Color coding knobs and leds

[damianvila]

Ok, I have a question, since I’m a bit undecided about a thing.

The pedal I’m currently designing/building (and the future ones in that line) are all double pedals. None of these pedals will have more than 3 knobs for each effect (for a max of 6 knobs in two rows of 3), and each row corresponds to an effect. There’s a footswitch for each effect, with the corresponding led.

Now, I was toying with the idea of color coding the knobs and leds, to match them and make it clear which knob affects which effect. But this may break the esthetic a bit, so I’m not so sure about it.

Here are a few examples of both color coded knobs and not color coded ones (note: the knobs model is not the final one, these are 1510, and the actual ones will be 1611). The leds are not there but I’ll indicate which color I’ll use if I have an idea about it.

Color coding, but keeping it close to the color scheme (blue/white knobs with matching leds);


Color coding with dramatic colors (blue/red knobs and leds):


Non color coded options

Full retro (black knobs, led color to be decided):


Stylish retro (cream knobs, probably warm white leds):


Modern style (transparent knobs, led color to be decided):


So, what’s your opinion on color coding knobs and leds for double pedals? Is it really an interesting/desired feature or is overall esthetics more important?

I’m really torn on this one and would appreciate your opinions. Cheers.

 

[vigilante398]

If the color coding lends itself to the aesthetics of the pedal, I say absolutely. From the ones you posted I'm a fan of the blue/white combo, I think it compliments the pedal artwork nicely.

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

I think the color per function is important and also favor the white and blue. Nice artwork.

 

[coltonius]

If the color coding lends itself to the aesthetics of the pedal, I say absolutely. From the ones you posted I'm a fan of the blue/white combo, I think it compliments the pedal artwork nicely.

+1 on this.

 

[Alan W]

I’ve toyed with this idea too—for instance, level or volume might always be white, rate red, depth blue, etc. The appeal—that you could quickly look at a pedal and know what it’s set at—seems to always lose out to making the pedal more distinct looking, to me at least. But I plan on going back and changing all the “LED that pulses all the time to show current rate” to the same color on the various pedals that have this, just to make them a bit less noticeable.

 

[Bricksnbeatles]

Cream and warm white


I like the idea of color coding, but on something as simple as this I don’t think it’s necessary.

 

[benny_profane]

I like the idea of color coding, but on something as simple as this I don’t think it’s necessary.

Especially when the knob and foot switch are clearly labeled.

 

[dan.schumaker]

I've never been a fan of color coding. I feel that as a designer you should make it clear what-does-what without resorting to color coding... but to each their own (I should add, this all goes out the window if a customer requests it)

 

[damianvila]

Your comments are making me think a lot! Thanks!

 

[Robert]

I generally do not care for transparent knobs but they work with that design.