BLACK STAR HT-MODULATION User manual

HT-MODULATION
VALVE MODULATION
Owner’s Manual

Warning!
Important safety information!
Read the following information carefully. Save all
instructions for future reference.
Danger! High internal operating voltages
Do not open the equipment case. There are no user serviceable
parts in this equipment. Refer all servicing to qualified service
personnel.
Unauthorised modification of this equipment is expressly
forbidden by Blackstar Amplification Limited.
Never push objects of any kind into ventilation slots on the
equipment casing.
Do not expose this apparatus to rain, liquids or moisture of any
type.
Only use the correct Blackstar approved DC adapter supplied.
Unplug the DC adapter from the mains supply when not in use.
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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Blackstar HT-MODULATION valve
effects pedal. Like all our products, this pedal is the result of
countless hours of painstaking Research and Development by our
world-class design team. Based in Northampton (UK), the
Blackstar team are all experienced musicians themselves and the
sole aim of the development process is to provide guitarists with
products which are the ultimate tools for self expression.
All Blackstar products are subjected to extensive laboratory and
road testing to ensure that they are truly uncompromising in terms
of reliability, quality and above all TONE.
If you like what you hear and want to find out more about the
Blackstar range of products please visit our website at
www.blackstaramps.com.
Thanks!
The Blackstar Team
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All electrical and electronic products should be
disposed of separately from the municipal waste
stream via designated collection facilities appointed
by the government or the local authorities.

Controls
1. Effect
The rotary Effect switch selects one of the eight modulation effects.
Effect Name Description Notes
1 Flanger Classic, vintage style flanger. Level controls wet
From phasey arpeggios to jet level
engine sweeps.
2 Phaser 1 A classic 4-stage phaser. Warm Level controls
and vintage sounding. modulation depth
3 Phaser 2 A more ‘peaky’ 8-stage phaser. Level controls
modulation depth
4 Vintage A single LFO (Low Frequency Feedback controls
Chorus 1 Oscillator) vintage style chorus. modulation depth
5 Vintage Two LFOs combined to give a Feedback controls
Chorus 2 natural sounding chorus. modulation depth
6 Multi This is the most complex Feedback controls
Chorus sounding of the chorus settings modulation depth
with three LFOs combined with
a 120 degree phase difference.
7 Tremolo A natural sounding tremolo Feedback controls
which goes from subtle to LFO shape (soft
throbbing. When in stereo use, edge to sharp
this works as an auto-pan effect. edge). Level
controls Tremolo
depth
8 Rotary Based on the complex sound of Level controls
vintage rotary speaker systems. LFO shape (soft
edge to sharp
edge).
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Features
The HT-MODULATION combines the flexibility of digital
technology with the unique valve Saturation control to deliver eight
stunning digital modulation effects with the natural tone and feel
of a genuine high voltage valve circuit.
The Blackstar team are all musicians themselves and have years
of gigging and recording experience. So when they embarked on
the journey to design the ultimate digital effects pedals they
wanted to develop products that had none of the harshness of
some digital products and provide the warmth and musicality of
vintage effects pedals which players love.
The Blackstar designers acquired some of the most revered valve
and vintage effects pedals and set to work distilling the ingredients
that make these old designs so special. The valve Saturation
control is one result of this exhaustive research. The Saturation
control is, in simple terms, a valve gain and compression circuit
which acts in the digital effects ‘side chain’ to impart the valve
dynamics and harmonics typical of vintage valve effects.
The features on the HT-MODULATION have been selected to be
particularly suited to live performance and that is why we have
included the Slow/Fast feature to allow the adjustment of
modulation time during performance. Each of the eight
modulation effects have been designed by technical reference to
vintage effects equipment and then hours of honing ‘by ear’ to
provide effects that are both natural sounding and inspirational to
the player.
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Note: The level control is somewhat interactive with the
Saturation control, so remember, at high levels of Saturation the
effect will become denser and therefore a reduced amount of
Level will be required.
7. Output – Right
This is the right hand signal for use in a stereo set-up. Always use
a good quality screened guitar lead (see Suggested Set-ups
section).
8. Output – Left (Mono)
This is the main output in a mono set-up or the left hand signal for
use in a stereo set-up. If you use the HT-MODULATION in the
effects loop of a guitar amplifier this is where to connect the effects
return signal to the amplifier. Always use a good quality screened
guitar (see Suggested Set-ups section).
9. Input
Plug your guitar in here. Alternatively, if using the HT-
MODULATION in the effects loop of a guitar amplifier this is where
to connect the effects send signal from the amplifier. Always use
a good quality screened guitar lead (see Suggested Set-ups
section).
10. Valve Viewing Window
Through this grille you can see the ECC83 valve at the heart of
your pedal. The valve is backlit with an LED which is also the
power-on LED and indicates that the power has been connected.
WARNING: Do not attempt to remove the fixing screws or grille.
No user serviceable parts inside.
11. Effect On/Off LED
When the RED LED is on the effect is present. When the RED
LED is off the pedal is in bypass.
12. Effect On/Off Footswitch
Press this switch to turn the effect on or off.
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2. Speed
This controls varies the speed of the modulation effect. The speed
control has been carefully tailored for each of the 8 effects. At
minimum settings (counter clockwise) the modulation speed will
be slow and the effect may appear to be more subtle. Turning the
control clockwise the modulation speed will increase making the
effect more obvious.
3. Feedback
This control adjusts feedback or depth depending on the effect
selected (see the table above).
4. Saturation
By adjusting the drive to the high voltage valve circuit in the effect
side chain, the Saturation control affects the amount of valve
compression and harmonics present in the effect. At low levels
the effect will sound more linear, but as the Saturation control is
increased the valve circuit becomes more saturated and the effect
becomes denser and richer in valve compression and harmonics.
At maximum settings the effected sound will have a mild crunchy
valve sound quality.
The Saturation circuitry is optimised to work at guitar or -10dBV
loop operating levels. Operation at +4dBV loop levels is not
recommended.
5. Saturation Indicator LED
The Saturation Indicator LED works in conjunction with the
Saturation control (4) to indicate the amount of saturation in the
valve circuit. When the LED is green there is little or no saturation
and the effect response will be quite linear. When the LED is
orange, there is mild to moderate saturation in the valve circuit.
Once the LED colour becomes red it indicates full saturation in
the valve circuit and maximum saturation is reached.
6. Level
Depending on the Effect selected, the Level control either adjusts
the amount of effect that is mixed in with the direct signal, or the
effect depth (see chart above).
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Technical Specification
Power: 22V DC
Maximum Current Draw: 1.1A
Controls: Effect, Speed, Feedback, Saturation, Level
Valve: ECC83 (12AX7)
Switches: Effect On/Off Switch, Mode (Manual or Slow/Fast)
Switch
Indicator: Effect On/Off, Saturation, Mode (Slow/Fast Status),
Power On/Off (Valve Backlight LED)
Jacks: Input, Left (Mono) Output, Right Output
Input Impedance: 1MOhm
Output Impedance: <1kOhm
Nominal Operating Level: -10dBV
Dimensions (mm): 160 X 119 X80
Weight: 1.3kg
DC Adapter: ADA Series Supplied
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13. Mode – Slow/Fast LED
When the LED is not lit the pedal is in Manual mode and the
modulation time is set by the Speed knob (2).
In Slow/Fast mode the LED will flash slowly in Slow mode and
quickly in Fast mode.
14. Mode – Slow/Fast Footswitch
This footswitch has multiple functions. If held down for more than
1 second it toggles the pedal between Manual mode and
Slow/Fast mode.
In Slow/Fast mode pressing this footswitch will toggle between a
preset slow modulation setting and preset fast modulation setting.
When you first select Slow/Fast mode it will be the preset slow
setting.
In Manual mode this footswitch has no effect.
Note: To change between Manual mode and Slow/Fast mode
hold the switch down for 1 second.
15. DC Inlet
For the input of the 22V DC / 1.1A adapter supplied. Always use
a Blackstar approved adapter.
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