Barber Electronics Launch Pad

If you're using the clean boost function, it is VERY easy to dial it in. For the other functions (phase correction, A/B etc.), just read the manual. Pretty much just remembering what outputs to use. Piece 'o cake!

My setup goes like this: Strat-> Teese PW -> MJM BD, Keeley TS9/808, TS808RI, pretty much any mid-hump, bass loss overdrive! -> Bad Bob Booster -> Boss TU-2 -> Fulltone CF-1 ->Launch Pad (sometimes) ->'64 Vibroverb Clone, SRRI, '68 Twin Reverb.

Noise - None if you set the sensitivity knobs right.

The Launch Pad is a very flat EQ booster. It doesn't concentrate on one range of frequencies, but really boosts them all (atleast to my ears). Very useful if you need a flat clean boost.

Phase Correction - Use this puppy to correct the phase on your reverb amps so you can patch/bridge channels. This is my favorite way to use the Launch Pad. You can run effects in parallel together with this option as well, which is pretty cool (just make sure some of your effects don't reverse the phase again!!). Bridging channels sounds very good, it adds a little thickness and depth to the sound. Good idea Dave!

I would definitely depend on it. It's very clean underneath the hood.

Dave Barber is an active participant on some forums, and is an incredibly nice and intelligent guy. His products are NOT overpriced, and they sound like they are twice their selling price. Gotta love it.

Highly recommended.

The Barber Electronics Launch Pad is a multi-function all analog pedal. I was encouraged to try this pedal ata local music store after inquiring about high quality, transparent, clean boost pedals. The Launch Pad certainly fits this criteria. The boost range is from unity gain to +20dB and it remains clean and transparent through the entire range and it's very quiet even at +20dB boost. This pedal has many capabilities other than providing a transparent clean boost. It may be used as a buffer, a DI (balanced or unbalanced), A/B switch, tuner routing switch, impedence matcher, and a phase corrector for combining preamp inputs on a Fender blackface or silverface amp and Vox AC30-TB (inputs are out of phase on these). Check http://www.barberelectronics.com/LaunchPad.htm for more detailed information. The layout is as follows: one 1/4" input jack, one positive phase 1/4" output jack (mono), one negative phase 1/4" output jack (mono or stereo TRS), one positive phase volume control pot, one negative phase volume control pot, one sensitivity control pot, and one heavy-duty metal foot switch. It's entirely analog and well laid out - it would be easy to service if it ever became necessary. The controls are not intuitive. The manual will be required to set this pedal up for its various functions initially but once the concept sets in (or the settings required are memorized) it's a walk in the park.

I bought this pedal to use it as a clean boost and for this purpose it works wonderfully! It is very transparent and very quiet. My ears percieve a slight boost in presence but this is likely as a result of pushing the first gain stage in the amp harder. Otherwise it doesn't color the sound of the guitar and dynamics are not affeted in the least. The switch is true bypass and when the pedal is on and set to unity gain my ears percieve no change in tone, dynamics, or noise from the bypassed signal - exactly what I was looking for. I play a first year (89?) PRS bolt-neck (mahogany/maple top with maple/brazilian rosewood FB), 4-conductor Seymour Duncan Seth Lover PAF's, 3-way LP style selector and a mini toggle for coil tap, tremolo bridge set up as a fixed bridge, bone nut. My other guitar is one I assembled using an medium-lightweight alder Strat body and a beefy C-profile maple/maple neck w/vintage sized frets and bone nut, Hipshot bearing pin tremolo, Gotoh self-locking tuners, SD Seth Lover PAF 4-lead bridge PU, and Lindy Fralin Real '54 Strat PUs in the middle and neck positions. My main amp is a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia (18w) with a Ruby Tubes 1x12 (Celestion Vintage30) and I also use a Fender Super Champ (20w) with the Eminence spkr - I love low powered tube amps! I also employ an early script logo MXR Phase 45 as my only other effect commonly used in my signal chain and I place the Launch Pad at the end of the chain. I wouldn't say that I strive to emulate anyones sound; I just love the warmth and dynamics present in 60's and 70's recordings and this gear gives me as much of that vibe as I want. The Launch Pad gives me a bit more bite and a slight boost in output for soloing and for heavy rhythm parts. Nothing's perfect (10) but the Launch Pad gets a clear 9 for maintaining the integrity of my signal.

I can't really say at this point as I've only had the pedal a short time. Build quality and workmanship are excellent and the pedal seems very sturdy.

I have not had need of customer support so I cannot comment

If your looking for a really clean, transparent boost bedal you can't go wrong with the Barber Launch Pad. I would definitely replace it right away if it were lost or stolen. I have nothing negative to say about this product. I've been playing a bit more than 25 years and I've been through alot of gear - quite a few boost pedals. This one is my favorite so far.