Most multi-effect units are not primarily constructed to be used with electric guitars. And the ones who are are not overly friendly to the guitar signal. Below is a short list of common problems with using digital, and some analog, effect units with electric guitars.

• Studio effect units does normally not have inputs matched for electric guitars.
• The amplification circuits in those effects normally affect the clean, 'dry' part of the guitar signal in ways which will make it sound thin and dull.
• Most digital effect units will convert the entire signal into digital and back to analog, even though just a little part of the signal needs to go into the digital domain. In other words, your guitar signal have to take an unnecessary detour—analog to digital and then back to analog again—which in most cases will ruin the quality of the guitar tone!

In the effect unit the signal is divided into two paths: Dry path, which is your primary guitar signal, and wet path, which is the sound generated from your effect(s).

Then the dry and the wet signals have to get mixed back together, to feed your amplifier. This mixing procedure is a problem as most effects units will affect both the dry and the wet signals in ways which will result in unpleasant behaviours. That's why your instrument will sound thin and dull with effect units and that's why Fekto is needed, with which you blend in the amount of effects while your original guitar tone will remain.

Fekto is to be connected between your guitar and the amp or in your chain of stomp boxes—preferable last in the chain. It can also be connected to your amplifiers serial effects loop.

• Connect the effect unit Mono Input to Fekto's Send jack.
• Connect the effect unit Mono Output to Fekto's Return jack.
• Set the effect unit Mix to 100% (all wet).
• Set all controls on Fekto like the picture to the right.
• Activate Fekto by pressing the GIMME (bypass) switch and listen while playing. ON will be indicated with a blue LED.
• Press GIMME again to bypass the effects. If the balance between Fekto ON and OFF sounds 'right' we're on the right track. If the levels or the balance between ON/OFF sounds 'wrong', read on.

The more you turn the Effect control clockwise, the more effect will be added to your guitar sound. The Tone control of Fekto is useful if your effect unit sounds too bright or if you want your digital multi-effect unit to sound more like old analog equipment. The Tone control will not affect your original, dry signal.

For those who are playing on stage one very useful feature is available: when you need even more effects—adjust Fekto's More control higher than the Effect control and stomp on the MORE switch to get more effect. This way you can easily switch between two different effect level settings.

The Volume control will set Fekto's output level—dry guitar and effect signals mixed. The Volume can also be used as a solo boost or to help pushing your amp into overdrive. Fekto can also be used as a high quality buffer + two boosters with a tone control. This is made by patching the Send/Return jacks, which will give unaffected, buffered tone as well as two independent boosters to push your amp or pedals into different levels/distortions—you'll get three (3) different characters/levels from one single pedal!

• Effect with mismatched inputs
• Effect with 'unsuitable' bypass switch
• Effect rack usage
• Almost perfect effect going Perfect
• Buffer + dual booster config

What’s happening in Fekto is that we keep the dry, clean guitar signal away from the digital effects processor and instead it’s passing just high quality, guitar friendly circuits, like in all Himmelstrutz pedals, to affect your original guitar tone as little as possible. As an alternative Fekto can be used as a high quality buffer with 2 independent boosters—versatility.

Fekto is delivered in buffer mode, to avoid signal losses (suggested). If you prefer true bypass mode, it's available through internal switches. 22 July 2011: Not available from Himmelstrutz Elektro Art

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