The Duo Insert patchbox is very compact and yet full of features.
It can be used as a 2-channel patchbox (e.g. as a pedalboard input & output for mono or stereo signals) - or as a guest loop (to temporarily insert external effects into the signal path).
Thanks to the mini-switches, it can also be configured for many other use cases.
First, the two most common use cases.
Guest Loop
A guest loop is an access point in the mono or stereo signal path. External effects can be temporarily inserted here - without having to re-patch your pedalboard.
Useful for quickly and easily trying out different effects at home or in the studio, or for placing a wah-wah pedal next to the pedalboard, for example.
If the two white sockets are not in use, the signal goes directly from one black socket to the other. If an effect is connected, it sits at this point in the signal path.
The power feed-through (standard size, 5.5 x 2.1 mm, center negative) allows externally connected effects to be supplied with power directly from the pedalboard power supply (9-18V DC) – the patchbox itself requires no power, it is completely passive.
Pedalboard input and output
Here, the two white sockets on the pedalboard side are permanently connected, which deactivates the guest loop functionality and enables other uses.
Any mono or stereo signals can be routed through both channels (no speaker level signals).
If a channel is used as an input for a mono signal, the corresponding mini-switch can be set to ON. The channel then mutes itself (and thus the pedalboard input) automatically as soon as no cable is plugged into the outer socket - this prevents noise. For output channels, the mini-switch should be set to OFF.
Mini-switches explained
If the two white sockets are permanently connected on the pedalboard side (and guitar, amp etc. are connected to the black sockets), the guest loop functionality is disabled and the patchbox has two independent fully isolated channels.
The mini-switches can be used to activate the special features Mute, Override & Insert for these channels individually - this enables many other uses.
Mini-switches 1 and 3:
Activate Mute, Override & Insert for the corresponding channel. If a black socket is an output (e.g. to the amp), the corresponding mini-switch should be OFF.
Mini-switch 2:
Connects the grounds of signal and 9V feedthrough, this can prevent noise (very rarely caused by the power supply). In most cases, the position of the switch does not matter, a recommendation is shown in the use cases.
More use cases
Both channels are to be treated separately, meaning that the following examples can also be combined, e.g. it is possible to use channel 1 as a wireless bypass and channel 2 as an output to the amp.
Insert cables are required for some use cases, for example “EBS ICY-30” or “Rockboard Flat Patch Y-Splitter”.
The Guest Loop functionality from the first example can also be implemented in mono on just one channel using insert cables (for more clarity, this functionality is not called Guest Loop, but Insert).
The other channel can be used as an input with mute functionality, for example.
For the middle mini switch to work, it is best to use the channel to the right of the mini-switches as an insert (as shown in the picture).
Here, the Override functionality is used on both channels.
If the black outer socket of the first channel is empty, the signal from the wireless receiver goes directly to the first effect. If a guitar is connected via cable, its signal is routed directly to the first effect and the wireless receiver is muted.
If the black outer socket of the second channel is empty, the signal from the last effect goes directly to the amp simulator to which you connect headphones, for example. If an amp is connected, the signal is routed to the amp and the input of the amp simulator is muted.
Among other things, this allows the pedalboard to be played via cable through the amp simulator or wirelessly through the real amp.
As only one channel is required per access point in the signal path using insert cables, the Patchbox Duo Insert can also be used to realise two independent inserts.
This can be at two different places in the signal path, or one insert in front of the amp and one insert in the amp's effects loop - external effects can then be inserted either in front of the amp or in the amp's effects loop.
This is useful if you sometimes insert distortion and sometimes reverb effects, want to try out where a new effect sounds best – or want to control either the volume or the distortion level with an external volume pedal.
The send and return sockets for the effects loop are usually located on the rear of the amp.
With the patchbox, you can move them to a more easily accessible location. This makes the setup process easier, especially if you connect your pedalboard to different amps and don't always want to have to patch cabels to the sockets on the back of the amps.
The fact that the two white sockets connect when they are both not used, means that the amp can still be used without effects in the effects loop.
Technical Specifications:
- Matt black powder-coated grounded aluminium enclosure
- High-quality sockets from Neutrik
- Both channels can be used in stereo or mono
- Carefully designed circuit board for maximum reliability and signal quality
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Dimensions (incl. sockets): 116 x 43 x 25 mm
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Weight: 80 gr.
Product safety information
Manufacturer information:
Constantin Eckstein
Kreuzgasse 11, 72581 Dettingen an der Erms, Deutschland
info@looperwerk.de
