UAFX Cable & Power Guide

USB Type-C Port

On full-sized two-footswitch UAFX pedals, this port is used for:

• Firmware updates when connected to the UA Connect computer app on macOS or Windows.
• Direct wired control of features when connected to the UAFX Control mobile app with iOS or Android devices.
• USB MIDI when connected to a USB Host-capable MIDI Interface.
  • Compatible devices are labeled with a USB host port.  
  • Multiple UAFX pedals can be connected using a USB hub. 
  • See our Get Started With UAFX 2.0 USB MIDI Guide for more information.

On compact one-footswitch pedals, this port is used for:

• Firmware updates when connected to the UA Connect computer app on macOS or Windows.

*USB isolators (filters) such as the DSD TECH SH-G01C USB-C 480M High Speed Isolator can be useful when troubleshooting noise introduced over USB with more complex devices, such as computers. These isolators should be plugged into the USB host port of the USB MIDI host interface, and then connect a USB hub to the isolator. UAFX pedals can then be connected to the USB hub.

Simple USB MIDI Host Interfaces, such as the CME H2MIDI Pro, are not expected to introduce noise into the audio path.

Instrument Jack Inputs / Outputs

Powering your UAFX Pedals

UAFX pedals require an isolated 9-volt DC, center negative, 2.1 x 5.5 mm barrel connector (same as standard Boss connectors) power supply that can provide the following current requirements.

• Dual-footswitch UAFX pedals require 400 mA (milliamps) of current.

• Compact UAFX pedals (with a single footswitch) require 250 mA (milliamps) of current.

Each UAFX pedal must be connected to a separate power supply or connected to an isolated power connection from a multi-output power supply. Connect the power supply to the 9VDC connector on the pedal’s rear panel. 

When you first connect your UAFX pedal to a power supply, the footswitch LED(s) or left selection switch LEDs cycle, showing that the pedal is starting up. The startup sequence takes about 15 seconds.

Except on Golden, Starlight, and Astra, there is no signal through the pedal during startup or when pedal power is interrupted.

Note: On Golden, Starlight, and Astra, when the pedal is unpowered and when it’s starting up, the signals are pure analog dry-through from input to output, without buffering or any other circuitry, via mechanical relays.

Important Power Notes 

• Each UAFX pedal requires either 250 mA of current for compact, one-footswitch UAFX pedals or 400 mA of current for all dual footswitch models. Make sure your power supply can deliver the correct amount of current to the pedal for proper operation and performance.
• An isolated supply provides power and grounding that is electrically separated, usually by means of a transformer for each connector. Some low-cost power supplies might have separate connectors, but might not provide true ground and power isolation, causing noise and ground loop hum. 

• If your power supply has multiple outputs, make sure that each output provides true isolation, or that you connect your pedal to its own power supply.

• It’s OK to connect a power supply that can deliver more than 400 mA. The pedal only draws the current it needs and will not be damaged if the supply is 9VDC.

• If your power supply is not isolated, you might hear additional hum in the pedal signals. If the supply cannot provide the correct amount of current, the pedal might not operate properly, even if the LEDs and switches seem to be working. 

• Daisy-chaining (running multiple pedals from one output of a power supply) is not supported.

Connecting UAFX Pedal Audio Outputs

UAFX amp pedals feature a modelled speaker output. The output is instrument level, though it can be driven to line level. The pedals have a high headroom capability.

The more traditional reverb, modulation, and delay pedals can be treated as you would any other stompbox. 

For Enigmatic, ANTI, Knuckles, Lion, Dream, Ruby, Woodrow, and OX Stomp, there is a range of options.

1. Connect directly to an audio interface, using the instrument input(s), UAFX pedals sound great through studio monitors.
2. Connect using a stereo DI Box or a line isolator such as the one offered by Walrus Audio. This will balance your audio signal for long cable runs and enable easy direct connection to a PA system.
3. Use a powered FRFR cab, which means ‘Full Range Flat Response.' An example would be the Fender Tonemaster FR12, though there is a wide range of possible options. Using this type of amplifier means you can utilize the cab modelling built into UAFX pedals.
4. If connecting to a traditional guitar amp, it is important to disable the cab modelling and get as close to a clean signal into the power amplifier as possible. We would not typically recommend this kind of configuration, but it can present some interesting possibilities, particularly in 4 cable mode.

See the Connecting UAFX Pedals article for further guidance.