A circuit, for applying a potential to a charge electrode in a multiple jet ink jet printer to compensate for the cross talk charging effect of adjacent electrodes on the jet filament, includes a means for applying a catch potential or a print potential to the electrode. Means are provided for altering the print potential when one of two adjacent electrodes is supplied with a catch potential and means are provided for altering the print potential when both of the adjacent electrodes are supplied with a catch potential. The print potential is reduced by an amount sufficient to reduce the cross talk field from adjacent electrodes in the region of the jet to the same potential level as the jet filament. A transistor current source applies a large current to the charge electrode during catch operations such that the stray capacitance associated with the electrode is rapidly charged and the electrode is brought to the catch potential rapidly.