Use Pi-Stomp as a switcher

[Erajer]

Hello everybody, i got this Idea a bit crazy and i got few questions about how make it real.
If we add more inputs ans outputs, can we use them as FX loops ? Then as a switcher
According to the modep's screenshots, we can add 5 loops, Am I correct ? Does it need some coding ?

And does the stomp sound good with ananlogs pedals or it's better alone ? I was first thinking about use it like an HX stomp on my current pedalboard
But when I tried to plug my board in a plugin (via PC), it didn't sound well and i'm afraid to get the same result with the Pi-stomp

And please forgive my english ^^

[Randall (Admin)]

Your English and idea seem quite fine to me.  Yeah, others have asked about more ins and outs.  It theoretically should be possible, but I've not tried it.  This guy has MOD running with an OCTO card:
https://amin.is/doing/MODEP-custom-build/

I've heard that, yes, MODEP will make available ins/outs that are present (as you can see near the bottom of that link).

And yes, there are many different switch utility LV2 plugins that you should be able to control via mapped footswitches or snapshots.

For what it's worth, you can kindof do a single FX's loop using the second channel.
Guitar > in1 > LV2 plugins > out1 > Outboard FX's > in2 > LV2 plugins > out2

Might not be ideal though.  in2 is not buffered.  Maybe not a problem if your loop has at least one active effect.  The volume control affects both your loop send and final output level.

Regarding use with analog pedals.  I use my pi-Stomp on my physical pedalboard after my gain/grit pedals (compression, fuzz, overdrive) but before my time/modulation pedals (tremolo, phaser/chorus, delay, reverb).  That way, my pi-stomp effects end up in the signal chain in about the place I'd want them.  Except for maybe a pi-Stomp reverb would feed my physical modulation pedals, where I usually like reverb last in the chain.  Oh well.

Regarding your physical pedalboard not sounding good into your PC, did your board or PC have any kind of Amp or Cabinet simulation?  If not, that could be why you didn't like the sound.  Direct guitar signals just don't sound the same.  Your pi-Stomp will have both Amp and Cab simulations, so that might be more pleasing.  Or you could use an amp/cab sim on your PC.  Some of my favorites lately have been these: https://guitarml.com/tonelibrary/tonelib-npi.html   They're free and created by a guy who recently built a pi-Stomp.  (Not so) secretly hoping they might become LV2 plugins that we can run on pi-Stomp eventually

[Erajer]

Thanks for the answer
In your use, do you see a difference or an interest in getting a physical pedal you already got in pi-stomp ? drive quality for exemple, or why don't use pi'stomp modulations ?
TBH my board is just an old Boss Multi-Effect (ME8) I could get rif of for buy a pi-stomp but it got analogs really good sounding drives and i'm really afraid to lost that. Especially when i can borrow a tube amp ^^

I did my try with the board going in Amplitube or Archetype Gojira in standalone via usb interface, both have cab simulations.
It's just sound shitty and dark, less when i turn off the virtual amp and let the cab sim but still.. don't know if it's about analog pedals/lv2 plugins sounding interaction or just about settings, probably worth another try.

Actually i have a preamp (tech 21 style with an old school cab sim), it work well but no cab sim when it's off and i go crunchy. Then I got the "cabless fuzzy sounding issue" you probably thought about.

I learned guitar with Tubes purists and even if i'm amazed by digital sounds and possibilties, only Neural's DSP's amp simulations seems good enough in my little experience... for now
That's why turning Pi stomp in something with Effects and switching possibilities like the Boss MS3 seems to me the better of both worlds

[Erajer]

Found this Midi power switcher  and though use it to kill pedals power instead activating loops. Using power suply 9v and enough mAh for all actives pedals.
[edit: sorry i forgot the link https://six4pix.net/product/midiswitcher ]

If we can find a way to change amp channel, it's all i need for this project

[Randall (Admin)]

Pulling the power on effects isn't the same as bypassing them.  Most effects will give you just silence or even noise with no signal if you take away their power.  Also, many are likely to produce crazy sounds for a fraction of a second once power is pulled.  Not sure many musicians would find that to be an adequate alternative to an effect loop.

Now you could use that power to control a DPDT relay effectively implementing remote controlled "true bypass".   In that sense, that unit could be a nifty "brain" for an 8 loop switcher.

[Crosenau]

For midi control only: There are pedal controllers out there that do this.

https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-pedal-switcher-guide for example.

I think using the Pistomp for that ALONE is like using a Tesla Car as a couch.

I do believe if you run the Pistomp mono, you can use 1 input and 1 output as an effect loop.

[Erajer]

Yes we can get more loop with a soundcard with more in and out so more loops.
But the point is about switching AND having all post effects like reverb, delays even IR's or stereo management with pi stomp, last loop for a tube preamp or a real amp with 4 cables method.
In that way i can still use pi stomp for some effects before preamp and still add 1 or 2 pedals according to snapshot. Like a boutique overdrive or anything else.

Dat way you have the better of both worlds