all planned out with a backup for the backup.
My intent is to run the AM4 in
Amp mode for each one-push access to all four amp channels, as well as the Amp-Boost on each for a level bump if I switch to single coils.
I will run an always-on Reverb with integrated Echo/Delay in the last block. Two other individual effects blocks between the amp and Verb/Echo in each of a couple of otherwise-identical presets will be turned on/off with 2 switches on the Pirate Midi - I'm reserving the 3rd Pirate switch for Tuner and Tap Tempo. This way, I can switch from amp to amp mid song, one-FS push. I can also turn on/off a (for example) Chorus and a Tremolo - again with one FS Push, on the Pirate Midi. The effects I need for my cover band are: Chorus; Flanger; Tremolo; Auto-Swell. If I need more down the road, I just duplicate my preset and add those effects in. I never need more than one of them at a time, so it's easy enough to switch presets between songs. DURING songs, I don't want to need to push multiple times or do the "Hold then push" thing, but between songs, I can set up for the next tune in seconds.
The Riverside is a fantastic sounding and EXTREMELY flexible pedal. With just the pedal you can have two different drive tones. If you've never checked out the Riverside, it's a game-changer.. Massive range of sounds/gain from just a boost to a full-on high-gain, and feels more like a great amp, than a drive pedal. Here's a good rundown of the sounds.
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With the added Multi-Switch, you can set 3 different Drive settings, all quickly accessible via the Multi-switch. The pedal even has its own noise gate that is customizable (or defeat-able) for EACH different favorite setting.
EV30 for Wah duties on Exp2, and Volume/Solo Boost duties on Exp1. This pedal has min and max knobs, so I can set heel-down at 70%, and toe-down at 100%, controlling the output block level. This way I run normally (rhythm) at heel down, and then go to toe-down to get full volume for leads. I hope to also be able to figure out how to have the Exp Pedal control the Delay time and Delay Mix so that when I go toe-down, I get not only the volume boost, but also the added delay features for a nice solo boost with just that exp pedal push.
The Rockboard is a 3.0 version (17.3" X 9.3") and has a patch bay in the front. This has an XLR out (connected to AM4's TRS out), an extra 9V DC out for power to an external pedal (see PS6 below), and five 1/4" jacks that support TS or TRS for ins / outs and/or multi-cable method connectivity if needed.
The PS6 won't be on the floor unless one specific tune is on the list (or requested)... it's a tune that requires a Whammy Pitch effect and the PS6 does it nearly as well as my Digitech Whammy at a fraction of the size. This is where the external 9V comes in. The PS6 with a short patch cable and power cable stays available to drop down, plug in and go... but won't leave my case, unless needed. I can also add any other special pedals this way.
I also plan to have my HX Stomp pre-programmed and set up with the Pirate Midi, and similar presets so that it's a drop-in replacement, as my backup solution. It would likely only run one or two amps, and the Riverside would become more important in that situation, but as a back up, I think it would be perfectly fine. I can also simply run the Stomp in stand-alone mode if I don't have the time to pull the AM4 and get the Stomp wired up. However, like most back-ups, I will likely never (or very rarely) be needed.
VP4 Spdif into the AM4. The looper is not hooked up right now but will go into the AM4 insert.
