Axess Electronics OTS1 Patch-Box User Manual
- June 5, 2024
- Axess Electronics
Table of Contents
Axess Electronics OTS1 Patch-Box
The OTS1 is the first, and smallest, in a series of new patch boxes meant to serve as a pedalboard’s nerve center. It’s where all of the board’s connections are consolidated; enabling a higher density placement of the pedals on the pedalboard, preserving the effect pedals’ jacks life, and accelerating and simplifying, the pedalboard setup/teardown time and process.
Ironically, the weakest link in every guitar rig is the guitar itself – more specifically, its pickups! The hi-z and low-level signals they produce make them easily susceptible to loading and signal loss. So naturally- the OTS1 Patch-Box includes a buffer. Buffers prevent the loading and loss of
- high-end frequency response
- signal levels, and
- low-end punch, due to cable capacitance and the imperfectly designed input stage/circuitry of some pedals. All of these problems still occur even if all of the pedals have true-bypass switching, which also adds inconsistent tone to the equation, every time a different pedal is turned on and off. Every additional pedal, and every extra foot of cable in a rig, results in more and more loading and loss, that only a buffer can prevent. The OTS1 input buffer is Axess Electronics’ version of a ‘fabled’ discrete Class-A buffer circuit that’s been described by some as “ultra-transparent, natural and musical, just like plugging the guitar straight into the amp”.
AMPS, FX LOOPS AND CABLE METHODS
The phrase 4 Cable Method (4CM) describes a specific way of connecting effects pedals using both an amplifier’s input and its effects loop at the same time. Alternatively, 2CM describes the more traditional method of connecting all of the effects pedals in front of the amplifier’s input.
Running effects pedals either into the input of an amplifier or in its effects loop (using the amplifier’s send and return jacks) gives different tonal results. This is especially true in the case of time-based effects such as delay and reverb because of the way they interact with an overdriven amplifier. The OTS1 Patch-Box allows the effects pedals on a pedalboard to be wired up in advance for the 4CM. Then with the quick and simple press of a button instantly reconfigure the entire pedalboard depending on if the amplifier being used has an effects loop (4CM) or not (2CM). Always use the 2CM no matter what, have absolutely no interest in the 4CM, or require additional 4″ connectivity? No problem, use the S-R/TRS push-button to isolate and convert the FROM SEND and TO RTRN jacks to two additional 4″ TRS thru-jack pairs for amplifier foot-switches or passive audio signal paths.
AMPLIFIER/GUITAR SIDE DESCRIPTION
A. FROM GUITAR is a 4″ input that has a switchable (on/off) buffer and
serves as the primary guitar input.
B. BUF/BYP is a push-button switch that either activates [IN] the FROM
GUITAR input buffer or bypasses it [OUT].
C. 4CM/2CM is a push-button switch that reconfigures the pedalboard
signal path when using an amplifier with an effects loop, the 4CM |IN], or one
without, the 2CM [OUT].
D. TO AMP IN is a 4″ output that feeds the pedalboard signal to the
amplifier’s input.
E. POWER ON is a green LED and when it is lit up, it indicates the OTS1
Patch-Box is receiving power.
F. FROM SEND is a 4″ passive input that acceptsthe signal from the
amplifier’s effects loop send jack.
G. TO RTRN is a V” output that feeds the pedalboard signal back to the
amplifier’s effects loop return jack.
H. S-R/TRS is a push-button switch that isolates [OUT] the FROM SEND and
TO RTRN jacks to instantly configure them as two additional 4″ TRS thru-jack-
pairs for amplifier foot-switches or passive audio signal paths, instead of
configuring them as effects loop send and return jacks [IN].
Note: When TRS [OUT] is selected, the 4CM/2CM push-button switch must be in the 4CM [IN] position.
I. TRS THRU is a pair of 4″ TRS jacks that are meant for an amplifier
foot-switch or additional passive audio signal path.
J. DIN THRU is a pair of 8-pin DIN jacks that are meant to be used for
MIDI or a multi-pin amplifier foot-switch connection.
Note: Typically MIDI DIN plugs do not have a ground connection on the
outer shield, but some amplifier multi-pin DIN foot-switch plugs might. As
such, it is advisable to add a heat-shrink sleeve or equivalent
insulation/tape around1 the body of DIN plugs, to ensure they do NOT short
circuit to the OTS1 Patch-Box enclosure.
EFFECTS/PEDALBOARD SIDE DESCRIPION
I. TRS THRU is a pair of 4″ TRS jacks that are meant for an amplifier foot-
switch or additional passive audio signal path.
J. DIN THRU is a pair of 8-pin DIN jacks that are meant to be used for MIDI or
a multi-pin amplifier foot-switch connection. J.
Note: Typically MIDI DIN plugs do not have a ground connection on the
outer shield, but some amplifier multi-pin DIN foot-switch plugs might. As
such, it is advisable to add a heat-shrink sleeve or equivalent
insulation/tape around the body of DIN plugs, to ensure they do NOT short
circuit to the OTS1 Patch-Box enclosure.
K. 9VDC is the external power supply jack and it accepts a standard 2.1mm
x 5.5mm male barrel plug from a 9VDC wall-wart power adapter or pedalboard
power supply with a NEGATIVE CENTER plug. Refer to the SPECIFICATIONS section
for additional information.
Warning: To avoid immediate damage to this product, voiding the warranty,
do NOT COnnect an AC-Voltage, or any other DC-Voltage power supply to this
jack, other than that specified above and in the SPECIFICATIONS section.
L. FROM GT-FX is a 4″ passive input that accepts the signal from the last
effect, in the chain of effects on the pedalboard, that is run in front of the
amplifier’s input.
M. TO GT-FX is a V4″ output that feeds the input of the first effect, in
the chain of effects on the pedalboard, that is run in front of the
amplifier’s input.
N. FROM LP-FX is a 4″ passive input that accepts the signal from the last
effect, in the chain of effects on the pedalboard, that is run in the
amplifier’s effects loop.
O. TO LP-FX is a V4″ output that feeds the input of the first effect, in
the chain of effects on the pedalboard, that is run in the amplifier’s effects
loop.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Input Impedance: 1Mohm
- Output Impedance: ~100ohm
- Max. Output: +8.7dBu/6.0Vp-p
- Freq. Response: +3dB 13Hz-20KHz
- Operating Voltage: 9VDC (to 18VDC)
- Maximum Operating Voltage: 20VDC
- Typical Current Draw: <100mA@9VDC
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.41×2.38×1.65in. 112×60.5×42.0mm
Note: The ” jacks are spaced for ‘stubby’ Switchcraft #380 plugs, standard straight V4″ plugs, and solderless 4″ plugs. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
CONNECTION DIAGRAMS
The following pages highlight some of the different ways the OTS1 Patch-Box can be utilized. Hi-res PDFs of the individual diagrams are also available on our website.
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Image size is too small for OCR Engine 2. Please use Engine 1.
PRE-BUFFER FUZZ AND PEDALS IN FRONT WITH 1/4 TRS FOOT-swITCH
