Parallel loop mixer w/ CV control in pedal form?

[Sid Nitzerglobin]

I'm looking for a solution for contolling/mixing relative levels of the outputs of my biamp bass board via expression pedal prior to sending out to the amps. I think it would ideally need to be (2) 1/4" TS ins and outs and not too huge.

Current path is like this:
bass > tuner/compressor/looper > ABY >
amp A effects > amp A
&
amp B effects > amp B

I kinda like the ABY I'm using on here now so I'm thinking the simplest solution would be something that would sit at the end of each split effects loop and in front the amps. Something that sat at the end of the shared bit (after the looper) and could take the place of the ABY and handle the splitting and switching of the 2 chains might work too, but I'd prefer to just mix the outputs of the 2 chains rather than mix at the input of them.

The Pigtronix Keymaster I grabbed on clearance a few years ago would be absolutely perfect (aside from being awfully big and requiring a 24V power supply) if there was a way to run 2 discrete outs from it and still maintain the crossfading capabilities. Still need to verify for myself that just using the sends from each loop of it to feed the effects chains won't work, but I remember reading that the crossfade/mixing control is only on the returns feeding the single output on that box.

Any ideas on a readily available box that will do what I need it to?

[Shadoweclipse13]

Not sure if you're wanting a separate volume control for each signal path, but I immediately thought of a few different things from the Lehle line...
Lehle Parallel L
Lehle Stereo Volume

Not sure about this, but still pretty neat:
Lehle Little Dual

[Sid Nitzerglobin]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'd actually just been trying to decide on a way to try using the Lehle Dual SGoS I've got to accomplish what I need since posting this but I think the sticking point is the crossfade via expression pedal of 2 discrete outputs. Basically I want to be able to switch between the clean amp, dirty amp, and the blend of both w/ handsfree control of the levels of the 2 outputs. I've been trying work it out so I could use my standard expression pedal I've already got on the board but I'll have to take a look at the Lehle Volume pedal, if they let you run reverse tapers on the 2 channels that might be just the ticket...

I guess maybe I need to check into the Radial line in a bit more detail too and see if they've got anything that fits the bill.

Hoping I won't have to resort to a custom build since I've never even looked into how to integrate CV control on a pedal and I know I'd probably pull an Icarus trying to do something too complicated if I'm trying to design it myself...

[Shadoweclipse13]

Sounds like what you want is a stereo pan pedal now that I think about it...

[fuzzjunkie]

Sounds like what you want is a stereo pan pedal now that I think about it...

I'm a bit confused, but unless I'm reading it wrong, that's what I used. An Ernie Ball Stereo Volume Panning pedal. A/B switching, straight volume, or panning in between.

[Sid Nitzerglobin]

Yeah, just need to crossfade between the output of the 2 chains on the way to the amps.

That looks like it would work, thanks for the suggestion! I've actually got an Ernie Ball Stereo Volume pedal I'd grabbed used a while back but I don't think it's got the pan switch on it. That pan version is passive I'm assuming?

[Shadoweclipse13]

I think so... I always figured pan pedals had a two-sided shaft that controlled two pots at once, with the pots being wired backwards.

[fuzzjunkie]

I think so... I always figured pan pedals had a two-sided shaft that controlled two pots at once, with the pots being wired backwards.

That pan version is passive I'm assuming?

Mine is older, late 90s-early 00s, and is passive. I know EB makes active pedals now, but I think the panning models are still passive. The pots are dual ganged style and on a single shaft, so must be wired in opposite directions.

[Sid Nitzerglobin]

I think so... I always figured pan pedals had a two-sided shaft that controlled two pots at once, with the pots being wired backwards.

That pan version is passive I'm assuming?

Mine is older, late 90s-early 00s, and is passive. I know EB makes active pedals now, but I think the panning models are still passive. The pots are dual ganged style and on a single shaft, so must be wired in opposite directions.

Cool, thanks guys! I suppose the only way to know how bad of a tone suck it might be for me is to find one and give it a try.

[Shadoweclipse13]

Before I got into the boutique volume pedals, I had an Ernie Ball VP Jr and never had any tone suck. The thing I always remembered reading about was tone suck if you were using the tuner-out jack, which I never did. If it's passive and you're only using it to pan like that, you'll be fine I think.

[fuzzjunkie]

I had buffered pedals in both loops and didn't notice tone suck, but since I almost always have something on, I would always EQ the amp to the pedals, not to a straight to amp tone. My tone was guitar + pedals + amp, not guitar /amp.

[Sid Nitzerglobin]

Cool! I've generally got at least the preamp on each chain running w/ this set up too, and it seems to be sufficiently buffered sans pan pedal so it sounds like it's probably worth a shot.

I'm pretty tapped out currently, but hopefully after the holidays I can grab one and give it a try.

Thanks again guys!

[Shadoweclipse13]

I had buffered pedals in both loops and didn't notice tone suck, but since I almost always have something on, I would always EQ the amp to the pedals, not to a straight to amp tone. My tone was guitar + pedals + amp, not guitar /amp.

Side note, I think about this a lot. Granted, I'm not a touring (even locally) musician, but I know a few pro guitarists who recommend guitar > amp for setting up, and then add in pedals. I don't think it's a bad idea at all, but someone like me (and Sid it appears) who uses effects a lot, I'd think setting up the amp WITH the pedals makes AS much sense, you know? Just thinking out loud here.