The JHS 424 Gain Stage is a preamp pedal built on the circuit of the 424 MKI multi-track recorder, the home studio unit behind a lot of rubbery cleans and smashed-out fuzz on bedroom recordings. JHS recreated the MKI circuit with the original UPC4570 and NJM4565 op-amps and kept its gain structure: Gain 1 is the recorder's Trim, Gain 2 is its Channel fader and Volume is its Master, with Bass and Treble to shape the result.
Into an amp it works as a boost, a coloured overdrive or, with both gain knobs pushed, an overloaded fuzz. A balanced XLR output runs alongside the 1/4" output, so it can also go straight into a mixer or interface as a DI, with a ground lift dip switch for hum. Put an Active A/B/Y at the end of your rig and you can switch between your amp and the 424, or play through both.
It is the lo-fi, recording-desk end of JHS's preamp line, where the Colour Box V2 aims at a studio console.
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECS
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Preamp / Distortion / Overdrive
Circuit: 424 MKI recreation with UPC4570 and NJM4565 op-amps
Bypass: Buffered bypass, silent soft touch switching
CONTROLS
Volume: output volume (424 MKI Master)
Gain 1 (Trim): preamplification added to the input signal (424 MKI Trim)
Gain 2 (Channel): level of the second gain stage (424 MKI Channel)
Bass: cuts or boosts bass frequencies
Treble: cuts or boosts treble frequencies
SWITCHES
Ground Lift: dip switch on the left side, for hum when using the XLR output
CONNECTIONS
Input: top 1/4" right jack
Output: top 1/4" left jack
XLR Output: balanced, left side of the pedal; usable at the same time as the 1/4" output
POWER
Power: 9VDC center negative
Current Draw: 50mA
Maximum: do not use more than 9VDC
DIMENSIONS
Dimensions: 2.6" x 4.8" x 1.6"
