Strymon UltraViolet Vintage Vibe Chorus and Vibrato Pedal

Product Information

The product is a versatile effects pedal that provides chorus, blend, and vibrato effects for audio signals. It features knobs and switches for controlling the mix configuration, rate of LFO sweep, intensity, bias, and volume. The pedal has front panel controls and rear panel I/O for mono and stereo connections. It also supports external control through expression pedals and footswitches. The LED indicator on the pedal shows the engaged status of the effect.

Features

• 3-way toggle switch for selecting mix configuration (chorus, blend, vibrato)
• SPEED knob for controlling LFO sweep rate
• INTENSITY knob for adjusting LFO sweep amplitude
• VOLUME knob for controlling output level
• BIAS toggle switch for setting LFO center point
• LED indicator for effect engagement status
• I/O mode selector for mono or stereo input signals
• Supports external control through expression pedals and footswitches
• Speed, Intensity, and Volume controls for classic vibe operation
• Three selectable dry/wet mix mode configurations for varying frequency and depth vibe results
• Three selectable bias mode configurations for a range of different vibe experiences
• Expression pedal functionality allows continuous control over any knob in any direction
• Tap tempo sync for LFO speed via external switch
• Stereo input and stereo output (requires “TRS to dual TS” adapter or cable for each jack—sold separately)
• True Bypass (electromechanical relay switching) or selectable Buffered Bypass
• EXP/MIDI input allows the connection of an optional TRS expression pedal, MiniSwitch, MultiSwitch Plus, or TRS MIDI connection
• High impedance and ultra-low noise discrete Class A JFET TRS stereo preamp input
• Full-featured MIDI capability (Continuous Controller, Program Change, and 300 preset locations)
• +10dBu maximum input level easily handles instrument and line level signals
• High performance 520MHz ARM Superscalar processor
• 32-bit floating point processing
• Super low noise, high performance A/D and D/A converters
• Strong and lightweight anodized aluminum chassis
• Designed and built in the USA

Specifications

• Power Adapter Requirements: Refer to page 29 of the user manual
• MIDI Functionality: Refer to pages 18-25 of the user manual
• Factory Reset: Refer to page 26 of the user manual
• Safety and Compliance Information: Refer to page 36 of the user manual

Power Adapter Requirements
Use an adapter with the following rating: 9VDC, center negative, 2.1mm tip, 250mA minimum. (Adapter sold separately.)

MIDI Specifications

• MIDI Program Changes: Refer to page 24 of the user manual
• MIDI CCs: Refer to page 25 of the user manual

Appendix

• Appendix 1: Sample Settings (Refer to page 30 of the usermanual)
• Appendix 2: Power Up Modes Quick Reference (Refer to page 32 of the user manual)

Power Up Modes – Quick Reference
Global parameters and functions can be accessed via a power up procedure. All power up functions persist through power cycles.

1. Press and hold the footswitch for at least 2 seconds while powering up UltraViolet. Once the LED flashes RED, release the footswitch.
2. Adjust the desired functions with the controls noted below.
3. Press the footswitch to store your changes and exit Power Up Mode.

BIAS switch – status shown on the LED

• True Bypass: switch in the low (left) position – LED
• GREEN (default)
•  Buffered Bypass: switch in the high (right) position
• LED RED

EXP/MIDI JACK MODE See page 9 for an illustrated description.| Turn the VOLUME knob – status shown on the LED

• Expression: GREEN (default, minimum knob position)*
• Favorite: AMBER (11 o’clock knob position)
• Tap: RED (1 o’clock knob position)
• MIDI: BLUE (maximum knob position)

MIDI CHANNEL See page 20 for an illustrated description.| Turn SPEED knob – status shown on the LED

• 1: GREEN (default, minimum knob position)
•  2: AMBER (10 o’clock knob position)
• 3: RED (12 o’clock knob position)
• 4-16: BLUE (maximum knob position) – channel set by next received MIDI Program Change message

NOTE: Also see “Expression Pedal Setup” on page 11 to configure your pedal functionality per preset.

– status shown momentarily on the LED

•   OFF: RED (default, minimum knob position)
•   THRU: BLUE (11 o’clock knob position)
• ON CC, OTHER: GREEN (1 o’clock knob position)
• ON OTHER: AMBER (maximum knob position)

FACTORY RESET See page 26 for an illustrated description.| While holding down the footswitch, turn the INTENSITY knob from 0% to 100% and back two times – status shown on the LED

Strymon Non-Transferable Limited Warranty

Warranty
The product comes with a Strymon Non-Transferable Limited Warranty. Refer to page 35 of the user manual for more information.
Strymon warranties the product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the original date of purchase when bought new from an authorized dealer in the United States of America or Canada. If the product fails within the warranty period, Strymon will repair or, at our discretion, replace the product at no cost to the original purchaser. Please contact your dealer for information on warranty and service outside of the USA and Canada.

Exclusions
This warranty covers defects in manufacturing discovered while using this product as recommended by Strymon. This warranty does not cover loss or theft, nor does the coverage extend to damage caused by misuse, abuse, unauthorized modification, improper storage, lightning, or natural disasters.

Limits of Liability
In the case of malfunction, the purchaser’s sole recourse shall be repair or replacement, as described in the preceding paragraphs. Strymon will not be held liable to any party for damages that result from the failure of this product. Damages excluded include, but are not limited to, the following: lost profits, lost savings, damage to other equipment, and incidental or consequential damages arising from the use, or inability to use this product. In no event will Strymon be liable for more than the amount of the purchase price, not to exceed the current retail price of the product. Strymon disclaims any other warranties, expressed or implied. By using the product, the user accepts all terms herein.

How to Obtain Service Under this Warranty
For North American customers: Contact Strymon through our website at strymon.net/support for Return Authorization and information. Proof of original ownership may be required in the form of a purchase receipt.
For International Customers: Contact the Strymon dealer from which the product was purchased from in order to arrange warranty repair service.
Strymon® is a division of Damage Control Engineering®, LLC.

Safety and Compliance Information

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

© 2023 Damage Control Engineering, LLC.
Strymon, the Strymon logo, and Damage Control Engineering are trademarks or registered trademarks of Damage Control Engineering, LLC? in the U?S? and/or other jurisdictions?

Product Usage Instructions

Knobs and Switches
Front Panel Controls

Rear Panel I/O and Control

Mono and Stereo I/O Cable Connections
The UltraViolet In and Out jacks can accept either TS or TRS type 1/4” cables for mono or stereo connections, respectively:

NOTE: With a TRS stereo connection, the Tip carries the left signal and the Ring carries the right signal.
Mono In – Mono Out: To connect UltraViolet in a mono signal chain, use TS cables for both UltraViolet’s IN and OUT? Set the I/O Selector switch to mono?

Mono In – Stereo Out: To feed a mono signal into UltraViolet, use a TS cable to UltraViolet’s IN? Connect a TRS + dual TS cable to UltraViolet’s OUT to route UltraViolet’s stereo signal to a stereo pedal? Set the I/O Selector switch to mono stereo?

Stereo In – Stereo Out: To connect UltraViolet in a stereo signal chain, use TRS + dual TS cables into both UltraViolet’s IN and OUT? Set the I/O Selector switch to stereo?

*NOTE: Alternatively, you can use a TRS – TRS cable when connecting a pedal with a TRS stereo input or output (such as connecting to the TRS stereo input of a Strymon cloudburst stereo reverb)?

Multifunction communication jack for external control of UltraViolet’s features and functions Can be set to operate in one of the following modes? (See “Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack” on page 9 for details.)

Expression Pedal Mode (see page 11)
Favorite Mode (see page 12)
Tap Mode (see page 18)
MIDI Mode (see “Configuring UltraViolet for MultiSwitch Plus” on page 16 or “Saving Presets in MIDI Mode” on page 23)

Power Up Modes

Bypass Mode for Mono I/O
With the rear I/O Mode Selector set to mono, the UltraViolet pedal is set for True Bypass as the default?* Setting UltraViolet to Buffered Bypass Mode preserves the high frequency response of your instrument’s signal through your pedal chain and long cable runs.
NOTE: Whenever the rear I/O Mode Selector set to mono stereo or stereo, the bypass mode is automatically set to Buffered Bypass.

• True Bypass: set the switch to the low (left) position. The LED lights GREEN (default).
• Buffered Bypass: set the switch to the high (right) position. The LED lights RED.
• Press the FOOTSWITCH to store the Bypass Mode and begin using UltraViolet.

Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack

• Expression Pedal Mode: GREEN (default, minimum) – Using a standard TRS expression pedal allows continuous control over any of the knobs. (See page 11 for details.)

• Favorite Mode: AMBER (11 o’clock) – Using a Strymon MiniSwitch (sold separately) allows you to recall a Favorite setting. (See page 12 for details.)

• Tap Mode: RED (1 o’clock) – Using a Strymon MiniSwitch allows you to tap in a tempo in quarter notes for UltraViolet’s LFO to follow. (Also, see the FOOTSWITCH description on page 4 for note division options.)

• MIDI Mode: BLUE (maximum) – Allows for the selection of three presets using a Strymon MultiSwitch Plus (sold separately)—see page 16. Full MIDI functionality is available by sending MIDI Program Change messages via 1/4” TRS MIDI connection using a Strymon Conduit or MIDI EXP cable. Up to 300 preset locations are available via MIDI—see page 23.

• Press the footswitch to store the EXP/MIDI Jack Mode and beginusing UltraViolet.

NOTE: The EXP/MIDI jack setting persists across power cycles and is not saved per preset.

External Control

Expression Pedal Setup
Use a TRS expression pedal with a 25k Ohm or greater pot value to remotely control the knobs of UltraViolet. By default, UltraViolet is configured so that an Expression pedal controls the SPEED knob?

• Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Expression Mode.(See page 9 for configuration instructions.)

• Press and hold the FOOTSWITCH for at least 2 seconds, until the LED blinks GREEN.
• Rock your expression pedal to the HEEL position. The GREEN LED will stop blinking and remain lit.
• Set the knob(s) you would like to control to the desired settings for the HEEL position of the expression pedal.
• Rock the expression pedal to the TOE position. The LED will turn RED.
• Set the knob(s) you would like to control to the desired settings for the TOE position of the expression pedal.
• Press and release the UltraViolet footswitch to exit and store your expression pedal setup.

NOTE: Your expression pedal assignment is saved per Favorite setting or MIDI preset.

• If UltraViolet is set to respond to MIDI EXPRESSION and the EXP/MIDI jack is set to MIDI Mode, you can send MIDI CC# 100 with values 0 (heel) to 127 (toe) to perform the expression pedal setup.

Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode
Connect MiniSwitch or other external latching footswitch to store and recall your Favorite setting.
NOTE: Your Strymon MiniSwitch’s internal jumper switch must be set to the factory-default FAV/BOOST Mode setting for Favorite Switch functionality.
If you’ve changed the setting of this jumper switch, you’ll need to change it back to FAV/BOOST Mode—see page 14.

• Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Favorite Mode. (See page 9 for more info.)

• Connect your MiniSwitch (or, optionally, an external latching switch with a TRS cable) to the EXP/MIDI jack.

• Dial in your desired sound.

• To save your sound as the new Favorite setting, press and hold the UltraViolet footswitch for at least 2 seconds, until the LED blinks GREEN? Then, press and hold the UltraViolet footswitch until the LED lights BLUE to save the Favorite setting.

• Step on the external footswitch to toggle between your current and Favorite settings on UltraViolet. Make sure to dial in a different sound for the non-Favorite setting to hear the difference between the two settings.

Compare Mode
With the Favorite or MIDI preset recalled, as a knob or switch is adjusted, the LED flashes GREEN when the current knob or toggle switch position matches the setting of the preset.
NOTE: Power Up Mode settings are applied globally and not stored individually per preset.

• Saving presets works differently when using MIDI—see page 18 for details.
• The Favorite setting is stored at MIDI Program Change location 0.

Tap Mode Switch Setup
Optionally, you can use your Strymon MiniSwitch or an external, non-latching (momentary) type switch to access UltraViolet’s Tap mode. This allows you to “tap” in a tempo to which UltraViolet’s LFO can sync. The Strymon MiniSwitch includes an internal jumper switch that must be changed from its factory FAV/BOOST Mode setting to work for the UltraViolet Tap Mode momentary switch functionality. Follow these steps to configure the MiniSwitch’s jumper switch and EXP/MIDI jack.

• Unscrew the four screws on the bottom of the MiniSwitch chassis.
• Once opened, locate the small jumper underneath the circuit board and change it from the center and right pins (FAV/BOOST Mode) to the center and left pins (TAP Mode).

Close-up view of the MiniSwitch circuit board jumper switch

FAV/BOOST Mode
For UltraViolet’s Favorite Switch mode—place the jumper on the two RIGHT pins? (This is how MiniSwitch is configured from the factory?)

TAP Mode
For UltraViolet’s Tap Switch mode—place the jumper on the two LEFT pins.

• Once the jumper configuration is complete, secure the cover back on your MiniSwitch.

• Configure UltraViolet’s EXP/MIDI jack for Tap Mode. (See page 9 for more info.)

• Connect your MiniSwitch (or, optionally, a momentary switch with a TRS cable) to the EXP/MIDI jack.

• Now just “tap” in quarter notes of your desired tempo on the MiniSwitch and you’ll hear UltraViolet’s LFO SPEED adjust to follow.

Configuring UltraViolet for MultiSwitch Plus
Configure UltraViolet and MultiSwitch Plus for additional external control.

• Press and hold the UltraViolet footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Hold for at least 2 seconds, until the LED stops blinking.
• Turn the SPEED knob all the way counter-clockwise to set the MIDI CHANNEL to Channel 1. The LED should be GREEN.
• Turn the INTENSITY knob to select the following MIDI OUT option:
  • Send MIDI CC and Other Data: GREEN
  • Send Other Data: AMBER
• Turn the VOLUME knob all the way clockwise to set the EXP/MIDI jack to MIDI Mode? The LED should be BLUE?
• Press the UltraViolet footswitch to exit and store the MIDI CHANNEL, the MIDI OUTPUT setting, and the EXP/MIDI Jack Mode?

Using MultiSwitch Plus
Selecting and saving UltraViolet presets using MultiSwitch Plus.

NOTE: Footswitches A, B, and C on MultiSwitch Plus correspond to MIDI Program Changes 1, 2, and 3.

• Step on a switch that is not illuminated to recall the corresponding preset.
• Step on an illuminated switch to bypass UltraViolet.

Saving UltraViolet Presets with MultiSwitch Plus:

• Dial in the sound that you would like to save as your preset on UltraViolet.
• Press and hold the UltraViolet footswitch for at least 2 seconds, until the LED blinks GREEN.
• Press the A, B, or C MultiSwitch Plus footswitch to save the current state of the pedal to the desired location.

MIDI Functionality

Configuring UltraViolet to Use MIDI
Using MIDI unlocks a set of tools that can be used to load any of UltraViolet’s 300 preset locations using a suitable MIDI controller or interface connected to the UltraViolet EXP/MIDI jack. This requires a Strymon MIDI EXP cable or a MIDI controller/interface, such as Strymon Conduit, with at least one quarter-inch output.
NOTE: When using a Strymon MIDI EXP Cable, the MIDI OUT Mode must be set to Off. (See page 22 for details.)

STEP 1: SET EXP/MIDI JACK TO MIDI MODE

NOTE: MIDI data is received on the TIP of the TRS connection of the EXP/MIDI jack.

• Channel 1: GREEN (default, minimum)
• Channel 2: AMBER (10 o’clock)
• Channel 3: RED (12 o’clock)
• Channel 4-16: BLUE (maximum) – set by next received MIDI Program Change message, requires 1⁄4″ MIDI connection

Once the LED turns BLUE, it will blink until the pedal receives a MIDI Program Change message. Once a message is received, the pedal will be set to the MIDI channel that carried the message and exit the Power Up Mode to allow you to begin using UltraViolet. (If you’ve successfully configured MIDI Channel 4-16, you can skip item 4 on the next page.)

NOTE: A simple way to check that communication is working is to send CC

102 with a value of 127 when the footswitch is bypassed. This will enable the

footswitch (and the LED will light RED) if MIDI is properly connected and configured.

• If you are only sending data to UltraViolet using the Strymon MIDI EXP cable, the MIDI OUT Mode must be set to OFF. (See page 22 for details on configuring the MIDI OUT Mode.)
• MIDI Channel assignment is not saved per Favorite setting or MIDI preset.

STEP 3 – SET MIDI OUT MODE

• Press and hold the footswitch for at least 2 seconds while powering
  up UltraViolet? Once the LED flashes RED, release the footswitch?

• OFF: RED (default, minimum) – No MIDI messages are sent out of UltraViolet.

• THRU: BLUE (11 o’clock) – Incoming MIDI messages are sent to the MIDI Out without any additional MIDI messages generated by UltraViolet.

• SEND CC, OTHER: GREEN (1 o’clock) – MIDI CC and Sysex messages generated by UltraViolet are sent to the MIDI Out.

• SEND OTHER: AMBER (maximum) – Sysex messages generated by UltraViolet are sent to the MIDI Out.

• Press the footswitch to store the MIDI Out Mode and exit.

NOTE: MIDI data is sent from the RING of the TRS connection of the EXP/MIDI jack.

Saving Presets in MIDI Mode
When in MIDI Mode, the currently loaded settings can be saved to any of UltraViolet’s 300 preset locations at any time.

• To enter Save Mode, press and hold the footswitch for at least 2 seconds, until the LED blinks GREEN to indicate that UltraViolet is waiting to receive a MIDI Program Change message.

• Send MIDI Program Change #10 to save the preset to the corresponding memory location on the pedal.
• To recall this preset, send MIDI Program Change #10 from your MIDI controller or sequencer.

NOTE: The Bypass Mode setting persists across power cycles.

MODE

The 3-way toggle switch selects the mix configuration of the dry and wet signals:

• chorus: Combines a 50/50 mix of dry and wet signals for maximum depth and classic vibe effect.
• blend: Combines a 70/30 mix of dry and wet signals to reduce depth for a milder effect.
• vibrato: Outputs only the wet signal for a classic, frequency-dependent, phase-vibrato effect.

SPEED

The SPEED knob controls the rate of the LFO sweep.

FOOTSWITCH

The FOOTSWITCH engages and disengages the effect. The red LED at the top of the pedal indicates when the effect is engaged.

Note: Press and hold the FOOTSWITCH for 2 seconds to enter Save Mode (refer to page 23 of the user manual) or to configure Expression Pedal parameter assignments (refer to page 11 of the user manual).

You can optionally configure an external footswitch for TAP or FAVORITE Mode functionality (refer to page 16 of the user manual).

LED INDICATOR
The LED INDICATOR illuminates red to indicate that the effect is engaged. Use the FOOTSWITCH to engage and disengage the effect. The LED may also light additional colors when configuring Power Up Mode features (refer to page 8 of the user manual).

BIAS
The BIAS toggle switch sets the center point of the LFO for a range of vibe experiences:

• low: The sweep is centered around lower frequencies for a pulsing vibe effect.
• mid: The sweep is optimized for a balanced vibe effect.
• high: The sweep is centered around higher frequencies for a wide-ranging vibe effect.

INTENSITY
The INTENSITY knob adjusts the LFO sweep amplitude. At minimum, the LFO amplitude is zero, resulting in a static effect determined by the BIAS setting.

VOLUME
The VOLUME knob controls the output level of the pedal, up to a 4dB boost at maximum.

Rear Panel I/O and Control
I/O MODE SELECTOR

The I/O MODE SELECTOR switch allows you to choose the appropriate mode for your input signal:

• mono: Use with a mono input signal, such as a guitar. Output is mono. Defaults to True Bypass.
• mono stereo: Use with a mono input signal. Output is stereo. Bypass mode is Buffered Bypass.
• stereo: Use with a stereo input signal. Output is stereo. Bypass mode is Buffered Bypass. Stereo I/O requires a TRS adapter or cable.

Knobs and Switches

NOTE: Press and hold the FOOTSWITCH for 2 seconds to enter Save Mode (see page 23), or to configure Expression Pedal parameter assignments (see page 11)
You can optionally configure an external footswitch for TAP or FAVORITE Mode functionality (see page 16)

MIDI Specifications

MIDI Program Changes
Your UltraViolet pedal contains 300 preset locations, numbered sequentially from 0-299. Because MIDI Program Change messages have a maximum number of 128 (0-127), the presets are grouped into three MIDI patch banks.
MIDI BANK 0 = PRESETS 0-127
MIDI BANK 1 = PRESETS 128-255
MIDI BANK 2 = PRESETS 256-299
MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE 0   Favorite setting (accessible via MiniSwitch) See page 12 for details.
MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE 1  MultiSwitch Plus – footswitch 1
MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE 2   MultiSwitch Plus – footswitch 2
MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE 3    MultiSwitch Plus – footswitch 3
MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE 127  Manual Mode (“knobs”)
NOTE: Some MIDI applications and controllers start with MIDI Program Change 1 instead of 0. In these setups, add one to each MIDI Program Change location above.
The UltraViolet pedal always powers up in MIDI Patch Bank 0, so if you plan to stay within the first 127 preset locations, simply send a standard MIDI Program Change message to load a preset. If you will be using MIDI Banks 1 and/or 2, it is advisable to send a standard MIDI Bank Change message (MIDI CC# 0 with a value equal to the MIDI Bank#) before each MIDI Program Change. Selecting Program Change 127 within any MIDI Bank 0, 1, or 2 will put UltraViolet into Manual Mode. In this mode, UltraViolet will be set to the current knob and switch settings. No preset data can be stored at this preset location.

MIDI CCs

NOTE: All on/off parameters are implemented with 0=off and any other value (1-127)=on. They are documented as “0” and “127” because many MIDI controllers send out 0 and 127 for on/off switches.

• Some MIDI applications and controllers start their MIDI enumeration with 1 instead of 0. In these setups, add one to each CC and set of Range values above.

Factory Reset

Performing a Factory Reset restores the pedal to its factory default Power Up functions and replaces all stored presets with their factory default settings.

• TURN 1, from minimum to maximum: AMBER
• TURN 2, from maximum to minimum: RED
• TURN 3, from minimum to maximum: AMBER
• TURN 4, from maximum to minimum and release the footswitch immediately: The LED flashes RED, UltraViolet resets and restarts

Factory Default Settings

SPEED knob
MIDI Channel:| 1
MIDI OUT Mode:| Off
MIDI Expression:| On

Sample Settings

Documents / Resources

| Strymon UltraViolet Vintage Vibe Chorus and Vibrato Pedal [pdf] User Manual
UltraViolet Vintage Vibe Chorus and Vibrato Pedal, UltraViolet, Vintage Vibe Chorus and Vibrato Pedal, Chorus and Vibrato Pedal, Vibrato Pedal
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