EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander User manual

OPERATION MANUAL
©2018 EarthQuaker Devices LLC
<<< Power Requirements >>>
<<< Tech Specs >>>
• Current Draw: 25mA
• This device take a standard 9 volt DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center barrel. We
always recommend pedal-specic, transformer-isolated wall-wart power supplies or multiple
isolated-output supplies. Pedals will make extra noise if there is ripple or unclean power.
Switching-type power supplies, daisy chains and non-pedal specic power supplies do not lter
dirty power as well and let through unwanted noise. DO NOT RUN AT HIGHER VOLTAGES!
• Input Impedance: 50K Ohm • Output Impedance: <500 Ohm
<<< Warranty >>>
This device has a limited lifetime warranty. If it breaks, we will x it. Should you encounter any
issues, please email [e-mail].
www.earthquakerdevices.com
<<< Switching >>>
This device is true bypass and uses electronic relay-based switching. Audio will not pass
without power.

<<< Controls >>>
<<< Suggested Placement >>>
Level: Master volume
Filter: Tone control more highs clockwise,
more warmth counterclockwise
Base: Squared input signal level
Sub: Two octaves down level
Down 1: One octave down level
Up 1: One octave up level
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Thanks for picking up the Bit Commander™ from EarthQuaker Devices® brand effects pedals!
The Bit Commander is a monophonic analog guitar synthesizer with four octaves of vintage
square wave synth tones. Its no-nonsense interface makes it easy to add or subtract octaves
to create a wide variety of sounds without having to dial in envelopes or oscillators. Ripping
sub-octave thump, pulsing octave down, a lightly squared base tone and a swelling transformer
based octave up all join together to make a single guitar sound like an army of olde tyme synths.
Like all analog octave effects, there are some basic rules to follow that will get you the most
enjoyment from your Bit Commander. Use the neck pickup and play single notes. The best
tracking occurs from the 7th fret up on all the strings. Below the 7th will still track but there will
be occasional glitches and stutters. The lower the note, the harder it is for the Bit Commander
to register. The use of Bass and lower registers on keyboards will yield unexpected, sometimes
pleasing, sometimes disgusting results. These are not mistakes or aws, it is the nature of
analog octaves.
All analog, true bypass and hand made one at a time in the republic of Akron Ohio.
For best results, place as close to the front of your signal chain as possible. Tracking and sustain
will increase when the Bit Commander is placed after a compressor or dirt pedal.
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<<< Suggested Settings >>>
Face Melter
Follow monophonic riffs and bends perfectly.
Neck pickup recommended.
Ballcrusher
Step up front of the music with this nasty
savagely guttural setting.
Bass Synthesizer Terrorizer
Transform your guitar or cheap keyboard into
a wall of mammoth travesty. Feed this into a
loop pedal for instant bass synthesizer riffs.
Ring Modulation Vacuum
Take every riff into the burning vortex of the
black hole. The Star Gate has opened into
the sonic beyond.