Channel and Line Types

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PedalSnake's BaseSnake: Channel and Line Types

Channels

BaseSnake Channels

Plug'n'Play Pigtails

Channel Types

and

Line Types

GLines

PLines

Footswitch Lines

MIDI Lines

XLR Lines

Channels

BaseSnake Channels

All PedalSnake BaseSnakes provide several plug'n'play DIN channels.

Standard PedalSnake BaseSnakes come in 4- or 7-channel models.

There are three types of channels (3wire, 5wire, and 7wire).

Custom PedalSnakeCS models can have up to 8 channels.

With a DIN connector at each end, a bare channel (with no Pigtails) can be used for MIDI Lines, DIN-type footswitch lines, etc.

To make a 1/4 G-Line for audio, or a 2.1mm P-Line for power, plug a Pigtails kit into a channel.

All Pigtails have full function on a 5wire channel.

Not all P-Line Pigtails have full function on a 3wire channel, so read that Pigtail's description carefully. Some Pigtails require the 5wire channel for full function.

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Plug'n'Play PedalSnake Pigtails

Plug into channels to make 1/4" GLines (GuitarLines) or 2.1mm PLines (PowerLines).

See the Channel-Pigtail Charts for all possible functions of channels, lines, and Pigtails.

Plug'n'Play is the PedalSnake Way now. We no longer encourage hard-wired GLines or PLines with Custom orders (1 GLine would be OK). Guitar rigs just change too often for hard-wired PedalSnakes. Even when players tell us "I've got it now, my rig won't change anymore", something better comes along and they upgrade their rig. Then they come back and ask us "How can I modify by hardwired PedalSnakeCS?" Answer: "Not easily."

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DON'T TRY THIS WITH STANDARD MIDI CABLES

PedalSnake DIN channels use a patented special wiring scheme, allowing

Low noise and pure tone for audio

Triple-use (audio, power, and digital)

Channel Types (DIN Connectors)

Standard BaseSnakes come with one (1) white 5-wire channel---the rest are 3-wire. 7-wire channels are only available on Custom PedalSnakeCS Orders.

NOTE Custom PedalSnakeCS channels have their own color scheme, which varies.

3-wire...(5pin DIN, 3 pins wired) All non-white channels (on Standard BaseSnakes) are 3-wire. Use for:

1/4" GuitarLines (using GLine Pigtails).

2.1mm PowerLines (using PLine Pigtails). NOTE: Some special funtion Pigtails need a 5wire channel. See them below listed below under "5-wire".

A MIDI3 line.

5-wire...(5pin DIN, all pins wired) The white channel (on a Standard BaseSnake) is 5-wire. Use as follows:

1/4" GuitarLines (using GLine Pigtails).

2.1mm PowerLines (using PLine Pigtails).

Certain Pigtails with special functions require a 5wire channel:

MF1-H High Current PLine Pigtail (see NOTES below).

MM2-I Dual Isolated PLine Pigtails.

MF2-I Dual Isolated PLine Pigtail.

Use a 5wire channel by itself for a full blown MIDI5 line (just like a standard MIDI cable).

Footswitches that accept standard 5pin MIDI cables (see the NOTES below).

7-wire...(7pin DIN, all pins wired) Must order Custom PedalSnakeCS to get a 7wire channel. Use for:

A MIDI7 line.

Footswitches with 7pin DIN plugs.

NOTES.

When powering a Hi-Current pedal, MF1-H should be used with a 5wire channel.

The Hi-Current P-Line can handle an actual current draw up to 1000mA.

For normal use (not "Hi-Current"), MF1-H can be used on a 3wire channel. The normal P-Line can handle an actual current draw up to 500mA.

The Mesa Express amp has a 5pin DIN footswitch that does not use a standard MIDI cable, so it will not work with a PedalSnake 5wire channel. This amp requires Mesa's proprietary 5pin DIN cable which uses the "metal shell" of the DIN connector for one of the connections. This violates MIDI specs.

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Line Types

GLines.. PLines.. Footswitch Lines.. MIDI Lines.. XLR Lines

GLines

Are just like 1/4" guitar cords.

Are made by plugging GLine Pigtail 2-Packs into aboth ends of a BaseSnake channel

GLine Pigtail ends are 15". To climb stacks, or stretch between amps and racks, custom 1/4" extensions can be had here.

Can be used for footswitch lines as well as audio.

Have space-saving right-angle at the PedalEnd

Are available in Mono, Stereo, or Dual.

NOTE . A Dual GLine is great FX Loops, or wireless-out-and-back, while using only one BaseSnake channel.

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PLines

Key to the "all in one" PedalSnake concept--- NO MORE AC POWER CORD !!!

A PLine...

Carries power from power supplies to pedals, allowing you to move power supplies to the backline, and out of the way (no more AC power stuff underfoot)

Is made by plugging PLine Pigtail 2-Packs into both ends of a BaseSnake channel

Has standard 2.1mm barrel connectors (like Boss, Ibanez, etc.)

See power plug adapters for pedals AND for supplies.

Is needed for each pedal voltage in your rig (and a power supply)

If all your pedals take 9VDC, you only need 1 PLine

Use Power Chains to power several pedals from one PLine

Has a PedalEnd pigtail that is always a male plug. The AmpEnd can be:

Male for SnakePOWER (MMxx PLines)---a cleaner solution for 9VDC

Female for standard wall warts (MFxx PLines).

For more help, see Choosing PowerLines.

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Footswitch Lines

PedalSnake supports footswitch lines having the following connectors:

1/4" mono and stereo... Use GLine Pigtails.

5pinDIN... Use bare 3-wire or 5-wire channels (see Note 1).

7pinDIN... Available only with Custom PedalSnakeCS orders.

XLR... Available only with Custom PedalSnakeCS orders.

NOTE...

The Mesa Express amp's footswitch appears to use a standard MIDI cable, but it does not. It uses a proprietary 5pin DIN cable that does not meet MIDI spec. The "metal shell" is used for one of the wired connections, which violates MIDI spec. So the Express Ft. Switch will not be fully functional wtih a standard MIDI cable, or PedalSnake's white 5wire channel.

If your footswitch cable is permanently attached, it will have to be modified. Fender and Mesa have started trends away from this (good!), making footswitches that use standard cables (and PedalSnake lines and channels!)

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MIDI Lines

The bare BaseSnake channels, with their 5pin DIN connectors, can be used as MIDI lines.

MIDI3 (5pin DIN connector)

Use any 3wire channel. All channels on the standard BaseSnakes are 3wire except for the white 5wire channel.

MIDI3 carries only MIDI signal (no phantom power). This is the "original" MIDI format, before phantom power for remote foot controllers was added.

Can be used only with MIDI footcontrollers that can receive power thru a power-input jack (some controllers must receive power thru the MIDI cable, which requires MIDI5).

MIDI5 (5pin DIN connector)

Use the white 5wire channel on a standard BaseSnake.

Carries MIDI signal, plus phantom power.

For MIDI footcontrollers that require power from thru the MIDI line.

MIDI7 (7pin DIN Connector)

Carries MIDI IN, OUT, and phantom power.

Use a 7-wire channel (available only with Custom PedalSnakeCS orders).

and

XLR Lines

Available only with Custom PedalSnakeCS orders.

XFM... (female at the PedalEnd)
For a balanced PedalEnd output; from a mic, direct box, etc.

XFM... (male at the PedalEnd)
For a balanced PedalEnd input; to a powered monitor, etc.

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