electro-harmonix SUPER PULSAR User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- electro-harmonix
Table of Contents
SUPER PULSAR
Stereo Tap Tremolo/Panner
Congratulations on your purchase of the Electro-Harmonix SUPER PULSAR, one of
the most advanced Tremolo/Panner effects ever put into a guitar pedal. Super
Pulsar pairs a high-end, low noise, stereo, and analog signal path with full
digital control bringing out the best of both worlds.
Super Pulsar boasts so many features we thought it best to list them:
Special Features of SUPER PULSAR:
- Stereo or Mono input and output for any combination of stereo/mono tremolo or panning
- Fully analog signal path with up to 12dB Volume Boost
- Four adjustable modulation waveforms: Sine, Triangle, Pulse and Rhythm
- Sine continuously varies from narrow positive peak to standard sine to wide positive peak
- Triangle continuously varies from ramp-up to symmetrical triangle to ramp down
- Pulse continuously varies its ON time from 4% to 100% of modulation rate
- 9 Rhythm patterns available, up to 16 steps each, all user-programmable
- Phase control continuously varies the right channel’s phase of modulation in relation to the left from 0° to 360°
- Wave Invert button quickly inverts modulation waveform
- Output Volume knob allows for adjustable output effect volume
- Wide modulation rate control: from 16 seconds to 230Hz
- Tap Footswitch allows you to set modulation rate or Rhythm tempo with 2 or more taps of your foot
- Tap Divide function divides down your tap tempo for faster modulation from the same tap tempo; divides are dotted eighth note, quarter note triplet, eighth note, eighth note triplet, 16 the and 32 and notes
- Expression pedal or CV control over Rate, Depth, Shape, Phase or Volume
- External, generic footswitch input for Tap Tempo plus up to 2 other functions on TAP/CLK IN jack or set it for the external clock in
- Save and recall all knobs, settings, rhythms, and tap tempo in up to 8 presets
- True Bypass using mechanical relays
- Includes EHX9.6DC power supply
WARNING: Your SUPER PULSAR comes equipped with an Electro-Harmonix
9.6DC-200 power supply (same as used by Boss® & Ibanez®: 9.6 Volts DC 200mA).
The SUPER PULSAR requires 165mA at 9VDC with a center-negative plug and does
not accept batteries. Using the wrong adapter may damage your unit and void
the warranty.
Please do not exceed 10VDC on the power plug.
SUPER PULSAR QUICK START
CONNECTING YOUR SUPER PULSAR
MONO Guitar / Instrument Setup
- Use standard, mono ¼” instrument cables for all Super Pulsar audio connections.
- Plug your guitar, or the output of the previous effects pedal, into the MONO / L input jack.
- Connect the MONO / L output on the Super Pulsar into your amplifier or into the input of another pedal.
MONO Input / STEREO Output Setup
- Start with the MONO Guitar setup above.
- Grab a third instrument cable and plug it into Super Pulsar’s Right output.
- Connect the third cable to a second amplifier or the stereo input of a stereo in a guitar pedal, such as the EHX Cathedral, or use it to split your signal into another pedal chain.
STEREO Input / STEREO Output Setup
- Building upon the MONO in/STEREO out setup above, add a fourth instrument cable and plug it into the Right input on Super Pulsar.
- Plug the fourth cable into a stereo source, such as a keyboard or the output of a stereo guitar pedal, like the EHX Stereo Electric Mistress.
BASIC TREMOLO SETTINGS
Standard Sine Wave Tremolo:
VOLUME = 1 o’clock
SHAPE = 12 o’clock
ENV DEPTH = 12 o’clock| RT. PHASE = 0°
DEPTH = 11 o’clock
ENV RATE = 12 o’clock| WAVE =
RATE = 11 o’clock
xRATE = DIM
---|---|---
Chopped Tremolo:
VOLUME = 1 o’clock
SHAPE = 11 o’clock
ENV DEPTH = 12 o’clock| RT. PHASE = 0°
DEPTH = 10 o’clock
ENV RATE = 12 o’clock| WAVE =
RATE = 12 o’clock
xRATE = DIM
ENVELOPE CONTROLS- See page 3 for a full explanation on ENV controls.
Rate Slows As Notes Fade:
VOLUME = 1 o’clock
SHAPE = 12 o’clock
ENV DEPTH = 12 o’clock| RT. PHASE = 0
DEPTH = 11 o’clock
ENV RATE = 3 o’clock| WAVE =
RATE = 9 o’clock
---|---|---
PRESET MODE – See page 13 for a full explanation on Presets.
Entering Preset Mode/Loading Factory Presets:
- Press and hold the MODE footswitch.
- After 2 seconds, all the LEDs in the waveform display light up.
- Release the MODE footswitch, you are now in Preset mode.
- Press and release the MODE footswitch to load and advance the presets.
CREATING YOUR OWN RHYTHM PATTERNS – See page 14.
KNOBS, BUTTONS, LEDs
RATE Knob – Adjusts the speed of the tremolo or pan effect. As RATE is
turned clockwise, the modulation rate increases. The RATE knob has 3 distinct
ranges of speed to choose from, please see the following xRATE button
description for more on the RATE knob’s range.
xRATE Button and LED – This pushbutton cycles through 3 range choices for
the RATE knob, one LED indicates the current selection: Slow: xRATE LED off,
Medium: xRATE LED dimly lit, Fast: xRATE LED brightly lit. The following table
details the RATE knob’s frequency range for each mode:
xRATE MODE | FREQUENCY RANGE | xRATE LED |
---|---|---|
SLOW | 16 Seconds – 0.28s (3.5Hz) | OFF |
MEDIUM (Factory Default) | 0.5 Hz (2 Seconds) – 28 Hz | DIM |
FAST (Great for Ring Mod) | 4 Hz – 230 Hz | BRIGHT |
DEPTH Knob – Adjusts the amount of effect. As you turn DEPTH clockwise
the tremolo or panning effect becomes more pronounced. When you turn DEPTH
down completely, to the minimum position, no effect is produced; in this
setting, the VOLUME knob could be used to boost the signal, up to 12dB. As you
turn DEPTH up past 50% the overall volume of the effect increases.
ENV CONTROLS – Super Pulsar has an internal envelope follower circuit
that converts the amplitude of the notes and chords you play to a voltage that
sweeps modulation RATE and DEPTH. The envelope is a very dynamic effect.
Since it is a measurement of the volume of your playing, you control the
effect directly with your touch.
There are 2 ENV knobs: ENV RATE and ENV DEPTH. Each ENV knob works in
conjunction with their large knob counter-parts, and in the case of ENV RATE
also sweeps Tap time. Think of the larger knobs’ positions as the start and
end points of the envelope’s sweep. You should find the ENV controls react
differently based on the position of its large knob counter-part.
The center or 12 o’clock position for the two ENV controls is the off
position; there is a center-detent in this position indicating the ENV control
is off.
ENV CONTROLS – POSITIVE HALF: As you turn either ENV knob clockwise,
towards the + (plus) symbol from the center-off position, the output of the
envelope follower will add to the current position of the bigger knob, as if
you’re turning the larger knob up every time you play a note. The more
positive you turn the ENV knobs, the further up the envelope sweeps RATE or
DEPTH. When you set an ENV control to its positive half, you will want to turn
down the associated large knob to a position in its lower half.
ENV CONTROLS – NEGATIVE HALF: As you turn the ENV knob counterclockwise,
towards the – (minus) symbol, from center-off, the envelope follower output
subtracts from the bigger knob’s position as if you’re turning the larger knob
down each time you play a note. You will want to turn up the larger knob to a
high setting in order to produce a broad envelope sweep. The ENV controls are
very sensitive. Depending on how you play and how hot your pickups are, your
sweet spot might be at
only 2 or 3 o’clock, not the maximum setting.
ENV RATE Knob – Turning the ENV RATE knob clockwise from the center-off
position causes the envelope follower to have a quickening effect on
modulation speed: increasing modulation RATE, or TAP time, whenever you play a
note. A negative setting on the ENV RATE knob (counter-clockwise from 12
o’clock) causes the envelope follower to slow down the modulation RATE, or TAP
time. Setting ENV RATE to its center detent position, at 12 o’clock, shuts off
the envelope sweep for RATE.ENV RATE’s RANGE: When the RATE knob sets Super
Pulsar’s modulation rate, the limits of the envelope follower are the limits
of the RATE knob. The envelope the follower will not cause the tremolo’s rate
to exceed the RATE knob’s current maximum or minimum limits
ENV DEPTH Knob – Turning the ENV DEPTH knob towards its positive direction
(clockwise) from the center-off position will cause the envelope follower
output to increase the DEPTH amount each time you play a note. Turning ENV
DEPTH counter-clockwise from the center position causes the envelope follower
to decrease the amount of DEPTH. Set ENV DEPTH to its center-detent, 12
o’clock position, to disable envelope sweep for DEPTH.
ENV DEPTH’s RANGE: The limits of the envelope follower are the limits of the
DEPTH knob. The envelope follower cannot sweep Depth amount past the DEPTH
knob’s upper or lower limits. So if you have DEPTH maxed out and you turn ENV
DEPTH up to a positive setting, the envelope follower will not change the
DEPTH amount as you play. Instead, turn the DEPTH knob down to a lower
setting, below 11 o’clock, when you have ENV DEPTH set in its positive half.
WAVE Knob – In the counter-clockwise half of this knob’s rotation it acts
as a switch choosing between the modulation waveforms: Sine, Triangle or
Pulse. When you turn WAVE into the clockwise half of its rotation, from 12
o’clock to maximum, the modulation waveform switches to RHYTHM while
simultaneously adjusting the pulse length of each beat in the Rhythms: as you
turn WAVE clockwise from 12 o’clock to maximum, the pulse length of each
Rhythm beat increases, from 2% to 100%. The SHAPE knob works in tandem with
the WAVE knob to vary the waveforms’ shape or to choose the current Rhythm
pattern.S HAPE Knob – While the WAVE knob is set to Sine, Triangle, or
Pulse waves, the SHAPE knob continuously varies each of these waveforms’
shapes. When
WAVE is set to RHYTHM, the SHAPE knob acts like a switch as you rotate it:
allowing you to choose between 1 of 9 available rhythms. The following table
indicates waveshapes available near the extremes and in the middle of the
SHAPE knob’s rotation. See the TIPS AND TRICKS section on page 14 of this
manual for creating your own Rhythm patterns.
WAVEFORM | SHAPE CCW | SHAPE Middle | SHAPE CW |
---|---|---|---|
SINE | Peak Sine: | ||
Normal Sine: | |||
Flattened Sine: |
TRIANGLE| Ramp Up:
| Triangle:
| Ramn Down:
PULSE| 4% PulseWidth:
| 50% Pulse Width:
| 100% Pulse Width
RHYTHM| Pattern 1| Pattern 5| Pattern 9
RT. PHASE Knob – RT. PHASE turns the Super Pulsar’s stereo tremolo into a
panning effect. Please note: you will only hear the effects of the RT. PHASE
knows when you have the Stereo Pulsar set up in some sort of stereo
configuration whether it’s mono in/stereo out, stereo in/mono out, or stereo
in/out. The RT. PHASE knob is inactive in the mono in/out setup.
MONO IN / STEREO OUT Setup: The RT. PHASE knob adjusts the phase of the
Right channel’s modulation waveform in relation to the Left channel’s
waveform. At 0°, the Right and Left Channel modulation waveforms are in phase
with each other. As you turn RT. PHASE up from 0° the Right channel will lag
behind the Left channel all the way to 360° (which is really the same as 0°).
For typical sine wave modulation, an RT. PHASE setting of 180° will yield
maximum loudness in the Right channel when the Left channel is at its
quietest.
STEREO IN / MONO OUT or STEREO OUT Setup: The RT. PHASE knob adjusts the
amount of the Right input that is output from Left output and the amount of
Left input that is output from the Right output. At 0° the Right input comes
out the Right output only and the Left input comes out the Left output only.
Set RT. PHASE to 180° and you will hear an equal mix of Left input at the
Right output and Right input at the Left output. Turning the knob all the way
up to 360° will reverse the input/output channels completely so that the Right
channel is only output from the Left output and the Left channel is only
output from the Right output. The modulation waveforms are normally in phase
with each other but if you enable the WAVE INVERT button, the right channel’s
modulation waveform will be inverted as compared to the left channel. When
DEPTH = 0, turning RT. PHASE, or sweeping with an Exp. The pedal will allow
the two inputs to cross-fade between the two outputs.
WAVE INVERT Button and LED – This button enables or disables the WAVE INVERT
function. When its LED is lit, WAVE INVERT is enabled, when the LED is off,
WAVE INVERT is also off. WAVE INVERT can be used in tandem with the RT. PHASE
knob to maximize Super Pulsar’s panning effects. WAVE INVERT’s function is
dependent on your input/output set up. Here’s what it does:
MONO IN/MONO OUT Setup: WAVE INVERT flips the current modulation
waveform. For example, pressing WAVE INVERT is a quick way to change a ramp-up
the waveform to a ramp-down. Interesting patterns can be generated when you
invert the Rhythm patterns.
STEREO IN or STEREO OUT Setup: WAVE INVERT flips only the Right channel’s
modulation waveform. It is similar to, but not identical to setting RT. PHASE
to the 180° position. For example, if the modulation waveform is set to Ramp
Up, enabling WAVE INVERT will change the Right channel’s modulation waveform
to Ramp Down but keep the Left channel at Ramp Up so that the 2 channels are
opposing each other..
VOLUME Knob – Sets the overall output level of the Super Pulsar. As you
turn VOLUME clockwise, the output signal for both channels gets louder.
TAP FOOTSWITCH & BEAT LED – Use the TAP footswitch to tap in your
modulation rate. Press and release, do not hold, the TAP footswitch at least
twice to set the tremolo/pan speed. We highly recommend 4 or more taps for
better accuracy. Tapping in the modulation rate will override the RATE knob’s
current setting or the rate loaded by a preset. Turning the RATE knob after
tapping in a modulation speed will erase your last tap time.
WAVEFORM/RHYTHM RESET: Each time you press the TAP footswitch the modulation
waveforms reset to their starting points and the Rhythm patterns reset to beat
- If Super Pulsar’s modulation waveform or Rhythm goes off beat, pressing the
TAP footswitch once, on the beat, will force the waveform or pattern to start
over immediately.
TAP TIME LENGTH: The longest acceptable tap time is approximately 4 seconds (0.25 Hz); the shortest tap time is approximately 0.1 seconds (10 Hz).
TAP AVERAGING: Super Pulsar employs TAP time averaging. Tap 3 or more times and the taps will be averaged together as long as they are within 12.5% of the first 2 taps. If the Super Pulsar receives 2 new taps (3 new taps if the new tempo average is faster) that are outside of the 12.5% tolerance, it considers this a new tap time and updates to the new tap tempo. Tap averaging is erased 4 seconds after the last tap. After the 4-second time out, 2 new taps will immediately change the modulation rate to the new TAP time.
When TAP sets the modulation speed, it is saved in presets and during a power cycle. So if you tap in a tempo, then save a preset, the rate that is saved in the preset is your tap tempo. Additionally, if you tap in a tempo then power cycle, when you restart, your last tap time sets the modulation speed. Move the RATE knob to cancel out of TAP.
The BEAT LED, located above the TAP FSW, always blinks at the current tempo whether the tempo is set by TAP, the RATE slider or external clock. The BEAT LED also synchronizes with the current waveform so that it lights when the modulation waveform is in the upper half of its sweep.
SPEED BRAKE – Press and hold the TAP FSW for more than 1 second to slow down Super Pulsar’s speed of modulation. The
longer you hold TAP, the slower the modulation rate will go. Release TAP to restore the modulation speed back to its current
setting. Please note: Speed Brake is only available to the Super Pulsar’s built-in TAP footswitch. Speed Brake cannot be initiated
from an external switch connected to the TAP/CLK IN jack.
TAP DIVIDE BUTTON & LEDs – The TAP DIVIDE button allows you to divide down your TAP time to create faster modulation rates in relation to what you tapped. Each press and release of the TAP DIVIDE button jumps to the next Tap
Divide mode. There are 7 available Tap Divide modes represented by 5 LEDs.
TAP DIVIDE Works Like So: Super Pulsar always assumes that the musician taps in a quarter note. That quarter note can then be divided down into 6 other types of notes: dotted eighth note, quarter note triplet, eighth note, eighth note triplet, 16th note, and 32nd note (all LEDs lit). The seventh mode is a quarter note or OFF, where the tap tempo is not divided down and the modulation speed is set to your actual tap time. No LEDs are lit when Tap Divide is set to quarter note/OFF. Below is a chart displaying the 7 modes, their divide ratios, and an example of the modulation rate for each mode:
TAP DIVIDE MODE| LED SYMBOL| DIVIDE RATIO|
MODULATION RATE (for a 2Hz/500mS TAP TIME)
---|---|---|---
Quarter Note / OFF| | 1 / 1| 2 Hz / 500mS
Dotted 8th Note| | 3 / 4| 2.7 Hz / 375 mS
Quarter Note Triplet| | 2 / 3| 3 Hz / 333 mS
8th Note| | 1 / 2| 4 Hz / 250mS
8th Note Triplet| | 1 / 3| 6 Hz / 167 mS
16th Note| | 1 / 4| 8 Hz / 125mS
32nd Note| All LEDs| 1 / 8| 16 Hz / 62.5mS
EXP MODE BUTTON & LEDs – The EXP. MODE button chooses the destination
parameter for an external expression pedal or control voltage to modulate. The
lit LED indicates the selected mode. Each time you push and release the EXP.
MODE button jumps to the next Expression Mode. When no EXP. MODE LEDs are lit,
the expression pedal/CV is disconnected, and does not sweep any of the
parameters. Please note: in the following table, the expression pedal’s heel
position relates to 0V from the CV source, the expression pedal’s toe position
relates to 5V from the CV source. See EXP Jack on Page 10 for more
information.
EXP. MODE | EXP. MODE Description |
---|---|
RATE |
Allows external control over Super Pulsar’s modulation rate whether it is set by the RATE knob or TAP footswitch.
TEMPO MASTER| HEEL POSITION| TOE POSITION
RATE Knob| RATE Knob’s minimum position| RATE Knob’s current position
TAP Footswitch| Tapped In Time plus TAP DIVIDE setting| Very fast multiple of
TAP Time plus TAP DIVIDE setting
DEPTH| Allows smooth external control over the tremolo or pan Depth. In this
mode, the heel position will yield a Depth of 0, the toe position equals the
current DEPTH knob setting.
SHAPE| For Sine, Triangle and Pulse waveforms, this mode allows smooth
external control over the SHAPE knob. The heel position yields the SHAPE knob
at its full counter-clockwise setting while the toe position will be equal to
the SHAPE knob’s current setting.
When WAVE is set to RHYTHM, the expression SHAPE setting controls the RHYTHM
pulse length. The heel position sets the RHYTHM pulse length to its minimum;
the toe position equals the current position of the WAVE knob.
PHASE| Allows smooth external control of the Right Channel’s RT. PHASE
setting. The heel position equals a Phase of 0, the toe position equals the
current setting of the RT. PHASE knob.
VOLUME| Allows smooth external control over the output volume of the Super
Pulsar. The heel position equals a Volume of 0, the toe position equals the
current setting of the VOLUME knob.
BYPASS FOOTSWITCH & STATUS LED – Press and release the BYPASS footswitch to toggle between effect mode and true bypass mode. When the Status LED is lit, Super Pulsar is in effect mode. When the Status LED is off, Super Pulsar is in true bypass mode. The Status LED is located above the BYPASS footswitch. The Super Pulsar always starts up in bypass mode.
BYPASS Signal Flow: Here are the signal flows for Bypass mode only:
MONO In/Out: MONO / L Input connects directly to MONO / L Output.
MONO In/STEREO Out: MONO / L connects directly to both L and R Outputs.
STEREO IN/MONO Out: MONO / L connects directly to MONO / L Output, the R
Input is disconnected in Bypass.
STEREO IN/OUT: MONO / L Input connects directly to MONO / L Output; R
Input connects directly to R Output.
The BYPASS footswitch is also used when saving presets, see the Preset section
on page 13 for more information.MODE FOOTSWITCH – The MODE footswitch is a
utility button that may be reassigned by the musician. It has 2 modes of
operation: Normal mode and Preset mode. In Normal mode, which is the factory
default, the MODE footswitch can adopt the
functionality of one of the following pushbuttons: TAP DIVIDE (factory
default), EXP MODE, xRATE or WAVE INVERT. While in Preset Mode, the MODE
footswitch cycles through and loads the 8 presets. The following paragraphs
describe how to
use each mode. Please note: the MODE footswitch will advance whatever
parameter it is currently assigned to upon releasing the
footswitch, not when you first press down on it.
NORMAL Mode – While in this mode, which is the factory default, each press and release of the MODE footswitch cycles through its assigned function. At the factory, we assign MODE to TAP DIVIDE. Here’s how to assign MODE to another function:
RE-ASSIGNING MODE FOOTSWITCH TO A NEW FUNCTION:
-
First make sure you are in Normal or WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) mode. If the waveform LEDs at the top
of Super Pulsar is displaying the current modulation waveform then you are good. If not, see the following section called CHANGING TO NORMAL MODE FROM PRESET MODE. -
Press and hold the button you would like to assign to the MODE footswitch. The buttons that can be assigned to MODE are TAP DIVIDE, EXP MODE, xRATE, and WAVE INVERT.
-
Now press and hold the MODE footswitch. Continue to press and hold both buttons until either all the LEDs for the function light up or the sole LED for the function blinks.
-
Once you see all the LEDs for the newly assigned function light up or blink, release both the button and MODE footswitch. The MODE footswitch has been reassigned.
Please note: after re-assigning MODE to a new function, Super Pulsar remembers
the new assignment during power cycles and will save it to presets. You can
only access a preset’s MODE assignment when using an external switch to load
presets, see page 11. Please note: the buttons on the Super Pulsar will
continue to work normally even if they are assigned to the MODE footswitch.
CHANGING TO NORMAL MODE FROM PRESET MODE:
- Press and hold the MODE footswitch.
- After approximately 2 seconds of holding down MODE, the waveform LEDs begin displaying the current modulation
waveform. You are now in Normal mode.
INPUT, OUTPUT & POWER JACKS
MONO / Left Input Jack – This is the main audio input for Super Pulsar.
When using Super Pulsar in a mono-in setup, use this input jack. When using
Stereo Pulsar in a stereo-in set up this would be your left input. The minimum
input impedance presented at this jack is 1MΩ.
Right, Input Jack – This is the secondary audio input for Super Pulsar.
When using Super Pulsar in a stereo-in setup, connect your right channel to
this input. When using a mono-in setup, we recommend you do not connect to
this input.
The input impedance presented at this jack is 2MΩ.
MONO / Left Output Jack – This is the main audio output for Super Pulsar.
When using Super Pulsar in a mono-out setup, use this output jack. This is the
Left output for a stereo-out configuration. The output impedance at this jack
is 300Ω.
Right Output Jack – This is the second audio output for Super Pulsar.
When using Super Pulsar in a stereo setup, connect your right channel to this
output. The output impedance at this jack is 300Ω.
EXP Jack – Connect an expression pedal with a TRS plug to this jack to
control the following parameters with your foot: RATE, DEPTH, SHAPE, PHASE,
and VOLUME. Additionally, the EXP IN jack can be connected to a CV source
using a TS plug; the acceptable control voltage range is 0V to 5V. Some
suggested Expression Pedals: EHX Expression Pedal, M-Audio® EX-P, Moog
® EP-2 and EP-3, Roland ® EV-5 or Boss® FV-500L. The polarity of the
expression pedal’s plug must have the Sleeve connected to the heel position
(usually GND), Ring connected to the toe position, and Tip connected to the
wiper. The nominal expression pedal impedance is 10kΩ though most other values
will work fine. Please do not go below 6kΩ on your expression pedal’s
potentiometer impedance. |
TAP/CLK IN Jack – This jack accepts up to 3 external footswitches
allowing you to set the TAP time and control up to 2 other functions.
Additionally, you can set the Super Pulsar to accept clock pulses on the Tip
conductor of this jack, instead of switches, so that an external clock sets
the Tap time. We recommend powering down Super Pulsar when connecting or
disconnecting your external switches to the TAP/CLK IN jack.
EXTERNAL SWITCHES – All external switches that are connected to the
TAP/CLK IN jack must be normally open, momentary switches. The tip connection
of the TAP/CLK IN jack is hardwired to set Tap time, the tip cannot be re-
programmed for other functions. The ring connection of the TAP/CLK IN jack is
set from the factory to scroll through the Super Pulsar’s 8 presets plus
WYSIWYG mode. Each press and release of a switch connected to the ring will
advance and load the next preset. You may also connect a switch that connects
to both the tip and ring simultaneously; from the factory, this third switch
is set to scroll through the EXP. MODEs. An example of an external footswitch
that has 3 switches is the Digitech® FS300. You may also connect a single
external footswitch to the tip only, or a dual external footswitch to the tip
and ring.
PRESET ADVANCE & LOAD FROM EXTERNAL SWITCH: You can advance and load
Presets using an external switch. From the factory, the switch connected to
the ring performs this function but it may also be assigned to the tip&ring
switch. You do not have to enter Preset mode, as described on page 13, to
advance and load Presets.
Upon pressing the external switch assigned to Presets, the waveform display
will jump to the next preset and load it. The preset LED will remain lit for 2
seconds and then go back to displaying the current waveform. After the 8 the
preset, the last preset in the waveform display, Super Pulsar loads WYSIWYG
mode and then cycles back to the 1 st preset.
RE-ASSIGNING EXTERNAL SWITCHES: You can re-assign either the Ring switch
or the Tip&Ring switch to any of the following Super Pulsar functions: TAP
DIVIDE, EXP. MODE, xRATE, WAVE INVERT, BYPASS, or PRESET Advance and
Load. Here’s how to re-assign an external switch:
- Make sure the TAP/CLK IN jack is set to External Switch mode. See the following section on page 12, entitled EXTERNAL CLOCK, to learn how to change to External Switch mode. External Switch mode is the factory default.
- Press and hold the button on Super Pulsar that you want to assign, for example, the X rate button.
- Now press and hold the external footswitch that you want to assign to rate. It should be connected to either the Ring or Tip&Ring of the TAP/CLK IN jack.
- You will see either all the LEDs associated with the function on Super Pulsar light or blink. In our case, the crate LED will blink. Once you see the LEDs light or blink, release both the Super Pulsar button and the external switch, it is now assigned.
- To assign PRESET Advance and Load to an external switch: press and hold the MODE footswitch on Super Pulsar
and then press and hold the external switch. When you see all of the waveform display LEDs on Super Pulsar light up solid,
the switch is re-assigned and you can release both switches.
Please note: if you assign a switch while a preset is loaded, it only re-
assigns the switch for that preset, not WYSIWYG. If you want to keep the
preset’s new assignment, you must save the preset. If you want to assign the
switch for WYSIWYG mode, please make sure you are in that Normal mode, see
page 10.
EXTERNAL CLOCK – Super Pulsar has the ability to synchronize its
modulation speed to an external clock pulse on the tip conductor of its
TAP/CLK IN jack. In order for Super Pulsar to properly follow the external
clock, it must be set to Clock-In mode. From the factory it is set to External
Switch mode, here’s how to change between Clock-In and External Switch modes:
CHANGING BETWEEN EXTERNAL SWITCH AND CLOCK-IN MODES FOR THE TAP/CLK IN
Jack:
- First press and hold the WAVE INVERT button on Super Pulsar.
- Now press and hold the TAP footswitch, also on Super Pulsar.
- Once you press the TAP FSW, the WAVE INVERT LED will blink rapidly for about 2 seconds, you have now set the TAP/CLK IN jack to Clock-In mode. The rapid blink of the WAVE INVERT LED means you are in Clock-In mode.
- Change back to External Switch mode by performing the same procedure in steps 1-3. The only difference is when you go back to External Switch mode, the WAVE INVERT LED blinks just twice, at a slower rate.
- We recommend you perform this setting change while nothing is inserted into the TAP/CLK IN jack. The Super Pulsar will
remember the Clock In setting during power cycles and even save it to presets. External switches are not supported in Clock-In mode.
EXTERNAL CLOCK Specs: The nominal external clock amplitude is 5V but it
can follow clock amplitudes as small as 2V and as large as 9V as well as bi-
polar amplitudes ranging from +/- 2V to +/-5V. The maximum external clock
frequency that Super Pulsar can follow is 150Hz. The TAP DIVIDE modes can be
used to increase the speed of modulation in relation to the external clock
frequency, by the same ratio as for the TAP footswitch.
Please note: If your external clock is modulating, it is normal for the Super
Pulsar’s modulation waveform to stutter while the clock frequency is
decreasing.
9V Power Jack – Plug the output of Super Pulsar’s supplied AC Adapter
into the 9V power jack located at the top of Super Pulsar. Super Pulsar
requires 165mA at 9VDC – 10VDC with a center-negative plug. Super Pulsar
accepts most BOSS ® style AC Adapters.
PRESETS and PRESET MODE
Super Pulsar can save and recall up to 8 presets. Every knob and button
setting is saved and recalled in the presets as well as expression pedal
position and all of the 9 Rhythm patterns that were in memory at the time the
preset was saved. Even some of the hidden functions such as the assignment of
the MODE footswitch, Clock-In mode, and assignment of external switches are
all saved within presets.
While in Preset Mode, the waveform display lights up only one LED at a time.
The lit LED indicates which Preset is active. After you have entered
Preset mode, Super Pulsar will remain in this mode until you change back to
Normal mode. It remembers the last mode you chose through power cycles and re-
loads that mode upon powering up again.
CHANGING TO PRESET MODE FROM NORMAL MODE:
-
Press and hold the MODE footswitch.
2. After approximately 2 seconds of holding MODE, all 8 waveform LEDs light up solid, you are now in preset mode. You can release the MODE footswitch. -
You will see just 1 of the 8 waveform LEDs lit up. Even though it is now in Preset mode, Super Pulsar has not yet loaded the shown preset, it is still set to the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) setting. You must press and release the MODE footswitch again to load the currently lit preset.
LOADING & ADVANCING Presets – Each press and release of the MODE
footswitch will jump to the next preset and load it. After the 8 preset, the
last preset in the waveform display, Super Pulsar loads the WYSIWYG setting.
Press and release MODE again and it loads the first preset.
PRESET LED Blink – If you load a preset, then turn a knob, set a new Tap
time, or change a button set, the currently lit preset LED will blink,
indicating that a preset is loaded but something has changed since loading it.
Returning the knob or button to the setting held within the loaded preset
stops the LED from blinking. Expression pedal movements will not cause a
preset LED to blink. If you press and release MODE while a preset LED is
blinking, it will re-load the currently selected preset; press MODE again to
advance to the next preset.
SAVING PRESETS – You must be in Preset mode to save a preset. You can
save an edited version of the preset currently loaded or save a new sound you
created in the WYSIWYG slot of Preset mode, the save procedure is the same for
both. In addition, if you have created a sound while in Normal mode, you can
change over to Preset mode and then immediately save the preset. Here is the
procedure for saving presets:
-
Ensure you are in Preset mode. If you are not, see the section above called CHANGING TO PRESET MODE FROM NORMAL MODE.
-
Press and hold the BYPASS footswitch on Super Pulsar until you see the blue Status LED blink at a medium rate. You will need to hold BYPASS for approximately 2 seconds before the Status LED blinks.
-
Once the Status LED begins blinking, release the BYPASS footswitch. You are now in Preset Save mode.
-
Use the xRATE and WAVE INVERT buttons to choose the save location. Each press and release of xRATE will scroll 1 preset to the right, while WAVE INVERT scrolls to the left.
-
If a preset is already loaded and you plan to save an edited version of it in a different location, the original preset LED continues to blink while you scroll with xRATE and WAVE INVERT.
-
Once you land on the LED that you want to save to, press and release the BYPASS footswitch to actually save the preset.
Both the newly saved preset LED and Status LED will blink rapidly for 1 second and then stop blinking. The preset is saved. -
If you change your mind and decide not to save the preset, press the MODE footswitch to cancel out of Preset Save mode
before you press the BYPASS footswitch to save.
TIPS AND TRICKS
CREATING YOUR OWN RHYTHM PATTERNS – The following procedure details how
to create your own Rhythm patterns. The Rhythm patterns you make will
overwrite the patterns that were loaded at the factory. Whatever Rhythm
patterns are in memory at the time of saving a preset will be saved into that
preset.
ENTERING RHYTHM PATTERN CREATE MODE:
-
Ensure the WAVE knob is pointing somewhere in the RHYTHM area of the knob’s rotation, that is the WAVE knob’s clockwise half of rotation.
You cannot enter Rhythm Pattern Create mode if Sine, Triangle, or Pulse waveforms are selected on the WAVE knob. -
Press and hold the EXP MODE and TAP DIVIDE buttons simultaneously.
After about 2 seconds of holding both buttons, you will see all LEDs for both TAP DIVIDE and EXP MODE light up, the Waveform Display shows the lower 8 beats of the currently selected Rhythm. -
You can now release the EXP MODE and TAP DIVIDE buttons. Beat 1 of the Rhythm pattern will begin blinking indicating it is the active beat.
-
SELECTING A PATTERN & NAVIGATING THE PATTERN: Turn the SHAPE knob to change the rhythm pattern selection. There are a total of 9 patterns available on the SHAPE knob.
-
The xRATE and WAVE INVERT buttons allow you to scroll through the beats of the selected Rhythm Pattern. create scrolls to the right and WAVE INVERT scrolls to the left. Beat 1 is represented by the leftmost LED and beat 8 is represented by the rightmost LED. When you scroll past either beat 8 or beat 1, the waveform display will change over to
showing the upper 8 beats of the pattern. -
As you scroll through the Waveform Display LEDs, the currently selected beat blinks. If the beat is currently OFF, its LED pulses ON for a short time but is otherwise off. If the currently selected beat is ON, the LED pulses ON for a longer duration with a short off state.
-
TURNING A BEAT ON OR OFF: Press and release the MODE footswitch to toggle the ON/OFF state of the currently selected bet.
-
SETTING THE LAST BEAT OF THE PATTERN / EXITING RHYTHM
-
PATTERN CREATE MODE: Once you have created a pattern that you would like to save into memory, use the xRATE or WAVE INVERT buttons to select the last beat in your pattern. Press the EXP MODE button to save the pattern and exit the Rhythm Pattern Create mode. IMPORTANT: the beat you are on when you exit Rhythm Pattern Create mode will determine the last beat of the pattern. For example, if you want to create a 4 beat pattern, beat 4 must be selected at the time you press EXP MODE to exit Rhythm Pattern Create mode. If you want to create an 8 beat pattern, make sure beat 8 is selected at the time you exit User Rhythm Creation mode.
-
The Rhythm patterns you create will overwrite the factory patterns. When you exit Rhythm Pattern Create mode it is saved into the Normal mode memory, not into a preset. Only the pattern that is selected at the time you exit is saved. Your patterns can also be saved into presets. Each preset can have an entirely different set of 9 patterns as compared to another preset. In addition, if a preset is loaded you can edit the rhythmic patterns for that preset while the preset is loaded. When you are finished editing/creating the new pattern(s) for the preset, re-save the preset by following the Saving Presets instructions
on a prior page.
SWIRLING PAN – To obtain a swirling effect as if the sound is encircling you, set WAVE to SINE, set RT. PHASE to about 10 o’clock and SHAPE to 12 o’clock. This works best with a mono in/stereo out configuration.
RHYTHM ECHO – When configured to mono in/stereo out and using a rhythmic
pattern, set the RT. PHASE knob above 9 o’clock and it will start to sound
like the Right channel is an echo of the Left channel. RT. PHASE set to 360°
and the Right channel will be exactly 1 beat behind the Left channel.
FACTORY RESTORE – While powering up the Super Pulsar, press and hold the
WAVE INVERT and TAP DIVIDE buttons simultaneously. During the normal start-up
routine, the waveform LEDs light sequentially to the right.
Continue to hold the 2 buttons until you see the LEDs turn off sequentially to
the left. Once the LEDs begin turning off towards the left, you can release
the buttons, factory restore has begun. Restore usually takes a few seconds.
– 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 the 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
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 33 RD 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 at
www.ehx.com
Email us at info@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 rules.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>