Clearlink™ Send

CLEARLINK™ SEND LINE DRIVER FEATURES

• Made in Petaluma, California with the World’s Finest Materials
• High-Speed, Low Noise Op-Amp based Line-Driver Circuit
• RFI Filtering minimizes radio-frequency interference and noise
• Provides Balanced or Unbalanced Output capable of driving long cable runs and provides amp with a resolute source
• Output Level Control - Adjusts the Output Level of the integrated line-driver circuit, from Unity to +12dB.
• Balanced XLR Output – Drive cable runs up to 330ft with unsurpassed noise immunity and signal integrity.
• Unbalanced ¼” Output - Drive long ¼” cable runs direct to your amp’s input
• On/Off Status LED
• 9-12VDC External Power Jack Input (power supply not included)
• 9-12VDC THRU - Passes the power received at the 9-12VDC IN jack onto a MESA® Stowaway™ Input Buffer

SPECIFICATIONS

• Input Impedance: 1M Ohm
• Output Impedance: 150 Ohm Unbalanced / 300 Ohm Balanced
• Output Buffer Design: High-Speed, Low Noise Op-Amp
• Nominal Operating Voltage: 9VDC
• Maximum Operating Voltage: 12VDC
• Typical Current Draw: 10mA @ 9VDC
• DC Adapter (not included): WARNING!!! To avoid immediate damage and voiding the warranty, the External Power Supply MUST be 9VDC with a NEGATIVE CENTER and a 2.1mm x 5.5mm Barrel Plug
• Weight: 0.425 lbs (193 g)
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 3.86 x 2.48 x 1.71 inch (98 x 63 x 44 mm)

NOTE: Due to efforts for continual improvement, all specifications are subject to change without notice.

FAQs

Can I use the CLEARLINK™ SEND BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER for my bass?

Yes you can!

I’m using a switched-mode power adapter/supply (SMPS) and hear a high pitch “whine”, why is that?

Some of these SMPS adapters are noisier than others, especially those that aren’t from a reputable or brand-name MI manufacturer. Another reason could be that you’re trying to run to many devices from a single adapter. Though many of them have a high current output and tout being able to power many devices, doing so can result in the development and/or increase of noise, for some reason. If this is happening, we recommend either trying another adapter, or better yet - using a universal pedalboard power supply with enough isolated outputs to power every device on your pedalboard individually; better power = less noise = more tone!

What’s the maximum length of cable that the CLEARLINK ™ SEND BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER can drive?

It’s capable of driving up to a 330ft/100m balanced cable run to a CLEARLINK™ RECEIVE ISO/CONVERTER with great noise immunity and signal integrity. A shielded instrument cable run that is unbalanced would need to be significantly shorter, with its maximum length determined by the construction quality of the cable and/ or how “noisy” the venue is where the gear is being used. As mentioned elsewhere; “...when using shielded 1/4” TS instrument cables, always aim for the best quality and shortest length possible…”

Why wasn’t a transformer isolated output provided, for splitting or ground loop elimination applications?

A transformer isolated output was not included in the design for several very good reasons; (i) fact is, the noise immunity and signal integrity provided by a specially designed and shielded audio isolation transformer at the end of a long cable run is far more superior than that provided by a transformer at the beginning, worst-case is it’s just as good (ii) we know from previous buffer/splitter designs that not everyone makes use of a transformer isolated output; so instead of including a great, and very expensive transformer, and of course having to charge for it - we made it optional via our passive CLEARLINK™ RECEIVE ISO/CONVERTER (iii) as the primary design goal of the CLEARLINK™ SEND BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER was to provide one of the two constants in every guitar rig, the amplifier, with a resolute source; simple, but very important (iv) pedalboard real estate - specially designed and shielded audio isolation transformers are not small, so you won’t see (or hear them) in any sub-compact buffers (v) finally, experience has also taught us that a good number of people who start off with signal splitting, soon wish or opt for devices that provide them with the ability to split AND switch each output on and off individually

Can I plug my guitar directly into the CLEARLINK™ SEND BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER, using it as an input buffer at the start of my pedalboard?

Theoretically you could, but we have another device which is much better suited as a guitar input buffer, the STOWAWAY ™ INPUT BUFFER. It is a 100% discrete Class-A circuit with an input impedance and other finely tuned characteristics which mimic that of a high quality tube amplifier, and it includes an RFI filter to minimize the possibility of radio-frequency interference and noise. It presents a dynamically ideal load to a guitar that remains steadfast, resulting in a tone that is consistent, while still allowing the guitar to breathe, live, and react - like plugging directly into the front of a tube amplifier. Alternatively, we also have a two-in-one device called the HIGH-WIRE™ DUAL BUFFER / OUTPUT BOOST which includes both circuits, plus a boost and tuner mute. Using the CLEARLINK™ SEND BUFFER/BALANCED LINEDRIVER in tandem with a STOWAWAY™ INPUT BUFFER resolves the deep-rooted signal loss and inconsistent tone issues faced by guitarists due to; capacitive loading, impedance loading and mismatching, and changes to a pickup’s resonant frequency/peak, as a result of varying effect pedals and interconnecting cables. They accomplish this by providing the two constants in every guitar rig, the guitar and amplifier, with a resolute load and source, via the STOWAWAY™ and the CLEARLINK™, respectively. The two form an effects loop, which segregates the guitar and amplifier from the variables on a pedalboard, easily handles many pedals, interconnecting cables, and effortlessly drives a long cable run to the back-line amplifier, either balanced or unbalanced. As a result, the only variations in sound and tone will be from the actual effect of the pedals on the pedalboard, and not from a guitar or amplifier related loading or impedance mismatch issue.