Pedal Line Friday :: Aaron O.

My Pedal Board begins with a custom Pedalpad AXIS III and Powered by a CIOKS DC 7 and 2 CIOKS 8's.

I have a main signal path as well as an effects loop path. The effects loop in and out is on the left side of the board along with my main out. On the right side of the board, I have a mic in/out along with an optional main in.

Main Signal Path:

1. Vivlex Line Selector. If I choose to utilize on-board wireless, "A" is elected. If I choose to use a cable from my guitar the "B" channel is selected and the wireless is bypassed. This is a great value option.
2. Line 6 G10S. Depending on my Line Selector path, this could be bypassed. The G10S has been pretty reliable and the rechargeable transmitter has been a great innovation.
3. TC Electronics PolyTune 3 Noir. Reliable small tuner with a built in buffer turned on.
4. Digitech drop. Several songs I write are in "drop A" tuning. This pedal performs perfectly and allows me to utilize standard tuned guitars to achieve lower tunings.
5. Fulltone Fatboost 3. This is kept at the 18V setting. It's not an "always on" pedal and is primarily used when I want a clean tone that breaks up when using a harder strum.
6. Eddie Rifkin Karen. Always on. This just "gooses" the amp a little. It adds a little color to the overdrive while giving a slight, barely noticeable, dirt to the cleans.
7. Electro-Harmonix Pitchfork. Used with my clean tone in a way that adds a slight 12-string guitar feel and fullness to the sound.
8. Boss LS2 Line Selector. Used in the Bypass/A mode. I simply adds in my drive chain when used. It is off by default to bypass the next 2 pedals.

* Idiotbox Han Taun. Very versatile pedal. Great for "light distortion" uses. But also stacks very well into other drive pedals
* REVV G3. Here comes the Heavy Gain. I tend to use my Amp's drive channels more often. But this is a close second. Really depends on the situation.

1. Digitech FreQout. Always on and a signature sound of mine. Natural sounding and controllable feedback on demand.
2. Electro-Harmonix Nano Freeze. Used solely for the most insane feedback boost you can image. It takes a natural feedback... holds it... and converts it to a face melting squeal.
3. REVV G8 Noise Gate. This allows a gate to be applied to both the main signal chain, as well as the loop chain.
4. Coppersound Telegraph V2. Another signature sound of mine. Gives me a stutter effect that I can adjust as needed via an expression pedal. Can start from a light pulse to a rapid machine gun and back again. When utilizing with the previously mentioned feedback generators, this creates a unique sound defining effect.

* Hotone Soulpress. Initially added due to its size, I found it to be the perfect complement to the Telegraph V2. I added mini "corks" to the toe and feel so that the pedal defaults to what I deem as "position Zero". Then, with a light press of the toe the pulses speed up... where a light press of the heal will slow them down. Removing my foot sets it back to Position Zero. An easy toe kick forward allows me to seamlessly turn it off on the V2 in a fraction of a second.

1. TC Electronics Bona Fide buffer. Yes... another buffer. But after as many as 15 pedals... it's not a bad idea.

From here, the main path goes to my amplifier, a Carvin V3m

My Loop Path:

1. Comes into a 3C EQ7. A very economical solution to tweak the tones as needed. Sometimes, depending on the guitar or venue, it isn't needed. Other times, it is.
2. Azor Reverb. This is used only when necessary depending on the application. My alternative/backup amp is a REVV G20 with no live reverb available. Affordable pedal that does what it needs to when I need it.
3. Idiotbox Solo. When I need a lead boost... here it is. This pedal is designed to scoop the mid to lift you above the mix. Every solo is crystal clear and audible. But don't leave it on by accident or your band will hate you lol.
4. TC Electronics Corona Chorus. This is an always-on pedal. It is set so that you can't even tell a chorus is applied. Simply used for coloring the tone. 5. REVV G8 Noise Gate
6. BBE Sonic stomp. This bad boy lives under the board. Hidden hero. Yes... it is a controversial pedal. But I find that it widens the tone.

From there, back to my Effects return.

You may notice an unused CIOKS power cable secured to the floor under the main board. This is there to power my Donner Circle Looper when needed. I use this looper to test my board when changes are made. It allows me to play certain riffs and then loop them allowing me to keep my hands free to adjust pedals where needed.

You may also see that Bob Ross is always there vigilant for me with extra picks so that any issues stay as "happy little accidents".

The microphone signal path comes into the board and then to a Mooer AutoTuner. This is used for on-demand vocal delay. The path returns to the out path from the board where it goes to the sound guy.

Check out my band Catherine's X on Facebook and wherever you stream music.

Aaron Owens
Vocals/Guitar

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Submit Your Pedal Line!

About a million years ago, I used to run a blog called EffectsBay. On that blog, the most popular feature I would run was Pedal Line Friday. This is where readers of the site would send pics of their pedalboard and a short (sometimes long) write-up of routing and thoughts about specific pedals and the reasoning why they liked it, etc. Readers. loved this. It was a great way to learn about new applications or techniques regarding pedals. It also brought a little inspiration and knowledge about pedals you were not familiar with. It also brought a great sense of community - people like sharing and absorbing cool things, right? It was a super popular feature, and I loved putting them together.

All you have to do is send a pic of your pedalboard (or pedal line - it doesn't have to be on a board) along with a short (or long) write-up of the board. We want a list of pedals (manufacturer/model), routing would be great, and, most importantly, why you use those particular pedals. Also, this is a great way to promote your band or musical project - include that information as well!

You can send the pic and the write-up to pedalline@rattlesnakecables.com.