Drolo Strands User manual

Strands
Strands is a delay/micro looper with two main operation modes,
time stretch and tape looper, that come in 4 variations each.
It can be used like a delay pedal, loop short audio bits, create
evolving rhythmic or melodic patterns...
The overall memory size, delay and looping time, can be adjusted
with the delity knob.Turning it up will increase the audio quality,
but reduce the memory size, and vice versa.The audio memory
varies between a bit less than a second to a bit over 3 seconds.
The delity knob will also have an effect on other aspects of
sound processing, like lter ranges, response of time based
elements like LFO's, envelope detectors etc.
The left footswitch allows you to loop the current content of the
buffer. As the looped audio is recirculating through the buffer,
eventually it will start to degrade, after a few minutes.This too is
dependent on the delity setting.

Controls
repeats
Sets the amount of repeats/feedback
tone
A tilt EQ ranging from low pass on the left to hi pass on the right. Neutral at noon.
wet/dry
Control the level of the wet and dry signals, with unity gain near the noon position.
length
Overall length of the samples.The exact function of this control varies depending on
the mode you’re in. (You can check the modes list for details.)
delity
Higher settings offer a higher audio quality but a shorter buffer size, and vice versa.
At lower settings, you might hear some added noise.
direction/rate
The exact function of this control varies depending on the mode you’re in. (You can
check the modes list for details.)
trails
When engaged, allows the repeats to fade out naturally when the pedal is bypassed. Be
aware that any noise generated by the effect will remain present too when bypassed.
exp
Switch between expression input control over the delity or the direction parameter.
mode selector
Switch between the Strand's eight modes.When you select a new mode, the buffer
will be purged, and the loop footswitch will reset to the ‘off’ position.
On footswitch
Engage the pedal.
Loop footswitch
Loop the current content of the buffer.
Both footswitches can work in momentary or latching mode:
A short tap (< 0.3 seconds) will make the switch act in latching mode.
A longer tap will make it act in momentary mode – reverting to its
previous state after you release the footswitch.
expression
input (TRS)
power
supply (9v)
audio
output
audio
input
dry
exp
trails
wettone
repeats
length delity direction
(rate)
exp (trs)
STRANDS
stretch
async
tape
rand
lfo rand
old
env
LOOP ON

The tape modes
tape
Records short loops that are played back at a speed and direction set
by the direction knob.
From left to right, the settings are:
Reversed – double speed, an octave above
Reversed – a fth above
Reversed – normal speed, unison
Reversed – half speed, an octave below
Forward – half speed, an octave below
Forward – normal speed, unison
Forward – a fth above
Forward – double speed, an octave above
The length knob sets the size of the samples.
old
The direction knob sets the direction and speed of the playback,
from reverse on the left to forward on the right. At noon the
playback stops.
The length knob denes to amount of degradation of the playback
that will get increasingly mufed and wobbly as you turn it up.
env
The direction knob sets the direction and speed of the playback,
from reverse on the left to forward on the right. At noon the
playback stops.
The playback speed will be inuenced by the strength of the
incoming audio signal. If the signal is below the threshold set by the
length knob, the playback will come to a halt. If the signal is strong
enough, playback will reach it's normal speed.
random
The direction and speed of the playback will randomly jump to
different settings, at a rate set by the direction knob.
The length knob sets the size of the samples.
The time stretch modes
stretch
Audio can be time stretched, with the direction knob altering the
amount of stretching and direction of playback. Maximum amount
of stretching is at noon. From noon to right, samples will be played
forwards, and from noon to left, backwards.The length knob sets
the size of the grains that overlap with each other.
async
Same as stretch but the two buffers that are used to overlap each
other when stretching time, have slightly different sizes, causing the
content of both buffers to slowly drift out of sync.The length knob
sets the size of the grains that overlap each other.
lfo
Same as stretch but the amount and direction of stretching varies
continuously over its whole range, from backwards to forwards
and back, at a rate set by the direction knob. The length knob sets
the size of the grains that overlap each other.
random
Same as stretch but the amount and direction of stretching varies
randomly over its whole range, at a rate set by the direction knob.
The length knob sets the size of the grains that overlap each other.
Recap of the controls for each mode:
length direction
stretch sample size stretch amount/direction
async sample size stretch amount/direction
lfo sample size rate of the lfo
random sample size rate of sample and hold
tape sample size playback speed/direction
old degradation playback speed/direction
env envelope sensitivity playback speed/direction
random sample size rate of sample and hold

- tip: controlling pin
- ring: 3.3V supply voltage
- sleeve : ground
EXP input:
An expression pedal or control voltage (CV) source can be used to
alter either the direction or the delity parameter.
When an external expression source is connected to the pedal, the
direction or delity knob sets the maximum range of the expression
input. Most commercially available expression pedals that use a
standard TRS plug should work with Strands. However, for optimum
results it’s best to use one with a resistance value of 10k or higher.
DO NOT USE A TS (MONO) PLUG OR CABLE. This will
short out the voltage regulators in the pedal, and may cause
permanent damage. You must use a 1/4-inch TRS (stereo) cable.
The standard TRS connections are:
You can use a control voltage for expression instead of a resistance-
based controller, if you’re condent with electronics. However, make
sure to consider the required connections, and don't exceed 3.3V.
If you have any questions about connecting something to the
expression input, please send me an email and I’ll be able to help.
Power Supply:
Strands requires a 9V DC, 100mA center-negative power supply.This
is the most commonly used type of guitar pedal power supply, but it’s
still important to make sure the voltage (9V DC) and polarity (center-
negative) are correct, to avoid damaging the pedal.
NOTE: DO NOT RUN THE PEDAL AT HIGHERVOLTAGES.
Because this pedal uses a digital processor that operates at high
frequencies, you may hear additional noise if you use it on the same
power supply as other pedals (daisy chained). This can happen even
when the pedal is bypassed, as the noise may bleed through the
power supply into other pedals.
Noise like this is common for pedals with digital processors, and the
best way to avoid it is by using an isolated power supply.
Specs:
Input Impedance: 1MΩ
Output Impedance : <1kΩ
Current : 100mA
Dimensions : 127mm x 95mm x 56mm
Thanks, and enjoy!
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https://www.drolofx.com