Conference napalm::guitar

Well you can program a volume change, or control one via midi continiuos 
controller function. You need a midi control pedal that supports an "expression"
pedal and a midi effects unit that also supports the pedal. I do this with my 
rig and it works fine.

dbii

>    Programmable effects unit (but can you program the volume?)
    
    Most of those programmable efx units that I've seen have allowed you to
    set at least the output level of the individual effects (if not a
    master patch volume) stored as part of each preset.
    
    Seems to me the simplest, least expensive, solution is to put a volume
    pedal after the effects, before the amp.  If you use your amp as part
    of your sound, then you might be able to put the volume pedal in the
    effects loop of your amp (depending on the amp and the pedal).
    
    Greg

    On my Roland GP8, I program one patch in each bank as a "bypass". I use 
    this function as an A/B volume comparison between my effects patch and
    the normal (no efx) signal. I adjust the overall volume on my patches to 
    match the bypass volume. It may take alittle bit more time in the beginning 
    to do this, but it's alot better than having inconsistant volumes between
    patches. I also use an expression pedal that's programmed specifically
    for the overall patch volume...  just in case.
    
    	Good luck,
    		  Fred

re .0

You are using stomp boxes, right?  (If not, disregard the following!)

>    Twice now as I stomped on the overdrive to launch into the solo on 'I
>    Was Only Joking' nothing was audible because I'd wound up the overdrive
>    and overcompensated by reducing the output!

I had a pedal board who's first two boxes were compression and overdrive.  For
a while I had the same problems you are having.  Several things come into play:
	- the order of the two boxes: compression first levels out the input
	  going into the overdrive is great for sustained, singing distortion.
	  Overdrive going into distortion gives you wider control of distortion
	  from the guitar, but also greater variation in tone.  The volume 
	  differences are then smoothed by the compressor
	- the amount of variability you want with your guitar's volume control:
	  The compressor is working against you on this.  I tended to try to
	  get the output of the compressor to be equal to the output of my
	  guitar turned up all the way.  If I was playing at lower volume and
	  wanted to add a quick lick, hitting the compressor would give me 
	  the boost to jump out.
	- when and why you use compression: is it on all the time or only
	  for certain styles of playing.
	- how often and radically you change overdrive settings: if your
	  compressor is first and is on most of the time, the only way you will
	  get much variation in distortion is by turning the knobs on the 
	  overdrive box.  Try finding a couple of combination of the overdrive
	  and output level knobs that retain unity gain and memorize them or
	  mark box with a grease pencil.

A volume pedal can be handy.  However, it is best if you have a handle on
everything behind it first.  Side benefits of this include reduced noise.

Hope this helps,
Geoff

P.S. I finally sold the compressor and overdrive box and bought a Hughes &
Kettner TubeMan preamp.  The compressor didn't really fit into my style of
playing and the TubeMan's rock setting gives me load of sustain.

Rock On!

    Geoff,
    
    Thanks for the reply. I use the compression to get extra 'clean'
    sustain but not all the time. I also use it before the overdrive. I
    hadn't thought of something like the Hughes and Kettner but this
    appeals to me as I really can't be bothered with a whole heap of
    microprocessed stuff between the pick-up and the Celestion!
    
    I will try one out. (Perhaps in Boston when I am over next week,
    there's not a lot of choice in Prague!)
    
    Don

    This one goes to 11......8^).
    Nigel

    re: .7
    
    See my nodename...

    re .8
    	I like it.
    
    P.K.