LiberaToe 4 modules platform set

The LiberaToe-4 platform is a total analog multi-effects modular solution for both guitar and bass.

Fully analog circuit-based modules or pedals can be plugged in freely and interchangeably in the 4 slots/loops, each supporting a dual channel.

Easy-to-use routing modes enable each module or pedal to work as a dual channel pedal individually or to work as a sole. These two modes can be used simultaneously in the specially designed 3rd mode, Ambidextrous mode.

The signal path change between serial and split & merge also can be accomplished dynamically by a preset. This integrated solution replaces complex pedalboard with a complete compact system, and with these benefits & possibilities:

• Pure analog path & circuit
• 3 signal routing modes including patented technology
• 4 slots/loops for pluggable modules or pedals (You can add your own pedals to this system          via our pedal connections)
• Dual channel support per slot/loop
• 4 + 4 programmable presets
• Parallel path controllable by a preset
• Scalability up to 10 slots(loops) with the LiberaToe-6 (the feature to be released)
• Specially designed built-in buffers at 2 locations
• External switch connection support, including time control for tap tempo to enabled modules
• Pseudo-balanced out for XLR connection (via TRS-XLR adapter)
• Weight: 1.2kg/2.6lbs, 2kg/4.4lbs with 4 modules (measurement tolerance 50g/0.11lbs)​
• Dimension - Height*Depth*Width (from rubber to foot switch, including handle)
         7.3cm x 18.5cm x 39cm / 3" x 7.3" x 15.4" (measurement tolerance 0.5cm/0.2")​

You can pick 4 modules out of 22 ones in LiberaToe (dot) com webpage (since Reverb don't permit to add the webpage link here), then let me know the list so that we can pack them all together.

Excerpt from Review

The LiberaToe-4 is a highly versatile pedalboard and it works in a few different ways. You can plug-in modules, which are proprietary pedals direct from LiberaToe. Before talking about the convenience and quality of these pedals, be aware that you can buy these modules separately for your own pedalboard. A module plugs into a ‘shell,’ which permits typical pedal functioning, power requirements, etc. In other words, they look and function like regular pedals. What is cool about these pedals (and the switch system that’s part of the shell) is that they are dual-channel. When the pedal is on, you can click between green and red channels (hold the footswitch down for a half-second and it turns off completely, then resumes on the channel you last left and when turned back on). This permits you to set two different channels, such as a modest drive for crunch rhythm and then a higher-gain setting for lead soloing being an obvious example. Different gain, volume and EQ controls. Very cool.

The pedals/modules are excellent and some of the best I’ve tried. I’ll be reviewing each one that’s in my LiberaToe-4 system (an OD, a distortion, a spring reverb and a warm tape-echo). All these pedals are analog, and you can hear it. I really don’t mind digital effects, and some of my favorites are digital, but there’s something very real with these pedals and the company (Canadian-based and manufactured in S. Korea) did a great job on their development. And, as stated, these are dual channel, meaning you don’t have to bend down to adjust settings if you’re working with two different flavors that need no further adjustment. Obviously, you can make knob adjustments and if you prefer the LiberaToe-4 system on top of your amp or another location for easy access, there is an optional switcher, which includes a global tap-tempo switch (great for coordinating delays with tremolo or other time-based effects). I also should mention that LiberaToe has a very wide range of pedals in several different categories, e.g., gain, time-spacial, dynamic and bass.

The LiberaToe-4 unit itself, is of very solid metal construction. Fully loaded, it weighs about 2kg or just over 4lbs. Because you can pull out and insert modules quickly (unless you screw the units in with the accompanying thumbscrews) it takes far less time to rearrange your board. The modules do fit in rather snugly, and screwing them in likely is unnecessary with little to no travel. As well, there is no cabling, which saves time, money and space. And for pedal purists, you can run regular pedals with this system. There’s a Pedal Connection that LiberaToe offers, which has two loops or in-outs that integrate two outside pedals ‘somewhere’ within the chain of LiberaToe modules. The footswitch on the optional Pedal Connection is dual channel, which means switching between the two external pedals or shutting them off altogether.

The LiberaToe-4 has a built-in Buffer, that you can switch on or off. As well, there is a quick two-button function for the last two pedals in the chain, to operate in serial or parallel. This means running a delay into a reverb, or having each run parallel individually, or the same can be done with stacking dirt pedals. Serial vs. parallel produces a big difference in sound, making this a great feature.

The other a most prominent benefit of the LiberaToe-4 is the switching system, offering three modes of operation. The Improvisation Mode functions like a typical pedalboard. You can switch any pedal on/off without it affecting the other pedals, and each footswitch changes between channels, as explained. Exclusive Mode means exactly that, only one pedal is on (and you can switch channels of that pedal). However, once you click on a different pedal, the previous pedal shuts off. This means not having to click one off then click one on, thus making it fast and convenient if using only one effect at a time. The Ambidextrous Mode is where the switching capabilities really shine and it combines the typical ability to control each pedal individually, but also to create patches or presets for multiple-pedal control. In effect, there are four footswithes, and each footswitch controls one or more pedals and their channels (FYI, the optional external foot switch has the same functionality as the switches on the LiberaToe-4 system). For example, you can create one preset to turn on a crunch drive with modest delay and a hint of chorus. Another footswitch/preset (which turns off the previous preset) may be a high-gain distortion with more delay and a touch of reverb. And since each pedal is dual channel, once you are on one preset, you still can move between the green and red channels via each pedal’s channel buttons, or click between external pedals with a Pedal Connection module, since it connects two pedals under one footswitch. If you’re looking for maximum flexibility, the LiberaToe-6 offers 100 banks x 4 patches, or 400 presets. The LiberaToe-4 has more limitations, but still a lot of ‘live’ flexibility, as James from LiberaToe explains in this example:

“Let's set up just two presets – set 4th foot switch (from the right) to turn on our Brever Reverb (enhancer function only at this moment) as a clean preset, and set the 2nd foot switch for Distortion, Delay and Reverb (reverb only) as a solo preset. When the clean preset is engaged, you can control Delay, Overdrive individually. If you set ‘double-clicked’ Overdrive button as part of this preset, whenever you push the 1st foot switch, it can switch between the two channels under this preset. When you load the solo preset by pushing the 2nd foot switch, you also can control Overdrive, Delay individually since those two slots are not assigned a foot switch/preset. Thus, while playing the solo preset, you can turn off the delay, or otherwise turn on the overdrive (maybe red channel with minimized gain) as a gain boost.”

Overall, there should be some obvious advantages to this technology. There is a reduction in cost and time, fundamentally, and there is a reduction in overall weight when compared to traditional pedalboards with all their pedals, cables, and a switching system. Time-wise, unplugging and plugging modules without the cable hassle is fast (you do have to unplug the unit first). Cost-wise, equipping yourself with a LiberaToe-4 (or the larger LiberaToe-6) is far more cost effective. Now, this does not preclude those expensive boutique pedals or those that can do multiple things, although typically digital in nature, but when comparing a set of analog pedals, together with the pedalboard platform and a switching system, the LiberaToe-4 is about 60% of the cost and weight; and you’re getting dual channel capability (4 pedals = 8 different sounds/functions). Heading out to a gig means easier and lighter transportation, and all the amazing features under one hood makes it ideal for home studios wanting to save on space. Again, the quality of the pedals is excellent, and I’m blown away by the Fire Sword (distortion) and Darwin (overdrive). When people claim ‘amp-like,’ LiberaToe fits the bill – robust, dynamic and with wonderful sounding grainy growls. Watch for those reviews/demos. And if concerned about the power connection/adapter, it’s free volt AC 100V~240V, 50~60hz providing DC24V 2.5A.

Features

3 Route Modes

Select one of three modes via the right most “W” footswitch.

• IM(Improvisation) mode: This mode enables 4 slots/loops to work independently as with any typical pedalboard. Each slot/loop can be turned on or off by corresponding foot switch. Each slot/loop also can be toggled between two channels (green and red).​
• EX(Exclusive) mode: In this mode, you can turn only one slot/loop on since all the loops work exclusively from each other. You also will be able to turn it off (bypass) by pushing the same foot switch briefly once again. Additionally, If you set the loop to flash by double-click on the button, you can switch between the two channels whenever you push the same foot switch briefly. Of course you can turn it off (bypass) when you hold it (more than 0.4 sec).
• Mb(Ambidextrous) mode: This mode is a mix of IM and preset mode. It basically works like the general programmable loop, but also allows the unassigned foot switches to be used as like in IM mode.

Dual Channel

All the slots/loops support dual channel. The two channels can be selected independently or switched between each other. Depending on the button color setting, the channels are determined accordingly :

• Green: The module/loop runs the green channel which enables green knobs of the modules (or green channel loop in a connection module).
• Red: The module/loop runs the red channel which enables red knobs of the modules (or red channel loop in a connection module).
• Flickering: You can use the footswitch to switch between the two channels immediately, activated by double clicking the button prior. The channel can be turned off by holding on the foot switch.

Controllable Resource

• Slots/Loops: Dual channel support
• Parallel: Signals split to loop 3 and 4 to be merged at the ends

Manual Switched​

• Input Buffer: Natural signal preservation (two buffers between loop 2 and 3 turn on when parallel feature works)

I/O

• Input: 1/4 mono jack
• Output: 1/4 TRS jack (also for pseudo-balanced connection)
    - you can connect to XLR input gears having balanced input if you connect a TRS-XLR adapter(sold separately) in-between,
• DC input: 24V 2.5A (center positive)
• Extension jack: For connection with the LiberaToe-6, entire 10 slots/loops are centrally controlled centrally(to be released)
• Switch Box jack: For connection with separate switch box

You can pick 4 modules out of 22 ones in LiberaToe (dot) com webpage (since Reverb.com don't permit to add the webpage link here), then let me know the list so that we can pack them all together. Free volt adapter will come along (AC input 100V~240V, 50~60hz. DC output 24V, 2.5A).

Below information about the module is just for your quick reference only, please visit LiberaToe (dot) com webpage for further details.

Gain Modules

• Luther Overdrive (Tube Screamer mod / Dumble amp & Supro amp)
• Camus Overdrive (Centaur mod)
• Fire Sword Distortion (Custom JFET)
• MonkHawk Overdrive (BD-2 mod with Custom Gain Boost)
• Wrecker Valve Distortion (Diezel VH4 mod)
• Blue Crow Distortion & Overdrive (Crunch Box mod-distortion section / Blue Collar mod-overdrive section)
• Darwin Overdrive (Dirty Shirley mod)
• Iron Rod Distortion (Super Lead mod)
• Boostequila Boost EQ (Buxom Boost mod)
• Lost Gerbil Distortion & Overdrive (RAT mod-distortion section / Tube Screamer mod-overdrive section)

Gain modules from Vogart Audio collaboration

• Abby Normal Overdrive (Tube Screamer mod / Timmy mod)
• Grit-n-Grime Drive (OCD mod / 1981 DRV)
• Keepit Lemon Overdrive (Hot Cake mod / BluesBreaker mod)
• Dawkins Preamp (SLO amp / Fender amp)

Time & Space Modules

• Torpedo-1 Tremolo
• Alter Ego Delay
• Copernicus Chorus (CE-2 mod)
• Brever Reverb (Reverb / Sonic Maximizer mod)
• Robofish Delay/Chorus/Tremolo
• Pascal Phaser (WhetStone Phaser mod)

Dynamic Modules

• Proud Adams Envelope filter & Fuzz
• Baron Ashura Noise Suppressor & Compressor
• Holy Belly EQ & Boost (Demeter mod-EQ section / Fodera2k mod-Boost section)
• Gnavatar Blender
• Bentham Bass Overdrive (MicroTube/B3K mod)
• BearAss Compressor & Sustainer / Fuzz (Forest Green Comp mod & Peach Fuzz mod)