Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron User manual

Q-Tron
Envelope Controlled Filter
Congratulations on your purchase of the Q-Tron enhanced envelope controlled filter. It is a very
powerful tool for musical expression. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the
Q-Tron features and controls.
Envelope controlled filters are unique sound modifiers since the intensity of the effect is controlled by
the user’s player dynamics. The volume (also known as the envelope) of the musician’s notes are used
to control a swept filter. As the volume of your notes changes, so does the peak frequency of the filter.
-CONTROLS-
Gain Control (0-11) – In normal mode the gain control acts as a filter sensitivity control and
has no effect on the unit’s output volume. In Boost mode, the Gain control functions as both
a volume control and the filter sensitivity control.
Boost Switch (Normal/Boost) – Normal mode passes input signal through the filter at its
original level. Boost mode increases the signal gain to the filter according to the Gain control
setting.
Rotary Sweep Switch (Up/Down) – Selects the direction of the filter sweep.
Range Switch (Hi/Lo) – Emphasizes vowel-like sounds in low position and overtones in
high position.
Peak Control (0-11) – Determines the resonance peak or Q of the filter. Turning the
control clockwise increases the Q and creates a more dramatic effect.
Mode Switch (LP, BP, HP Mix) – Determines what frequency range the filter will pass.
Emphasize Bass with Low Pass, midrange in Band Pass and treble with the High Pass. Mix
mode combines BP with the dry instrument signal.
Bypass Switch (In/Out)- Toggles between effect mode and True Bypass.
Your Playing Dynamics- The Q-tron’s effect is controlled by the user’s player dynamics.
strong attack will yield a more dramatic effect, while a softer playing yields more subtle
ones.
-Jacks-
Input Jack- Musical instrument signal input. The input impedance presented at this jacks
300 k
Ω .
Output Jack- Output to amplifier. The output impedance is 250 Ω.
Overload LED: Lights when envelope follower reaches its maximum signal
amplitude.
-AC Adaptor-
Your Q-Tron comes equipped with a 24 volt DC (inner positive) / 100mA external power
adapter. Use only the power adapter that is supplied! Using the wrong adapter can cause
serious bodily injury and may damage your unit. This will void the warranty.
-Operation-
Set all controls to minimum. Connect your instrument to the input jack and your amplifier to
the output jack. The Unit’s status LED should be lit. Set the Q-Tron’s controls to the
following:
Drive Switch: UP
Range Switch: Low
Mode Switch: BP
Peak Control: Maximum
Boost Control: Off
Gain Control: Variable*
Vary the gain control until the Overload Indicator LED lights on the loudest notes that you
play. If no effect is noticeable, depress the Bypass switch to engage the effect. With this
setting the user should be able to approximate the sound of an automatic wah-wah pedal.
Experiment with these settings to see how the Q-Tron reacts to playing dynamics. Adjusting
the Gain and Peak controls will vary the amount and intensity of the effect. For tonal
variations adjust the Range, Mode and Drive controls.
To attain an effect similar to an original Mu-Tron III, set the Q-Tron’s controls to the
following:
Drive Switch: Down
Response Switch: Fast
Range Switch: Low
Mode Switch: BP
Peak Control: Mid Point
Boost Control: Boost
Gain Control: Variable*

* Vary the gain control until the Overload Indicator LED lights on the loudest notes that you
play. Increasing gain will saturate the Filter, yielding the famous “chewy” Mu-Tron like
sounds. Adjusting the peak control will vary the intensity of the effect. For tonal variations,
adjust the Range, Mode and Drive controls.
-Options for use-
The Q-Tron can be used with a wide variety of electronic instruments. Here are some setting
tips for use with different instrument types.
Range Control- Lo range is best for rhythm guitar and bass. Hi range is best for lead
guitar, brass and winds. Both ranges work well for keyboards.
Mix Mode : Works especially well with bass guitar (may require higher peak settings).
Drive Switch : Down drive works well with Bass guitar. Up Drive is best with guitar and
keyboards.
The Q-Tron can also be used in conjunction with other effects pedals. Here are some
interesting combinations.
Q-Tron and Big Muff (or tube amp distortion)- Place the distortion device after the Q-tron
in the signal chain. The use of distortion will dramatically increase the intensity of the Q-
Tron’s effect. You can also place the distortion before the Q-Tron but this combination tends
to flatten the dynamic response range of the effect.
Q-Tron into a Q-Tron Try this with one unit in the up drive position and the other in the
down drive position.
Q-Tron and POG/Micro POG etc- Place the POG before the Q-Tron in the signal chain.
Use the POG, HOG or Octave Multiplexer, which maintain the natural envelope of the signal.
This combination will yield sounds similar to and analog synthesizer.
Q-Tron and compressor, flanger, reverb create interesting tonal colors while retaining
full control of digital sweep.
Try experimenting with other effects and effect to achieve your own unique sound. When
used properly the Q-tron will provide a lifetime of playing pleasure.