Effects box system and method

Claim 1

An audio signal processing system for allowing the organizing, arranging and rearranging of the number and sequential order of audio effects circuit modules in a main audio path having a source audio signal, by the rapid changing, inserting, and removing of said modules while said system is in operation with the purposeful resultant of any of said module changing operations being an immediate and noiselessly accomplished change in the sound produced by the audio signal flowing through the audio path, while maintaining the continuity of the audio path, said system comprising: a. a plurality of modules each having module contact elements which include a module input and a module output, each said module output providing audio effects for producing a different sound output; b. a main housing having a main input and a main output associated with the audio path, and having a plurality of ordered module receiving recesses being serially interconnected between said main input and main output, each said recess having corresponding contact elements for making contact with said module contact elements upon insertion of a module therein; c. means for routing the source audio signal from said main input through said recess contact elements and said corresponding module contact elements to said module input of a fully-seated module in a lowest ordered recess, thence, serially into and out of each recess having a module fully seated therein, said module output of a module in a highest ordered recess providing essentially the system output signal to the main output; d. an electronic switch associated with each recess for connecting the audio path to said recess contact elements so that the audio signal flows into and out of said recess through said inserted module only when said module is fully seated wherein solid electronic contact between said module contact elements and recess contact elements is established, and for connecting said audio path to a route bypassing at least one of said recess contact elements when the module is not in said fully-seated position in said recess; e. means associated with each said recess for detecting if said recess has a module fully seated therein; and f. means for actuating said electronic switch when said module is moved to or from said fully-seated position in said recess.