OWNER’S MANUAL
WARRANTY We at DigiTech® are very proud of our products and back-up each one we sell with the following warranty: 1. Please register online at digitech.com within ten days of purchase to validate this warranty. This warranty is valid only in the United States. 2. DigiTech warrants this product, when purchased new from an authorized U.S. DigiTech dealer and used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service.
INTRODUCTION Thanks for choosing the DigiTech® Obscura stereo delay pedal. The Obscura was designed for the selective guitarist who wants the highest quality delay in a compact package. The Obscura provides such distinguishing features as organic delay algorithms, true bypass, constant high voltage operation, and true stereo processing, making the Obscura an essential addition to the signal chain of players who know about sound quality and demand the utmost in performance with superior tone and control.
USER INTERFACE 1 2 14 3 13 12 4 5 11 6 7 8 10 9 1. Tails Switch When this switch is set to the ON position, delay tails will decay naturally when the effect is switched to bypass. When set to the OFF position, delay decays will end abruptly when the effect is switched to bypass. When the Tails Switch is set to ON, the Obscura does not utilize true hardwire bypass. If you always want to use true hardwire bypass, set the Tails Switch to the OFF position. 2.
. Degrade Knob This knob controls the amount of degradation and its effect on the sound varies depending on which delay type is selected. Here’s a description of the DEGRADE control for each delay type: • ANALOG - Increases aliasing and grit. • TAPE - Increases wow and flutter. • LO-FI - Increases “input channel overdrive”. • REVERSE - Increases “tape saturation”. 6. Input 1 (Mono) Use this jack when only a single connection is needed.
MAKING CONNECTIONS/APPLYING POWER To connect the Obscura pedal to your rig: 1. Turn down the amplifier’s master volume control. 2. Make all audio connections to the Obscura as shown in ‘Tap Tempo’ on page 8. 3. Connect the appropriate Harman power supply (not included) to the POWER input connector and connect the other end to an available AC outlet. 4. Strum your guitar and gradually increase your amplifier’s master volume control until the desired level is achieved.
CONNECTION DIAGRAMS Mono/Stereo Amplifier Setup Amp 1 Harman Power Supply IN IN 1 (MONO) OUT 1 (MONO) IN Amp 2 OUT IN 2 OUT 2 Other Effects Use only unbalanced TS instrument cables for audio connections. Optional Amplifier Effects Loop Setup Harman Power Supply FX SND FX RTN Amp OUT 1 (MONO) IN 1 (MONO) OUT Other Effects IN Use only unbalanced TS instrument cables for audio connections. Optional NOTE: If the amp effects loop has a mix control, set the mix to 100% full wet.
EXAMPLE SETTINGS Try these settings to get started.
Tick Tock Runaway Clock (Oscillating) Motion Of The Ocean (Oscillating) Play Part Then Engage Repeat Hold Play Part Then Engage Repeat Hold Dark Stalker (Oscillating) Tar Pit (Oscillating) Play Part Then Engage Repeat Hold Play Part Then Engage Repeat Hold 7
TAP TEMPO The Obscura’s Footswitch can be used as a Tap Tempo switch for setting the delay time during a live performance. To use Tap Tempo: 1. Press and hold the FOOTSWITCH for 3 seconds. The Indicator LED will begin flashing to indicate Tap Tempo mode is now active and the LED will flash at the current delay time rate. 2. Tap the FOOTSWITCH at least two times to set a new delay time. The last two pedal tap intervals set the delay time. 3.
USING REPEAT HOLD The Obscura has some musically useful behaviors that may not be apparent at first glance. The Repeat Hold feature can be used to create delays that repeat infinitely (or at least until you stop them). This allows you to: • Create sonically interesting noises, rhythmic glitches, and ambient soundscapes that you can play over the top of. • Manipulate and destroy time using Tap Tempo, the TAILS switch, and the control knobs.
Action Manipulate Time Manipulate Time (w/ Subdivisions) Control(s) Manipulated TIME TAP TEMPO/ TIME Instructions • If starting in with a quick delay, the TIME knob can be increased to cause the delay pitch to drop and the repeats to slow. • If starting in with a long delay, the TIME knob can be decreased to cause the delay pitch to rise and the repeats to speed up. 1.
Action Control(s) Manipulated Instructions 1. Adjust the LEVEL control to alter the direct guitar vs. delayed signal levels or to manually fade delay signals in and out. Adjust Level or Manually Fade In/Out Automatic Fade Out LEVEL REPEATS/ TAILS/ FOOTSWITCH NOTE: Delays will continue to repeat-hold under the hood until the TAILS switch is turned OFF and the effect is bypassed, the REPEATS knob is lowered to disable the Repeat Hold feature, or the DELAY TYPE SELECTOR knob is changed.
PERFORMANCE ACCESSORIES The performance accessories make integrating the Obscura pedal into any pedalboard a snap. The following accessories are included: • Hook-and-loop Pedalboard Pad (designed to attach to the surfaces found on most commercial pedalboards) • StompLock™ (keeps your settings where you want them) Hook-and-loop Pedalboard Pad To attach the Pedalboard Pad, do the following: 1. Peel off the existing rubber skid pad from the bottom of the pedal. 2.
Stomplock™ The included StompLock lets you lock your settings in place, while the open-top design lets you see your settings. To place the StompLock over the pedal knobs: 1. Set the knobs to your preferred settings. 2. Orient the StompLock so that it lines up with the knobs and gently push it over the top of the knobs. 3. To remove the StompLock, grip it from the sides and gently lift it up and off the knobs.
SPECIFICATIONS Interface Controls: Level, Delay Type, Time, Repeats, Tone, Degrade, Tails On/Off, Effect On/ Off Jacks: Input 1 (Mono), Input 2, Output 1 (Mono), Output 2 Inputs Input Impedance: Effect on: >1 MΩ (stereo), >500 kΩ (mono) Effect off: >1 MΩ (stereo), >500 kΩ (mono) with Tails switch on Effect off: True hardwire bypass with Tails switch off Outputs Output Impedance: Effect on: 1 kΩ Effect off: 1 kΩ with Tails switch on Effect off: True hardwire bypass with Tails switch off Physical
PHONE: (801) 566-8800 WEB: digitech.com SUPPORT: digitech.com/en-US/support Obscura Owner's Manual Rev A © 2015 Harman. All rights reserved. DigiTech is a registered trademark of Harman.