Alexander NEO Series User manual

About AlexAnder PedAls
Alexander Pedals builds hand-crafted eects pedals in Garner, North Carolina. Each Alexander
Pedal is meticulously voiced and tweaked by our sonic scientists to achieve sounds that are
both instantly familiar yet completely unique.
Alexander Pedals are designed by Matthew Farrow and a group of trusted players, builders,
and friends. Matthew has been building guitar pedals since the late 1990s, rst with Pharaoh
Ampliers, and now with Disaster Area Designs. Matthew has designed some of the most
innovative eects units on the market, including some big names he’s not allowed to tell you
about.
Alexander Pedals was started for two reasons - to make great tones, and to do good. The
great tones part you probably have some idea about. As for doing good, Alexander Pedals
donates a portion of the prots from every pedal sold to charity, whether you buy from us
or our dealers. Matthew’s younger brother Alex passed away in 1987 of a form of cancer
called neuroblastoma. Alexander Pedals honors his memory by helping in the ght to end
childhood cancer.
2018 Garner Station Rd, Raleigh NC 27603 [phone] alexanderpedals.com
GREAT TONES. DOING GOOD.
Contents
IntroductIon ..........................................1
GettInG Started .....................................1
oScIllator controlS .............................2
Sequencer controlS..............................3
loadInG and SavInG PreSetS .................4
temPo Sync.............................................5
ramPInG...................................................5
SettInG uPyour Pedal .........................6
exPreSSIon Pedal....................................7
neo FootSwItch .....................................8
mIdI conFIGuratIon..............................9
mIdI commandS ................................. 10
SPecIFIcatIonS....................................... 10

1
Superball is pretty much like any other pedal. Plug in on the right side, then plug the lower
jack on the left side to your amp or next pedal. Power it up, hit the footswitch and see what
happens!
Want to hear some sounds that we like? Hold down the BYPASS footswitch to load in the
factory presets. We put four cool tones in the pedal for you to tweak.
Experiment. Turn the knobs. Push the buttons. We think you’ll nd something you like.
GettinG stArted
introduCtion
Modulate Everything.
We took the leash o of what started as an experimental delay engine and Superball is what
happened.
An uber-exible LFO, dedicated time sequencing, and resonant low-pass lter combine for the
bounciest digital delay oscillations you can imagine.
Warning: We’re not getting this down o your roof if you get it stuck up there.
ALEXANDER
(LEVEL)
(LEVEL)
(DRY SRC)
(DRY SRC)
WAVE | STEP
WAVE | STEP
SYNC
SYNC
|
|
SYNC
SYNC
(LEVEL)
(RAMP) (RAMP)
(DRY SRC)
 

RATE |RATE DEPTH | STEP
WAVE | PATTSYNC | SYNC
GUITAR /
INSTRUMENT
INPUT
EFFECT
OUTPUT
MULTIJACK
WARP
FOOTSWITCH
BYPASS
FOOTSWITCH
SELECT
BUTTON
MODE LEDS
MAIN LED
USB PORT 9V DC POWER
WARP LED BYPASS LED
Messing with the knobs will get you a long way, but there is a lot to this pedal just under the
surface. When you’re ready to dive in to the advanced features of your new pedal, read on.

2
osCillAtor Controls
The Superball is basically a delay eect, with Time, Repeat, Mix, and Filter controls.
The delay ranges from 0-1024ms when the delay clock is set to its normal value (please see
Sequencer Controls for more details) and can go a long as 4096ms at the minimum clock rate.
The delay can self-oscillate, and the built-in delay lter can tweak the tonal response of the
signal in some really interesting ways.
But that’s all kind of boring, right? Yep. So that’s why we included a multi-wave low-frequency
oscillator (LFO) to let you control all of the delay parameters at the same time! Simply tap the
button in the middle of the pedal to change the control mode, and then adjust the knobs to
control the parameters you want.
The easiest way to dial in the Superball is to rst turn o the LFO and sequencer. Tap the
center button until the lower LED is BLUE (LFO) and turn the RATE, DEPTH, and SYNC knobs
fully counter-clockwise (CCW.) Tap the button again until the lower LED is RED (SEQ) and turn
the RATE and SYNC knobs CCW. Turn the PATT knob to around 1 o’clock for the default clock
rate.
Tap the select button until the upper LED is GREEN - this lets you adjust the lower
bounds of the control ranges. Turn the knobs until you hear the tone you want.
Next, tap the select button until the upper LED is RED, which sets the pedal to adjust
the high range of the delay eect. Turn the knobs and you’ll hear the new sound.
lFo oFF Seq oFF
Set low ranGe Set hIGh ranGe
Increase the RATE knob until you see the upper LED
blink to indicate the current speed, then increase
the DEPTH knob until you can hear the delay eect
changing. You can experiment with the knobs to
hear lots of dierent variations on the LFO shape,
depth, and rate. lFo on
You can then make changes to the delay ranges at any time, even with the LFO
enabled. Have fun and experiment, there are no wrong answers!
When you are satised, tap the select button once
more until the lower LED is BLUE, which returns you
to the LFO adjust mode.

3
sequenCer Controls
Superball also has a unique clock sequencer eect, which is designed to change the sample
rate clock of the audio DSP in a range of patterns.
Dialing in the sequencer is a lot like the LFO setting procedure so we’ll start by disabling the
LFO and setting a delay tone to experiment with.
Tap the center button until the lower LED is BLUE (LFO) and turn the RATE, DEPTH, and SYNC
knobs fully counter-clockwise (CCW.) Tap the button again until the lower LED is RED (SEQ)
and turn the RATE and SYNC knobs CCW. Turn the PATT knob to around 1 o’clock for the
default clock rate.
Tap the select button until the upper LED is GREEN - this lets you adjust the lower bounds of
the control ranges. Turn the knobs until you hear the tone you want. Ignore the HI range for
now, but remember you can adjust it later.
Return to the SEQ control mode by tapping the center
button until the lower LED is RED, then increase the
RATE knob until you hear the sequencer start working.
The delay signal will change pitch in clean steps, pitch-
shifting and changing speed.
You can experiment with changing the patterns of the
sequencer and the number of steps in each pattern
by turning the PATT and STEP knobs. You can also
combine the LFO and sequencer at the same time, so
go nuts and make some crazy sounds!
If you hear pops or clicks in the audio, try setting
the DRY SRC control to ANALOG by holding the center
button and turning the lower-right knob fully CCW.
sequenCe editinG
The sequencer does have one weird trick you can exploit - you can actually play it like a synth!
Connect a MIDI keyboard to Superball using your interface of choice and then set the PATT
knob fully CW. The upper LED will turn VIOLET to indicate that you’re in the User Pattern
selection.
Set the number of steps you want to edit with the STEP knob, then play one or more notes on
the keyboard. Superball will use those notes to determine the pitch intervals of the sequencer
as it steps through. You can also turn the RATE knob to zero and manually play the clock with
the keyboard in the same way. Superball recognizes three octaves of notes, from C2 to C5.
Input note C4 to set the clock rate to its default setting, or input a note outside of this range to
reset the sequence to its default and start over.
The user sequence is saved as part of the Superball’s presets, so your hard work is retained
even if you power down the pedal.
lFo oFF Seq oFF
Seq on

4
loAdinG And sAvinG Presets
Have you ever spent a lot of time tweaking your gear to get the sounds you really love, only to
nd that your pedal knobs moved between your practice space and the gig? Or maybe you
need a lot of sounds but don’t have a ton of room on your board for multiple pedals?
Presets to the rescue!
Superball and all of our other Neo Series pedals have built-in preset capability. That means
you can save and recall four sounds from a single pedal with no extra hardware or funny
business. If you do have a MIDI controller, the preset capability expands to 16!
1
2
3
4
To load a preset, simply hold down the BYPASS
footswitch for 1 second.
The upper LED will blink one, two, three, or
four times to indicate the current preset and
you’re all set!
ALL of the pedal settings are recalled as part
of the preset - knob positions, expression
settings, and eect modes.
HOLD
To save the current preset, press and hold the
center Select button, then hold the BYPASS
footswitch down.
The upper LED will blink to indicate the preset that
was saved.
1
2
HOLD
HOLD
1
2
3
4
If you’re using a MIDI controller to access presets
on your Neo Series pedal, just send a program
change (PC) message to load a preset.
You can access an additional 12 presets using MIDI
for a total of 16.
To save presets 5-16, load in the preset by sending
a MIDI program change then edit its settings.
Once satised, save as normal. The current
settings will save in the current preset.
SAVE
LOAD

5
rAmPinG
Superball features an advanced expression functionality we call
RAMP! This allows you to seamlessly morph between two dierent
pedal settings with a single tap of your toe.
Hold the left footswitch to force Superball to move to the HIGH
range setting. The LFO will not aect the delay engine while the
ramp is engaged, but the sequencer will still function as normal.
The pedal settings will change at the rate set by the RAMP control..
Hold the center button and turn the upper-left knob to set the
ramp rate.
Release the footswitch to return to normal operation.
tAP & temPo synC
Superball has a robust and powerful Tempo Sync functionality,
and we let you set it up the way you prefer.
Turn the lower-left knob in LFO and SEQ modes to assign either
of these sources to the Tempo Sync.
CCW = No Sync MID = Tap Tempo CW = Bounce / Step
No Sync: The LFO or sequencer runs at the rate set by the RATE
knob and does not respond to tap tempo.
Tap Tempo: The LFO or sequencer runs at the rate set by the
RATE knob and will respond to tap tempo or MIDI clock.
Bounce / Step: The LFO will“bounce,” or trigger when the Tap
/ Bounce footswitch is pressed, and will re-trigger at the RATE
setting from 1-10 times depending on the DEPTH knob.
Fun fact: the “bounce” eect works like a real ball - each bounce
after the rst is slightly less intense, until the bounce ends on its own.
The sequencer will advance by one step each time the Tap /
Bounce footswitch is pressed.
If either LFO or sequencer is set to Bounce or Step, then Tap
Tempo is disabled. If both are set to No Sync, then the Tap Sync
will control the base delay eect instead.
HOLD TO ACTIVATE
RAMP
RELEASE TO
RETURN
NO
SYNC
BOUNCE
STEP
TAP
TEMPO

6
settinG uPyour PedAl
Your Neo Series pedal has a few user settings
stored in memory. These settings include the
function of the MultiJack on the left side of the
pedal, LED brightness, and others.
To enter setup, power on the pedal and then
hold down the center Select button. Release
the button when you see the center LED turn
violet.
TAP TO SELECT MULTIJACK FUNCTION
UPPER PROGRAM LED WILL SHOW
BL
(LEVEL)(LEVEL) (DRY SRC)(DRY SRC)
WAVE | STEPWAVE | STEPSYNC SYNC || SYNCSYNC
(LEVEL)
(RAMP)
(DRY SRC)
RATE | RATE DEPTH | STEP
WAVE | PATTSYNC | SYNC
UE = EXPRESSION PEDAL
VIOLET = FOOT SWITCH
RED = MIDI
TURN TO SET
FOOTSWITCH
FUNCTION
GREEN = RAMP
CY
(LEVEL)(LEVEL) (DRY SRC)(DRY SRC)
WAVE | STEPWAVE | STEPSYNC SYNC || SYNCSYNC
(LEVEL)
(RAMP)
(DRY SRC)
RATE | RATE DEPTH | STEP
WAVE | PATTSYNC | SYNC
AN = PRESET
HOLD TO SAVE AND EXIT
HOLD
TAP
Tap the center Select button to assign the
MultiJack function. The upper small LED will
change to show this function.
Blue: Expression Pedal Input
Violet: Footswitch Input
Red: MIDI Input
Turn the upper left knob to set the function
of the external footswitch, if congured. The
upper large LED will change to show this
function.
Green: Trigger Ramp
Cyan: Advance One Preset
Blue: Tap Tempo
Turn the lower right knob to set the brightness
of the main and lower LEDs.
Hold the center Select button to save and exit
setup.
If you have changed the function of the
MultiJack, we recommend you power the Neo
Series pedal o and back on in order to ensure
the jack is congured properly.
LED
BRIGHT
(LEVEL)(LEVEL) (DRY SRC)(DRY SRC)
WAVE | STEPWAVE | STEPSYNC SYNC || SYNCSYNC
(LEVEL)
(RAMP)
(DRY SRC)
RATE | RATE DEPTH | STEP
WAVE | PATTSYNC | SYNC
HOLD
(EXT CH)
(EXT CH)
(EXT CH)

7
exPression PedAl
Superball supports most types of expression pedals for performance control.
We recommend the Roland EV-5 and Moog EP-3, but just about any expression pedal that
uses a TRS cable should work. The supported expression wiring is SLEEVE = 0V, RING = 3.3V,
TIP = 0-3.3V.
Before connecting your expression pedal, make sure that you have set up the MultiJack to
read expression! The instructions are covered in the Setting Up Your Pedal section on page
6.
The expression pedal will allow you to manually sweep between the LO and HI ranges of the
delay eect. If you’re using the LFO, moving the expression pedal will disable the modulation
until you reload the current preset. You should set the LO and HI ranges as normal whether
you’re using the expression pedal or the LFO.
GlobAl Controls
In addition to the controls for each range and modulation source, the Superball also has a few
controls that aect the whole pedal regardless of what else may be happening.
To adjust the global controls, hold down the center button until the upper LED changes then
turn the knobs. Release the center button to return to the previous control mode. The global
controls are saved for each preset.
yel = analoG traIlS
oranGe = analoG
red = dSP
(RAMP)
Controls how quickly the
ramp function enters and
exits the HI range.
(LEVEL)
Controls the overall
volume level of the pedal.
(EXT CH)
Sets the MIDI channel
on which Superball
sends external control
messages.
(DRY SRC)
Selects the dry signal
source type. The main
LED changes to show this
setting.
externAl Control
Superball can control your other MIDI based pedals. Superball will send the current LFO value
out as MIDI CC 100 on the channel selected by the EXT CH global setting. This message will
control the expression in all Alexander and Chase Bliss pedals, as well as many more including
some Strymon models.

8
neo FootswitCh
Superball also supports our Neo Footswitch for preset Select or warp functions.
To use the Neo Footswitch, you’ll need to congure Superball to use its MultiJack for
footswitch input. Consult the instructions on page 6, Setting Up Your Pedal.
Connect the Neo Footswitch to your Superball using the provided TRS cable.
If you have congured the pedal correctly, you should see the LED on the Neo Footswitch
light up and change as you tap the footswitch.
SERIES
1
2
3
4
LOAD
LOAD
1 2 3 4
SERIES
NORMAL WARP
NORMAL WARP
PRESET:
Tap the Neo Footswitch to advance
one preset. The presets will load in
sequence, 1, 2, 3, 4.
The LED on the Neo Footswitch
will change to indicate the current
preset:
RED = 1, GREEN = 2, BLUE = 3,
YELLOW = 4.
Hold the Neo Footswitch to go back
one preset.
RAMP:
Tap the Neo Footswitch to trigger
the WARP eect.
The LED on the Neo Footswitch
will change to indicate the current
WARP state.
You can also re the ramp for
a moment, by holding the Neo
Footswitch down. The ramp will
fade back down when you release
the Neo Footswitch.
You can also use any momentary normally-open (NO) footswitch in place of the Neo
Footswitch, but you won’t get the super-cool LED stu.
TAP TEMPO (not shown):
Tap the Neo Footswitch to set the
delay tempo, LFO or sequencer
rate, or trigger the bounce / step
function.
The Neo Footswitch will work the
same as the built-in tap switch in
this conguration.

9
midi ConFiGurAtion
All Neo Series pedals support full control using MIDI. In order to use your Superball with a MIDI
controller, you’ll need to follow these instructions to congure its MultiJack and set up the MIDI
channel.
First, you’ll need a way to connect your MIDI controller to the MultiJack.
If you’re using a Disaster Area Designs controller, you should be able to use one of its
MultiJacks to send MIDI. We recommend the qCONNECT controller, since it’s made to interface
with multiple 1/4” MIDI devices. Consult your MIDI controller’s manual for details on how to
congure its output.
If you are using another type of MIDI controller, you’ll need an interface box or adapter cable.
We support the following interfaces and cables:
Alexander Neo Link Alexander Neo MIDI Cable
Disaster Area Designs MIDI Box Chase Bliss Audio MIDI Box
Empress MIDI Box (1 or 2) Meris MIDI I/O
Next, connect your Neo Series pedal to your MIDI controller or interface box using a standard
1/4” cable or adapter cable. Make sure that your controller is powered on.
Power on the Neo Series pedal while holding its center Select button.
Release the button when the main LED turns violet.
Tap the center Select button until the upper small LED is red, then hold
Select to save.
C 05
Power the Neo Series pedal o and back on, again holding the center Select button until the
upper LED turns violet.
Finally, send a program change message from your controller on the MIDI channel you would
like to use. When you see the upper small LED ash, hold the Select button to save and exit.
Your Neo Series pedal is now congured!
C 03

10
sPeCiFiCAtions
midi CommAnds
All of the functions of your Neo Series pedal may be controlled with MIDI messages.
The following commands are accepted by Superball:
MIDI Program Change: Load Presets 0-15
0-3 are the Red bank, also accessible by holding the Bypass / Preset footswitch
4-7 are the Green bank
8-11 are the Blue bank
12-15 are the White bank
MIDI Continuous Controller 93: Tap Tempo
Superball responds to CC93 if Tap Tempo is selected for either LFO or sequencer sync, or if No
Sync is selected for both.
MIDI Continuous Controller 97: Ramp
Send any value to trigger the ramp
MIDI Continuous Controller 100: Expression Pedal
Value 0 = Heel down, Value 127 = Toe down
MIDI Continuous Controller 102: Bypass
Value 0-63 = Bypass, Value 64-127 = Engage
MIDI Continuous Controller 50-57: LFO / Expression / Ramp Range
CC 50 = Filter Lo CC 54 = Filter Hi
CC 51 = Time Lo CC 55 = Time Hi
CC 52 = Repeat Lo CC 56 = Repeat Hi
CC 53 = Mix Lo CC 57 = Mix Hi
MIDI Continuous Controller 58-65: LFO / Sequencer Controls
CC 58: LFO Shape CC 62: Sequencer Pattern
CC 59: LFO Rate CC 63: Sequencer Rate
CC 60: LFO Depth CC 64: Sequencer Steps
CC 61: LFO Sync CC 65: Sequencer Sync
(0-42 No Sync, 43-87 Tap, 88-127 Bounce / Step)
MIDI Continuous Controller 66-69: Alt Controls
CC 66: Dry Source (0-42 Analog w/ Trails, 43-87 Analog, 88-127 DSP)
CC 67: Ramp Rate
CC 68: External Control Channel
CC 69: Level
MIDI Clock: Superball responds to MIDI clock if Tap Tempo is selected for either LFO or sequencer sync
(clock controls selected sources,) or if No Sync is selected for both (clock controls delay time.)
MIDI Notes: Superball accepts notes from C2 to C5 to control the sequencer clock rate. Set Sequencer
Pattern to 127 to enter up to 8 notes to create your own sequence.
Input Impedance: 1M ohm
Output Impedance: 560 ohm
Power Supply: 9V DC, 80mA or greater, center negative
Bypass: Buered analog bypass
Dry Signal Analog or DSP (selectable)
DSP: 24-bit + 32-bit controller
Sampling Frequency: 36kHz -> 6.66kHz
We recommend the use of an isolated power supply with your Neo Series pedal.