Channel Switching FREAKIN' CAN OF WORMS!!

[ampgeek]

My pleasure mate!

My sense is that the best switch type will be at least partially driven by the "job requirements" which is why a full understanding of that early on is important.

I seem to recall someone here mentioning a very inexpensive and compact sequencing pcb that might have some utility here. I think that it was being discussed in the context of creating patches for a pedal board full of individual effects. You know...avoiding the need to do the Riverdance thing right in the middle of a song. Something like that would make this job a breeze!

BTW: With S4 closed, the A tube grid will be grounded and there won't be any output.

I do now see that S1 and S4 could go on a DPDT switch. Whenever S1 is closed, S4 must be open and vice versa. Not the case with S2 and S3 because of the in-series option.

Cheers,
Dave O.

[gktamps]

I remembered seeing a parallel cascade approach by Zaphod Phil a few years ago, with the schemo drawn by our own Colossal - should have thought of this sooner. Seems like a simple, effective solution.

http://rh-tech.org/public/18-Watt/18W_C ... ev_2.2.pdf

[ampgeek]

Very elegant. Thanks for sharing that!

Obviously, it doesn't get you your "A alone" and "B alone" options.

Cheers,
Dave O.

[gktamps]

D'oh!
Now I have to think again.

[ampgeek]

LOL! But...thats part of the fun....I think?!?!

Had another thought on this topic. You could use dip switches, 5'ish volt relays and a 4 button foot switch to get what you want pretty easily. A 4 postion dip switch just after each foot switch would allow you to set the "patch" for the given mode.

The only drawback would be that you would need to deactivate one mode before activating the next mode (e.g., return to the NC state for each of the 4 relays). You could choose what that default mode would be in advance. But...it might make for a funky-transition if you were to do it in the middle of certain songs.

Cheers,
Dave O.

[gktamps]

Thanks, Dave. I am hitting the books.
Cheers,
Greg

[ampgeek]

Right on Greg! Let me know what you learn as I haven't done 4 mode switching and may want to give it a whirl someday.

I have become pretty adept at home grown pcb creation and would be willing to give something in this realm a go to share and experiment if that fits into your final plans.

After thinking about it a bit more, you would only need a 3 button footswitch as the default mode wouldn't need activation. That makes it a bit easier/more compact for sure!

Good luck,
Dave O.