Does something like this exist (rack gear)?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rsm
  • Start date Start date
rsm

rsm

Well-known member
I have several preamps, and may get more. I'm looking for a 1U (if possible) rack unit that:

- has MIDI in, out and thru
- can have separate channels (6 or 8), e.g. inputs and outputs for individual preamps
- has master outs (Left (mono), Right), 1/4" TS, line level
- has a master in, 1/4" TS
- Use MIDI to select individual channels/loops, send program change and ideally, CC commands.

I looked at the Rocktron Patchmate 8, I could be wrong but it seems you have to cascade or daisy chain the channels, 1 into 2 into 3 into 4, etc. or something similar? If I want to use the preamp in channel 1, can I bypass Loop/Channels 2-8? Will they be completely bypassed? I don't need to use more than one channel/loop at a time.

Does this exist? Does the Patchmate do this?
 
RJM rack gizmo will do 4 at a time, then you still have space for effects. Rocktron patchmate will do it also, 8 loops I believe, but I am unclear how many you can have in the chain at a time. I have only a couple at a time, but I will guess you can have more than 2, probably 4 at least. The thing about the RJM, is it has input buffers to help with signal degradation.

The whole daisy chain thing is what it looks like, meaning one preamp in #1, one preamp in #2, etc. However, each preamp is only in the signal chain when its button is activated. So, you won't be using 4, 6, 8 preamps simultaneously, each pre is active ONLY for the one or two buttons you are using at the time.

What are you trying to accomplish by having so many pre's in the chain? It may be that you will need one unit for every 4 pre's, but I can't be sure about that.

Good luck, check out RJM as well as Rocktron...
 
You could use the fx gizmo like that. Or 2 Axcess GRX4s.
 
All the preamps in a single rack would be to allow simple / easy switching without having rewire/reconnect if I want to use a different preamp. I would only be using one preamp at a time; I'd run the input/output of the switcher (e.g., Patchmate) in the insert loop of my G-System. Not sure if the G-System MIDI can send commands to the Patchmate (for example) to change loops/channels? If this works, I'd have one rack with wireless, all my preamp options and my G-System...controlled by the G-System floorboard.

I have the following today:
- ADA MP-2
- Marshall JMP-1
- Mesa Triaxis

I plan to get either an Engl E530 or E570 when funds are available. Add a 1U wireless and Furman power conditioner, I'll want an 8-10U rack case, and the switcher to handle 5-6 preamps.
 
Given that all your preamps are midi ones, you might just be able to do this with a splitter and a line mixer line mixer.

I have a Behringer Ultralink PRo which is a felxible 8 channel splitter/mixer (you can decide how many channels split vs mix).

So...

Guitar into this, then use 3 channels as splitters to send a feed to the input of each preamp. The output of each preamp then goes back to the inputs of 3 channels of the splitter/mixer, with the final output going to the next point in the signal chain.

If all the preamps are connected via midi then you would need to make sure that when selecting a prog for preamp A, that the prog for preamps B and C have the output at zero unless you want to blend the feeds from more than one preamp at once.

Pro's - one rack space. Cheap solution really. Balanced ins and outs. Can get the job done so long as preamps are midi.
Con's - not enuff channels to handle much more than you already have, and you'd need to run preamps in mono (not a big deal IMO). Not midi capable unit (which is what you are after)

Not sure if it can take an instrument level input so that would need checking - so may need to boost the signal to line level first.
 
I used a RJM Rack Gizmo for running 2 Eggie M4s, Mod50, Mod100 and a G System all together. For midi I just did In/Thru to each unit and it all worked fine.

Where are you located? I have an 8 space rack.
 
I wouldn't recommend running all the pre's in series. That could have serious repercussions, like tone loss, grounding issues, etc.

You want a way to switch pre's in and out of the signal chain, so when one is active, the others are completely out of the chain.

To do this you need one of the products mentioned above. You need loops, not series midi where the signal runs through ALL the pre's regardless if you are using them or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top