Directory:Option Knob
The Option Knob is a revolutionary effects pedal accessory for musicians. It is a foot actuated knob that replaces the factory knob on traditional style effects pedals (or stomp boxes) and allows the user to adjust the parameters of the effects pedal with their foot during live performance. The knob is revolutionary in that it provides an unbelievably simple solution to the age old problem of the musician having to take one hand away from their instrument and reach down to their effects pedal to manipulate it while playing. The Option Knob is used mostly by guitarists and keyboard players, however, any musician who plays their instrument signal through various effects pedals can benefit from the additional levels of sound control that the invention provides.
Technique
The Option Knob can be utilized in many different ways in order to acquire accelerated levels of real-time sound control. Because of its universal-like fit it can be used on most effects pedals and thus provides additional control of virtually all different types of sound effects such as delay, chorus, tremelo, vibrato, reverb, distortion, phaser, envelope filter, planger, pitch shifter, octave, and many more. Musicians from all different styles of play have the option to choose how they utilize the Option Knob by determining which parameter of the chosen effect they would like to control. Since many effects pedals often have one to four factory knob-controlled parameters, musicians choose which parameter they would like to have additional control over with their foot based on what kind of sound effect they are looking for. Some musicians control the rate or speed of the effect, some just want to control the volume, some control the saturation, or the amount of fuzz or distortion. The technique involved in the use of the Option Knob depends solely on the desired accelerated level of sound control by the musician.
Innovation
Electronic effectors for guitar players have been around for over half a century, ever since the invention of the electric guitar became widely popular. Early models of guitar effects were included within the guitar amplifiers, and had foot-actuated switches to toggle the effect on and off. Then it became popular to house these effects in separately sold floor box units, or effects pedals. Musicians had the need and desire to manipulate these sound effects in real time while playing their instruments. However, this required them to take one hand away from their instrument and bend down to their effects pedal. This was a problem because the musician in turn gave up total control of their instrument and also exhibited poor stage performance by bending down or turning away from their audience.
One attempt at a solution to this problem was in the 1970's when a model of guitar called the Electra [1](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electra_Guitars) was developed. The Electa housed sound effects within the body of the guitar. This solution did not gain wide popularity as it required guitar players to only use this style guitar, and the musician was still required to take one hand away from the strings of the instrument, thus limiting sound control.
Another later attempt at a solution was the Expression Pedal [2](http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3558793.html). This idea was taken from the design of traditional organ expression pedals which allow control of the volume or sustain of an organ via a large accelerator-type-pedal. This device is only made for certain effects pedals that can be plugged into it and then the user can control the preset parameter via the large accelerator-like pedal. This idea did not provide an industry-wide solution to the problem, instead only a small number of select devices can work with the Expression Pedal.
At the turn of the millennium an industry-standard styled solution was finally invented by Chad Chalhub Smith, the Option Knob. This innovation consists of a winged knob shape that replaces almost any traditional style factory knob on effects pedals and allows the user to tweak or control the parameter with their foot easily. The Option Knob can be used with almost any traditional style effects pedal, and the user can choose which parameter of the pedal they wish to control. This solution has finally been brought to the market and is available for all musicians as of December, 2007.
