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[The unsung hero] 5 recommended junction boxes! Explaining the benefits of introducing them to your pedal board, how to use them, and their role [Can be used as both a buffer and booster]

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  • I often see junction boxes on professional pedal boards, but I don't really understand what their role is.
  • I'm interested in junction boxes, but I don't really understand their benefits. Are they really necessary?
  • I want to know the recommended junction box.

This article is recommended for the following people.

A junction box found on many guitarists' pedal boards

I haven't started using it yet because I'm not sure how easy it is to use or what the benefits are.

This is also a pedal that many people say the same about.

Junction boxes in a nutshell"The Shadow Hero"

There are more uses and benefits than meets the eye, so today we will explain their role along with some recommended models.

table of contents

\ Going to meet Sound House's sister /

An older sister I often see

Please use Sound House again next time.

What is a junction box?

The junction box isEquipment that consolidates the input and output (inlet and outlet) of an effects board in one place.

This makes setup easier and reduces the risk of problems.

Especially when combining not only pedals but also amplifiers in a complex manner, things can easily become complicated, so this is often a must-have.

At first glance, this alone doesn't seem to offer much benefit to anyone, but there are other reasons as well.

Junction boxes that also function as impedance conversion buffers expand their range of uses even further.

Let's take a more detailed look at the benefits of adopting it.

Benefits of Junction Boxes | Why Use Them?

Simple and fast setup

Take it out of your home, prepare it in the studio or on stage,You end up plugging and unplugging cables quite often.

At first glance it seems like a small difference,The smooth setup provided by having the entrance and exit all together is a greater benefit than it may appear.

Also, as the amount of equipment you add, such as pedals and switchers, it often becomes difficult to fit input and output jacks.

It's pretty stressful to set it up like that every time...

Efficient equipment placement

Note: Lep InternationalThan

For example, if you have an effects board with edges like the one in the image, the cables and the inputs of the effects will interfere with each other, making it necessary to place equipment inside or raise the board accordingly.

One of the roles of the junction box is to eliminate this hassle.

Reduce the risk of trouble

As mentioned above, as the amount of equipment increases, it often becomes difficult to insert it where you want it.

If you repeatedly plug and unplug the cable while it is under load in this condition, the risk of it breaking will naturally increase.

When trouble occurs at a critical time, it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause.

Also, if the cable from the guitar goes inside the pedal board, the cable may become dislodged while you are playing, which could cause noise or even malfunction of other pedals.

The junction box helps to avoid these types of troubles that everyone hates.

Reduces sound loss (if buffer function is installed)

Junction boxes that also function as an impedance conversion buffer, such as the model introduced in this article, are very popular.

The signal coming from a guitar is very weak and is easily affected by noise.

By converting the signal to low impedance via a buffer, the sound is less likely to become thin, making it useful on boards that use multiple pedals.

High-end models allow you to choose whether to turn the buffer on or off, and they strengthen the signal without significantly changing the characteristics of the sound, which is why they are popular choices.

Top 5 Junction Box Recommendations

Free The Tone / SIGNAL JUNCTION BOX JB-41S

Product details

The signal junction box is the product that FREE THE TONE has custom-made the most to date. A great many musicians use it as part of their pedal boards or rack systems. Packed with know-how accumulated over more than 10 years, it offers the best sound quality and convenience.

One of the four lines on the JB-41S and two of the eight lines on the JB-4S are compatible with connecting balanced audio line signals or amplifier control signals using stereo plugs.

■ Features

●Wiring between devices is simplified, reducing the time required for setup.

●By connecting through a junction box instead of directly to effects pedals that are lined up in a narrow space on the pedal board, damage to cables and plugs can be reduced.

Depending on where you place this product, either side of the INPUT jack can be used as input.

■ Specification

Terminals: 1 x 4/8 inch standard phone jacks (6 x mono, 2 x stereo), 7 x DIN 2-pin connectors (for MIDI/ARC-3 LINK)

●Size: 120(W) x 77(D) x 56(H)mm (including protrusions such as jacks)

-Weight: about 370g

●Accessories: Warranty card, instruction manual, L-shaped brackets x 2, wood screws x 4, binding screws x 4

The video shows the small JB-21

small model

FREE THE TONE
24,800 JPY(TAX+) (As of 2026:05 on March 16, 01 | According to Amazon)
Product details
  • Terminals: 1 x 4/4 inch standard phone jacks (monaural), 7 x DIN 2-pin connectors (for MIDI/ARC-4 LINK)
  • Size: 100(W) x 55(D) x 34(H)mm (including protrusions such as jacks)
  • Weight: about 210g

Large Model

Product details
  • Terminals: 1 x 4/16 inch standard phone jacks (12 x mono, 4 x stereo), 7 x DIN 4-pin connectors (for MIDI/ARC-4 LINK)
  • Size: 120(W) x 77(D) x 56(H)mm (including protrusions such as jacks)
  • Weight: about 450g

Limetone Audio / irodori nest

Product details

A junction box equipped with irodori that adds “color” to sound!

This is a "2-in-1" junction box that combines Irodori, which is used by many musicians as a booster and buffer and is highly acclaimed for its sound, with Limetone Audio's junction box, which is designed with sound quality in mind.

One of the four inputs and outputs is an Irodori in/out, allowing you to use Irodori as a buffer at the beginning of the board. This makes the signal from the instrument resistant to noise, preventing sound quality degradation within the board.

The other thru terminals are through boxes designed with an emphasis on sound quality, minimizing changes in sound quality and creating a pleasant sound when playing. Each thru terminal supports TRS plugs, allowing you to control an amplifier with a stereo latch signal or connect an external expression pedal.

The vivid/mellow mode of irodori can be selected with an internal slide switch. The default is set to vivid, which is suitable for buffering, but if necessary, it can be switched to mellow mode, which has a warm sound that is gentle on the ears.

When the power supply to irodori nest is cut off, irodori enters true bypass state and can be used as a completely passive junction box.

The ground of each line is independent to prevent ground loops. (The ground of the case is connected only to the in/out of the irodori part.)

*Irodori's boost function is not included.

■ Specification
Connection terminals: input, output, thru1 x 2, thru2 x 2, thru3 x 2, DC9Vin
・Accessories: Instruction manual, warranty card
External dimensions: Width (W) 111 mm, depth (D) 64 mm, height (H) 43 mm
・ Weight: 265g
・Current consumption: 5mA

Limetone Audio
28,600 JPY(TAX+) (As of 2025:07, March 15, 03 | Rakuten Market research)

Ovaltone / PRIME GEAR DELUXE

Product details

"PRIME GEAR DELUXE" is the fourth generation multi-function buffer in Ovaltone's high-quality buffer series "PRIME GEAR."

In addition to the buffer function, this unit can be used for a variety of purposes, including as two input selectors, an approximately 2dB clean booster, an independent buffered tuner out(*19), a junction box, a tuner mute and a signal splitter, making it easy to reuse when rearranging the board.
The buffer section has also been readjusted to use the CURVED input impedance (※2), a feature of the PRIME GEAR series, and the elements and circuits used have been reconsidered, resulting in a buffer that is even less colored and more natural than before.

*1...The tuner out buffer has a different circuit than the main out buffer.
*2...It is called CURVED impedance because the impedance curve decreases as the frequency increases.
* Adapter operation only, battery not available
*The output phase is positive for both S and R terminals.

■バッファー
The main buffer section is a further tuned-up version of the circuitry used in previous PRIME GEAR models, resulting in a clearer sound with less coloration.
Input is through the U input or B input on the right side and output is through the S output on the left side.

■ブースター
When the pink BOOST LED is lit, the BOOST knob above it becomes active and can boost up to about 19dB. The boost sound is a straightforward boost with little character, and when the knob is turned all the way down, it only functions as a buffer even when the pink LED is lit.
When connected to the U input, you can use it as a buffer without boost by switching the footswitch to the BOOST side (pink LED), or to the UNITY side (green LED).

■ 2 Input Selector
You can connect a guitar or bass to each of the U input and B inputs and switch between the two instruments using a foot switch.
In this case, if you turn the BOOST knob all the way down, it can be used as a simple two-input selector. However, if you connect the instrument with the smaller output of two instruments to the B input, you can use it as an input selector using the BOOST knob to equalize the output difference between the two instruments.

■ Tuner out
The R terminal can be used as a tuner out. It has an independent buffer for the tuner out.
When an instrument is connected to the U input, a signal is always output from the R terminal, and it continues to be output at the same level even when the foot switch is switched to the BOOST side.
When an instrument is connected to the B input, the signal will continue to be output from the R terminal, but when you switch the foot switch to the UNITY side, the signal from the S output is muted.
This function can be used as a buffer with tuner mute.
You can also use it as a signal splitter by sending the signal from the R terminal to a recorder or audio interface, allowing you to record a dry line signal in parallel regardless of the main S output.
*In this case, since the device does not have a ground lift function, you may need to use a separate DI.

■ Junction box
If the R terminal is not used for a tuner out, etc., it can function as a junction box by sending the signal from the S output into the board and returning it from the board to the R terminal.
There is a passive through circuit from R to the O output on the right side.

■ Compatible with 9-18V DC
The power supply voltage ranges from 9V DC to 18V DC.

Ovaltone
25,300 JPY(TAX+) (As of 2024:06 on March 18, 15 | According to Yahoo Shopping)

Empress Effects / buffer+

Product details

A buffer pedal with a built-in clean booster of up to +30dB. It converts the signal into a low impedance that is resistant to noise. It has an output mute function that can be used by pressing and holding the foot switch. It has one In/Out and Tuner Out, and is a pedal that can be used as a junction box.

■Effector for guitar
■バッファー
■Power supply: DC9V adapter (sold separately)
~メーカーサイトの解説より~
■It serves as the perfect I/O interface for your pedal board and is designed to deliver the highest level of guitar signal.
■The deterioration of sound quality caused by running guitar cables is an eternal issue for guitarists who want a high-end sound. Using the Empress Effects buffer prevents signal loss and eliminates tone changes caused by cables. The perfect design unique to Empress Effects, which has a high-quality design comparable to professional audio in all its pedals, is attractive.
■It is also equipped with a number of powerful tools, including a noise filter, input PAD, clean boost that can be turned on/off with a foot switch, input load adjustment, and tuner mute function.
■It can also be used as a splitter to split the input signal into multiple outputs. The input signal is normally sent to the loop out and tuner out.

One Control / MS PB Junction Box w BJF Buffer

Product details

The One Control Minimal Series Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer is a tool that will help you save time in a variety of situations, including on stage and in the studio.
With two inputs and two outputs, this little box's function is very simple, yet it can produce some enormous effects.

If your pedal board has Input and Output
The pedal board itself acts as a single effect pedal, so all you have to do is connect the cable from your guitar to the cable from your amp and you're set up.
Of course, there is no extra time required when you leave the stage.

・If there is more buffer
If there is a buffer at the input of your pedal board, it can also reduce changes in the signal caused by the length of the cable, including subsequent terminal contacts and patch cables.
You can also use it as an output buffer instead of an input.

・BJF Buffer
The BJF Buffer is an overwhelmingly natural buffer that overturns the image commonly held by many people.
- Set the gain to exactly 1.
- Don't change the sound with the input impedance.
・Make sure the output isn't too strong.
- Reduce noise to the minimum.
- Prevent the sound from deteriorating when overloaded.
The BJF Buffer was completed to meet BJF's strict buffer requirements, and is used by many professionals around the world to help with guitar signals.

While most effects have a stronger effect the later they are connected, the earlier the buffer is connected the stronger the effect. This is why we incorporate the BJF Buffer into the input section. By turning on the BJF Buffer, we can stabilize the overall tone to a warm and natural tone. Of course, it can also be used as an output buffer to match the characteristics of the effects installed on the pedal board.

・POLARITY/REVERSE
The sound of an instrument is a wave that travels through the air. The frequency of vibration determines the pitch, and the amplitude of the vibration determines the loudness of the sound. A specific sound is created by multiple waves mixing together.
Simply put, phase is the position at which the wave begins. Even with the same waveform, changing the starting position can greatly change the air movement at that moment.
If there is only one sound, the phase does not have a significant effect on the timbre. However, when multiple sounds are combined, that is, when multiple instruments such as guitar and bass are combined, the difference in phase affects the sound.
If you listen to two sounds with the exact same waveform but inverted phases at the same distance from the source, the waveforms will cancel each other out and you won't hear a sound at all. Conversely, if you listen to two sounds with the same waveform and phase at the same distance from the source, the waveforms will overlap and you will hear a louder sound.
The cancellation and overlap of these waves can greatly affect the difference between "sounds that cut through" and "sounds that don't cut through" throughout the entire band ensemble.
The POLARITY/REVERSE switch is used to return the phase to its original state, which may be inverted due to the characteristics of the equipment, or to match the phase of other parts. The theory behind it may seem complicated, but there's no need to think too hard about it. Play the sound as an ensemble in rehearsals, and set it to the position that sounds better. Just by doing that, the "sound clarity" and "power" of the entire band will change.

・How to use your pedal board effectively
Except for some expensive models, most pedal boards have a raised edge, so if you place an effector on the edge of the board, the cable plug may get caught on the edge and the pedal may float. If you step on the foot switch in such a state, it may lead to damage to the cable or pedal. For this reason, many pedal boards can only be used in a smaller area than their original size.
The Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer has its input and output located on the top surface of the case, so you can place it right in the corner of your pedal board without damaging the cables, and you can use the space on your pedal board efficiently.
Of course, with its extremely compact design, the Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer won't take up any space on your pedal board.

・To prevent unnecessary trouble
Live performances are very hectic. Things that you would normally be able to do without thinking can sometimes become impossible if you get flustered or in a hurry.
To achieve this, you want to set up as much as possible beforehand before a live performance. By using the Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer, you can move the input/output locations to suit the stage configuration without having to change anything on your pedal board, preventing unnecessary trouble.

Prevents cables from getting tangled
During a live performance, the stage is packed with equipment. It is not uncommon for the amplifier input to be located behind the right of the guitarist or bassist. A typical pedal board has the input on the right and the output on the left, so cables often get tangled while moving around during a live performance.
The Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer allows you to place the input and output of your pedal board in the same position, making it easier to decide where to place the cables. This also helps prevent cables from getting tangled on stage.

・Effective even on small boards!
The Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer is very small in size, so it's great for small boards as well as boards with large systems!

・ How to use
BUFFER/PASSIVE switch: Switches the buffer ON/OFF. In PASSIVE mode, the buffer is OFF. Use in PASSIVE mode when not connecting the power supply.

POLARITY/REVERSE switch: Inverts the phase between the BUFFER IN/BUFFER OUT terminals. This switch only works when the BUFFER/PASSIVE switch is set to the BUFFER position.

9V IN: Connect the power adapter. Use a standard center negative DC9V terminal. Be sure to connect the power supply when using a buffer. The center LED will light up when the power supply is connected properly.

*When the Buffer is OFF, you can connect either terminal A or B in any direction you like.
When Buffer is ON, the A side terminal should be connected so that the signal goes in through BUFFER IN and goes out through BUFFER OUT.

94D×38W×32H mm (excluding protrusions)
94D×46W×40H mm (including protrusions)
Input impedance: 500kΩ (Buffer ON)
Output impedance: 60Ω (Buffer ON)
Weight: 220g
Power consumption: 3mA
Power supply: center negative DC9V adapter
*Batteries cannot be used.

●Minimal Series
The One Control Minimal Series pedals are made by eliminating all unnecessary elements in the manufacturing process, achieving the smallest possible size and incorporating simple yet sophisticated functionality. These pedals truly deserve to be called "Minimal."

・For "minimum"
One Control has devised and realized an innovative PCB arrangement that ensures high productivity and robustness at the same time, enabling assembly that previously had to be done manually. By eliminating unnecessary work and waste and minimizing the required labor, production efficiency has improved. The lowest possible price has been achieved.

The One Control Minimal Series has a minimal size for the housing. It is a standard pedal that can be used in a minimal space without taking up extra space under your feet and at the same time without having to worry about operation.

The One Control Minimal Series has the bare minimum of functionality needed to line up your effects on a board and use them comfortably.
When you think, "I just need one more feature," the minimalist functions of the One Control Minimal Series will be a great help.

\ Going to meet Sound House's sister /

An older sister I often see

Please use Sound House again next time.


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