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: Buffer Input Impedance: 1M ohm Buffer Output Impedance: 100 ohm 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. 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). Axess Electronics Canada Tone Design Axess Electronics / AXSGTR Canada Tone Design