electro-harmonix Enigma Q Balls for Bass User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- electro-harmonix
Table of Contents
electro-harmonix Enigma Q Balls for Bass
Congratulations on your purchase of the Enigma: Q-Balls envelope controlled filter for bass! This is a very powerful tool for musical expression that opens a new horizon of sonic potential for your bass. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the Enigma’s controls and how they work. Envelope controlled filters are a unique type of sound modifier where the intensity of the effect is controlled by the user’s playing dynamics. The volume and dynamic of the incoming audio signal is used to control a swept filter. As the volume increases or decreases so does the frequency of the filter.
With 3 selectable filter modes, along with START, STOP, ATTACK, DECAY, Q and SENSITIVITY controls, all of the classic Q sounds are available to the user. Also, many new sounds and vivid textures can be achieved like never before. A new analog distortion circuit was created specifically for the ENIGMA, and adds a dynamic edge to the filters sound. With the addition of an expression pedal input (expression pedal not included), the ENIGMA provides manual control of the filter sweep.
POWER
WARNING : Use only the US96DC-200Bl AC Adapter that the ENIGMA comes supplied with. Do not use any other AC Adapters. Using other AC adapters, even those made by Electro-Harmonix, could cause harm to the unit, the adapter or you. The ENIGMA does not use batteries.
CONTROLS
BLEND
Controls the output mix of the dry and effected signal. Fully CCW is 100% dry
with no effect added. Fully CW is 100% wet with no remaining dry signal.
MODE
This is a rotary switch used to select between the 3 filter modes available on
the ENIGMA. Select between LP (low pass), BP (band pass), and HP (high pass)
modes to emphasize a different frequency band. Selecting between these modes
does not change the start and stop frequencies.
ATTACK
This knob controls how quickly the filter will sweep from the frequency set by
the “START” knob to the frequency set by the “STOP” knob. Fully CCW will have
the fastest attack setting and is good for quick percussive styles of playing.
Fully CW will have the slowest attack setting and creates a slower smoother
sweep for a bowed sound.
DECAY
This knob controls how sensitive the reset circuit is when falling back from
the “STOP” setting to the “START” setting. Fully CCW will have the most
sensitive reset. In this setting the sweep will reset the fastest and the
easiest. Use this when playing quick staccato notes to make sure every note
triggers a new envelope sweep. Fully CW will maximize the decay setting. Use a
longer decay setting when you don’t want every note to reset.
START
This knob sets the frequency that the sweep starts at. Fully CCW is the lowest
frequency (about 40Hz). Fully CW is the highest setting (about 3Khz). Use this
knob along with the “STOP” knob to set the range and direction of the sweep.
For example, a low “START” and a high “STOP” will sweep upward. A high “START”
and a low “STOP” will sweep downward.
STOP
This knob sets the frequency that the filter sweeps to. Fully CCW is the
lowest setting (about 40Hz). Fully CW is the highest setting (about 3KHz).
Q
This knob controls the resonance of the Q. Fully CCW is the widest bandwidth
and fully CW is the most resonant for a more dramatic effect.
SENSITIVITY
This knob controls the input sensitivity of the envelope filter circuit. Fully
CCW is the least sensitive, and the circuit will be less reactive to the
instrument input. Fully CW is the most sensitive and the circuit will be the
most reactive to the instrument input.
A NOTE ON INTERACTIVE CONTROLS:
The “ATTACK”, “DECAY”, “START”, “STOP” and “SENSITIVITY” knob are highly interactive. If Attack is set to slow, the Decay is set to fast, or the Sensitivity is set to low, the filter sweep may not reach the stop frequency. The lowest frequency sweeps in the ENIGMA can be difficult to hear. If this causes the attack to sound abrupt, tune the start position so the sweep begins at a more audible frequency. All of the functions depend heavily on how the Sensitivity. Take some time to become familiar with these knobs and functions and learn how they work together to effect different styles of playing.
DISTORTION FOOTSWITCH/STATUS LED
This footswitch engages the analog distortion circuitry in the ENIGMA. When
distortion is engaged, the LED will turn on, and when distortion is
disengaged the LED will turn off. The intensity of the distortion is
controlled by the “SENSITIVITY” knob. Inside the pedal there is a Trim Pot
labeled “DISTORTION LEVEL”. This can be adjusted by the user to fine tune the
volume of the distortion when engaged. This will not affect the gain or
intensity of the distortion. DO NOT adjust any other trim pot on the board as
they have been carefully calibrated for optimum performance.
EXPRESSION PEDAL INPUT
An optional expression pedal can be used with the ENIGMA for manual control of
the filter. When the pedal is in toe up position, the frequency will be at the
“START” position. In the toe down position, the frequency will be at the
“STOP” position. Use this along with various “Q” knob setting to get resonant
filter sweeps as well as wah-wah sounds with a versatile range.
BYPASS FOOTSWITCH/STATUS LED
The footswitch engages/disengages the effect. If the effect is engaged, the
LED will light up. When the effect is disengaged, the LED will turn off, and
the pedal will be in true bypass.
INPUT Jack
Connect your instrument’s output to this ¼” mono jack. The input impedance
presented at this jack is 710Kohms
EFFECT OUT Jack
Connect this ¼” mono jack to your amplifier’s input. The output impedance
presented at this jack is 300ohms.
DIRECT OUT Jack
This is a direct out signal from the input. This signal does not go though any
of the effects circuitry.
CAUTION : This pedal was designed to give the user the maximum potential
for user customizability and there are some setting combinations that are
extreme. If the Q setting is maxed, at the peak high and low frequency this
pedal can be INCREDIBLY loud.
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, and 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
This warranty gives a purchaser specific legal rights. A purchaser may have
even greater rights depending upon the laws of the jurisdiction within which
the product was purchased. To hear demos on all EHX pedals
visit us on the web atwww.ehx.com
Email us atinfo@ehx.com
FCC COMPLIANCE
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 rule.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
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