function f(x) The Third Rail User manual

The Third Rail
User Guide
The Third Rail is dual-channel overdrive with three distinct bypass switching modes (described in detail
below). It can go from a very touch-sensitive low-gain overdrive all the way up through blistering lead
drive tones. Each overdrive channel is an independent circuit, and both can be used individually or
stacked together. The pedal features soft-touch footswitches for near-silent operation.
Overview of Controls and Operation
The pedal is divided into Right and Left channels, each with their own bypass indicator LED (red). The
circuits in both channels are nearly identical, with a few small differences:
1) The Right channel has a CUT switch that alters the value of the input capacitor. When stacking both
circuits, there may be too much low end in some settings, and the CUT switch can help by reducing the
amount of low-end being amplified. Lows are cut when the switch is to the right.
2) The Left channel has a GAIN switch. It is low-gain in the left position and high-gain in the right
position.
The rest of the controls (VOLUME, GAIN, and TONE pots) are intuitive in their operation. The TONE
controls are passive variable low-pass filters.
Clipping Diode Options
Both of the circuits have three clip modes, selectable via the Clip switches: 1) Schottky Diodes (left
position), which provide maximum sustain and compression; 2) Standard Silicon Diodes (right position),
which provide moderate compression; and 3) no diodes at all (center position), which dramatically
increases headroom and touch sensitivity, while also significantly boosting output volume.

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Bypass Switching Modes
The Third Rail offers three different bypass switching modes that utilize the two channels in various
configurations. The description sounds complex, but the operation is simple. Note that the Bypass Mode
LED indicator is always lit, even if the pedal is fully bypassed.
The modes are summarized in the table below.
Mode LED Color Mode Name Left Switch Function Right Switch Function
Blue Indy Mode Bypass for Left Channel Bypass for Right Channel
Green Flip-Flop Mode Master Bypass Toggles between Left and Right Channels
Red Third Rail Mode Master Bypass Momentary Bypass of both Channels
Indy Mode (Blue)
This is the default bypass scheme that is active the first time you power up the pedal, but the pedal will
remember the last mode you were in the next time you power it up. It works in the same way as many
other two-channel effect pedals: the left footswitch bypasses the Left Channel, and the right footswitch
bypass the Right Channel. Each channel can be used independent of the other, or both can be turned on
simultaneously for stacking. Easy, huh?
Flip-Flop Mode (Green)
Flip-Flop Mode is ideal for the player who wants to switch from low gain to high gain with a single tap of
the foot. In this mode, you can toggle between the Right and Left Channels by pressing the right
footswitch. The left footswitches bypasses the entire pedal. In this mode, only one of the two channels
is active at any one time.
Third Rail Mode (Red)
The Third Rail Mode is a little bit different. Both channels are always on for high-gain stacking fun, and
like the Flip-Flop mode, the left footswitch is a master bypass. The right footswitch in this mode acts as
a momentary bypass switch, allowing you to go from high-gain to squeaky clean and back again as fast
as you can press the switch. This could be used for a stutter effect, or it could be used to break out of a
high gain riff to go right into a clean interlude and then back to the gain as soon as you let your foot off
the switch. Experiment and have fun!
How to Change Switching Modes:
To change from one bypass mode to another, hold down both footswitches for a few seconds until you
see the LEDs blink. Then you can scroll through three modes with the left footswitch (the bypass
indicator LED will change color when the mode is changed) and use the right footswitch to select the
mode you want and return the pedal to normal operation.

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Power Requirements and General Care
Make sure that you use a 9VDC center negative 2.1mm barrel power supply to power your Function f(x)
pedal. This is the industry standard power supply that most pedals use. If the power supply says AC on
it, don’t use it. If you aren’t sure that a given power supply will work, we recommend that you send us
an email ([e-mail]) or contact the dealer where you purchased your pedal.
Thank you for purchasing The Third Rail pedal. We hope that you enjoy it as much as we do.
Warranty and Support Information
At Function f(x), we stand behind our work. All of our pedals are warrantied against defective parts and
workmanship for 1 year from the date of purchase. If the footswitch fails or a pot dies, we've got you
totally covered (minus the cost of shipping to and from the repair location) during the warranty period.
The warranty does not cover damages caused by user error (wrong power supply plugged in to the pedal
or submersion in liquids, as examples). Function f(x) reserves sole right to determine what damages
constitute “user error.” But we're reasonable guys, so don't sweat it. Further, just because damages are
deemed to be caused by “user error” doesn't mean we won't repair it; it just means that the repair may
incur a fee to cover parts and/or labor.
After that initial 1-year period, we are still happy to resolve/repair any problems that should happen to
arise in our products, but there may be a fee assessed to cover parts and/or labor. We will do our best
to keep repair charges as low as possible. In the event that a full PCB replacement is called for, be
advised that this may take as long as 4-6 weeks if critical parts are out of stock and need to be ordered.
However, we will never ask you to pay any costs upfront, and we will communicate the status of the
work regularly.
If you have questions about your Function f(x) pedal, or if you need to reach us to discuss repair service,
please send us an email at [e-mail]. We will get back to you as fast as we can (usually
within 24 hours).