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Thomas Guldman has finished his design-work on the new Carl Martin Octaswicth.  “ Over the years, we had seen a constant interest in loop systems like the Carl Martin Combinator, and have decided that it is now time to introduce the little sister to the Combinator II. “  The Octaswitch is cheaper and simpler, yet just as versatile and road-worthy as the Combinator II.

We came up with the idea for the Octaswitch after consulting the pro-players we normally work with.  Thomas explains that the criteria were simple, “the product had to be extremely simple to operate, it needed to consist of eight loops and eight programs, had to be 100% true bypass and needed to run on a 9V power supply”.
"MAKE YOUR OLD PEDALS TRUE BYPASS IN A SNAP, AND NO MORE TAP DANCING"



The challenges presented themselves when actually putting the ‘idea’ on paper.  The first issue was programming…..how to combine eight channels and eight loops without the complexity of a micro-processor.  Thomas decided on an eight channel DIP switch…simply eight miniature on/off switches, no micro-processor and very stabile!  Eight program switches (foot-switches) and eight DIP switches to simply turn on or off the loop for that particular program…..it couldn’t get much simpler!

Challenge number two came in two parts.  Thomas pointed out the loud ‘POP’ when engaging and disengaging a true bypass switch, and suggested that eight effects of differing gain and impedance being switched this way would be a disaster.  After months of research and testing in the lab, and then road-testing on stage with our pro-players, Thomas found the right relay and construction method to create a really acceptable compromise. Part two comes along with the 100% true bypass switch. 

On large stages when running long connected cables, there is a definite drop in the high end of your guitar sound (more or less 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 with a push switch, so the user can choose between 100% true bypass, or buffered bypass to ‘beef’ up the signal.

The result is the Octaswitch.  Up to eight of your favourite effects plugged into eight loops and eight channels…..set-up and programmed in minutes….100% true bypass switching and powered at 9V.  No wonder Thomas is smiling!