Carl Martin Octa-Switch or VooDoo Commander/Switcher

[JerEvil]

So I am looking to get a switcher for the pedal board and was really liking what I saw from VooDoo Lab in the way of the Commander and Pedal Switcher. THEN I stumbled on the Carl Martin Octa-Switch.

Holy cow, both of these set up's are cool as hell. The advantage going to the Carl Martin in that it is a single unit as opposed to the VooDoo needing both Commander and Pedal Switcher. The Carl Martin also allows for channel switching on the amp.

Any of you guys using either of these?

VooDoo Lab Commander/Pedal Switcher:

Carl Martin Octa-Switch 2:

 

[rlord1974]

I use neither but, based on this and your other thread, it sounds like the Octaswitch is more what you're looking for.

Also check out the Patchmate Floor version from Rocktron:

[Maybe you don't anticipate needing 8 loops to switch in and out though....]

 

[JerEvil]

I use neither but, based on this and your other thread, it sounds like the Octaswitch is more what you're looking for.

Also check out the Patchmate Floor version from Rocktron:

[Maybe you don't anticipate needing 8 loops to switch in and out though....]

Ooooooohhhhh ...

Dammit, now I gotta check this out!

 

[rlord1974]

Oh, btw, you can have 1 or more of the 8 loops on the Patchmate act as function switches for your amp's channel/switching functions as well. SO, maybe you DO need all 8 loops (e.g., you could use 5 for pedals and 2 for function switching).

 

[glip22]

I use neither but, based on this and your other thread, it sounds like the Octaswitch is more what you're looking for.

Also check out the Patchmate Floor version from Rocktron:

[Maybe you don't anticipate needing 8 loops to switch in and out though....]

 

[rupe]

I use the Octaswitch. As long as you don't need a bunch of presets, it's great. I like that it can control channel/function switching on any amp the takes a normal 1/4" TRS plug.

 

[rlord1974]

I use the Octaswitch. ..... I like that it can control channel/function switching on any amp the takes a normal 1/4" TRS plug.

The Patchmate can do this as well. However, I agree that the Octaswitch is a more straightforward, user friendly solution if you don't want to deal with programming and the like.

I thought you were looking to sell your Octaswitch, Bill? You might have found yourself a suitor in JerEvil!

 

[glassjaw7]

Check this one out. Lots of features for $299 and supposedly built well/reliable.

http://www.moenfx.com/gec9.html

 

[LP Freak]

Check this one out. Lots of features for $299 and supposedly built well/reliable.

http://www.moenfx.com/gec9.html

The link isn't very reliable.

 

[JerEvil]

I'm really diggin the looks of the octa

 

[Death by Uberschall]

WOBO

http://woboge.com/boxes_proglooper.html
or
http://woboge.com/remote_prog.html
http://woboge.com/remote_patch.html

PP2+ under the board powering everything except the Reverbulator (24v). The OCD pedals and MXR flanger are set to 18v, the Analogman Bi-Chorus and Behringer mini mixer are set to 12v, all other pedals are at 9v. Board measures 36x18.

Each of the effects (except the Bad Horsie II, Decimator G-string & tuner) are in there own loops which are "preset" assignable in any combination and/or can be made to be an add-on to an already activated preset. Both of the OCD's are in the same loop, one just feeds into the other. All "looped" effects pedals stay on all the time. All loops are true bypass when not engaged. The switching unit also handles the amp channel switching and amp loop function as needed (loop stays on all the time though). So basically it's "one button" activation for each of my main sounds. The bottom row and one of the upper row buttons are my main sounds. The other top row buttons are my "add-ons" as needed. Stepping on one of the main preset drops the activated add-ons, really simple for stage use. Basically there is the "A" group of loops (7 loops) for the effects before the amp and the "B" group of loops (3 loops) for effects in the amp's effects loop. One thing that I had added to the switching unit was a common return for the "B" group loops. The Babyface Trem and both MXR Carbon Copy's are the "B' group. What this allowed me to do was feed both of the Carbon Copy's outputs to the mini mixer which then feeds the "common return". That way when I switch between presets that change which delay pedal (main or long/solo) is active, the previous delay's input is shut off, but the effect's output does not get cut off and naturally decays away. The mini mixer also allows me to set my solo level a little higher for a solo boost that follows the presets.

 

[Erock]

man, I love that board Death by Uberschall. That VH/Hendrix graphic is one of the coolest I've ever seen on a pedal. That board just looks so pro. I hear banjos when I look at my board.


the octa switch and wobo look awesome, I would love to try either of them. The unit Pete Thorn uses in his pedalboard demo looked really cool too. I couldn't afford the Carl Martin when I first started building my board, so I went with a used Voodoo unit. There are some good deals that come up on the voodoo stuff used. I added a second switching unit last year, and plan to add a commander when I see a deal. I also want to add their amp control unit that works with the commander. It's taken me years to build my board, because I'm always jacking with it, or adding to it. The true bypass loopers really are great though, I love being able to physically take all the extra cable and fx boxes out of the signal chain when I'm not using them. I don't really have any complaints about the voodoo, other than I wish they had more loops, worked with any midi controller, and looked cooler, lol. They've been pretty durable, and they are very transparent in my setup.

 

[JerEvil]

man, I love that board Death by Uberschall. That VH/Hendrix graphic is one of the coolest I've ever seen on a pedal. That board just looks so pro. I hear banjos when I look at my board.


the octa switch and wobo look awesome, I would love to try either of them. The unit Pete Thorn uses in his pedalboard demo looked really cool too. I couldn't afford the Carl Martin when I first started building my board, so I went with a used Voodoo unit. There are some good deals that come up on the voodoo stuff used. I added a second switching unit last year, and plan to add a commander when I see a deal. I also want to add their amp control unit that works with the commander. It's taken me years to build my board, because I'm always jacking with it, or adding to it. The true bypass loopers really are great though, I love being able to physically take all the extra cable and fx boxes out of the signal chain when I'm not using them. I don't really have any complaints about the voodoo, other than I wish they had more loops, worked with any midi controller, and looked cooler, lol. They've been pretty durable, and they are very transparent in my setup.

The Voodoo stuff looks awesome. How are you using different pedals like patches without the commander or are you not? The Octa is leading the charge out of simplicity but I am still looking at the Voodoo stuff. Should I be nervousness about buying this kind of stuff used?

 

[rupe]

I use the Octaswitch. ..... I like that it can control channel/function switching on any amp the takes a normal 1/4" TRS plug.

The Patchmate can do this as well. However, I agree that the Octaswitch is a more straightforward, user friendly solution if you don't want to deal with programming and the like.

I thought you were looking to sell your Octaswitch, Bill? You might have found yourself a suitor in JerEvil!

I did put it in the classifieds but then started using it again. I seem to go back and forth between having my pedals in front of me vs keeping them in a rack. Racking them and controlling everything with a midi pedal and RG-16 is far more flexible, but I like the simplicity of the Octaswitch and the ability to reach down and tweak knobs.

Maybe I should just sell the Octaswitch to simply take away that option and eliminate my OCD (not the pedal) as it pertains to my effects rig

 

[rockify]

Gigrig midi14 user here..

But...

You can't top the new G2 by gigrig. Flawless. Check it out

 

[Erock]

The Voodoo stuff looks awesome. How are you using different pedals like patches without the commander or are you not? The Octa is leading the charge out of simplicity but I am still looking at the Voodoo stuff. Should I be nervousness about buying this kind of stuff used?

My board is setup kind of odd. I run chains of stuff that I use, a couple are mainly for cleans, another for lead sounds. One whole switcher is dedicated to boosts/fuzz/disto, and the gate runs with that. I do that so I can take everything out if I want a clean sound with no gate in one click. I'm going to change it up when i can score a commander. The voodoo stuff is cool if you want to peice something together slowly. If I had the cash at the time however, i would have just went with a complete solutiion like the octa. I'm sure its more cost effective in the end. As for buying used, its always a gamble with how someone treated something. I probably would go new with the more complicated units, but it depends on who the seller is.

 

[JerEvil]

Gigrig midi14 user here..

But...

You can't top the new G2 by gigrig. Flawless. Check it out

The only flaw is the lack of availability in the USA...awesome looking unit.

Man that looks choice but the Carl Martin and Voodoo stuff comes in at my price point.

 

[renegade5150]

If you do decide to go with the Octaswitch, I have a Octaswitch 1 that I would sell. I was using it until I got a Shiva and the fx loop on the Shiva doesn't like the octaswitch so it's just sitting around. PM me if you want it.

 

[rupe]

I like the One Control
http://www.one-control.com/crocodile-tail-loop.html

Does this one control amp switching functions via 1/4" plugs like the Octaswitch? If so, how many?

 

[nevusofota]

Love the Octa-switch. Use it at home more now since I need midi switching live. If you want the ultimate check out the Musicomlabs EFX switchers. Expensive new but there have been some great used prices on the MKII's.