Question about momentary switch for Boss VE8

rpmguitar · #1 04-20-2021, 06:16 PM

So I bought a Boss VE8 which I like a lot for what it does to my guitar's tone, using my Rainsong WS1000's Baggs Element StagePro into a QSC CP8. It does a better job at EQ than my Zoom G3 did, and I also like the treatment is does to the vocals. Anyway, I want to use the external footswitch option mainly to stop the looper with one push of a button. The Boss FS-6 seems pricey to accomplish that, so I figured any momentary switch would do the job, based on what I've read. I just received this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H1NQCGJ...ing=UTF8&psc=1 today, and I followed the manual to set up the VE8 properly. However, it doesn't work as expected...when I step on the button, it seems to latch instead of being unlatched and momentary as claimed. I also tried a Yamaha keyboard expression pedal thinking that was non latching as well, but it behaved as if it was latching as well. Any suggestions or prior experiences like this? Thanks for any help. Rick

Rudy4 · #2 04-20-2021, 07:12 PM

I don't own the VE-8, but looking at the manual it looks like it has multiple settings for the foot switch, including a mode that selects if the foot switch should act like a momentary or a fixed toggle foot switch. You might want to play with that a bit.

rpmguitar · #3 04-20-2021, 07:40 PM

Thanks for looking into it Rudy...I appreciate it. I switched those settings on the VE8 before, and it didn't change anything, so still looking for a solution.

MarkF_48 · #4 04-21-2021, 05:51 AM

I tried this last night with my VE-8 and a Boss FS-5U footswitch. The manual doesn't seem to mention this (or I overlooked it), but the footswitch appears to need to be normally closed when not depressed and opens when pressed. The FS-5U has a 'polarity' switch which can set the switch to normally closed which I had to do to get the VE-8 to stop the looper (blue blinking LED). Holding the footswitch for a few moments clears the looper. I suspect the Hotone switch is normally open which is normally how most switches commonly work.

Parameter C1 set to 3.

Normally closed.....
https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-FSC-503-...ruments&sr=1-3

Can be set either normally open or closed......
https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-FSC-604-...ruments&sr=1-7

This was a quick look on Amazon. You might be able to find something cheaper with some research.

rpmguitar · #5 04-21-2021, 06:37 AM

Thanks, Mark! That definitely would explain the behavior I was seeing. I appreciate it and am confident that this is the solution. Rick

rpmguitar · #6 04-24-2021, 03:51 PM

Update: I bought this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KN6GLYD...ing=UTF8&psc=1 and wired it normally closed, splicing it into an old 1/4" guitar cable. It works perfectly, and was really inexpensive...success! Thanks again Mark! Rick

Rudy4 · #7 04-24-2021, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpmguitar

Update: I bought this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KN6GLYD...ing=UTF8&psc=1 and wired it normally closed, splicing it into an old 1/4" guitar cable. It works perfectly, and was really inexpensive...success! Thanks again Mark! Rick

Interesting.

My first looper, a RC-1, I made up a double momentary switch for. I used a pair of normally closed standard stomp box switches, and it worked perfectly.

When I switched to my first Electroharmonix looper I swapped the foot switches out for normally open to get proper operation.

Here's the home brew switch after changing to the normally open switches.