The Bright Onion Portrait Dual Latching Footswitch with LEDs is a passive, two-switch remote controller for amps and effects that accept a dual latching footswitch. Press one switch to change channels, the other to toggle an effect, and the switching signals travel down a single stereo TRS cable. Because it is passive, it carries no audio and needs no power to switch; the LEDs are the only thing that draws current.1
What it does and how it is wired
The Portrait is built for amps and switching units that take a dual latching footswitch: two latching switches, each sending its own signal. Both signals leave through one stereo 1/4" TRS output, and the wiring splits like this1:
| Connection | What it carries |
|---|---|
| Front footswitch | Wired to the tip of the stereo TRS output1 |
| Rear footswitch | Wired to the ring of the stereo TRS output1 |
| Sleeve | Common ground for both switching signals1 |
Bright Onion's instruction is simple: "Just add a stereo TRS cable and you are ready to go1."
"Just add a stereo TRS cable and you are ready to go."
Each footswitch also has an internal slider switch, which lets you set the LED state to the correct state for the function it is switching, so the light matches what the amp or effect is actually doing.1
Power and LEDs
The switching is passive and works with no power connected. The status LEDs, however, are powered via a 2.1mm 9V DC center negative socket, and Bright Onion says that if the pedal is powered, use only a 9V DC center negative 2.1mm barrel power supply.1
There is no battery inside. Bright Onion states that its products contain no batteries or lead, so the LEDs only light when an external 9V supply is connected.1
Build
The unit sits in an aluminum enclosure with point to point wiring and a Neutrik plug socket, and measures 110x60x31mm.1
The switches themselves are two DPDT heavy duty footswitches, and the construction details Bright Onion lists are1:
- Aluminum enclosure1
- Point to point wiring1
- Neutrik plug socket1
- Two DPDT heavy duty footswitches1
- Status LEDs on each switch, with an internal slider to set the LED state1
It is part of Bright Onion Pedals' wider range of switching pedals, which includes the closely related Dual Latching Footswitch with LEDs and the Mini Latching Footswitch with LED for single-function switching.1
Questions
Does the Bright Onion Portrait footswitch need a power supply?
No. The Portrait is passive, so the switching itself works with no power at all. The only reason to plug it in is the status LEDs: they are powered through a 2.1mm centre negative 9V DC socket. If you do power it, Bright Onion says to use only a 9V DC centre negative 2.1mm barrel supply.
What cable does the Bright Onion Portrait Dual Latching Footswitch use?
A stereo TRS cable. The Portrait's single output is a stereo 1/4-inch TRS socket, and the switching signals for both footswitches travel down that one cable: the front switch is wired to the tip, the rear switch to the ring. Bright Onion's line is that you just add a stereo TRS cable and you are ready to go.
What does the internal slider switch do?
Each of the two footswitches has an internal slider switch. It lets you set the LED state to the correct state for the function the switch is controlling, so the LED lights the way your amp or effect expects for that channel or effect.
Which footswitch is wired to the tip and which to the ring?
The front switch is wired to the tip connection of the stereo TRS output, and the rear switch is wired to the ring. That is how the two switching functions share one cable.
Does the Bright Onion Portrait footswitch take a battery?
No. Bright Onion states that its products contain no batteries or lead. The switching is passive and the LEDs, if you use them, run from an external 9V DC supply through the 2.1mm socket.
Sources (1)
- Portrait Dual Latching Footswitch with LEDs, Bright Onion Pedals
