electro-harmonix Blurst Modulated Filter User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- electro-harmonix
Table of Contents
electro-harmonix Blurst Modulated Filter
Congratulations on your purchase of the Electro-Harmonix Blurst. The Blurst is an analog low pass filter controllable by either internal or external modulation. Use the parameters of the pedal to create a variety of sweeping filter effects, including sounds reminiscent of vintage synthesizers. While a typical envelope filter’s modulation is controlled by your guitar’s attack, the filter in the Blurst is modulated by an internal low frequency oscillator (LFO), similar to a tremolo or phaser. When you add an expression pedal or control voltage (CV) source to the Blurst, you have even greater control over either the LFO or the filter itself.
The Blurst’s all-analog signal path contains a fourth-order low pass filter with variable resonance. Basic modulation is controllable via a variable internal LFO with a choice of three wave shapes. The modulation (including the LFO itself) is controlled digitally, allowing for tap-tempo (with three tap- divide options) and expression pedal control of your choice of three selectable parameters. These features greatly expand the variety of filtered sounds you can generate with the Blurst.
USING THE BLURST
Power the Blurst with the included 9-volt power supply. The left, yellow LED pulses in time to the set modulation rate. Press the right BYPASS footswitch to engage the effect; the orange status LED lights to indicate that the effect is engaged. Set the modulation rate with either the RATE knob or a combination of the TAP footswitch and the TAP DIVIDE toggle switch, whichever was most recently used. Toggle the SHAPE switch to vary the modulation shape between a triangle wave ( ), a rising saw-tooth ( ) or a falling saw-tooth ( ). Turn the RANGE control to set the frequency range of the filter modulation. The maximum range is set with the RANGE knob at 50% (or 12 o’clock as indicated by the center detent). As you turn the RANGE knob counterclockwise (towards LO), the range gets smaller and simultaneously shifts towards lower frequencies. When you turn the RANGE knob clockwise (towards HI) from the center detent, the range also gets smaller and shifts to higher frequencies.
RESONANCE sets the resonance (or Q factor) of the filter, and affects the output level of the filtered sound. Set the BLEND knob to control the blend of the dry and filtered signal. The VOLUME knob controls the output volume. When you plug an expression pedal or a suitable control voltage (CV) source (such as an EHX 8-Step Program) into the EXP jack, set the three-way EXP MODE switch to select which parameter the expression pedal or CV source controls. In RATE mode you control the modulation rate, with the toe equaling the RATE knob, or, if tap-tempo is enabled, the heel equaling the current tap-tempo setting. In RANGE mode you control the frequency range of the filter, with the toe equaling the RANGE knob. In FILTER mode the expression pedal or CV source controls the cutoff frequency of the filter directly. In this mode, the RATE and RANGE controls will do nothing.
CONTROLS, I/O JACKS, POWER
BYPASS Footswitch & Orange Status LED
The orange LED illuminates when the effect is engaged. The status LED glows
brightly to signal that all operational voltages are satisfactory. Tap the
footswitch to toggle between effect on and off. When the effect is off, the
pedal is in true bypass mode.
Yellow Filter Status LED
The yellow LED illuminates based on the current cutoff frequency of the
filter. In most cases it can be used as a visual representation of the rate of
the LFO modulating the filter. NOTE: at certain settings—depending upon the
position of the RANGE knob—the LED will remain lit or will not light at all.
TAP Footswitch
Use this footswitch to tap in a tempo for the LFO.
VOLUME Knob
Sets the Blurst’s output volume in effect mode.
BLEND Knob
Sets the mix between dry and wet (filtered) signal.
RESONANCE Knob
Sets the resonance of the filter; also affects the volume of the filtered
signal.
RANGE Knob
Sets the frequency range of the filter’s modulation. Maximum range with the
knob at 50%. Range gets smaller and centers around lower frequencies as you
bring the knob from 50% to minimum. Range gets smaller and centers around
higher frequencies as you bring the knob from 50% to maximum.
RATE Knob
Controls the speed of modulation.
EXP MODE Switch
Determines which parameter the expression pedal controls.
TAP DIVIDE Switch
Sets the note type based on tapped in quarter notes.
SHAPE Switch
Sets the waveform shape of the LFO.
INPUT Jack
Plug your instrument or the output of another effects pedal into this ¼” jack.
The input impedance is 2.2M.
OUTPUT Jack
Outputs the Blurst’s audio signal. The output impedance is 220.
EXP Jack
Plug a TRS expression pedal or other CV device (such as an EHX 8-Step Program)
into this ¼” jack.
9V Power Jack
Plug the output of the AC adapter into the 9V power jack located at the top of
the Blurst. The Blurst draws 56mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. The
Blurst accepts Boss® and Ibanez® style AC Adapters capable of delivering at
least 100 mA.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Please register online at http://www.ehx.com/product- registration or complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 10 days of purchase. Electro-Harmonix will repair or replace, at its discretion, a product that fails to operate due to defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from date of purchase. This applies only to original purchasers who have bought their product from an authorized Electro-Harmonix retailer. Repaired or replaced units will then be warranted for the unexpired portion of the original warranty term.
If you should need to return your unit for service within the warranty period, please contact the appropriate office listed below. Customers outside the regions listed below, please contact EHX Customer Service for information on warranty repairs at info@ehx.com or +1-718-937-8300. USA and Canadian customers: please obtain a Return Authorization Number (RA#) from EHX Customer Service before returning your product. Include ̶ with your returned unit ̶ a written description of the problem as well as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, RA# and a copy of your receipt clearly showing the purchase date.
United States & Canada
EHX CUSTOMER SERVICE ELECTRO-HARMONIX
c/o NEW SENSOR CORP.
47-50 33RD STREET
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101
Tel:718-937-8300
Email:info@ehx.com
Europe
JOHN WILLIAMS
ELECTRO-HARMONIX UK
13 CWMDONKIN TERRACE
SWANSEA SA2 0RQ
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 179 247 3258
Email:electroharmonixuk@virginmedia.com
FCC COMPLIANCE
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
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This device may not cause harmful interference, and
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this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. If the device is not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, it may cause harmful interference to radio communications and void the user’s authority to guarantee the equipment.
Note : 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:- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.