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ESTE II ABY switcher, 2 channel guitar interface Routing a guitar to 2 amplifiers with compressor, overdrive, active EQ, effects loop, otput transformers Manual (PDF) Quickstart (PDF)

• Abstracts
• Description
• Technical data

Routing a guitar to 2 amplifier outputs

• built-in compressor, overdrive and active EQ
• effects loop switchable, mono or stereo mode
• combined or separate outputs
• output transformers, no ground loops

Compressor

• "smart" characteristic, microprocessor controlled
• boost funktion for week input signals (single coil pickups)

Overdrive / Harmonics

• "Gain" adjusts the rate of overdrive 
• "Harm" adjusts the mix of original and overdriven signal
• separate overdrives for both channels

Active EQ

• one channel with active 5 band EQ
• low, low mids, mids, high mids, high
• +/- 12dB each
• other channel with baxandall low and high controls

Effects loop

• mono / quasi / stereo switchable
• mono: amp1 / amp2  selectable separately, the loop is assigned to the activated output respectively
• adjustable from serial (wet only), to mix (wet and dry), to (dry only)
• quasi: both outputs active
• amp1 = adjustable from seriell (wet only), to mix (wet and dry), to (dry only) / amp2 = wet only
• stereo: both outputs active
• amp1 =  left, adjustable from "wet only" to "dry only" / amp2 = right, "wet only"
• loop on/off by footswitch

2 amplifer outputs

• output transformers, no groundloops
• volumes adjustable separately
• phase revers 
• output selection by footswitch

 Made in Germany

• power supply with external 9-18V, internal boost to 24V for optimal dynamics
• inputs and outputs protected against overvoltages (ESD)
• true bypass via relay when switched off or unit has no power (output transformers bypassed) or buffered bypass including transformer coupling
• additional output for tuner, mute function for amplifier outputs during tuning
• no operational amplifier in the signal path, discrete analog electronics, JFETs as active parts, harmonic overtones
• robust case, high quality parts, developed and manufactured in Germany

Use two amplifiers with different sounds simultaneously with one guitar?
A mono-effect should be routed to a "wet" amplifier, a second amplifier should process the "dry" signal?
A stereo effect is to be distributed to 2 amplifiers?
ESTE II helps!
First, the guitar signal is routed through a compressor. Then the signals splits into two channels, each with its own overdrive and EQ section.
Afterwards it can be routed arbitrarily to 2 separate amplifier outputs. These are individually adjustable in volume.
In addition, an effect loop can be looped in, also in stereo.
The compressor works with a "smart" characteristic (microprocessor controlled) and is supported for weak input signals by a "boost" function.
The overdrive function is adjustable in the degree of distortion and mixing with the undistorted signal.
The active 4-band EQ offers a control range of +/- 12dB.
The two amp outputs are transformer coupled, ground loops are excluded.
The pedal provides both a true bypass (relay) and a buffered bypass. While the True Bypass guitar signal is directly connected to one of the amp outputs, the buffered bypass also includes the transformer coupling.
There is an additional tuner output, which is also operated by the bypass logic.
The switchable effect loop can be adjusted continuously between serial and parallel.
There are no operational amplifiers in the signal path! It is a fully discrete analog circuit with JFETs as active devices.
The supply voltage, supplied externally from a 9-18V power supply, is internally boosted to 24V for optimal dynamic range.
The overdrive section is designed to be "moderate", providing only extra harmonics and always supporting the basic sound of the connected instrument.
The individual JFET amplifier stages additionally enrich the overtone spectrum.
The basic character of the instrument is in the foreground, ESTE II supports and expands this if necessary and provides the comfort of 2 independent amplifier outputs.

Frequently asked questions about ESTE II

- robust metal case - developed and manufacured in Germany

- 2 channels, 2 adjustable amplifier outputs - 2 band and 5 band EQ - effects loop

- transformer coupled outputs