RJM Music Mastermind PBC 10-Loop Switcher

Make Your Pedalboard Obey Its Master

If you love your stompboxes, but crave the flexibility of a rack-switching system, the RJM Music Mastermind PBC pedalboard controller will make you very, very happy. Designed specifically for pedalboards, the Mastermind PBC provides you with 10 audio loops (four of which are stereo capable and series/parallel-switchable), opening you up to a whole universe of routing and switching possibilities. The Mastermind PBC's outputs are just as flexible, letting you configure them as either a stereo pair or as A/B outputs for switching between two amps. There are also four function switches for controlling amp channels and a line mixer for parallel effect configurations. What's more, you can manage your MIDI-controllable pedals with ease, thanks to the Mastermind PBC's full-featured MIDI controller. The RJM Music Mastermind PBC will get your pedalboard under control!

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• Stereo loops for infinite routing and switching possibilities
• Flexible outputs work as a stereo pair or dual mono
• MIDI features allow complete control over your pedals
• Function switches for controlling footswitchable amp features
• Internal line mixer lets you run effects in parallel
• Audio buffers keep your signal clean
• Click Stopper makes for transparent switching

Loops 7 through 10 on the Mastermind PBC are stereo capable (although you can use them for standard mono signals, if you're so inclined). When the Mono/Stereo switch is in the "out" position, the Mastermind PBC takes the signal coming into loop 7 and sends it to both the left and right sides of the stereo signal, creating a false stereo signal. In the "in" position, it leaves the signal from loop 7's input unchanged, allowing you to send a stereo signal into Inputs 7-10.

The Mastermind PBC's two outputs are extremely flexible. When the Mono Output switch is in the "in" position, it takes the left side signal and feeds it to both the A and B outputs, allowing you to use the outputs as a mono A/B/Y switch for switching between two amps. In the "out" position, the A and B outputs are fed from the left and right sides of the signal, respectively, for stereo operation. The Mastermind PBC also features an isolation transformer, which can help alleviate ground loop hum when using two amplifiers. You can also invert the phase of Out B, in case your amps don't sound right when played together.

If you've got MIDI-controllable pedals, like those made by Eventide and Line 6, the Mastermind PBC has got you covered. Not only does the Mastermind PBC give you a superabundance of audio routing and switching possibilities, you also get comprehensive MIDI features that will put all of your effects firmly under your command.

The Mastermind PBC also lets you control the footswitchable features on your amplifiers. Depending on the amp, you can use the Mastermind PBC to control channel switching, reverb, tremolo, or anything else that uses a 1/4" footswitch jack. The function switch jacks are electrically isolated from each other, so you can safely connect each jack to a different amp. That being said, Sweetwater doesn't condone any attempts at splitting one jack to different amps. That's a bad idea, so don't try it! Also, these switches can be set to either latching or non-latching, and inverted and non-inverted for maximum compatibility.

Thanks to the RJM Music Mastermind PBC's internal line mixer, loops 7-10 can be routed in parallel. A lot of guitarists like to run their effects in parallel because it allows you to apply each effect to your guitar signal individually. This means that the effects don't affect each other, so you can pile them on without muddying up your tone. Parallel routing can also help you avoid AD/DA degradation by mixing a dry signal in with your processed signal. On top of that, the line mixer also allows delay and reverb tails to trail off naturally, without echoing any new notes played. You also get a "kill dry" function that allows you to output only a wet signal, so you can use the output level controls on your pedals to set the amount of effect you want.

When you use long cables or pile on loads of effects, you degrade your guitar's signal, causing it to lose clarity and definition. At Sweetwater, we discourage the use of wimpy guitar tone. It simply doesn't get the job done. That's why we love the RJM Music Mastermind PBC. It utilizes a series of buffers to "strengthen" your guitar's signal and preserve its sound quality. And in the event that you'd like to turn the buffers off (pedals such as wah-wahs and germanium fuzzes work better without a buffer), all are independently switchable.

Relays are the cleanest, most transparent switching method available. Unfortunately, they produce a "click" sound when they switch (which is really noticeable in high-gain situations). That's why the RJM Music Mastermind PBC utilizes a Click Stopper circuit. This circuit eliminates those annoying clicks by briefly muting audio output when the relays are switching. So, crank up the distortion and fear not. The Mastermind PBC has got your back!

• 10 audio loops, four of which are stereo capable and series/parallel switchable
• Outputs can be configured as a stereo pair or as A/B outputs for switching between two amps
• Out B has a switchable isolation transformer and a phase switch
• Audio buffers keep your signal clean
• Click Stopper noise reduction circuit for transparent switching
• 4 function switches for controller amplifier channels
• Internal line mixer for running effects in parallel
• A full-featured MIDI controller that can send any type of MIDI message
• Expression pedal input that can be programmed to generate MIDI messages
• Easy-to-read LCD display displays preset, song names, and more
• USB host port for backing up and restoring settings to a USB thumb drive
• External switch input allows two more switches to be added
• Mac/PC editor software allows for faster and more comprehensive editing
• Includes an integrated tuner
• Power adapter not included