Here's some spec's on this sweet system. It's a "Matrix" system, meaning that it has the ability to change all of it's routings on every preset.
Instead of being tied to one signal flow you can have any signal flow you want, when you want. Which is pretty handy for a score music composer & guitar instrumental musician who has to constantly change the signal flow.
The switcher has a software interface that allows you to create an icon for each device and it's corresponding Input(s) & Output(s), then using the mouse, connect the rig you want to have at that moment with no extra devices connected to the signal path for the cleanest path possible from pick ups to speakers.
A matrix switcher has 16x Inputs & 16x Outputs, so we decided to put 5 switchers in this system, connected them to each other & bunch of other cool gear. Each switcher has a "Group" responsibility:
1. "Master" - Magnetic & Piezo Inputs + 4x Amplifiers + 1 Axe FX ("Front End" of 4 Wire Config) + Multiple Connections to the other Switchers
2. "Harmonics" - Octave, Fuzz & Overdrive devices.
3. "Dynamics" - Compressors, EQ's Filters, Synthesizers.
4. "Modulations" - Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, UniVibe, & Tremolo.
5. "Time" - Delays & Reverbs + Axe FX ("Back End") for Reverb, Delay & Looper.
Any order & combination of series & parallel is possible, the possibilities for signal routings are only limited by the player's imagination...
Everything powered by Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+, Digital, 4x4 & Iso 5
The extended harmonic range of Overdrives, Distortions & Fuzzes can take a track from flat to soaring. Depending on what the song calls for, you need a range of tools available.
Harmonics #1
Harmonics #2
In the Infinity Rack System we installed a 16x16 Matrix Switcher chock full of Harmonic flavours. Any combination of stacked & parallel routed "Dirty" & "Clean" signals with level attenuation at each connection is possible and only limited by the imagination.
"Dynamics" - Compressors, EQ's Filters, Synthesizers.
Synthy
"Modulations" - Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, UniVibe, & Tremolo.
"Time" - Delays & Reverbs
The "Mu" Board with Octave Divider (Harmonics), Filter III (Dynamics), Flanger & Bi-Phase (Modulations)
The Matrix switchers have an Input & Output impedance of 1mΩ, which is nice for loading the output of the guitar or effect device but not always so nice for the input side, particularly for Harmonic overtone type devices.
In this system we installed a circuit inline to each device's input so that we can sweep the input impedance down to 10kΩ, mimicking the impedance relationship of plugging a guitar directly into the device, while the switcher allows infinite signal flow combinations. Having your cake and being able to eat it too, is indeed sweet.
With multiple connection paths from the Effects Switchers to Master switcher, assigning different pedals to different amplifiers is a mouse click away, allowing the player to stack multiple tracks in real time with zero compromise in tone or creativity.
When we were in the design phase of this system, we knew there was really only one MIDI Controller powerful enough to interact with the Infinity Rack, the RJM Music MasterMind GT-22.
With multiple pages of Instant Access switching to Matrix Presets, Audio Connections, Amp Functions & Effects Presets building sounds is super quick and easy.
Upon completion the system has 154 Instant Access Switches with more than 50% of the system capacity available for future demand.
Complimenting this awe inspiring controller are 2x Boss FV500L Expression Pedals which are mapped per preset to various functions in the system.
Controller Board
Infinity Rack System is loaded with some legendary classic & modern workhorse effects, but every now & then a need for something else arises.
To quickly implement an external effect device to the system, we constructed a panel that connects to each of the 4 effects matrix switchers, "Harmonics", "Dynamics", "Modulations" & "Delays". The panel also features input impedance adjustment circuits.
To provide for any possible power requirement for the External effects devices we constructed this power supply module that can provide 9, 12, 15, 18 & 24 Volts DC in Tip Positive or Negative polarity each at 2000mA of current.
There are also outputs of 9, 12, 18 & 24 Volts AC each at 2000mA of current. Given the vast array of effects devices over the last 40+ years, we thought it beneficial to have a power supply that addresses every single known voltage & current demand.
Insert Panel for Audio Connections + Impedance Correction & Insert Power Supply.
Rack Rear
In addition to having tons of classic effects and modern tone tools in the Infinity Rack System, there's some nice amplifiers too!
Both of the important generations of Fender Twin Reverb are on display here. A lovely little Marshall JTM45 & a SLP100 with a history complete the "daily" array. By daily we mean that the amplifier choices to complete the rig also include a Fender "Blackface" Tremolux, TRVR Handwired Little Boy & Plexi, Komet 60, Marshall JTM45 Combo with more additions coming. PS, The SLP100 was previously owned by Dave Sabo of Skid Row and used on a number of the band's recordings.
System Design, Fabrication & Programming by Nice Rack Canada.