Electro-Harmonix Blurst User manual

BLURST
Modulated Filter
Congratulations on your purchase of the Electro-Harmonix Blurst. The Blurst
is an analog low pass filter controllable by either internal or external
modulation. Use the parameters of the pedal to create a variety of sweeping
filter effects, including sounds reminiscent of vintage synthesizers.
While a typical envelope filter’s modulation is controlled by your guitar’s
attack, the filter in the Blurst is modulated by an internal low frequency
oscillator (LFO), similar to a tremolo or phaser. When you add an expression
pedal or control voltage (CV) source to the Blurst, you have even greater
control over either the LFO or the filter itself.
The Blurst’s all-analog signal path contains a fourth-order low pass filter with
variable resonance. Basic modulation is controllable via a variable internal
LFO with a choice of three wave shapes. The modulation (including the LFO
itself) is controlled digitally, allowing for tap-tempo (with three tap-divide
options) and expression pedal control of your choice of three selectable
parameters. These features greatly expand the variety of filtered sounds you
can generate with the Blurst.
- USING THE BLURST -
Power the Blurst with the included 9-volt power supply. The left, yellow LED
pulses in time to the set modulation rate. Press the right BYPASS footswitch
to engage the effect; the orange status LED lights to indicate that the effect
is engaged.
Set the modulation rate with either the RATE knob or a combination of the
TAP footswitch and the TAP DIVIDE toggle switch, whichever was most
recently used. Toggle the SHAPE switch to vary the modulation shape
between a triangle wave ( ), a rising saw-tooth ( ) or a falling saw-tooth
( ). Turn the RANGE control to set the frequency range of the filter
modulation. The maximum range is set with the RANGE knob at 50% (or 12
o’clock as indicated by the center detent). As you turn the RANGE knob
counterclockwise (towards LO), the range gets smaller and simultaneously
shifts towards lower frequencies. When you turn the RANGE knob clockwise
(towards HI) from the center detent, the range also gets smaller and shifts
to higher frequencies.
RESONANCE sets the resonance (or Q factor) of the filter, and affects the
output level of the filtered sound. Set the BLEND knob to control the blend
of the dry and filtered signal. The VOLUME knob controls the output
volume.
When you plug an expression pedal or a suitable control voltage (CV) source
(such as an EHX 8-Step Program) into the EXP jack, set the three-way EXP
MODE switch to select which parameter the expression pedal or CV source
controls. In RATE mode you control the modulation rate, with the toe
equaling the RATE knob, or, if tap-tempo is enabled, the heel equaling the
current tap-tempo setting. In RANGE mode you control the frequency range
of the filter, with the toe equaling the RANGE knob. In FILTER mode the
expression pedal or CV source controls the cutoff frequency of the filter
directly. In this mode, the RATE and RANGE controls will do nothing.
- CONTROLS, I/O JACKS, POWER -
BYPASS Footswitch & Orange Status LED –The orange LED illuminates
when the effect is engaged. The status LED glows brightly to signal that all
operational voltages are satisfactory. Tap the footswitch to toggle between
effect on and off. When the effect is off, the pedal is in true bypass mode.
Yellow Filter Status LED –The yellow LED illuminates based on the
current cutoff frequency of the filter. In most cases it can be used as a visual
representation of the rate of the LFO modulating the filter. NOTE: at certain
settings—depending upon the position of the RANGE knob—the LED will
remain lit or will not light at all.
TAP Footswitch –Use this footswitch to tap in a tempo for the LFO.
VOLUME Knob –Sets the Blurst’s output volume in effect mode.
BLEND Knob –Sets the mix between dry and wet (filtered) signal.
RESONANCE Knob –Sets the resonance of the filter; also affects the
volume of the filtered signal.
RANGE Knob –Sets the frequency range of the filter’s modulation.
Maximum range with the knob at 50%. Range gets smaller and centers
around lower frequencies as you bring the knob from 50% to minimum.
Range gets smaller and centers around higher frequencies as you bring the
knob from 50% to maximum.
RATE Knob –Controls the speed of modulation.

EXP MODE Switch –Determines which parameter the expression pedal
controls.
TAP DIVIDE Switch –Sets the note type based on tapped in quarter
notes.
SHAPE Switch –Sets the waveform shape of the LFO.
INPUT Jack –Plug your instrument or the output of another effects pedal
into this ¼” jack. The input impedance is 2.2M.
OUTPUT Jack –Outputs the Blurst’s audio signal. The output impedance is
220.
EXP Jack –Plug a TRS expression pedal or other CV device (such as an EHX
8-Step Program) into this ¼” jack.
9V Power Jack –Plug the output of the AC adapter into the 9V power jack
located at the top of the Blurst. The Blurst draws 56mA at 9VDC with a
center negative plug. The Blurst accepts Boss®and Ibanez®style AC
Adapters capable of delivering at least 100 mA.
- WARRANTY INFORMATION -
Please register online at http://www.ehx.com/product-registration or complete and return the
enclosed warranty card within 10 days of purchase. Electro-Harmonix will repair or replace, at its
discretion, a product that fails to operate due to defects in materials or workmanship for a period
of one year from date of purchase. This applies only to original purchasers who have bought their
product from an authorized Electro-Harmonix retailer. Repaired or replaced units will then be
warranted for the unexpired portion of the original warranty term.
If you should need to return your unit for service within the warranty period, please contact the
appropriate office listed below. Customers outside the regions listed below, please contact EHX
Customer Service for information on warranty repairs at i[email protected] or [phone]. USA
and Canadian customers: please obtain a Return Authorization Number (RA#) from EHX
Customer Service before returning your product. Include  with your returned unit  a written
description of the problem as well as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address,
RA# and a copy of your receipt clearly showing the purchase date.
United States & Canada Europe
EHX CUSTOMER SERVICE JOHN WILLIAMS
ELECTRO-HARMONIX ELECTRO-HARMONIX UK
c/o NEW SENSOR CORP. 13 CWMDONKIN TERRACE
55-01 2ND STREET SWANSEA SA2 0RQ
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101 UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected] Email: [e-mail]
- 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 received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation. If the device is not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, it may cause harmful interference to radio communications and void the user's authority
to guarantee the equipment.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
 Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
 Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
 Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment under FCC rules.
To hear demos on all EHX pedals visit us on the web at www.ehx.com
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