JAD FREER AUDIO CAPO Multiple Preamp User Manual
- June 12, 2024
- JAD FREER AUDIO
Table of Contents
JAD FREER AUDIO CAPO Multiple Preamp
Product Information
The JF Audio effect pedal is a powerful preamp and D.I. that offers studio-
grade clean sounds, harmonic saturations, and more. It is hand-assembled in
Italy using high-quality parts. The pedal features four different preamps, two
XLR-balanced outputs, and various routing possibilities. It is designed to be
pedalboard-friendly. The pedal comes with a lifetime warranty against defects
in materials and workmanship. External parts like pots, jacks, and
footswitches have a 24-month warranty. If your pedal becomes damaged, please
contact JF Audio for repair instructions.
Product Usage Instructions
To use the JF Audio effect pedal:
- Connect the 2.1mm DC jack on your pedal to a 9V, center negative, high-quality regulated power supply (Boss style). We recommend using a JF Audio DOMINO power supply or a similar one.
- On the right side of the pedal:
- Use the INPUT jack (1/4″ or 6.3mm) to connect your instrument’s mono input.
- This also feeds the DIRECT OUT D.I. on the rear panel, allowing you to have a clean signal without needing an additional D.I. box.
- The PARALLEL OUT/SEND jack (1/4″ or 6.3mm) is an exact copy of the signal at the INPUT.
- You can use it as an unbuffered passive parallel out (tuner out) or send the signal to other pedals by closing the LOOP PRE when plugging into the RETURN.
- The RETURN jack (1/4″ or 6.3mm) is a mono, buffered instrument input that feeds the GAIN stage of the CAPO pedal.
- On the front panel of the pedal:
- There are two switches labeled A-SIDE and B-SIDE. These engage two different preamp sections.
- The A-SIDE preamp consists of three preamps: a fixed-gain clean preamp, mixed with two saturator circuits via the BLEND mini-knob.
- Use the GAIN knob to control the amount of saturation and the STYLE knob to mix the J and F circuits.
- Use the GAIN control to adjust the input gain of the A-SIDE saturation circuits (J and F). Turning it clockwise increases the saturation of the audio signal, adding color or a full overdrive character.
- The STYLE control blends the two saturation circuits (J and F). The N position provides a perfect mix of the two circuits, which is the signature sound of JF Audio.
- The DEEP switch provides a tailored bottom-end boost, adding musical bass response without mud.
Thank you for purchasing a JF Audio Effect pedal! Your pedal has been carefully hand-assembled in Italy, using only the best parts available. It is our hope that this pedal will become a mainstay of your rig for many years to come. The pedal is ready to be used, just connect the 2.1mm DC jack on your pedal to a 9V, center negative, high-quality regulated power supply (Boss style). A JF Audio DOMINO is a perfect power supply for this and other pedals. With this document, JF Audio ensures you a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship; external parts like pots, jacks and footswitches have a 24-month warranty. In the event that your pedal becomes damaged, contact JF Audio and you will receive instructions on how to go about having your pedal repaired.
MULTIPLE PREAMP – D.I. – SATURATOR – FX LOOP
The CAPO is a powerful preamp and D.I. capable of studio-grade clean sounds, harmonic saturations, and everything in between. It features four different preamps, two XLR-balanced outputs, and endless routing possibilities in a pedalboard-friendly format.
RIGHT SIDE CONTROLS & FEATURES
INPUT This 1/4”(6.3mm) jack is the mono instrument INPUT that feeds the DIRECT
OUT D.I. is located on the rear panel. This feature gives you the possibility
to always have the clean signal of your instrument without the need to bring
or ask for an additional D.I. box.
PARALLEL OUT/SEND This 1/4”(6.3mm) jack is an exact copy of the signal coming at INPUT. It can be used as an unbuffered passive parallel out (tuner out) or to send the signal to other pedals, closing the LOOP PRE when plugging into the RETURN.
RETURN This 1/4”(6.3mm) jack is the mono, buffered, instrument input that feeds the GAIN stage of the CAPO pedal.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES
The front panel has two switches that engage two different preamp sections
labeled A-SIDE and B-SIDE. A-SIDE consists of three very different preamps: a
fixed-gain clean preamp (unaffected by the GAIN
control) is mixed with two saturator circuits via the BLEND mini-knob. You can
control the amount of saturation using the GAIN knob and mix the J and F
circuits via the STYLE knob (N position is a perfect
mix of the two circuits, our signature sound). A three-band eq with semi-
parametric mids helps in shaping your sound with familiar controls.
GAIN This control determines the input gain of the A-SIDE saturation
circuits (J and F). Turning it clockwise raises the amount of saturation of
the audio signal; it can be used to add color to the sound or a full
overdrive character. Experiment with this control, it reacts to different
instruments or playing styles, always following your dynamics. You can
compensate for changes in volume via the LEVEL knob. STYLE This control is a
very special and unique Jad Freer Audio feature. It blends two very different
saturation circuits, labeled J and F. This control is carefully made to
perfectly blend the two sounds at noon (N). J and F saturation circuits are
original designs hear-tuned by the Jad Freer Audio Team around some of the
most sought-after bass sounds. DEEP This switch provides a perfectly\ tailored
bottom-end boost. The enhancement has been tested to be just the right amount
of musical bass response, adding fatness without mud.
BITE This switch adds a mild boost to the upper mids on the F saturator,
which is darker by nature. Use it when you feel like going for a little bit of
pick attack or string sound. BASS This active eq control is responsible of the
amount of low frequencies present in the signal. It boosts and cuts ±12dB
@80Hz and it is flat at noon. It is a shelving-type filter, so it affects all
the frequencies below 80Hz.
MID This is a semi-parametric active control. The first knob boosts and
cuts ±9dB and the second selects the center of the frequency. We designed this
control to have a very broad range (100Hz-10KHz) and give you as many options
as possible. The filter is a very special band pass circuit with a variable Q;
this means that the bell is narrower in the lowest frequencies and gets
broader in the high mids, which helps in keeping an organic and natural sound.
HIGH This active eq control is responsible of the amount of high
frequencies present in the signal. It boosts and cuts ±12dB @4KHz and it is
flat at noon. It is a shelving-type filter, so it affects all the frequencies
above 4000Hz.
BLEND This control blends a fixed-gain studio-grade clean preamp with the
saturation circuits. Set it fully counter-clockwise to use the CAPO as a clean
preamp or blend it with the saturation circuits. Our suggestion, when using
saturations, is to start with this control fully clockwise, setting GAIN and
STYLE to taste, then going back a little to retain some clean sound in the
signal. Use EQ as the final touch.
LEVEL This control is responsible for the level of signal sent to the
PREAMP OUT D.I. and the OUTPUT jack. Using LEVEL along with the GAIN allows
optimal control over playing volume. For example, if you are using high input
gain to achieve a saturated tone, it will be likely necessary to adjust the
level down to obtain a reasonable playing volume and to avoid overdriving the
amplifier and/or the mixing desk channel. Beware that the CAPO has massive
volume headroom so, if you hear any unpleasant distortion sound, start by
checking this control and lower it down. Switch the A-SIDE on and off to
check for your original sound level.
B-SIDE is the fourth preamp featured in the pedal; it is controlled by
dedicated GAIN and LEVEL mini-knobs. It is normally routed before the A SIDE
but it can be moved after hitting the B->A A->B switch.
GAIN This control determines the input gain of the B-SIDE, this overdrive
circuit offers a distinct amp-like color that works well on every instrument.
It has a broad range from an almost clean sound to a mild overdrive.
LEVEL This control is responsible for the level of signal of the B-SIDE.
Using LEVEL along with the GAIN allows optimal control over playing volume. If
you turn the LEVEL control fully counter-clockwise you can use the B side as a
mute switch.
B- >A A->B This switch allows you to route the B-SIDE section of the
pedal before (default) or after (switch engaged, led on) the A-SIDE. You can
use the B-SIDE alone or before the A-SIDE to push it more for more distortion,
or you can put it after for further tailoring the A-SIDE sound or for
boosting. If you wish to use EQ on the B-SIDE alone you can engage the A-SIDE
with the BLEND control fully counter-clockwise and EQ to taste.
LEFT PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES OUTPUT
This 1/4”(6.3mm) jack is the mono output of the pedal. It carries also what is
connected to the LOOP POST.
LINK A-SIDE This switch allows you to link the A-SIDE preamp to whatever
is patched in the LOOP POST turning it on and off.
LINE OUT/SEND This 1/4”(6.3mm) jack is a copy of the mono output (without
LPF), it can be used for a second output signal or to connect other pedals to
the LOOP POST.
LOOP POST is extremely useful to patch into the CAPO all the effects that
you may want after any distortion like modulations, delays, and reverbs.\
RETURN This 1/4”(6.3mm) is the return input after the LOOP POST. Patching
pedals in this loop helps to have certain effects after saturations but is
still present in the PREAMP OUT D.I. output.
LPF This switch activates a low pass filter that gently cuts the very
high frequencies of the signal; think of it as taming the tweeter sound of
your bass cabinet. This filter helps in cutting some unpleasant sounds when
using high gain levels, its tailored to be used with a clean sound without
making it dull or dark. This control, when engaged, is active even when the
preamps are turned off.
REAR PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES
The CAPO has two studio-quality XLR balanced outputs that work as long as the
pedal is powered.
DIRECT OUT This XLR output is fully balanced and routed right after the
INPUT without any processing. It is fully protected from phantom power.
GND/LIFT This switch eliminates or reduces unwanted hum or noise in the
D.I. signal by interrupting the ground loops between equipment. Ø This switch
flips the polarity of the DIRECT OUT balanced output. While the CAPO does not
change the polarity of the signal itself, it is useful to have this option in
case an external effect pedal (patched in the preamp) changes the polarity:
when connecting two signals together is always important to have them in
phase.
POWER INPUT The CAPO can be powered with a standard 9V, center negative
(-) power supply. Because of the generous amount of analog circuits present in
the preamp, a high-quality, regulated power supply is needed.
PREAMP OUT This XLR output is fully balanced and routed after all the
preamps, eq, and loops. The CAPO is a work of love and dedication, conceived
and hand-made by the JF AUDIO team for you to make music (and make your life
easier). Now connect a mono source to the INPUT jack and enjoy the pedal! Show
your love for Jad Freer Audio, follow us on FB and IG, and tag your #JFCapo to
get reposted!