Electro-Harmonix S9 string ensemble User manual

WARNING: This device comes equipped with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200mA power
supply. It requires 100mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. Use of the wrong adapter
or a plug with the wrong polarity may damage the device and void the warranty. Do not
exceed 10.5VDC on the power plug. Power supplies rated for less than 100mA will cause
the device to act unreliably.
Operating Instructions
Connect the supplied power adapter to the 9V power jack. Plug your instru-
ment into the INPUT jack. Connect your amp or mixer to the EFFECT OUTPUT
jack. Set the DRY knob to minimum (fully counterclockwise) and set the other
top row knobs to 12 o’clock. Select a preset (“SYMPHONIC” is a good starting
point) and step on the footswitch to turn on the LED. Play your instrument
and adjust controls to your liking.
For further inspiration, check out the STRING9’s Suggested Factory Settings
section. To download a blank User Settings PDF to record your favorite set-
tings, visit www.ehx.com/string9.
Congratulations on your purchase of the Electro-Harmonix STRING9 String
Ensemble. The STRING9 does for lush strings what the B9 does for organs, the
KEY9 does for electric pianos and the SYNTH9 does for analog synthesizers: now
anyone with an electric guitar can play great sounding lead string lines and
chordal string pads. The STRING9 is so amazing at producing atmospheric pads,
we took our groundbreaking Freeze algorithm from the HOG and Superego
and included it in three of the STRING9’s patches. Like our entire line of 9
series synthesizers, no special pickups are needed for clear polyphonic tracking
from single notes to full chords. Grab your favorite electric guitar and a
STRING9 and turn yourself into a string ensemble virtuoso.

1. DRY VOL Knob The DRY VOL knob controls the volume of the untreated
instrument signal present at the EFFECT OUTPUT jack. The DRY knob does not
control the volume of the DRY OUTPUT jack.
2. EFFECT VOL Knob The EFFECT VOL knob controls the overall volume of the
selected patch at the EFFECT OUTPUT jack.
3. CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 Knobs See the preset descriptions on page 4.
4. PATCH Knob Turn the white knob to select a strings patch.
5. BYPASS MUTE Internal DIP Switch Inside the STRING9 is a small DIP switch
labeled dry/mute. This switch allows you to choose the signal output from the
EFFECT jack when the STRING9 is in bypass mode.
While the STRING9 is in Bypass, and the DIP switch is set to dry (factory
default), the EFFECT jack outputs the signal present at the INPUT. This is the
standard guitar pedal routing for bypass. Set the DIP switch to mute, and
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Controls and Connections

the EFFECT jack output is muted in bypass. This is handy when sending the
STRING9’s string effects to a different amplier or mixer channel and you
don’t want to hear your guitar out of that amp while in bypass.
To change the dry/mute DIP switch setting, do the following:
Remove the bottom cover of the STRING9.
Locate the small board with the footswitch and ribbon cable. Here you’ll
nd the DIP switch labeled dry and mute.
Change the dry/mute DIP switch setting with a small athead screwdriver.
Note: this switch is very delicate. Do not force it when changing settings.

and then back to the position you want.
6. INPUT Jack Plug your instrument or the output of another effects pedal
into this ¼” jack. The input impedance at the INPUT jack is 1MΩ. See Tips 1 & 2
on page 7 of this manual for more information on connecting your STRING9.
7. DRY OUTPUT Jack The DRY OUTPUT jack outputs the signal present at the
INPUT jack through a buffer circuit. In either EFFECT or BYPASS mode, the dry
signal is always present at the DRY OUTPUT jack. The source impedance at the
DRY OUTPUT jack is 500Ω.
8. EFFECT OUTPUT Jack In effect mode, the EFFECT OUTPUT jack outputs the
mix set by the DRY and EFFECT volume knobs. In BYPASS mode, EFFECT out-
puts either the buffered bypass signal or is muted, depending on the setting
of the internal BYPASS MUTE DIP switch. The source impedance at the EFFECT
OUTPUT jack is 500Ω.
9. 9V Power Jack Attach the output plug from the included power supply to
the 9V power jack. The STRING9 draws 100mA at 9VDC on a center-negative
plug. Do not exceed 10.5VDC on the power jack.
10. BYPASS Footswitch and STATUS LED Press the Bypass footswitch to toggle
the EFFECT OUTPUT jack between buffered bypass/mute and EFFECT mode.
The status LED lights when you are in EFFECT mode. Change between buffered
bypass or mute—while in Bypass mode—by ipping the internal BYPASS MUTE
DIP switch. The STATUS LED blinks when waiting for a Freeze trigger or upon
receiving a new Freeze trigger.
Manual Freeze On The Bypass Footswitch
The Bypass footswitch performs double-duty, in addition to toggling between
bypass and effect modes, the footswitch also engages Manual Freeze when
the STRING9 is set to any of the last three patches: ORCH FREEZE, SYNTH
FREEZE, VOX FREEZE and the CTRL 2 knob is set to the CW half of its range.
- 3 -

- 4 -
Preset Descriptions
1. SYMPHONIC An emulation of a large symphonic orchestra. The bottom guitar
strings produce a lower octave for a full sound.
CTRL 1 is a tone control. As you turn CTRL 1 CW, the effect gets brighter. As you
turn CTRL 1 CCW, the effect goes darker.
CTRL 2 adjusts sustain/release time. Sustain/release is the time it takes for
the effect to fade out after stopping your notes. As CTRL 2 is turned CW, the
fade-out time increases. The sustain/release effect is similar to reverb, but it
controls fade-out volume instead of a reverb tail.
2. JUNE-O A string sound inspired by the classic polyphonic analog synths of the
early 80s.
CTRL 1 is a tone control.
CTRL 2 is an octave switch, selecting between 5 octaves.
3. PCM A smaller studio string section, as heard on vintage digital keyboards.
CTRL 1 is a tone control.
CTRL 2 adjusts vibrato depth. As you turn CTRL 2 clockwise, the vibrato depth
increases. Turn CTRL 2 fully CCW to bypass vibrato.
4. FLOPPY Emulation of the 1960's and 70's mechanical string machines like the
Mellotron® and Orchestron®. Orchestron® used optical oppy discs.
CTRL 1 is a tone control.
CTRL 2 is sustain/release time.
5. AARP Emulation of the much-loved Arp® Solina string synthesizer.
CTRL 1 adjusts Small Stone Phase Shifter speed. As you turn CTRL 1 clockwise,
modulation speed increases. Turn CTRL 1 fully CCW to bypass the phase shifter.
CTRL 2 is sustain/release time.
6. CREWMAN Emulation of the classic Crumar® Performer analog string and
brass synthesizer.
CTRL 1 sets lter envelope sweep time and direction. When CTRL 1 is set within
its counterclockwise range, it will adjust the attack time of the lter sweep; when
set clockwise, beyond “noon,” it controls the decay time of the lter sweep. For
either section of CTRL 1, sweep time gets faster as the knob is turned clockwise.
CTRL 2 is sustain/release time.
7. ORCH FREEZE An orchestra sound with Freeze effect.
CTRL 1 is a tone control.
CTRL 2 selects between Auto Freeze and Manual Freeze modes. Set CTRL 2 any-
where in its counterclockwise half to select Auto Freeze. Set CTRL 2 anywhere in
its clockwise half to select Manual Freeze.
8. SYNTH FREEZE A string synthesizer with Freeze effect.
CTRL 1 is a tone control.
CTRL 2 selects between Auto Freeze and Manual Freeze modes.
9. VOX FREEZE Mellotron® choir and strings with Freeze effect.
CTRL 1 adjusts the speed of the Small Stone Phase Shifter effect.
CTRL 2 selects between Auto Freeze and Manual Freeze modes.

Suggested Factory Settings

- 6 -
FREEZE FUNCTION
Freeze holds notes and chords for far longer than a typical guitar will sustain and
is therefore perfect for generating atmospheric pads with your guitar. Combine
the string ensemble sounds found in the STRING9 with the Freeze algorithm to
create beautiful pads that last as long as you need them, even the entire length
of a song. Please note, the Freeze algorithm acts on the string ensemble sounds,
not your dry guitar.
The Freeze function can be found in patches 7-9: ORCH FREEZE, SYNTH FREEZE, or
VOX FREEZE. The STRING9 allows you to freeze your string effects either automat-
ically or manually. Set the CTRL 2 knob in the counterclockwise (CCW) half of its
range for Auto Freeze or set CTRL 2 in its clockwise (CW) half for Manual Freeze.
Auto Freeze
Ensure CTRL 2 is set in its CCW half and the STRING9 is set to a Freeze patch.
Enter effect mode. The Status LED blinks until you play a note or chord. The LED’s
blink speed momentarily doubles when it has captured a new Freeze.
For every note or chord you play, the STRING9 automatically freezes or holds the
string effect until the next note or chord is played.
Trigger Tip: if you nd Auto freeze triggers too easily, turn your guitar volume
down a touch.
To stop the Freeze effect, press the footswitch to enter bypass.
Quick Stop Tip: To quickly stop or silence the freeze effect, mute the strings with
your left hand and gently tap the strings with your right hand.
Manual Freeze
Turn CTRL 2 to the CW half of its range, set the STRING9 to a Freeze patch.
Start in Bypass mode, then press the footswitch to enter effect mode; the Status
LED blinks until you play a note or chord. The LED’s blink speed momentarily
doubles to indicate it has captured a new Freeze.
Once you play, Freeze engages with the selected string section and holds the
notes you played.
The Freeze sound sustains until you go back to Bypass mode.
Tip: play your note or chord on the guitar just before pressing the footswitch to
enter effect mode; the note or chord freezes immediately.
Tip: turn up the DRY knob so that you can play along with your frozen soundscape.
Tip: changing to a different patch will stop and reset the Freeze sound.
To stop and reset your Freeze, press the footswitch to enter Bypass.
Note: if noise enters the INPUT jack at the time of engaging the effect, the STRING9
could Freeze the noise. If this happens, press the footswitch to enter Bypass and
reset the Freeze, then tragain.

- 7 -
Performance Tips
1. The STRING9 is generally best used as the rst pedal in an effects chain.
Place distortion, modulation, delay, and reverb effects after the STRING9.
The unit will not perform well if placed in the effects loop of a guitar amp.
2. Avoid placing a distortion or overdrive in front of the STRING9, which could
muddy up the input signal and cause the tracking to be unstable. If you want
to add overdrive or distortion, place it after the STRING9.
3. For optimal playability, use a strong bridge pickup and turn the volume knob
all the way up (“10”). If you have low output pickups, you could consider using
a clean boost before the STRING9. If Auto Freeze triggers too easily, turn the
guitar’s volume down a bit.
4. The usable tracking range on the STRING9 extends up to about the 23rd fret on
the high-E of a standard guitar and down to the open A-string on a bass guitar.
5. For the most realistic string ensemble sounds, try ngerpicking with your
right hand instead of striking notes and chords with a pick.
6. For the most hi-delity sound—and true string ensemble realism—we recom-
mend connecting the STRING9’s EFFECT OUTPUT to a keyboard amp, PA, or
mixing console. Otherwise, a guitar amp will work ne.
Notes and Specications
Buffered bypass
Input impedance: 1MΩ
Output impedance (for both output jacks): 500Ω
Current draw: 100mA
User Settings

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Please register online at www.ehx.com/product-registration or complete and re-
turn 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 autho-
rized 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 ofce listed below. Customers outside the regions listed
below, please contact EHX Customer Service for information on warranty repairs
at [email protected]om or [phone]. USA and Canadian customers: please obtain
a Return Authorization Number (RA#) from EHX Customer Service before returning
your product. With your returned unit, include 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.
COMPLIANCE
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.
-
ate the equipment under FCC rules.
The CE logo indicates that this product has been tested and shown to conform with all applicable
European Conformity directives.
The WEEE or “trashcan” logo indicates that this product is made up of electronic components that should not
be trashed alongside household waste but instead should be recycled by a proper electrical waste facility.
United States & Canada
EHX Customer Service
Electro-Harmonix
co New Sensor Corp.
47-50 33rd Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]om
Europe
John Williams
Electro-Harmonix UK
13 Cwmdonkin Terrace
Swansea SA2 0RQ
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
This warranty gives a purchaser specic legal rights. A purchaser may have even greater rights depending upon
the laws of the jurisdiction within which the product was purchased.
All third party trademarks referenced by EHX remain the property of their respective owners. Any references to such trade-
marks herein is simply to identify the corresponding third party goods and is nominative fair use under the trademark law.