How To Build A Pedalboard: For Cellists

Learn how to build A pedalboard ideal for cellists, and the unique factors we need to consider when choosing gear and planning our boards. This is the video I wish existed when I created my board and whether this is your first board or 20th, this video is sure to save you thousands of dollars and countless hours of frustration. At Electric String Player we only deliver the unique string specific content you can't find anywhere else! We are completely community supported, so thanks for clicking like and subscribe!

[@disembodiedstudios]

PLEASE maje a vid about the pedals and why you chose what you did! Also a vid about your NEW and improved board!!

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Your about to lose it! Along with volume 2 and 3 of this video, check this out our newest pedal technique/looping/rig flow video if you're into this kind of stuff.... I think It's one of the best you can find on YT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnelhat5ipqljKs Let me know what you think!

[@AdamSpiers]

Great video Jacob, thanks for nicely articulating what I was beginning to slowly realise after a couple of gigs with my new Pedaltrain Classic Jr. For anyone who needs complicated boards with many effects and wants to avoid the dreaded "tapdance", I highly recommend checking out the MOD Duo by MOD Devices which totally solves this problem. I have one and I love its flexibility and the fact that I have hundreds of effects I can add anywhere in my chain at any time for no extra cost.

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Cool Adam. I've also checked out the Mod Duo. Didn't feel like it was a significantly better platform than Helix/KEmper/Fractal or many of the others out there.... although I remember thinking if this thing came out 10 years ago it would have been so far ahead of it's time! Be sure to subscribe, as we are going to put up a few more videos around this topic soon, and be sure to check out our sister website thepickuptest.com. It's the best resource in the creative string community, totally cutting edge and also totally community based and supported.

[@AdamSpiers]

I already subscribed to thepickuptest 2.5 years ago. The MOD Duo is fundamentally different to any of the others on several levels, and a hell of a lot cheaper than most of them too ($699 for the device works out to less than $2 per effect, and that's getting better all the time as they're constantly releasing new ones for free thanks to the Open Source development model). Personally I think it's a game-changer - well worth taking a closer look.

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

adam! Not trying to argue... we all have our tastes. I did have a Mod duo for a second, but have also tried the others I've mentioned. Price wise, the helix HX effects for example you see above can be had for $450 or so and Line 6 is constantly adding effects and models as well (perhaps not as many, but their R&D team and budget is vast and they are doing component level modeling that is way higher quality level than the effects on offer by the Duo when I tried it) and there are many multi-effect platforms from the H9 to the Hottone xstomp series(which also adds new effects by the week). While I agree that price is a factor, The Duo mod isn't very practical without an external controller (unless you buy theirs which really adds to the price tag) I don't think processing power or "cost per effect" is the best metric here. IF that were the case Hotone or even Zoom might be great options for people. For me the duo platform had allot of flaws and I promise to get into those more in a future video. Nice to know it's working for you though! I love seeing those crowdfunded concepts (Like the Duo and The Tonedexter) hit the market and make an impact.

[@AdamSpiers]

Thanks for the helpful reply. I'm not trying to argue either :) The HX Effects does indeed look like a really nice option. One key difference between the MOD Duo and almost all other multi-effects boxes is the lack of restrictions on signal routing. Most either force you into a linear chain (even if they let you control the order of effects), or worse, limit you to only one or two effects at the same time (e.g. the H9 and Hotone Xstomp). I'd love to know which other boxes allow you to build something like pedalboards.moddevices.com/pedalboards/5b32dceb2564d4302f0b0e1e for a comparable price (I may well have missed one). You are right that the MOD Duo isn't very practical without an external footswitch, but an extra $179 isn't huge when up against boxes which cost $1500 or even higher. Another key point is that the open development model means that the R&D team is literally anyone in the entire world who wants to get involved, and in the last few months they introduced a marketplace so that 3rd party developers are now financially incentivised to do so. Personally I prefer a model where the customer isn't entirely at the mercy of a single company, even if that company does have a fantastic multi-decade track record.

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Adam, Actually The HX EFFECTS, NEW Boss Units, Headrush and even really cheap Mooer multieffects have very flexible routing including parallel processing and splittling the signal at any point, and allot of great other great options for $400 to $800 used or less. I hear what you mean about being hostage to a company, but that wasn't a huge issue for me and there is another way to look at the economics here. Because all these new super pedals are upgradeable computers, much like apps all these companies are under constant pressure to innovate and update. Look at the Boss 500 series or Line 6. The new updates have been fast and furious adding not only new effects but a ton of functionality. The Duo also doesn;t run VST instruments and allot of the industry standard plugins which was a giant fail in my book. MAX is cool, but they have to rely on indy developers, because the beg names in virtual plugins and instruments don't support that platform. to me it ma be a better fit or more interesting match for Electronic musicians which seems to be where they are marketing. The Hardware, though well made is a major disappointment as well. With Helix HX(Just to use as an example) you can edit on the fly with your feet including swapping pedal order and adjusting any parameter in real time (Try this with the Duo), They are also touch sensitive allowing for instant hot swapping. Spillover when the pedal is disengaged is also critically missing on the DUO which is a bit suprising and critical if you are using Delays and reverbs (which almost all of us cellists are ALL OF THE TIME:) The lighted scribble strips make a huge difference too onstage instead of a monochramatic screen (Remember the video above, "It's hard to stomp on what you can't see)... I'm sure you could get a midi controller for the duo that helps with this, but a floor controller of the quality of a Helix would be way more than $175 bucks. Last but not least, a great reason to go with the big boys is the fact that they are the big boys. What if you are touring in Iowa and you have a problem? I could go to any guitar center in Iowa and replace a Helix or Boss pedal. Also the big boys are almost sure to be in buisness and continue to support their products 5 years from now. Okay enough talk, let's go back to practicing and stay tuned for the next videos:)

[@erichschlender857]

Great video. I’d love to hear your thoughts regarding the HX and the tone Dexter. I had the HX for a short while and thought that it was the answer to all of my Tone questions, given that it can load IR’s And had so many quality affects. But then I found the Tone Dexter and was overwhelmed by it’s great sound, utter simplicity and the fact that it allowed me to get rid of my huge blender rig (DPA4099 & LR Baggs) and simply go with the tone Dexter and a quality reverb/delay pedal Since I am really just searching for a quality clean amplified tone. Love to hear your thoughts regarding these two great pedals And especially any thoughts regarding their possible combined use.

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

We've got some amazing videos on both Erich (See my comments above!) We did the first Tone dexter video for strings quite a while back and it is part of my rig as you can see. Yes I was blending with A helix, a Grace Felix etc and I've personally sold them since getting the Tone Dexter. I will definitely make a Helix HX video soon, specifically if there are any string Specific things I think you may be interested in that are not covered by the one million guitar videos out there:)

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Follow up video number one is out now!

[@jacobszekely]

Sooo cool!

[@audioneiromancer2790]

You’re doing God’s work, sir.

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Thanks! Be on the lookout for two follow up videos this week! Much more in depth and geeky.... in a good way!

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Audio.... This is freaking IT man! Tom: you gotta check this out our newest pedal technique/looping/rig flow video if you're into this kind of stuff.... I think It's one of the best you can find on YT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnelhat5ipqljKs Let me know what you think!

[@pariahcellist]

THANK YOU!!! It's refreshing to know someone is reaching out to a small community of electric cellists because it's still such a relatively new thing (cello + amp shit) and most musicians don't see a demand for it. But you get it. thank you.

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Thanks Pariah! We are a small community, but mighty! Thanks for your support and be sure to check out our sister website thepickuptest.com. It's the best resource in the creative string community, totally cutting edge and also totally community based and supported.

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

you gotta check out our newest pedal technique/looping/rig flow video and seeing the ideas in practice!!!! if you're into this kind of stuff.... I think It's one of the best you can find on YT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnelhat5ipqljKs Let us know what you think!

[@mattchambers3592]

Yes please on a video about why you chose the pedals you chose. Thanks for this great vid!

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Pleasure Matt and thanks for the sub! Please check out vol 2 and 3 of this video and if you are a huge nerd, check out my latest drop entitled 5 improvisations on my KZbin artist channel KZbin.com/jacob Szekely

[@StijnKuppensInnerCelloVideos]

Hi Jacob! You're my first instructor on pedal board for cellists! Your clear (and funny) explanation helps me to decide if using a pedal board is something for me or not. Anyway, even if I'm not gonna use it, it seems a fundamental step to know how it works. What a pity you didn't come to the NDCF in Boston last year. It would have been great to meet! Greetings from Belgium, Stijn

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

I think I may be the first cello pedal board instructor period! I did NCDF several times, but I think they're just inviting the same people now every year.

[@StijnKuppensInnerCelloVideos]

@@ElectricStringPlayer Hi Jacob! Just read your bio, with an impressive number of appearances in all kinds of styles! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your professional knowledge about effects, pedals, amplification. I will certainly use this in my teaching and direct students to your website. Do you plan any concerts near Belgium in the future? Or did you already play here? I might be able to organise a house concert for you if you would pass by Belgium, if that would interest you. Greetings!

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

@@StijnKuppensInnerCelloVideos thanks man!!! Feel free to check out the Improvisors Guide on KZbin or my personal performers page @jacobszekely

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Stijn: Long Time man, but you gotta check this out our newest pedal technique/looping/rig flow video if you're into this kind of stuff.... I think It's one of the best you can find on YT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnelhat5ipqljKs Let me know what you think!

[@8Phoenix8]

Once I get an NS Cello nxta. Ima try this out. :) with the Cello pedal of course. It'll be a while tho.

[@flrn84791]

Great video, playing my NS Design on its stand I didn't even realize the issues a cellis with an acoustic would have :D One question though... Why does your cello only have 2 pegs on the left? :O

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

They're called posture pegs which keeps your neck and head straight, and helps avoid allot of the horrible posture issues mosts cellists develop.

[@flrn84791]

@@ElectricStringPlayer Oh didn't know about them, thanks! They do ruin the symmetry of the cello, but I'm guessing the help in posture is worth it :) I mostly play a NS Design and fortunately the pegs are much shorter :D

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

@@flrn84791 Yes visually they are hard to notice when playing and they are extremely popular. Most members of the LA phil, LA Chamber, and studio musicians in LA have them.

[@flrn84791]

@@ElectricStringPlayer I have never seen any in France or Germany in orchestras, chamber ensembles, or in bands, maybe that's a US thing then? I'm not sure, I'll ask my luthier next week

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

@@flrn84791 Yes please do! They arer quite common in Europe as well.

[@8Phoenix8]

6:03 good thing you made the Cello pedal for this situation. :)

[@TheBattagliaBattle]

Have you ever considered replacing everything with Line6 Helix? I remember you did a video review about it on thepickuptest.com. I'm considering buying it because it should allow me to blend together piezo + DPA, both for the signal chain and the output (I love the option to blend them together for certain effects and keeping them separated for others!). Would you suggest a similar setup? Do you know any pros and cons about it? Anyway, thank you for this great source of inspiration!

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Valerio, you are right! we did the first ever review on the website and I was the first musician on the west coast to get the original when it came out! so I think it was about 3 or 4 years ago now. It does describes these blending techniques with a dPA in and out and I did that with the trio for over a year. This is specifically for players going in another direction. My biggest issue with the original Helix is that it was just too big. PArticularly if you are using other pedals as well (Then you'll need a massive board, cases, and a big power supply with courtesy outlet etc) I needed an octaver and nothing on the Helix is in the universe of the EHX stuff for example, and the HElix reverbs before the newest update weren't that inspiring. Also, There are always tremendous issues with blending effectively and The Tone dexter for me personally solved this but there is no right tool for one job/style and performance environment. Just a Full size Helix is WAY bigger than my 17 inch Temple board you see above. IF you travel, tour or flyn Gigantic boards with allot of components become BIG issues. As I said in the video, I wanted a board I could fly/tour with.

[@TheBattagliaBattle]

Thank you for your kind answer! If you don't mind me asking, where does the output of your pedalboard goes to? Are going directly into a mixer or are are you using some kind of amp?

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Valerio Battaglia follow up video 2 is out now!

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Valerio.... I made this video EXACTLY for cats like you! get ready to freak out! our newest pedal technique/looping/rig flow video...I think It's one of the best you can find on YT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnelhat5ipqljKs Let me know what you think!

[@MikeHughesShooter]

Thank you! Yes would like to know more on your selection process. Appreciate your efforts.

[@MikeHughesShooter]

Ooop just found your follow up. Thanks

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

thanks, Mike! Are you a cellist?

[@MikeHughesShooter]

@@ElectricStringPlayer Yeah I just picked it up as a hobby. But literally practice every day. Kind of getting obsessed with it. With a low frequencies I really like what that instrument fundamentally does.

[@ElectricStringPlayer]

Mike! This is it man: you gotta check this out our newest pedal technique/looping/rig flow video if you're into this kind of stuff.... I think It's one of the best you can find on YT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnelhat5ipqljKs Let me know what you think!

[@asuhfarias]

Thanks for this video!!!