Gear Guide - Pedalboard Teardown
People have been asking me for an updated pedalboard rundown, so here we go!
Both boards are build on Rockboard's Quad 4.1 using 3M Dual Lock Tape for mounting.
I've also used a combination of traditional and flat patch cables as these have been evolving over many years and it is not great economically to replace every cable unless it's absolutely needed.
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Latest Update: 15th September 2023
Board 1 - The Guitar FX & Looper Board
(B1): Built on a Rockboard 4.1 with a Mod 3, This uses a rechargeable power supply and designed to also be used as a standalone guitar board for small setups for a fast, simple and fully self-powered setup. It still works best when combined with the second board, though.
Boss OC-5 Octave
I absolutely LOVE this pedal. It allows me to have a bassline playing while still playing chords or melodies. I send a split signal from here, with the processed bass signal directly to the RC600 and send the clean signal through the "middle" of the signal chain (comp > drive > trem) before it reunites in the RC600. This is so even if any of these 3 effects are activated, the bass signal comes through unaffected.
Caline Python Compressor
Perfect for a clean boost, or those funky rhythm tones!
With some tweaking of knobs you're sure to find even a bit of grit in here.
Such an affordable unit, I don't know how I went so long without this little compressor.
Caline Queen Bee Overdrive
When I first started playing guitar, I was addicted by distortion pedals and patches.
Now that I'm much older and a little wiser, I much prefer the silky smooth sounds of a low-gain overdrive.
This is my go-to for my lead tones with a real edge-of-breakup sound and heaps of room from clean to dirty if you need it.
Boss DD-200 Delay
This is such a powerful pedal and I LOVE the shimmer delay setting so much, it's my main preset. It also has MIDI so I've connected it to receive the tempo commands from the RC-600 so the delays are perfectly matched to the loops I have running.
When using both boards, the audio then connects to the Zoom MS-100BT on B1
Boss RC-600
I loved my RC-300 back in the day, moving to the RC-600 was a no brainer.
I've remapped every button to suit my needs, and even added two more, (see the Switch by Nux) allowing me to construct music in whatever way takes my fancy. From simple loops to something more complex to turn a guy and a guitar into a full sound production.
Nux Dual Foot Switch
This little 2 button switch is a definite MUST HAVE companion to the RC600.
Robust and reliable, it makes something as simple as clearing all loops quick and easy.
(The default way to do this on the RC-600 is actually terrible haha!)
EFX Oceans 11 Reverb
This is definitely much more than I need, but I'd rather have more options than less. This generally sits as always on with the settings as per image.
A set and forget pedal on my board, this reverb is the last pedal in my chain before it hits the RC600
Joyo Power Supply 5
In my experience, this is the best rechargeable, isolated power supply around! If only the 12V connection also had a 500mA current, I would run this on both boards. The USB connection is not the greatest, but it will get you out of a bind if you forgot to charge something.
Super reliable with an average 3-4 hour run time.
Board 2 - The Vocal Effects Board
(B2): Switching to the Rockboard 3.0 with a Mod 3, I've changed this board to be just vocals only. However I also use the Play Acoustic as my DI OUT for both guitar and mic signal. Much less floor space than before so I'm loving not having to stretch out as much to tap a pedal.​
TC Helicon Play Acoustic
This sleek black unit is super powerful when it comes to processing your vocal harmonies. Combined with a switch, tapping in and adding vocal delay makes a massive difference.
I have an RC600 aux send to the Play Acoustic, so I can kick in my harmonies whenever I need to - As long as there's a chord playing on the looper, it can read it and adjust accordingly.
TC Switch 3
Switches make life so much easier! This talks to the Play Acoustic to allow me to tap tempo in my echo, activate it, as well as act as the HIT trigger as the actual pedal is in a sub optimal position.
This replaced my previous Loopi pedal as I found those switches were too close together to hit reliably
Stompbeat A/B XLR Switch
This is a switch which I use to route the mic output from the Play Acoustic to either the mixer, or to the RC-600 if I want to loop vocals. This way I can loop guitar/beats whilst still singing, and still have the option to click over and loop vocals separately.
Swamp Iso-10 Power
When looking for a second power supply, I was originally looking at the Fender Engine Room Lvl8. However due to stock issues, I had to keep shopping around and I came across this little beauty.
Not only does it have more ports, (albeit 300mA instead of 500,A, which is still all most pedals need) it matches the 2 switchable outlets and USB and still comes in at less than a quarter the price. A no brainer.