Duncan ShapeShifter User manual

-SHAPE SHIFTER-
STEREO TREMOLO
USER’S GUIDE

Congratulations on your purchase of the Seymour Duncan ShapeShifter Stereo Tremolo Pedal.
The ShapeShifter Stereo Tremolo Pedal has a true analog signal path but incorporates a digital
processor for tempo control and adjustable wave and shape options. We feel this combination
provides the widest pallete of tremolo effects ever offered in a pedal while retaining all of the
tonal benefits that high quality analog circuitry can bring. True stereo inputs and outputs
allow the ShapeShifter to be used in a wide variety of live and studio applications. While primarily
intended for electric guitar, the ShapeShifter can produce excellent results when used with
keyboards, acoustic guitar and many other musical instruments.
In addition to a great variety of tone options, the Seymour Duncan ShapeShifter Stereo Tremolo
Pedal has been outfitted with a versatile tap tempo system that combines a footswitch and a
special Rate/Ratio toggle switch. You will also find a Phase control that allows you to set the
timing between the pulsing of the two stereo channels and a lighted, flashing speed knob which
indicates the tempo.
HOW IT WORKS
Depth – Sets the blend between your dry signal and the wet tremolo signal. This control
allows you to set the mix from fully dry to fully wet, varying the effect from subtle shimmers
to rhythmic pulses to complete freak out sounds.
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Wave – This variable control allows you to continuously
blend between three different types of tremolo, from a
smooth sine wave found in vintage amps, to a choppier
triangle wave, to an abrupt on/off pulsing square wave.
Speed – There are two ways to control the rate
of the tremolo effect.
• The first is by directly rotating the Speed control.
In this mode, the Rate/Ratio switch
(see
5on next page) should be set to “Rate” mode.
• The second is by using the Tap Tempo footswitch
to tap in a tempo. When using the tap footswitch,
the Rate/Ratio switch can be set in either position.
See
5on next page, for a description of what this
switch does.
Shape – Adjusts the rise and fall time of the tremolo
resulting in subtle changes where the volume
increases and decreases in the tremolo signal.
It is possible to continuously blend between
three distinct shapes, as shown:
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3
2
8
1
6
12
11 10
23
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5
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7

Rate/Ratio Toggle Switch – This mini-toggle switch selects between two modes of
operation for the Speed control.
• When in “Rate” mode, the control continuously varies the tempo from 0.5 pulses-per-second
to over 15 pulses-per-second. When tapping in this mode, the tempo is entered directly in
time with your tapping.
• When in “Ratio” mode, by rotating the Speed control, you are able to select between
four multiplication factors: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 This mode is for use only when tapping
in a tempo using the Tap Footswitch and is used to multiply the rate off your tapping
to a faster tempo.
Channel Phase - Continuously adjusts the phase between left and right output channels
from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. This will only be noticeable when using stereo output.
Three examples of phase relationships are shown here:
Status LED – Indicates when the ShapeShifter is active. LED is on when the unit is engaged,
off when in true bypass mode.
True Bypass Footswitch - Removes the circuit from your guitar’s signal via a hardwired
connection from the input jack to the output jack.
Tap Tempo Footswitch - Controls the timing of the tremolo, and can be used in conjunction
with the Rate / Ratio switch (see 5above).
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8
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5

Stereo Input Jacks - Plug in any instrument, stereo or mono.
Stereo Output Jacks – Run cable or cables to any amp, other pedal or recording system in
either stereo or mono.
Power Jack - You can use any 9 - 18 Vdc regulated DC adapter (negative polarity center terminal).
Access internal 9V battery by removing (4) screws on underside of pedal. (Battery not included)
When the pedal is not in use, save your battery life by removing your instrument cable from
the Input jack.
LET’S GET STARTED!
1. Plug in a 9 -18 Vdc regulated DC power supply with a negative polarity center terminal.
2. Run good quality shielded guitar cables from your guitar to the input jack or from another
stereo pedal’s output jacks, and from the output jack or jacks to your amp’s input or to the
next pedal on your pedal board or next item in the chain.
3. Start with the Wave, Shape, Depth and Speed knobs at 12 o’clock and
the Channel Phase switch in the middle. Set your amp level appropriately.
4. Engage the ShapeShifter by pressing the True Bypass footswitch.
The LED will Light up Blue when it’s active.
5. Have fun experimenting!
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SAMPLE SETTINGS
The ShapeShifter Stereo Tremolo can produce a dizzying array of effects from subtle shimmer
to helicopter assault. These settings are just a few examples of what this unit can do.
(All settings with toggle in Rate Mode).
Classic American Trem
To achieve the lush, vibrant tremolo found on classic American
amplifiers, try starting with these settings.
Classic British Trem
British tube amps put their own spin on tremolo and the results
have fueled many timeless hit songs. Here’s where you can get
a touch of that UK Magic.
Fluttering Shimmer
These settings give a cool, warbling quality to single-note lines
reminiscent of organs and vibraphones.

Helicopter Chop
This is a more radical version of tremolo that produces an on/off
stutter to really drive your sound into madness.
Specifications:
Type of Circuitry: Pure analog signal path, Stereo Input/Output, Digital tremolo timing
Input Impedance: 1 Meg Ohm
Output Impedance: 1.2K Ohm
Gain: 2.0dB maximum
Max Tremolo Depth: 30dB
Max Output before Saturation: 2.5V RMS
Noise: < 97dBV
Frequency Response: Wideband; -3dB at 3Hz and 50 kHz
THD: < 0.3% @ 1 kHz, 1VRMS

Control functionality:
Depth: Continuously adjustable from 0 to 30dB
Rate: Continuously adjustable from 0.5 to 15 Beats per second
Rate/Ratio Switch: Works in conjunction with the Tap Tempo Footswitch and the Rate control.
Allows setting tempo by direct taps or applies a multiplication factor for faster tempos.
Shape (Duty Cycle): Continuously adjustable from 10% to 90%
Wave: Continuously adjustable, sine to triangle to square waves
Phase Control: Continuously adjust phase between left and right output channels from
0 degrees to 180 degrees
Power: 9V battery or 9 -18 Vdc regulated adapter, center pin negative polarity.
Current Consumption: 13mA operate, 12mA bypass
Bypass: True hard-wire bypass
Dimensions: 3.50" wide X 4.70" deep X 1.60" tall
Weight: 0.9 lbs.

LIMITED WARRANTY
Seymour Duncan offers the original purchaser a one-year limited warranty on both labor and
materials, from the day this product is purchased. We will repair or replace this product, at our
option, if it fails due to faulty workmanship or materials during this period. Defective products
can be returned to your USA dealer, international distributor, or sent direct to our factory
postage prepaid along with dated proof of purchase (e.g., original store receipt) and RMA
number. Call or email our factory for an RMA number, which must be written on the outside
of the box. We reserve the right to refuse boxes without an RMA written on the outside. As
you might expect, this warranty does not apply if you’ve modified the unit or treated it unkindly,
and we can assume no liability for any incidental or consequential damages which may result
from the use of this product. Any warranties implied in fact or by law are limited to the duration
of this express limited warranty.
DISPOSAL GUIDELINES
In the unlikely event that you ever need to dispose of this product, it must be disposed of
properly by handing it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electronic
equipment. Please contact your local household waste disposal service or the shop where you
purchased this product for those locations. Thanks for helping us conserve natural resources
and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
FCC COMPLIANCE
This Device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference including interference that may cause undesired operation.

PERSONAL SETTINGS
USER NOTES
USER NOTES

We stand for great tone:
It’s the heart.
The soul. The essence.
The core of the sound.
We stand for musicians.
Because soul matters.
Spirit matters.
Music matters.
We stand for quality.
We’re an American original.
An industry leader.
And we’re always innovating.
We stand by our work.
Our passion. Our history.
It’s in everything we build.
In everything we touch.
We stand for great tone.
Music. Power. Heart. Soul. Tone.
It’s who we are. It’s what we do.
We are Seymour Duncan.

seymourduncan.com
5427 Hollister Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
[phone]
© 2015 Seymour Duncan. All Rights Reserved.