Expression and Equalisation Pedals
Expression pedals, like the DOD Mini E, are connected to the relevant
effect, e.g. to change delay time, and should be positioned to suit.
EQ pedals are used in a number of ways, including:
!- First in the circuit to EQ guitar pickups
!- To EQ specific drive pedals or other effects
!- As frequency specific or global boosts/cuts
!- At or near the end of the circuit for adaptive EQ
Loop Switchers
Loop switchers - not to be confused with phrase loopers like TC
Electronic’s Ditto - are used in larger circuits to place key
functions right at the player's feet on the front deck. Some, like
the Boss ES-3, include built in effects. Even a simple looper - like
Bright Onion’s ABC Switch - dramatically increases the flexibility
of your circuit.
Importantly, because you needn’t use a pedal’s foot-switch to
activate an effect, a loop switcher enables you to mount pedals
more freely, including on the subdeck beneath the main deck.
Pro Tip for loop switchers: Pedals can be mounted anywhere in any orientation
that their design allows, e.g. pedals that have top connections, such as Rockett’s
compact Tour series, can be mounted on their sides if they are ‘always-on’, or just
about any way you like if you use a loop switcher - even back-to-back and side on!
Power Supplies
Pedal and pedal board manufacturers recommend specifying an isolated power
supply (PS) for your effects. Batteries are environmentally unsound and prone to
dying at the time most inconvenient to you… Popular choices include Voodoo Labs,
Cioks and Strymon, offering low and high current outlets to power analogue and
high-draw digital effects.
We recommend mounting your PS at the back of the case, beneath the deck (see
schematic below) to ensure your 9v cables can reach every part of the circuit easily.
NOTE: Alpha and Beta models require a slimline power supply.
Some PS designs are in one unit, some in two, a transformer coupled mains cable
and the outlet block itself. There is ample room in every Rockshell to install either
type using velcro or 3M Dual Lock, without the need for special mounting brackets.
Pro tip: You need to ensure your supply has enough outlets for all your effects,
especially high-draw digital effects, but it is not always necessary to use a dedicated
outlet for each one. Many analogue drives, for example, draw very little current -
often less than 20 milliamps - and you can safely use a 9v splitter cable to feed two
pedals, though we do not recommend ‘daisy-chaining’ more than two.
