Using a Boss TU-2 as an A/B box
Dr. Zontar
old drum machine for it). It works just fine as a tuner (just as most
of the reviews said), but I was surprised by the extra output jack. It
seems to work well as an A/B switch too.
I have 2 inputs on my amp, so I've been toying with the idea of
separate signal chains for clean and dirty sounds. I could send the
output jack to one chain and the mute jack to another.
Here's my big question - Will I shorten the life of my TU-2 by doing
this? Normally people click it on to tune, then click it off. If I use
it as an A/B switch, it will be on much more. Let's say I use the mute
jack for my clean chain. That means the tuner will be activated
whenever I'm playing clean - LED's flashing away and the tuner circuit
trying to make sense of chords. Is this safe?
- Rich
Jim
I can't think of a reason to say that it'll fry the tuner. An LED has a
very long life. Heat shouldn't be an issue for components, but I can't
say that for sure. If it had a needle like my TU-12H, that'd be a
different story.
But you won't have a mute for tuning, it probably has a buffer stage
(which may sound fine to you), and all those flashing lights could
induce a seizure! I might try it for a while, but at the same time
watch my local Craigslist for good deal on a A/B/Y or passive true
bypass with a few loops in it.
Step one is to see if any buffer in the tuner makes a noticeable change
on your clean tone. I don't use this tuner (I rarely jam, let alone
perform on a stage), so I don't know. If you are super picky, you might
even want that tuner in a true bypass loop.
Dr. Zontar
> I can't think of a reason to say that it'll fry the tuner. An LED has a
> very long life. Heat shouldn't be an issue for components, but I can't
> say that for sure.
That's sort of what I figured.
> But you won't have a mute for tuning,
No big deal. I've never had one (except on my XT Live) so I won't miss
it.
> it probably has a buffer stage (which may sound fine to you)
Most Boss pedals do, don't they? I've never been much of a true bypass
fanatic.
> and all those flashing lights could induce a seizure!
Especially in seek mode (or whatever it's called). Quite a lightshow.
> Step one is to see if any buffer in the tuner makes a noticeable change
> on your clean tone. I don't use this tuner (I rarely jam, let alone
> perform on a stage), so I don't know. If you are super picky, you might
> even want that tuner in a true bypass loop.
Well, the guys I'm jamming with now want me to be super distorted most
of the time, but I'm trying to sneak a few clean parts in. So for now,
it should be good. But I'll take your advice and keep looking for an A/
B or A/B/Y pedal.
- Rich
rct
> Well, the guys I'm jamming with now want me to be super distorted most
> of the time, but I'm trying to sneak a few clean parts in. So for now,
> it should be good. But I'll take your advice and keep looking for an A/
> B or A/B/Y pedal.
Good idea. I use two, both ART boxes. Cheap, reliable, I have had
zero problems with them long time.
rct
rct
> Well, the guys I'm jamming with now want me to be super distorted most
> of the time, but I'm trying to sneak a few clean parts in. So for now,
> it should be good. But I'll take your advice and keep looking for an A/
> B or A/B/Y pedal.
Good idea. I use two, both ART boxes. Cheap, reliable, I have had
Dr. Zontar
> Good idea. I use two, both ART boxes. Cheap, reliable, I have had
> zero problems with them long time.
Is one of them the "CoolSwitch"? I can pick one up cheaply, but I've
heard that they suck tone, and leak signal in A/B mode.
- Rich
rct
> > Good idea. I use two, both ART boxes. Cheap, reliable, I have had
> > zero problems with them long time.
> Is one of them the "CoolSwitch"?
Both.
> I can pick one up cheaply, but I've heard that they suck tone,
Both of mine don't, but I'm not recording in a zero flutter sound
proof bomb shelter basement, so I may not be as...uhm, "sensitive" to
such tone suckery as some intarew3b supergeniuses would appear to be.
I've been around guitars a long time, I don't use something that so
egregiously effs my guitar sound I can't make it sound right. That,
to me, would be "tone suck" and no, these don't do that.
> and leak signal in A/B mode.
I use mine only Y into Y, I couldn't tell you that.
rct
rct
Jim
It's VERY easy to build passive A/B pedals.
Dr. Zontar
> Both of mine don't, but I'm not recording in a zero flutter sound
> proof bomb shelter basement, so I may not be as...uhm, "sensitive" to
> such tone suckery as some intarew3b supergeniuses would appear to be.
Hey, I'm playing way-too-loud, fuzzed-out, sludge metal. So I'm not
exactly in a "pin-drop" studio situation. I agree that some people go
overboard on the issue. The only pedals that have ever been too "tone
suck-y" for me have been a couple of wahs. For the most part, true
bypass isn't a big deal, but those pedals could've used it.
- Rich
rct
> Hey, I'm playing way-too-loud, fuzzed-out, sludge metal. So I'm not
> exactly in a "pin-drop" studio situation. I agree that some people go
> overboard on the issue. The only pedals that have ever been too "tone
> suck-y" for me have been a couple of wahs. For the most part, true
> bypass isn't a big deal, but those pedals could've used it.
Well, between you and me and all the guitars and amps I've touched in
all the situations I've used them in since 1971, "true bypass" is one
of the funniest cons they ever put on people that buy pedals. Crax me
up every time.
rct
Amazing Disgrace
love you long time mini rack.