+1 to this. Also, the cable you are using is not particularly brilliant for instrument/Pedal Board applications, something akin to Canford HSS or Kelsey ATM-INST that have the conductive plastic layer to lower microphonics in the cable would be much better suited and is pretty cheap (Canford is on special at 50p/meter at the moment)

One KZfaq soldering tutorial (can't remember if it was EEVBlog) was particularly useful years ago when I watched it. The main things are to tin your iron to get better heat transfer, then apply the iron to one side of what you are tinning and apply the solder to the other side. There's a flux issue in there too... I'm not an EE!

There is already flux contained in most solder tins. But It is also very temperature dependent and differs largely between the different types of solder (leaded/non-leaded). Usually that is not really an issue if you use newly bought solder. In older ones it can denaturate and then lose its abilities.

I should have elaborated on that... I was alluding to the dabbing of solder from the iron to the part and flux evaporating off and not being transferred . I've often wondered about the shelf life of multicore solder... I have a lifetime's supply!

Thanks for this. I should probably put up a couple of my own points here: What you see on camera isn't necessarily what I actually do. Sometimes you have to do what gets the shot at the pacing you want it, often times, like here, the best aesthetic shot isn't representative of the slower pace of reality. You can rest assured that all of the solder connections are completely sound here, despite the shots that made the cut seeming otherwise. The magic of television and all that, showing things how they actually are, at the real pace, isn't all that enticing a watch. I'm an electronics technician myself in my day job, I'm putting together cables all day every day, so don't worry, I know your advice well. Further to the point on the type of cable, conductive plastic seems to have no real benefit in this particular application as its main advantages are of flexibility and reduced mechanical noise. As these are short lengths, fixed in place, there is next to no movement in these cables, so it would seem rather redundant. It's also worth noting that snake oil is well and truly a plague within the world of instrument cables, and test after test has proved that there is no difference between one form of cable over another in terms of audio performance, so long as the cable remains physically robust.

I think you need to revisit making your own pickups. I have been looking into making my own and could use some advice.

Not referring to Roland haha

It looks like he's not using the send/return loop. I could be wrong, it's tough to see...

Ian Cavanagh​ I think using the pedal's loop would require the use of 2 loops on something like this, and with both loops either on or off simultaneously, and with any intended effects to be gated to be placed in between those 2 loops. That's my theory on the use of NS-2 type noise gate connectivity on these types of loop switchers anyway. I'm trying to do as much research as possible on this before shelling out money for a loop switcher.

***** i hear you. I also have the NS-2, from what I read on TC electronics website, as long as the noise gate is last in your signal chain (OD - distortion - fuzz - input NS-2) then it "should" clamp down on the noise. My big question with regards to loop switchers is : how does it determine chain order when multiple effects are engaged? Is it based on: ex. "input 1" has priority over "input 2"?

CIRCLE OF TONE. Avoid EBay all together...

Bardown Ravioli thank you. Which video is it may I ask?

+Vijay Tadepalli because I like the assurance that my cables will actually work, and aren't held together with hopes and prayers.

CSGuitars Bloody perfect answer

The switcher has connections for the FX loop. Everything goes through the switcher. Input>send1>return1>send2>return2>FX Send FX Return>send3>return3>... so on.

Awesome, I understand now. Thank you so much for the speedy reply Colin!

+LukeSniper coaxial means both cores share the same center axis, as in one core inside the other. There are many different types of coaxial cable. Audio coaxial like I'm using is stranded and flexible. Satellite coax, like you are thinking of is solid core, non flexible and not to be used for the purpose of making audio patch cables.

CSGuitars ah! Gotcha. I've never encountered the term used in such a general way, only ever specifically referring to cable tv wires. I thought you might be using it because it was cheaper or something.

Oh, never would I. I'm using good quality, flexible, well shielded audio coax. Sorry for the confusion.

CSGuitars what's the brand you're using? I really dig the trans purple jacket. The only people instrument I can find online is GLS and Rapco, which is an opaque pastel purple.

Dylan Howard The loop switcher he is using is programmable. The switches can engage as many of the pedals at a time as he chooses. One switch can have all five, just one, or any number in between!

It certainly is.

CSGuitars I got one several years ago after playing one in a store. Played so well I bought it. Doesn't help that my Bro claims one of flip paint colours looks like shit but I still love the thing

Ya got me

It's not brown. It's a flip flip green and red chameleon. Xiphos, one of the original ones before they deepened the bevels and changed the colours.

Yes, they offer worldwide shipping, and you can even select which currency to view the website with. No limits.

Savage Silas he stated in a previous video that they are often unreliable and it's best do them yourself

Lloyd Midgley thanks man! I'm gonna just get some premade ones

I personally wouldn't touch the solderless patch cables. Learning to solder is a much more useful skill and far more reliable than entrusting that a spike has pierced into the core of the wire.

CSGuitars yeah I'm definitely going to learn to solder soon. keep up the good vids

True it sounds harsh when isolated like this, but in the context of a full band, that harshness is pretty much exactly what you need to cut through the mix. particularly if you're in a two guitar band you need to occupy a relatively small sonic space to be heard properly.

If you were to take any well recorded album and isolate the guitar parts you'd probably find you'd feel the same about them.

CSGuitars The more you know.

We really need to stop meeting like this, haha

What are you 10?