tape delay user manual
Introduction During the development of our Vintage Modified Superdelay, we spent over 2 years perfecting the tape modes, painstakingly recreating some of our favourite analog tape machines. Empress is proud to have these tape modes available all on their own. We've added features like an all-analog dry path, soft touch switches, trails and true bypass, as well as an advanced configuration mode that lets you customize the functionality of the tape delay to suit your needs.
Quick Start Basic tape delay: warm and dark repeats with wow and flutter Dotted eights: rhythmic delay (tap quarter notes on the tap switch)
Quick Start ...
Clean repeats: the clarity of new tape, distinct repeats.
The Tap Stompswitch The tap stompswitch does different things depending on which mode it's in. Tap mode: When the delay time toggle is set to "tap", the Tape Delay is in tap mode. The tap stompswitch is used to tap in a tempo. The "d time|ratio" knob can be used to select various ratios of this tempo. Preset mode: When presets are enabled (see "Using Presets" and "Advanced Configuration"), the tap stompswitch is used to toggle through presets.
Using Presets The Empress Tape Delay ships with presets disabled, but can be set to use either 2 or 3 presets, using the advanced configuration. Note that presets cannot be used while the Tape Delay is in tap tempo mode. The rest of this section will assume that presets have been enabled and that the delay time toggle switch is away from the tap mode. To toggle through the presets, simply press the tap stompswitch. The color of the tap led indicates the current preset.
delay time: sets the range of the d time|ratio knob to slow or fast. alternatively, set to tap to control the delay time via the tap stompswitch tape age: Controls a Power: + 2.1mm jack. 28 new - lush, clean repeats. tape delay machine with a new tape and a full frequency response vintage - added wow and flutter giving the rich, full bodied feel of a vintage tape machine old - saturated, warm delay.
at a Glance 9V DC negative tip 80mA or greater filter: adds a high pass (hp) or a low pass (lp) filter to the delayed signal modulation: applies modulation to the delayed signal - the little setting is a slower, more subtle modulation - the lots position is a faster, slightly deeper modulation output: sets the overall output level(volume) of the pedal feedback: controls how long the delayed signal takes to decay.
Advanced Configuration at a Glance Bypass Mode: Choose how the pedal is bypassed left(default): buffered bypass with trails right: true bypass Presets: Choose how many presets are used when in slow or fast mode.
Advanced Configuration The Empress Tape Delay ships with the following default behaviour: no presets, buffered bypass, and smooth delay time changes. You can modify this behaviour in the advanced configuration. Entering the advanced configuration: Unplug the power from the Tape Delay. Plug the power back in while holding down both the tap and bypass stompswitches. The bypass LED should blink twice to confirm that you are in the advanced configuration.
Exiting the advanced configuration: Hold down both the tap and bypass stompswitches. The bypass LED will blink twice to confirm that the Tape Delay has exited the advanced configuration. Buffered Bypass vs. True Bypass The Tape Delay can operate with buffered bypass or true bypass. It ships with buffered bypass enabled. This option can be changed in the advanced configuration. Buffered bypass: When the effect is bypassed, the input to the delay line is disconnected and the dry signal is set to unity gain.
Adjusting the Headroom The Empress Tape Delay has an internal switch which allows for the adjustment of the input headroom. This switch is accessed by removing the back plate. The pedal ships with the switch in the -6dB position, which allows for an input level of +5.1dBu. If the input to the Tape Delay is especially loud, and you are noticing distortion, you can increase the headroom by moving the switch to the -12dB position.
Powering the Tape Delay Go to www.empresseffects.com/power.html for a full list of compatible power supplies. Please Note: The Empress Tape Delay requires at least 280mA of current to function properly. Any power supply rated at 9V DC, supplying negative tip polarity ( ) and at least 280mA of current should work. Popular options are the Boss PSA-120S or PSA-240 (not the PSA120T because it only supplies 200mA).
Legal Stuff 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.
Specifications Input Impedance: Output Impedance: Frequency Response (-3dB): Input Headroom with -6dB pad: Input Headroom with -0dB pad: Input Headroom with -12dB pad: Output Headroom: Distortion: Signal to Noise: Input Voltage: Required Current: Power Input Connector: Height (enclosure only): Height (including controls): Length: Width: Weight: 1MΩ 1kΩ 8Hz – 18.5kHz +5.1dBu +0.2dBu +10.8dBu +10.2dBu 0.40% 102.7dB 9VDC 280mA 2.1mm Barrel Connector 1.5” 2” 3.5” 4.5” 12.5oz User Manual Version 2.
