Barber Electronics Launch Pad

Pretty forward easy to use. Two volumes for each output and one sensivity control to both of them. It??s a must to read the manual but to know the different possibilities, not to not knowing how to use it.

Simply, it??s doing exactly what I was looking for. The perfect clean booster, clean channel and with distortion. Better than my previous Xotic Rc Booster, who was giving a little cranked effect in clean mode, but that??s not bad if you??re looking for that. In my case, I was looking for a perfect clean booster, and now I have find it.

It looks hard. Hope to not get problem.

I have no problem with that.

Pretty straight forward controls. The pedal has several uses and they're all explained well in the manual.

Just a perfect clean boost. No noise, no coloration, no distortion. It's really amazing what a clean boost can do for a tube amp. More punch, more dynamics, more clarity. This pedal has done more for my tone than any other pedal I've owned.

I've owned several Barber pedals for years. They're very rugged, I've never had a problem with any of them.

Never dealt with Barber directly. Never had a problem with his products.

If the Launch Pad were a clean boost only it would still be well worth the price. The fact that it has other useful functions/features like A/B switching, DI, phase corrected outputs, etc. just makes it an amazing value.

Dirt simple to use, many options that are spelled out completely in the one page manual.

I have an Anderson Hollow-T with Mini-humbuckers, Fender EJ Strat, Gibson ES-175, and Yamaha SA-2000 (ES-335 style). The pedal works with all. This pedal is absolutely transparent (or so close that you can't really tell). My pedal board is very simple, includes a Fulltone OCD, Hao Rumble-Mod (in boost mode), Line 6 MM4, EB Volume, Line 6 DL4 and Launch Pad at the end. I use with a '68 Bandmaster Head and 2X12 Open back Cab w/Celestion G12-50's. The Launch Pad brings the amp to life and makes all the pedals sound better. With OCD and HAO pedals engaged and the Launch Pad hitting the front end of the amp (check out the "amp cooking" threads in the Barber Forum) I can get an extremely credible Dumble-esque lead tone and gorgeous clean tones. I wasn't looking to cop any exact sound, but found what I was looking for with the help of the Launch Pad.

The workmanship appears absolutely stellar (inside and out). I took the pedal out of the box, stuck a battery in it and used it at a gig without testing it or having the chance to mount it to my pedal board. It performed flawlessly. Would not hesitate to use without a backup.

Can't say for sure, other than I ordered the pedal and got an immediate confirm and thank you from Mr. Barber and received the pedal in about 3 working days (via USPS) . I think that exchange is indicative of the level of support I would receive if I had a problem.

I've played mostly rock and jazz for the past 30 years. Since getting it, I leave the Launch Pad on all the time. The pedal is a swiss army knife capable of being a Clean Boost, A/B switch, Silent tuning, DI. I have tried these functions with the exception if using as a DI and they all worked as claimed. The true transparency of this pedal cannot be over-emphasized. If lost or stolen I would have to replace it immediately, it is as essential as my Tivo :)

One page of instructions are more than you need to figure out how to use this pedal. Very easy. I'm using it only for volume boost, so I'm not sure about the other functions, but they appear to be user-friendly based on the instruction page...

This pedal is amazingly quiet. I'm playing it through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue and the super clean tone is still super clean with the Launch Pad on. It just increases your volume without changing anything else. Doesn't add distortion or change tone at all. I'm very impressed. Off, it's true bypass. I know people say that there's always room to improve a pedal, but I can't honestly think of a way to make this one sound better.

I'm assuming it's reliable based on the reputation of the company, but I just bought it, so I can't speak from experience.

Called Barber when I was deciding to buy it and found the guy I spoke with very helpful. Answered all of my questions and then some. I'm confident they stand behind their product.

I play blues and rock. I've been playing for 13 years. I think this pedal would be a very useful addition to anyone's board. Who couldn't use the ability to get louder without changing tone with the click of a switch? If it were stolen I'd get another one for sure

Very easy to use, but you need the manual to help explain all of the settings for it's different functions.

I only use this pedal as a clean boost, so I won't comment on it's other capabilities. I like to boost my clean signal for solos on live gigs.

This is the most sonically neutral pedal I've ever used. When I engage the boost, it sounds exactly like the tone I was getting with the effect off, only louder.

I've seen other reviews here that mention the Launch Pad increase the high end. This occured when I first got mine and I was ready to send it back. Thankfully, I called Dave Barber (great guy) and got the scoop. To make a long story short, I had a shitty cable from the unit to my Bogner Shiva that was adding resistance and changing the tone of my signal. I got a better cable and problem solved.

I use this with a Strat & ES-335 and get great results with both. My FX chain is guitar > Fulltone Fulldrive II > Launch Pad. It also works well with the Fulldrive engaged.

I tried a Prescription Germ before buying the Launch Pad, but it changed the tone slightly. The Germ added a bit of warmth & roundness that I didn't like. Nice tone, but not for me.

If you want a completely transparent sound with some additional signal boost, you can't go wrong with this pedal. Given it's other capabilities as an A/B box and direct box, this thing is a steal.

I normally don't give tens for anything, but this pedal is perfection.

I've only been using this for a few months, but no problems yet. The switch is great, the housing is all steel with a scratch resitant powder coat finish. All wiring and soldering is well done. I LOVE taht it has full size pots. If I need to replace one, I'll have no problem finding the part.

The guys at Barber excell at customer support and Dave Barber will bend over backwards to help you out. I bought my pedal used, but he spent about 15 minutes on the phone helping me diagnose the extra high end I was getting. Now that's service!!! Fulltone please take note.

I've tried the Barber Tone Pump, Direct Drive & the LTD. They are all superb pedals. Barber offers boutique sound & quality at very reasonable prices.

Read the directions on this one. This is by far the most versatile stomp box out there. The clean boost can be set to bring the controls on your guitar into another level of dynamics.

PRS HBI > Launch Pad > Tone Press > Burn Unit II > Fender SRRI.

All of the Barber pedals are true bypass and very quiet. This pedal does more with the subtle settings then most pedals do full tilt. You can dial in twang.

Very durable. Top of the line components. Outstanding design and made in the good ol' USA! No back up needed here.

If you read carefully through a lot of the reviews (as I have) across different companies you will find that Barber Electronics has the highest ratings for customer support. Even if for some odd reason you don't care for the product (remember now, read the directions), one phone call will put you in touch with some friendly and helpful people. Chances are you may get to talk to the man himself (Dave is a player too)!

I play rock and roll. This my third Barber pedal. My favorite feature is the the dynamics you can get with the clean boost. I played straight into my amp without any effects for almost 30 years before hooking up with Barber effects. So who else out there is saving up for an Echelon? Only new strings, new tubes, and a lot of practice could make you sound better.

After fooling around with it for a couple of weeks I still had no clue of how to actually use the thing, besides as an overdrive. So I was amazed when I found the manual on Barber Electronics website. I had no idea that it can be used in so many differnet ways. So I guess it was very difficult to use... until I read the manual. Now it is easy.

We recorded an album and used teles and a strat through a 60s BF Fender Deluxe Reverb and a Champ. The Launch Pad really made those amps sing and dance. Those are very cool old tube amps that already sound very good. I wonder if the Launch Pad could beef up an old solid state amp as well. I will have to try that out some time.
We used that Launch pad on every track were we needed any kind of overdriven sound.
The only other overdrive we used on the record was a Tube Screamer on one or two songs, and that was just because the Launch Pad was already in use by the other guitarist.
In other words. It sounds great.

Looks and feels good. I cant imagine that it will fall apart for no apparent reason.

I've played many different styles in as many different bands during the past 11 years. Folk-rock, Funk, Indie, Rockabilly, Stoner, Post-Grunge and Metal. I've used at least Boss, Vox, Ibanez, Danelectro, Marshall, Fulltone, DOD and a Turbo Rat during these years trying to get THAT overdrive sound. I wish the Launch Pad would have been my first pedal ever. I don't think I would have tried all of those other pedals out.
I have played a Telecaster, a strat, a Les Paul jr and two SGs through combos and halfstacks and I seriously think I would have benefited alot from the very beginning if I had found the Launch Pad in 1993.
I like it very much but it is very confusing in its simplicity if you dont read the manual before using it.

Very cool pedal. It's certainly easy enough to use, though the little bugger does so many things surprisingly well the hardest part for me was figuring out how to most efficiently utilize it and maximize it's potential. I finally settled on keeping it on my pedal board and seriously doubt I'll ever remove it.

This is where I finally placed the Launch Pad in my pedal chain; Fulltone Clyde Deluxe > Barber LTD > Barber Direct Drive SS > Voodoo Lab MicroVibe > Barber Launch Pad > Line6 DL4. In this configuration, I utilize the Launch Pad in the following ways:
? Frequency "Enhancer": Sorry about the description, but it's the
only way I can describe it. With this pedal on, you get a very perceptible boost across all the frequency ranges, resulting in greater harmonic activity and a more ringing tone. Once you turn it on and play for a while (with any amp), than turn it off - your jaw will drop. It's that big of a difference and it doesn't effect your core tone in the least, it just "enhances" it. Besides the sparkle and chime it adds to clean tones, it also adds ripping harmonic complexity when run in overdriven and distorted modes.
? Clean Boost: I have some smaller amps that I love, but they don't always cut it volume wise, so I use the clean boost pretty often. I have a 1x12 Carr Mercury (1xKT66) and a 1x10 Mesa Subway Blues (2xEL84's)that sound fantastic, but need some more headroom and the Lanch Pad delivers. I replaced a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive with this and the Launch Pad offers way more of a volume boost without effecting the tone. I would buy this thing just for the frequency enhancement and clean boost alone. It would be easy to stash in the back of your combo amp and run into the front if you don't like to haul around pedals.
?Splitter: There's two 1/4" outs to use, so you can run a second amp out of the Launch Pad as well. I have a small home studio and for grins I'll run two rigs out of the DL4 in stereo and a third amp out of the second out on the LP. This is a cool set-up as the LP is before my delays and adds a straight signal to the mix. You could also just run a tuner out of it or whatever else you can think of, so there's many options available as a splitter.
?Master Volume: Another benefit I didn't initially realize. You can push the front end of your tube amps to whatever point you like than use the LP as a master volume. Just dial in your amp(s) than trim the output levels to taste. Nice! This is also useful for blending different amps together in various stages of overdrive. Especially useful for dialing-in recording levels.
?Line Buffer: Restores signal loss from driving long cables, pedalboards,etc.
?Direct Box: Use it as a line level direct box when recording. Also works great to crank levels into processors and other outboard gear. I use a XLR/14" in and can manipulate the recording levels when using dynamic and condensor mics. It helps as I can't always crank my amps as loud as I would like when recording.

The Launch Pad is holding-up fine, don't expect any problems.

Don't expect trouble, but if I do the Barber crew is sure to help. This is a small company with great customer support. I rank them right in there with companies like Reverend and Carr.

I really like this pedal, as it doesn't get in the way no matter how you use it. Whether as a stand-alone effect or combined in a signal chain, the Launch Pad is impressive. It's a relatively obsure pedal that will never receive the accolades it deserves, so it's more of a stealth tone weapon than anything else. Those of you who have experimented with it know where I'm coming from. Reasonably priced, built well, very versatile and a lot of fun. Check one out.

Plug in. Turn the knobs all the way up. Try not to scare the neighbors! (or your bandmates!)

This pedal does a lot of good shit and it does it all very well for an astoundingly good price. You can spend a lot more getting pedals that do one or two of the 100 things this pedal can do. alright, well maybe not 100, but definitely 5:

1) Line buffer: Use long cables and true bypass pedals like me? I got about 30 feet of cable before my guitar signal gets to my amp. That adds up to a SIGNIFICANT amount of treble loss due to cable capacitance. Now I put the Launchpad after my wah & volume pedals and it sounds like I'm plugged straight into the amp with a short cord; I got all my treble back!

2) Splitter: I've got an ernie ball passive volume pedal. I've been using the tuner out on the volume for my tuner. Unfortunately, since the ernie ball is passive, you get treble loss by splitting the signal that way. The Launchpad is designed as an ACTIVE splitter, hence no treble loss, and a higher signal going to the tuner for greatly improved note tracking.

3) Clean Boost: Okay, ever heard of the Dallas Rangemaster? Well if you haven't you've definitely heard what it does on many many records. The Launch pad does the same things but full-range, not just treble. I've never gotten closer to sounding like my heroes until I got this pedal and boosted the crap out of my distortion channel on my Sunn Model T reissue. This boost is so awesome, it will reveal tones out of your amp you didn't think it was capable of reproducing. I was blazing through Iommi riffs and cackling wildly!

4) A/B Switcher: Switch from one channel to another on a two-input amp (fender reverbs, hiwatt, orange, old marshall) OR switch between 2 amps.

5) Direct box: Use it to send signal to a line-level FX rack or PA.

My band SoIHadTo is recording this summer and I wanted a clean boost for different tones in the studio. I got that and a whole lot more. Now I used the Launchpad as a line buffer and set the boost at 12 oclock to push my amp. Set it and forget it! Here's my rig:
Gibson '74 SG special or Ovation Preacher =>
Thomas Organ Wah => Ernie ball volume =>Launchpad => Sunn Model T => Music Man 1x15 w/Mojotone 15" speaker and Mesa Boogie 1x12 w/EVM12L. Effects loop has SupaTrem=>Ibanez FL9 flanger=>boss line selector=>old digitech two-button delay.

Solid. Peeked inside, it's extremely well built. Barber knows what he's doing.

I bought it direct cause I live here in Maryland. Barber and his crew are 100% solid human beings dedicated to the forces of good. No, I don't work for him (but I wish I could!)

I haven't seen a new pedal kick this much ass since the Tech 21 Bass Driver. Every serious guitarist (or anyone that plays an electric instrument) will benefit from owning this pedal.

Easy, but requires manual to understand all the functions. It's far more than just a clean boost.

Wow! Rich, lush, transparent, even-sounding - quite well-balanced. Really brings out the harmonics and overtones. It's like an "amp boost." I use it w/ a Bogner Shiva, a Fender Vibrolux, a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia, and a Carr Rambler.

Also, very nice for running two amps simultaneously (and correcting phase issues) or as a DI. No noise or clicks - just performance. It does everything it's supposed to do without a fuss.

Nice and sturdy. Well put-together inside, too.

Oh, man - the best. Barber talked me through this completely. I never thought I'd own a clean boost, but this is a great one that does so much more - phase inversion, A/B multi-amp, DI. Barber knows his stuff and is easy to talk with.

I use this pedal for everything - from jazz to country/rockabilly to classic rock to shred fusion. It just brings my tone alive. Playing 18 years - mostly rock, blues, jazz. I've played several clean boost - all more expensive - but, none that really got my interest. This one is a keeper. Yes, I would seek immediate replacement if it became separated. Great value!

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.