Fractal Axe FX II + MFC101 with 2x Dunlop DVP1 modified to 300K Linear for expression use, Custom Power Supply + Expansion Switches + Board Interface by Nice Rack NYC

This system was built for a weekend warrior & jammer type player who wanted to enjoy the best possible tone from his collection of boutique amps while having a clean, simple & cost effective system.

The signal flow is classic “4 Wire” Dynamics – PreAmp – Modulations – Power Amp.

Guitar >> Wah >> Compressor >> Overdrive >> Buffer >> Amp Input >> Amp Effects Send >> TimeFactor >> ModFactor >> Amp Effects Return

All design, wiring, custom buffer, tap tempo & system interface by Nice Rack NYC. Power Supply by Voodoo Lab.

New live gig pedalboard system for Kevin Plessner, NYC based Session Player, Studio Engineer & guitarist for shoegazer indie space rock & roll band, Oceanogrpaher http://oceanographermusic.com

After having a studio & writing pedalboard system built by Nice Rack NYC with every flavor possible and the kitchen sink, Kevin wanted a leaner more compact rig ideal for gigging in New York City.

Kevin wanted the same series wired dynamic stages and parallel mixed modulations as in his studio & writing rig. By being able to repurpose one of his power supplies, 12 function mixer & snake, system build costs were minimized as much as possible.

By dropping one of his dynamic effects from the board, the loop on the switcher was patched to new ins and out on his custom system mixer & interface. This allows for the use of an Amplifier in a “4 wire” configuration or to audition new effects. The mixer has a secondary override switch for the loop, this is a fail safe incase that the loop should be engaged on the switcher without an audio device closing the loop and thus silencing the signal flow.

The brain & heart of the system are still the custom switcher & line mixer. The line mixer was updated during this build to include trim for each stereo input pair and a master for the stereo inputs to create a variable blend ratio with the dry signal from pre-modulation stage of the switcher.

The signal flow is;
Guitar >> Switcher 1 Input >> Master Bypass >> Loop 1 Love Squeeze >> Loop 2 Swollen Pickle >> Loop 3 Boiling Point >> Loop 4 JHS Klon >> Loop 5 Auxiliary Loop >> Loop 6 Volume Pedal >> Buffered Split to Tuner & System Mute, After System Mute Signal is split to Mixer 2 Input 4 Left + 4x Switchable Sends (Timeline + Blue Sky + Space).

The Stereo outputs of each Reverb & Delay is routed into the stereo inputs on a RJM Music Mini Line Mixer. The summed Stereo Outputs of the MLM are routed to a 2nd MLM. Left Out is routed to MLM 2 Left In 1, the Right Output of MLM 1 is Switched to either MLM 2 Left In 2 or Right In 1.

The reason for the switchable summing of the Left & Right signals is twofold. A stereo amp situation is not always available to the player, so the L&R paths have to be summed. When summed the Right Output of the System only sees the “Dry” signal out after the “dynamic” effects, and the Left Output has the “Wet”, this allows a Wet & Dry mono amps set up.

When the Right Output of the Wet effects mixer is not summed to Mono, the Left & Right System Outputs see a “50/50″ blend of “Dry” & “Wet Stereo” Signals. This gives the player great “core” tone while adding the fidelity of “100% Wet” True Stereo Effects.

Switchable Ground Isolation Transformers were installed on the 2x System Outputs.

All design, wiring, Mixer modifications, custom switcher & system interface by Nice Rack NYC. Power Supplies by Voodoo Lab.

New studio & recording pedalboard system for Kevin Plessner, NYC based Session Player, Studio Engineer & guitarist for shoegazer indie space rock & roll band, Oceanogrpaher http://oceanographermusic.com/

Kevin’s rig needed to satisfy a healthy sized list of audio criteria and some logistic options as well.

Satisfying the session player in him, the board had to have a bunch of different “flavors” that he could call upon instantly as requested by a producer. In the “under the microscope” listening environment of the studio the system had to have amazing tone and a non-existant noise floor.

For the creative artist in Kevin, the system had to be able to provide great core tone with layers of washy reverbs and delays for his space rock moments.

Kevin came into the Nice Rack NYC showroom to talk about his situation and was able to play through some different demo rigs to get a better firsthand understanding of the Switching Logic and Signal Routing possibilities available to him.

The session player in him chose the True Bypass Switching Strip Concept, the engineer in him was appreciative of the fidelity of parallel effects mixing and the space rocker in him was inspired by being able to create a number of different sonic textures layers deep.

The brain & heart of the system are the custom switcher & line mixer. The Switching System was custom designed and built by Nice Rack NYC. The mixer is built upon the cards from 2x RJM Music Mini Line Mixers mounted in a custom system interface assembled by Nice Rack NYC.

The signal flow is;
Guitar >> Switcher 1 Input >> Master Bypass >> Loop 1 Love Squeeze >> Loop 2 Katana Boost >> Loop 3 Aqua Puss >> Loop 4 Switcher 2 >> Switcher 2 Loop 1 Swollen Pickle >> Switcher 2 Loop 2 Boiling Point >> Switcher 2 Output >> Switcher 1 Loop 5 Klon >> Loop 6 Volume Pedal >> Buffered Split to Tuner & System Mute, After System Mute Signal is split to Mixer 2 Input 4 Left + 4x Switchable Sends (Stereo Memory Man Hazarai + El Capistan + Blue Sky + Space).

The Stereo outputs of each Reverb & Delay is routed into the stereo inputs on a RJM Music Mini Line Mixer. The summed Stereo Outputs of the MLM are routed to a 2nd MLM. Left Out is routed to MLM 2 Left In 1, the Right Output of MLM 1 is Switched to either MLM 2 Left In 2 or Right In 1.

The reason for the switchable summing of the Left & Right signals is twofold. A stereo amp situation is not always available to the player, so the L&R paths have to be summed. When summed the Right Output of the System only sees the “Dry” signal out after the “dynamic” effects, and the Left Output has the “Wet”, this allows a Wet & Dry mono amps set up.

When the Right Output of the Wet effects mixer is not summed to Mono, the Left & Right System Outputs see a “50/50″ blend of “Dry” & “Wet Stereo” Signals. This gives the player great “core” tone while adding the fidelity of “100% Wet” True Stereo Effects.

A “Dry” Mute function was added to allow Kevin to get tracks into Pro Tools with a “100% Wet” texture. Using one his beautiful boutique overdrives he can set a dynamic texture and then run the signal into Multiple Delays & Reverbs in Parallel with those devices set to “100% Wet” Signal Ratio. The mixer output is a wash of wet guitar for creating keyboard like “pads”.

Switchable Ground Isolation Transformers were installed on the 2x System Outputs.

All design, wiring, Mixer modifications, custom switcher & system interface by Nice Rack NYC. Power Supplies by Voodoo Lab.

Guitarist Alex Garcia of Mayday Parade wanted to get a new pedalboard together for the band’s upcoming tour. With a new record coming out in October lots of touring will follow.

Alex had been using a PedalTrain board in an ATA flight case. The total weight of the board, case & contents was 74 pounds making it a nightmare for checked luggage fly dates.

Alex had been using a RoadRageProGear switcher and liked having it as the core of his system. A few mods were mod to the circuit to reflect the updated needs of his rig. For ergonomics and functionality an unused switch was removed. A Master Bypass Added and Buffer Circuit with Tuner Sidechain & System Mute were also added.

Alex had been using a NS2 for noise suppression in his past rigs leaving it in his signal path continuously. By ensuring proper grounding, and using isolated power supplies, I was able to get the hum out of his signal path. For security’s sake I left the NS2 on the board on a Recessed Toggle Switchable loop instead of inline. Upon system testing the NS2 wasn’t required anymore, the loop is now available to Alex to be used for any “final” stage of processing prior to the amps. Possibilities include a Dynamics Compressor or Limiter.

Total weight of the new system in it’s Pelican 1720 Rifle Case is 47 pounds, getting it under the TSA’s 50 pound cut off for checked luggage. Allowing Alex to have his rig with him at every show including the dreaded fly date. The old flight case with only thePedalTrain board and the no longer in use “wall wart” psu’s inside, shipped out at 44 pounds. When you can have a 47 pound rig ready to travel or a 44 pound empty box, the choice becomes clear quickly.

Nice Rack NYC is open at the new location, 516 W. 25th Street, Suite 306, New York, NY 10001.

Shop & Gallery Hours are Monday to Friday, 10AM to 6PM. Please call ahead for availabilty 646-369-6663.

Stocking New York City’s widest selection of cable, connectors, power supplies, pedalboards, audio routers and other guitar rig specific appliances & materials.

The new location is full circle reflection of the process that is Nice Rack NYC. The craft of engineered solutions is performed by Nice Rack NYC to enable Musicians to create. Some Musicians are further inspired by their music to create visual arts. Nice Rack NYC has created a special viewing & retail location to give Musicians the opportunity to display their graphic art creations.

The first exhibition of Paintings is “Cast of Thousands” by the Canadian Singer & Guitarist, Tom Wilson. A artist of zero stasis, writing songs for his many guises – Lee Harvey Osmond, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Tom Wilson’s Planet Love & Junkhouse. In addition to writing songs for many other recording artists.

Painting became an expressive meditation to fill the void that alcohol had previously filled for Tom. A artist who truly feeds off the kinetic energy of creation and expression, painting created an opportunity to keep the creative process alive even removed from the mechanics of making music with collaborators.

Tom’s paintings have been shown in prestigious public galleries such as the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario as well as numerous commercial gallery showings across Canada. Tom’s partnering with Nice Rack NYC is his first showing in New York.

Select photos by photographer Jen Shaw are on display in conjunction with Tom Wilson’s works.

 

 

 

A old friend passed away last night. Up until his last moments Dan lived his life pursuing his passions. For the most part he shrugged off the “expectations” others like to put on us for their benefit. While I’m saddened by his passing and reminded of my own mortality, I’ve spent some time today thinking about Dano, the guy was motivated by the things that brought him joy. Making music, everything guitar and playing hockey. I learned a lot from our time spent working & playing together. Thanks for sharing your joy with the rest of us. Rest in peace my friend.