It's a pretty large board that is based around a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier, Soldano SLO, and other Marshall Heads. All of his equipment has effects loop and multi-switch capabilities (some through MIDI, DIN, or TRS cables). The switcher was left to the side without going to the interface to accommodate all amp choices depending on his gig and desired tone.
The board is outfitted with a custom interface to network the pedalboard with the amp. There is a buffer on both the input and output of the interface going in front of the amp because the client often runs 50' ft. of cable from the pedalboard to amp and needs to maintain the purest signal fidelity. With the buffers place strategically in the pedalboard, both the client and I found no difference between the direct signal and going through the pedalboard. There was literally zero tonal degradation.
Additionally, I modded the Blue Box to True Bypass with a relay so I didn't have to mess with the circuit board. I also modded the Phase 90 for an LED, 9v Tap, and a True Bypass Switch. We left everything else alone.
Some low current mA pedals are run off of a DC Brick that the client had. He was adamant about each pedal having it's own power (however the Brick is hardly different from a 1Spot or Daisy Chain'd power supply). Nevertheless, there was no noise coming from any of the pedals.
Lastly a custom snake was made for going from the interface to the amp and effects send/return for reduced clutter on stage.
Overall, the pedalboard sounded great. Really nice tone selections and lot of pedals to choose from.
The order of the effects are:
In Front of Amp:
Interface In (from guitar)--> Wilson Signature Wah--> MXR Blue Box--> Line6 Otto Wah Fliter--> Interface (buffer In)--> TU-2 Tuner--> MXR Script Phase 90--> Whirlwind Compressor--> Fulltone OCD v.4--> Goodrich Volume Pedal--> Carl Martin Vintage Flanger--> Boss DM-2--> Voodoo Lab Tremolo--> Interface Out (to amp w/buffer on output)
In Effects Loop:
Interface (effects send)--> T-Rex Replica--> Line6 Verbzilla Reverb--> Interface (effects return)
*NOTE: The client wanted to keep the Volume Pedal out in front of the amp to really control swells with Distortion via the Amp and pedals. The DM-2 was run in front for more Tape Echo/decayed repeats/dark echo tone. It was more Tape-ish in front of the amp. The T-Rex is used more for the Digital Hi-Fi sound and longer repeats.
*Stand-Outs: The Whirlwind Compressor really sounds great for the price. I have a few original Script Dyna Comps, and this thing really gets close. It is a little more subtle than mine, but still retains that classic MXR tone. Also, the Wilson Wah is amazing! Best Vox Clyde McCoy based Wah I've heard on the boutique market. I'm very impressed!
~Mason
