AXESS ELECTRONICS AXSGTR OTS1 User manual

axsGTR™|Axess Electronics™
User Manual
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 centre. 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.!
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©2022 AXESS ElectronicsTM | AXSGTRTM
Rev. 2022-11-21

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 Patch-Box 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 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.!
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©2022 AXESS ElectronicsTM | AXSGTRTM
Rev. 2022-11-21

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 ¼” connectivity?
No problem, use the S-R/TRS push-button
to isolate and convert the FROM SEND and
TO RTRN jacks to two additional ¼" TRS
thru-jack pairs for amplifier foot-switches or
other audio signal paths.
AMPLIFIER/GUITAR SIDE DESCRIPTION
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©2022 AXESS ElectronicsTM | AXSGTRTM
Rev. 2022-11-21
POWER ON
OTs1 PATCH-BOX
axsGTR
TO AMP IN
TRS THRU
TO RTRN
S-R/TRS
FROM SEND
FROM GUITAR
BUF/BYP
4CM/2CM
S
6
3
2
1
5
4
7
8
DIN THRU
A
F
C
B
D
E
G
H
I
J

⚠ATTENTION⚠Do NOT connect speaker
level audio signals to any of the 1/4” jacks on
the OTS1 Patch-Box — they are ONLY meant
for instrument level, line level, and amplifier
foot-switch and control signals.
A. FROM GUITAR is a ¼" TS input that has
a switchable (on/off) buffer and serves as
the primary guitar input. When the buffer
is off (bypassed), this jack can be used
as a passive ¼" TRS 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 passive ¼" TRS jack that
feeds the pedalboard signal (from the FROM
GT-FX jack) to the amplifier’s input.
Note: The TO AMP IN jack and the FROM
GT-FX jack can also be used as a ¼" TRS
thru-jack-pair, in either direction, for an
amplifier foot-switch or other audio signal
path.
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 passive ¼" TRS jack that
accepts the signal from the amplifier’s
effects loop send jack.!
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©2022 AXESS ElectronicsTM | AXSGTRTM
Rev. 2022-11-21

G. TO RTRN is a passive ¼" TRS jack that
feeds the pedalboard signal (from the
FROM LP-FX jack) 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 ¼" TRS thru-jack-pairs, in
either direction, for amplifier foot-switches
or other 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 passive ¼" TRS
jacks that are meant for an amplifier
foot-switch or other 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, adding 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, is recommended.!
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©2022 AXESS ElectronicsTM | AXSGTRTM
Rev. 2022-11-21

EFFECTS/PEDALBOARD SIDE DESCRIPTION
I. TRS THRU is a pair of passive ¼" TRS
jacks that are meant for an amplifier
foot-switch or other 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, adding 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, is recommended.
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 and higher operating voltages.!
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©2022 AXESS ElectronicsTM | AXSGTRTM
Rev. 2022-11-21
9VDC
OTs1 PATCH-BOX
FROM LP-FX
TRS THRU
TO LP-FX
TO GT-FX
FROM GT-FX
S
6
3
2
1
5
4
7
8
DIN THRU
axsGTR
O
M
N
I
L
K
J

⚠ATTENTION⚠Do NOT connect any other
DC Voltage or AC Voltage power supply to this
jack, other than that specified in this section
and in the SPECIFICATIONS section. Doing so
will result in damage — voiding the warranty.
L. FROM GT-FX is a passive ¼" TRS jack 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.
Note: The FROM GT-FX jack and the TO
AMP IN jack can also be used as a ¼" TRS
thru-jack-pair, in either direction, for an
amplifier foot-switch or other audio signal
path.
M. TO GT-FX is a ¼" TS output that feeds
the input of the first effect (from the
FROM GUITAR jack), in the chain of effects
on the pedalboard, that is run in front of
the amplifier’s input. When the OTS1 input
buffer is off (bypassed), this jack can be
used as a passive ¼" TRS output.
N. FROM LP-FX is a passive ¼" TRS jack 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.
Note: The FROM LP-FX jack and the TO
RTRN jack can also be used as a ¼" TRS
thru-jack-pair, in either direction, for an
amplifier ft-sw or other audio signal path.
O. TO LP-FX is a passive ¼" TRS jack that
feeds the input of the first effect (from the
FROM SEND jack), in the chain of effects on
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©2022 AXESS ElectronicsTM | AXSGTRTM
Rev. 2022-11-21

the pedalboard, that is run in the amplifier’s
effects loop.
Note: The TO LP-FX jack and the FROM
SEND jack can also be used as a ¼" TRS
thru-jack-pair, in either direction, for an
amplifier ft-sw or other audio signal path.
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Impedance: 1MΩ
Output Impedance: 100Ω
Max. Output: +8.7dBu/6.0Vp-p
Freq. Response: ±3dB 13Hz-20KHz
Operating Voltage: 9VDC (to 18VDC)
Maximum Operating Voltage: 20VDC
Power Jack: 2.1x5.5mm Barrel
Current Draw: Less than 100mA@9VDC
Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.41x2.38x1.68inch
112x60.5x42.7mm
Note: The ¼” jacks are spaced for 'stubby'
Switchcraft #380 plugs, standard straight
¼" plugs, and solderless ¼" 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.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @axsgtr and tag us using
#axsgtr and #axesselectronics OR if you require assistance, contact
us by email or via our website, as follows;
[email protected] axesselectronics.com!
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Rev. 2022-11-21

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Rev. 2022-11-21