Carl Martin Octa-Switch MK3

To set up the Octa-switch, plug up to eight pedals and amplifiers into the appropriate inputs and outputs on the back of the pedal. The pedals can be arranged in any order you prefer, or you can follow the general guideline of 1-8 for compression, overdrive, and modulation. By turning on or off the numbered switches in each of the eight DIP bank switches, you can determine which effects you wish to use simultaneously in each bank. There is a blue LED for every effects loop used and for each bank, so once you are programmed, when you step on bank 6, you will see the lights of all the effects you have assigned to bank 6 along with the bank 6 LED. For the pedals to work properly with the Octa-switch, all the pedals must be turned on. A quick performance note: when using the Octa-switch, if there are pedals you only use rarely, it is a good idea to turn them off and then on again to disperse any built-up charge that could cause a ‘pop’ when you engage them with the bank switch. A good time to do this is at the end of each set you play.

Please note that the DIP switches are slide type, not push down. They can be easily operated with a small screwdriver, a pen, or a very small finger. There is a buffered or true bypass (non-buffered) switch at the back of the Octa-switch, which you can select depending on the stage setup or your personal preference. On large stages, when running long connected cables, there can be a noticeable drop in the high end of your guitar sound, depending on the input impedance of your amplifier. The solution, according to Thomas, was once again ‘simple’. He built in a buffer circuit at the input, allowing the user to choose between 100 percent true bypass or a buffered bypass to enhance the signal.