AXESS ELECTRONICS OTS1™ Patch-Box Axess Electronics

Designed and hand-built (by Mario) in Canada.

The OTS1 is the first, and smallest, in a series of new patch-boxes meant to serve as a pedalboard’s nerve centre. It is where all of the board’s connections are consolidated; enabling 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 signal they produce make them easily susceptible to loading and signal loss. So naturally, the OTS1 includes a buffer…

Buffers prevent the loading and loss of (1) high end frequency response (2) signal level, and (3) 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 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’ 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”.

Regarding the model name / number; On-The-Side, Off-The-Shelf, Over-This-Sh*t … take your pick! Our friends on Instagram certainly did!

Jacks and Buttons:

• ¼” buffered thru-jack-pair serves as the primary guitar input.
• The buffer can be turned on / off by pressing a button.
• The buffer’s input impedance is 1Mohm and its output impedance is 100ohms.
• ¼” thru-jack-pair for audio from effects being run between the guitar and amp input.
• ¼” thru-jack-pair [x2] for four cable method (4CM) for effects being run in the effects loop (SEND and RTRN) of the amp.
• Easily switch between using an amplifier with an effects loop (4CM) to one without (2CM) by pressing a button.
• Always use the 2CM no matter what? Instantly isolate the SEND and RTRN jacks to configure them as two additional ¼” TRS thru-jack-pairs for amp foot-switches or passive audio signal paths by pressing a button.
• ¼” TRS thru-jack-pair for an amplifier foot-switch or additional passive audio signal path.
• 8-pin DIN thru-jack-pair for MIDI or multi-pin amp foot-switch.
• ¼” jacks are spaced for ‘stubby’ Switchcraft #380 plugs, standard straight ¼” plugs, and solderless ¼” plugs.

Power, Enclosure and More:

• Input Impedance – 1MΩ **
• Output Impedance – 100Ω **
• Powered with 9VDC via a 2.1 x 5.5mm barrel plug with a negative centre pin (like Boss pedals) and the current draw is less than 100mA (adapter not included).
• Housed in a compact 4.41 x 2.38 x 1.68in. (112 x 60.5 x 42.7mm) and rugged Hammond #1590BS diecast aluminum enclosure for years of reliable use and performance.

** Please note – there are many other design aspects and choices besides the input and output impedance of a buffer that are just as important… We have been at this for a very long time and always put design and manufacturing before; Youtube marketing, parts cost, etc.