Effects

[thefatcyclist]

Zoom 70 interface is a bit awkward I agree, not helped by having to step through so many pedals when choosing individual effects and tweaking can be a bit fraught when the effect controls are on multiple pages. But it is possible to save 50 pedal board configurations each with up to 6 effects and to set a sequence of your favourite boards to cycle through using foot switch. In such a small pedal I'm still impressed.

I must be missing something. Point me at how to do it please. I have a 50, but going to upgrade to a 70, because there are more delays including multitap. Now if I could only persuade the guys at" Echoes from the past" to do a setup for it for Hank marvin for the 70.

[SteelieAJK]

In the zoom (50 & 70) manual page 10 shows how to save a patch to memory with a new name. I found it best to turn off auto save (see page 20) to avoid overwriting settings whilst experimenting. Just manually save when I have reasonable configurations. Page 11 shows how to set up the cycle of patches.All a bit fiddly but not terribly complicated.

[Malcolm]

Just bought a used RP150 for £25 as a back up unit.

[thefatcyclist]

In the zoom (50 & 70) manual page 10 shows how to save a patch to memory with a new name. I found it best to turn off auto save (see page 20) to avoid overwriting settings whilst experimenting. Just manually save when I have reasonable configurations. Page 11 shows how to set up the cycle of patches.All a bit fiddly but not terribly complicated.

Cheers, maybe I should read manuals sometimes.

[thefatcyclist]

The zoom MS 50G has just been updated to Vs 2.01, and includes 45 more effects than it had previously. Makes changing to the 70 less attractive for me. However a friend just bought a 70 to add to his 50 and says it is awesome, a 12 pedal chain in 2 boxes.

[Malcolm]

I am assuming that these are being used for six string, cannot see they would be of much use to "standard" pedal steel use.Having watched some of the masters at Dallas , they just used a touch of reverb or reverb and delay (DD3), most with a bog standard 112 or 400,and the tone was to die for.Think David had a point about loosing signal/tone going through that amount of pedals.

[thefatcyclist]

I am assuming that these are being used for six string, cannot see they would be of much use to "standard" pedal steel use.Having watched some of the masters at Dallas , they just used a touch of reverb or reverb and delay (DD3), most with a bog standard 112 or 400,and the tone was to die for.Think David had a point about loosing signal/tone going through that amount of pedals.

In a well setup pedal board, there is no loss of signal or tone, especially when through a gigrig or true bypass looper. A buffer and a line driver sorts any potential losses in traditionally chained pedal boards.

Many pedal steel and lap steel players use effects chains, and big guitar tube amps and combos, especially those who are trying to lift the instrument out of the box. Try the different styles thread on the SGF. Where would we be if David Gilmour of Pink Floyd hadn't played his laps,(and pedal steels in the studio) through his effects setup. In the case of Matt, he is playing with a rock band.

The great or any players for that matter, especially if playing in the hawaiian and country genres probably do not need many effects, as that is the tone that is required
for that type of music. But there is plenty room for everything, and if it helps in a resurgance of the instrument so much the better.

[elparkirio]

Different strokes for different folks innit.

[Malcolm]

Totally disagree with you, on effect chains on STANDARD pedal steel tone.Yes they can be used with lap steels/rock/bands etc , (not my personal cup of tea) , and not something that I listen to over much, but to each his own. I would suggest you may look at the many and various threads on the American forum, where effect/effect chain/and even tuners have been discussed by the high and mighty (and even us lower end players), and I'm sure you will find the majority of them do find a difference in tone/signal in standard country/countryish steels.Yes it is a good thing that steel crosses a lot of new boundries music wise, and good luck to anyone who does so, but as I said , not something I want to do . PS Who are Pink Floyd, do they play the Country circuit?

[andrew marson]

Oh Malcolm, you big tease !!! There is an apocryphal story that when Pink Floyd went to America they were interviewed by a music journalist who concluded the interview by asking "By the way, which one of you is Pink?" I agree that there is little to beat the pure sound of an unadulterated steel, but then again one of my favourite bits of playing is by Sneaky Pete on the live Flying Burrito Bros version of Devil in Disguise where he uses a fuzz pedal and makes the most wonderful noise. Still thinking of buying a delay pedal..... Cheers Andy. P.S. can anyone tell me how to access the yellow smiley faces ?