intellijel Octalink 1U Passive 8-Channel Patchbay User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: intellijel

Table of Contents

INSTALLATION
FRONT PANEL
OPERATION
- Regarding Audio Signals
- Using an Octa link 1U With a Doepfer A-180-9
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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intellijel Octalink 1U Passive 8-Channel Patchbay

INSTALLATION

This module is designed for use within an Intellijel-standard 1U row, such as contained within the Intellijel Palette, or 4U and 7U Euro rack cases. Intellijel’s 1U specification is derived from the Euro rack mechanical specification set by Doepfer that is designed to support the use of lipped rails within industry standard rack heights.
Because Octa link 1U is a passive module, it requires no power to operate. Octa link 1U Manual

FRONT PANEL

Each Octa link 1U contains eight-patch points [A] and an RJ45 port [B].

[A] 1/8 ” Jacks – Patch euro rack signals into any of the eight numbered jacks in one Octa link 1U, and those signals will appear at the like- numbered jacks in the connected (via RJ45) second Octa link 1U.

[B] RJ45 Port – Connect two Octa link 1U units together with either the supplied RJ45 cable or with any third-party shielded Cat-6a or Cat-7 RJ45 cable.

OPERATION

Each Intellijel Octa link 1U package contains two identical Octa link 1U modules and one RJ45 cable. With the Octa link 1U system, you can physically separate different euro rack cases while retaining the ability to cross-patch between them.

Mount each Octa link 1U in a separate Euro rack case, and connect them with a single RJ45 shielded network cable. Each Octa link 1U contains eight patch points, which are routed through the RJ45 cable, eliminating the performance issues and inconvenience of running multiple patch cables over extended distances. Any signal patched into a numbered Octa link 1U jack will appear at the like-numbered jack in the connected Octa link 1U.

Octa link 1U is also useful for musicians who perform with multiple cases. Any connections you would normally need to make between cases (clocks, gates, control voltages, etc.) can be pre-patched into the Octa link 1U modules. You would then simply connect the two cases with a single RJ45 connector when setting up for the gig. If you need to connect more than two cases or access more than 8 patch connections at a time, simply add more Octa link 1U modules.

IMPORTANT: If you require a different cable length, you can purchase a standard, fully shielded, internally-grounded RJ45 network cable. Make sure to use only shielded Cat-6a or Cat-7 RJ45 cables. In general, you can spot a shielded cable by the presence of a metal-wrapped connector.

Regarding Audio Signals

Although the Octa link 1U is perfectly capable of transmitting audio signals, keep in mind that it’s a passive system. As such, you may hear a slight increase in an audio signal’s noise floor under certain conditions.

Should you wish to transmit audio (rather than control voltages) over the Octa link 1U, we recommend first patching the audio signal into a buffered multiple (such as Intellijel’s 3U Buff Molt or Buff Molt 1U modules), and then into the Octa link 1U. This will assure the cleanest possible noise floor.

In the example shown here, note that audio from the Dixie2+ in Case 1 is being processed by the Polaris filter in Case 2. (See the BLUE patch cables). Because the output of the Dixie2+ is an audio signal, we have chosen to first patch it through a Buff Mult on its way into the CASE 1 Octa link.

Using an Octa link 1U With a Doepfer A-180-9

Octa link 1U is compatible with Doepfer’s A-180-9 Multicore module. If an Octa link 1U is connected to the top (1-8) RJ45 port on the A-180-9, then the numbered jacks correspond perfectly. That is, jack 1 on the A-180-9 connects to jack 1 on the Octa link 1U; jack 2 connects to jack 2, and so on.
Connecting the Dorper’s bottom (A-F) RJ45 port to an Octa link 1U is also possible, though this A-180-9 port supports only six jacks, and thus works only with the first six jacks on the Octa link 1U. Note, in this illustration, the crisscross manner in which numbered Octa link 1U jacks map to the lettered ports on the A-180-9.