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applesforjonah
Bronze Member
USA
93 Posts |
 Posted - 07/06/2009 : 10:24:28
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I searched but I didn't find a thread on how to connect pedals on a pedal board. Does anyone have experience with the 1/4"-1/4" male-male couplers? Can you notice much of a difference compared to the shorter cables that are more common?
I currently use the cables and an input-one daisey chain to power my pedals, and I've been thinking about buying some couplers to test them out.
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archimedes
Silver Member
United Kingdom
191 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 11:23:54
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quote:
Originally posted by applesforjonah
I searched but I didn't find a thread on how to connect pedals on a pedal board. Does anyone have experience with the 1/4"-1/4" male-male couplers? Can you notice much of a difference compared to the shorter cables that are more common?
I currently use the cables and an input-one daisey chain to power my pedals, and I've been thinking about buying some couplers to test them out.
One thing you have to be careful of with couplers is that if you are using the pedals on a soft (i.e. carpet) or uneven surface you can put a lot of pressure on the input and output jacks thereby damaging them. Having said that I have some on my board (a couple of pages back in the 'show us your boards' thread) and they are really neat and do the job well.
David |
Edited by - archimedes on 07/06/2009 11:26:28 |
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applesforjonah
Bronze Member
USA
93 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 12:18:55
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quote:
Originally posted by archimedes
quote:
Originally posted by applesforjonah
I searched but I didn't find a thread on how to connect pedals on a pedal board. Does anyone have experience with the 1/4"-1/4" male-male couplers? Can you notice much of a difference compared to the shorter cables that are more common?
I currently use the cables and an input-one daisey chain to power my pedals, and I've been thinking about buying some couplers to test them out.
One thing you have to be careful of with couplers is that if you are using the pedals on a soft (i.e. carpet) or uneven surface you can put a lot of pressure on the input and output jacks thereby damaging them. Having said that I have some on my board (a couple of pages back in the 'show us your boards' thread) and they are really neat and do the job well.
David
Archidavid, that makes perfect sense. I'll make sure to pay attention to that. Following your advice, I'm going to invest in some and try them out. Have you ever noticed any interference from the couplers, or any more than normal? I know it also depends on the quality of the cables/couplers, but I wonder if there is a noticeable difference between the two. Thanks! |
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archimedes
Silver Member
United Kingdom
191 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 12:44:12
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quote:
Originally posted by applesforjonah
[Archidavid, that makes perfect sense. I'll make sure to pay attention to that. Following your advice, I'm going to invest in some and try them out. Have you ever noticed any interference from the couplers, or any more than normal? I know it also depends on the quality of the cables/couplers, but I wonder if there is a noticeable difference between the two. Thanks!
I don't even know what brand the ones I have are, I thought the Planet Waves ones were overpriced and found these ones here in the UK. They seem noiseless and transparent to me, I use Neutrik connectors for all link and patch cables.
http://www.electrohill.co.uk/acatalog/LeadsPlugsandConnectors.html
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archimedes
Silver Member
United Kingdom
191 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 12:48:35
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quote:
Originally posted by archimedes
quote:
Originally posted by applesforjonah
[Archidavid, that makes perfect sense. I'll make sure to pay attention to that. Following your advice, I'm going to invest in some and try them out. Have you ever noticed any interference from the couplers, or any more than normal? I know it also depends on the quality of the cables/couplers, but I wonder if there is a noticeable difference between the two. Thanks!
I don't even know what brand the ones I have are, I thought the Planet Waves ones were overpriced and found these ones here in the UK. They seem noiseless and transparent to me, I use Neutrik connectors for all link and patch cables.
http://www.electrohill.co.uk/acatalog/LeadsPlugsandConnectors.html
p.s. the advice is something I picked up here
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 14:42:07
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| i didn't really hear any diffrence when i was using a coupler |
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silvertone6120
Gold Member
USA
609 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 15:04:12
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My only problem with using couplers is, apparently Boss' input and output jacks are not always the same height on their pedals.
For example, when trying to use them in an old pedalboard I couldn't get the BD-2 to set firmly(not even lightly) on the pedalboard. Strange...I would've thought jack height(for lack of a better term) would've been more uniform.
Oh well...for that reason, and the fact that I'm using a BCB-3, 'm sticking with cables. |
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archimedes
Silver Member
United Kingdom
191 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 15:10:08
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quote:
Originally posted by silvertone6120
My only problem with using couplers is, apparently Boss' input and output jacks are not always the same height on their pedals.
For example, when trying to use them in an old pedalboard I couldn't get the BD-2 to set firmly(not even lightly) on the pedalboard. Strange...I would've thought jack height(for lack of a better term) would've been more uniform.
Oh well...for that reason, and the fact that I'm using a BCB-3, 'm sticking with cables.
I noticed that a couple of mine had jacks at a slight angle and was able to bring them into line by loosening the nut and rotating them slightly (with great care). |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 15:33:18
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quote:
Originally posted by silvertone6120
My only problem with using couplers is, apparently Boss' input and output jacks are not always the same height on their pedals.
For example, when trying to use them in an old pedalboard I couldn't get the BD-2 to set firmly(not even lightly) on the pedalboard.
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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 16:56:38
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| Those couplers are way neater than patch cables, but I broke one for the same reason Archimedes pointed out; too much pressure on one side. |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 17:13:48
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Folks, I have to chime in here about the number of broken Boss jacks I've seen... the plastic body jack type that the factory uses is not happy with "bending stress".
I'm too lazy to want to fix a preventable breakage, so I wouldn't use couplers on my pedals for that reason.
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 17:30:39
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I only use high-quality 6-9" cables with right-angled plugs with my compacts. 
Except for a solitary straight Dunlop coupler on my LS-2 as nothing else would fit on the Send A jack. 
I hate plastic (especially PCB mounted) jacks with a passion. 
Switchcraft is the best in my book. |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 02:51:04
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| i remember i had ernie ball ones and they were straight through |
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PaulH
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 11:35:16
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I use a variety of length cables for pedals.
I prefer cables as it allows movements of the pedals.
Pedals will move, even with velcro.
To avoid movement (and potential jack breakage) then screw your pedals to your board. |
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Joske Turbo
Silver Member
Belgium
412 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 16:59:08
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I used a coupler for my boss pedals before I got my BCB-6, but as mentioned before it can break in- and output jacks. If you use velcro, like I did, cables are better. Otherwise, you get this effect:
They're not really straight to each other anymore. |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2009 : 01:34:32
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Go with cables!
Couplers as others have mentioned, put stress on your jacks, even if the pedals line up at the jacks...
My experiences with couplers is that its like clothes on a clothesline...no matter where you pull on the line, the whole line moves. Couplers cause force to be put on the jacks no matter where or how lightly you step.
Cables let each pedal move a bit to not stress out the jacks. If neat and tidy is what you want, then I suggest getting one of the George L or Planet Wave pedalboard kits, or just get a bunch of plugs and cable in bulk and make your own cables... |
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Topic |
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Coupler or Cable?
