MR JAX
Overview, Features, and how to use the MR JAX
Overview
Basic overview and features of the MR JAX
Description
Introducing MR JAX, our first pedal in a new series called the "Signature Series". Our first official JET artist is Chris Rocha, Chris is a two time Dove award winner, multi nominated Grammy producer, and a Gretsch Guitar artist. Chris and JET worked together, collaborating to capture his signature high gain sound. Chris has used a few different high gain pedals in the history of his playing however not one pedal did it all for him. He loved the aggressive yet smooth sounds of the Crowther Hot Cake however sonically it didn't capture the overtones and eq he was looking for. Insert MR JAX, we redesigned everything to achieve an aggressive and smooth/buttery high gain pedal with rich overtones and an eq curve to match what Chris had been seeking for years.
Redesigning the tone stack makes this pedal pull off "soft clipping" type overdrive AND "hard clipping" distortion sounds. With the tone knob at noon, the output sine wave closely resembles a transparent overdrive.
By turning the tone knob clockwise (just past noon), the sine wave transforms into more of a "hard clipping" distortion. The tone knob doesn't need to move very far past the noon position (in either direction) to quickly transform and shape the sound of MR JAX.
Features:
- Soft Click Bypass Switch
- Gain Staging 25%, 50%, 75%, & 100% (Long Press Bypass Switch to Cycle Thru Gain Stages)
- Store in Global Settings Which Gain Stage is Active When Pedal First Turns On
- "Cue" Up Any Gain Stage When Pedal is Bypassed
- Pre-Gain Mid Boost (Double Press Bypass Switch When Pedal is Engaged)
- Multi-Colored LED Showing the Status of Bypass, Gain Stage, and Mid Boost
- Easily Able to Achieve Transparent Overdrive
- Easily Able to Achieve Thick Saturated Lead Tone Distortion
- Power via 9v (Negative Tip) 100ma Power Supply (power supply not included)
- Dimensions: 4.82” x 2.62” x 1.425”
Quick Start Guide
Operating MR JAX
How to use the MR JAX
Using the Pedal
Level Knob
Controls the overall output level of MR JAX. Typically set to unity gain when the pedal is engaged and dis-engaged. This is a good starting point for the Gain Staging to add enough volume between each stage.
Gain Knob
Controls the amount of breakup/distortion. Set between 9 o'clock and noon for light to aggressive overdrive, anything above noon starts to get into distortion territory.
Tone Knob
Controls the amount of high end roll off. Set to noon for a very neutral sound, turning the knob counter-clockwise will remove more high end as well begin to shape your tone into more overdrive territory. Turning the knob clockwise will add more high end as well begin to shape your tone into more distortion territory.
Soft-Click Bypass Switch
Short press to engage and dis-engage MR JAX. While the pedal is engaged, long press (hold for at least a half of a second and release) to cycle through each Gain Stage. While the pedal is engaged, double tap to engage the Mid Boost. While the pedal is dis-engaged, long press to cue up any desired gain stage, press again to engage MR JAX with the cue'd up gain stage.
Multi-Colored Indicating LED
LED off means MR JAX is bypassed. A solid LED color means MR JAX is engaged, the color of the LED indicates which Gain Stage is active (see Gain Staging for more info). While MR JAX is dis-engaged, a slow flash indicates the cue'd up gain stage. While MR JAX is engaged, a rapid flash indicates the Mid Boost is engaged.
Hidden Features and Controls
Typical JET fashion, we also added some very cool hidden features to make sure this pedal isn't a "one trick pony". First is what we call "Gain Staging", To "Cue" up a specific Gain Stage when the pedal is bypassed, simply perform a long press while the pedal is disengaged. The LED will begin to flash and the next time the pedal is engaged it will be at the "Cued" up Gain Stage.
Gain Staging
When the pedal first powers on it fires up in the 25% Gain Stage (adjustable in global settings), long presses of the Bypass switch will cycle through each gain stage. A long press after reaching 100% Gain Stage will cycle back to the 25% Gain Stage. Increase the Gain knob slightly to add a bit more gain per each stage, this is useful for individual output levels on different guitars.
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25% (White LED) - 25% has been fine tuned to dial in an edge of breakup tone. This could be used as an always on tone shaping sound which has plenty of touch responsive dynamics. Play softly and remain your pure clean tone or dig in and achieve a bit of breakup.
- 50% (Light Blue LED) - 50% has been tuned to represent a second stage overdrive tone. Thick but not too aggressive, can be used for full chords without getting muddy (think of using this during verses). Also used for a bit more breakup when single note melody lines are being played.
- 75% (Purple LED) - 75% has been tuned to represent a third stage, stacked overdrive. Thick, saturated, and starting to get pretty aggressive. Best used with two or three note chord inversions (think of using this during the bridge).
- 100% (Red LED) - 100% is full on lead tone, used for thick saturated single note lead lines (think of using this for solos or specific guitar parts meant to stand out in the mix).
* Turn the Gain knob fully counterclockwise for Gain Staging to work properly. To operate MR JAX manually, set the Gain Stage to 25% and adjust the Gain knob as desired.
Cue Up a Gain Stage When Bypassed
When MR JAX is dis-engaged, perform a long press (press and hold for at least a half of a second and release). The indicating LED will begin to flash with the cue'd up Gain Stage color. Each consecutive long press will cycle through each cue'd up Gain Stage, once the desired setting has been reached, short press the Bypass Switch and the selected Gain Stage will be active.
Mid Boost
When MR JAX is engaged, perform a double press to activate the Mid Boost. Once the Mid Boost is engaged a short press will turn off the Mid Boost but still keep MR JAX engaged.
We specifically placed the Mid Boost before the op amp gain to achieve greater saturation as well as a nice volume boost. We've designed it to add just enough volume boost and saturation to immediately jump you into lead territory no matter which Gain Stage you are in. 25% Gain Stage will have the most volume boost and saturation and vice versa, 100% will have the least volume boost and saturation.
The Mid Boost is also designed to increase the "Golden" mid frequencies to make your tone jump out in the mix!
Global Settings
Manually set which Gain Stage is active on power up.
Saving Which Gain Stage is Active at Startup
When MR JAX is first powered on the indicating LED will begin to flash. Hold down the Bypass Switch while the LED is still flashing and release when the LED is a solid color. A short press will cycle through each Gain Stage color, once you have selected the correct Gain Stage simply do a long press of the Bypass Switch. The LED will begin to flash again indicating your selection has been saved in permanent memory.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Gain Knob Not Working?
The Gain Knob is directly tied to the Gain Staging and the Gain Staging takes precedence over the Gain Knob. Meaning if the Gain Staging is set to 50% the Gain Knob will not work for any settings below 50%. This is the same in the 100% setting, if the Gain Stage is set to 100% the Gain Knob will not reduce the Gain at all.
If manual adjustment is desired make sure to set the Gain Staging to its lowest setting 25% (White indicating LED).
Why Does the Mid Boost Add So Much Volume?
The Mid Boost is designed to jump you straight into lead territory no matter which Gain Stage you are in. Meaning the lowest Gain Stage (25%) will add the most volume boost and the highest Gain Stage (100%) will add the least volume boost.
What Power Supply Should I Use?
Any standard 9V negative tip power supply will work with MR JAX, just make sure your power supply / power supply port is rated for 100mA or larger.