Voodoo Lab

At least the jacks are on top. That helps.
I'd definitely want a bypass switch. So if we're comparing to Cusack, Screamer V2 style would be my preference. (I'm not sure micro is ideal. It's easier to fine-tune big knobs.)

Are they all the same overdrive just with different EQ? Or is it like an Empress Multidrive, with different OD circuits/clipping types? If it's just different EQing, is it pre or post distortion?

I opened the footswitch hoping to do just that, but inside is a massive PCB running almost the full length of the pedal. lol

I think the move is to get a 2-button switch with LEDs and TRS jack, spec'd to take power from the amp and hope for the best. Do you know how or what part of the TRS supplies power to the LEDs on the original footswitch?

The stock footswitch looks cool of course, but it's needlessly large and I’m not fond of a hardwired cable.

I contacted Switch Doctor (ampfootswitch.com). They’re not willing to make me a custom switch for it. But I can choose from one of their current designs, which they categorize by amp. Do you know of another amp, something more common like a Fender, that uses the same switching scheme with TRS connection that also conveys power to the LEDs? It can be 3-button like the original footswitch, or 2-button like on the face of the preamp itself. I might even prefer 2-button.

I tried a Chinese 12AX7 and a 12AX7WC. They made a small difference. With the gain dimed, I can get mild breakup. Is the clean channel supposed to reach "brown sound" crunch?

Also, I just got an Eleven Rack. It has line inputs with a -10dBV/+4dBU switch. What should that switch be set to for the main preamp out? And for the preamp 1/4" record out?

A reamp box did the trick.

'nother question. What tube config would you recommend to get more crunch or at least more purr out of the clean channel? Even with EMGs and the gain knob dimed, there's barely any breakup. (Right now it's got a pair of Sovtek 12AX7LPS.)

Another question.

I've been exploring reamping. I use EMG pickups which are supposedly "low impedance." So in my head, I should avoid a reamp box since it converts low impedance to high impedance and would screw up the EMG "sound" or "feel."

If I send a recorded dry track via my interface's line out to the Voodoo Lab guitar preamp, I get the tone I expect, but I also get a noticeable background stuttering noise that sounds like the Predator. (That's on the 1 occasion I managed to set it up right. Normally I just get a loud squeal. ) To check, I tried plugging my keyboard into the preamp and got the same Predator drone. Here's a clip (switching from clean to lead channel): http://goo.gl/Oqkrf0

What causes this stuttering sound, as opposed to plugging in a guitar (EMGs or passives)? Am I misinterpreting the whole low/high impedance thing? Should I be using a reamp box with EMGs and the Voodoo Lab guitar pre?

EDIT: Never mind. I must've done something wrong the first time. I checked again, and everything seems right. From lowest to highest output: 1/4" direct out, XLR out, 1/4" main outs. And they all sound awesome. Though there's a slight difference in tone/character between the 1/4" and XLR outs.

Is the XLR recording out supposed to be louder than the 1/4" main outs, and a lot louder than the 1/4" recording out? That's what I'm hearing.

They say it needs 1200mA 12VDC. Can I use the aux AC outlet to power it somehow? Looks like it comes with a wall wart, which won't fit in the cutout on my Pedaltrain.