superdelay user manual
Introduction The Empress Effects Superdelay is the result of over 2 years of research, development and most importantly talking to guitarists. In designing the Superdelay, we strived to create a pedal with a comprehensive feature set and new innovative sounds in a compact package. We wanted to give guitarists a lot of control and ability to change sounds on the fly.
Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 3 Overview of Modes and Sub-modes ..................................................................... 4 The Modes in Detail............................................................................................... 5 Normal Mode .......................
Quick Start Connect the supplied power adaptor to the Superdelay, plug in your guitar and connect the Superdelay to your amplifier. Set the controls on the Superdelay to the settings shown below. If the red bypass LED is not already lit, press the bypass switch to engage the Superdelay. You should hear a typical delay signal mixed with your guitar signal. You can move the knobs to suit your tastes, and change modes and sub-modes.
Overview of Modes and Sub-modes Normal Tap Auto-Set Reverse Rhythm Tape Misc Looper Description Sub-Mode A Sub-Mode B Sub-Mode C Normal delay sounds Short delay (5.5ms – 95ms ) Medium delay (45ms-800ms) Long delay (700ms-2.2s) Tap tempo delay. d time | ratio knob controls ratio . Ratios are 1:1, 1:2, 1:4. Delay time is the Triplet rhythm: delay same as the tapped time is 1/3 the tapped time. time. Delay time is set Low trigger automatically based on threshold for quiet the input.
The Modes in Detail Normal Mode This is the standard digital delay type operation, known and loved by all. In Normal Mode the tap switch, when pressed, mutes the wet signal for one ‘delay time’ period. This is useful if you’re using a high feedback setting; you can press the tap switch when you change chords to avoid dissonance from the feedback of the previous chord ringing over the current chord. Sub-mode A – Short Delay In sub-mode A the d time | ratio knob varies the delay time between 5.5ms and 95ms.
Tap Mode In Tap Mode the delay time is controlled by tapping the tap switch repeatedly to a desired tempo. For tapped tempo accuracy the unit takes an average of repeated taps. In Tap Mode the d time | ratio knob acts as a ratio control in all sub-modes: If the knob is set between 7 o’clock and 10 o’clock it is a 1:4 ratio. The delay time will be four times as fast as the tempo tapped. If the knob is set between 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock it is a 1:2 ratio.
Auto-Set Mode In Auto-Set Mode the Superdelay sets the delay time by listening to the dynamics in your playing. The Superdelay is watching for volume peaks in the input signal. For this to work effectively the input passages should have relatively consistent rhythmic content. When you start playing in Auto-Set mode you should see the large, yellow LED to the right of the tap switch blink with each note you strike.
Reverse Mode In Reverse Mode the delay samples are played backwards. Sub-mode A – Reverse Knob In sub-mode A the delay time is set with the d time | ratio knob. Maximum reverse delay time is 1.4 seconds. You will notice the yellow tempo LED is lit when entering this mode – this signifies that the input signal is being routed into the delay processor. When you press the tap switch the input signal stops being routed into the delay processor, but you will hear the trails of the delayed signal trail off.
Controls a feedback : controls the delay feedback. Note the feedback ratio goes higher than one. This means if it is fully clockwise the sound will gradually get louder and louder. filter: adds a high pass (hp) or low pass (lp) filter to the delayed signal. EXPRESSION PEDAL exp pedal: when an expression pedal is plugged into the rear of the unit, this switch determines which parameter is controlled by the expression pedal. mix: controls the level between the dry signal and the wet, delayed signal.
at a Glance modulation: applies modulation to the delayed signal. -the slow setting is a slower, more subtle modulation. -the fast position is a faster, slightly deeper modulation. + 9V -12V DC positive m jack. 300mA or greater OUTPUT INPUT mode specific switch: selects the sub-mode: a, b, or c. See the Overview of Modes and Sub-modes section for a detailed explanation of how the sub-modes work in each mode. volume: controls the overall output volume of the delay.
Rhythm (Multi-Tap) Mode By pressing the tap switch repeatedly you can input a rhythm of up to four taps. This rhythm will be mimicked by the delay. Sub-mode A – Ratio In sub-mode A the d time | ratio knob acts as a ratio control. Depending where the d time | ratio knob points, the taps you’ve entered are played back at the speed at which they were tapped, or either 2 or 4 times faster. Sub-mode B – Scaling In sub-mode B the d time | ratio knob allows you to scale the rhythm you’ve entered.
Tape Mode Tape Mode was designed to impart some of the classic characteristics of analog tape delays. Delay time is controlled with the tap switch, and the d time | ratio knob functions as a ratio control in Tape Mode. Sub-mode A – Basic Tape Emulation Sub-mode A provides basic tape emulation. Tape saturation and compression artifacts are applied to the delayed signal.
Misc Mode Sub-mode A – Dynamic I: Feedback increases as input volume decreases. In sub-mode A, feedback increases up to the value where the feedback knob is set as the input signal gets quieter. During a loud passage the feedback will decrease to nearly zero. For example: If you have the feedback knob at 50%, when you play quietly or as notes ring out and sustain, the feedback will increase gradually to 50%. Sub-mode B – Dynamic II: Mix increases as input volume decreases In sub-mode B the mix increases (i.
Looper Mode The Empress Effects Superdelay is able to sample and loop 13.6 seconds of audio. Once an initial audio clip has been sampled it will loop continuously and the user can add additional layers to the loop. Sub-mode A – Normal Looper In sub-mode A the looper operates normally using the controls which are described in detail on the following page. You have 6.8 seconds of loop time available. Sub-mode B – Long Looper In sub-mode B the looper time is doubled to approximately 13.6 seconds.
Capturing a Loop Press the tap switch to begin recording a new loop. To stop recording press the tap switch again. The loop will instantly return to the beginning and start playing. This is referred to as the ‘looping state’. While the loop is playing, the incoming signal gets mixed with the looping audio so you’re able to play over top of the loop. If you try to capture a loop longer than the maximum looping time allowed, the looper will automatically start looping from the start of the captured loop.
Using Presets The Empress Effects Superdelay has 8 preset locations where users can store and recall their favourite settings. All the settings of each mode can be stored except for the audio loop in Looper Mode. When first powered up, the unit operates with the settings that are on the knobs, as opposed to a preset being automatically loaded. Preset Organization The 8 presets are represented by a series of LEDs located just below the knobs. Press the presets switch to scroll through the presets.
Recalling a Preset To recall a preset simply press the presets switch until the preset you’d like to recall is flashing, then press the tap switch to load the preset. The preset’s LED indicators should now be solid and bright. Changing a Preset If you change the position of a knob or switch after a preset is loaded, the preset’s LED indicators will dim to indicate that the preset has been modified, but not saved.
Expression Pedal The Empress Effects Superdelay allows an external expression pedal to be used to control the various features on the fly. To access this capability plug an expression pedal into the exp pedal jack on the back of the Superdelay , and use the exp pedal switch to select which parameter you’d like to control with the pedal. You can select mix, or feedback. The expression pedal replaces the knob on the top of the unit. The Superdelay will work with most Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) expression pedals.
Specifications Input Impedance: Output Impedance: Frequency Response (-3dB): Distortion: Noise: Input Voltage: Required Current: Power Input Connector: Height (enclosure only): Height (including controls): Length: Width: Weight: 1MΩ 1kΩ 20Hz – 16kHz 0.004% -101.5dB 9VDC-12VDC 300mA 2.1mm Barrel Connector 1.75” 2.25” 5.7” 3.75” 1.5lbs www.empresseffects.
