Electro-Harmonix Superego+ User manual

1
SUPEREGO+
SYNTH ENGINE/MULTI-EFFECT
Congratulations on your purchase of the Electro-Harmonix Superego+ synth
engine and multi-effect. Just like the original award-winning Superego, the
Superego+ excels at creating synth effects, ethereal layers, fluid glissandos,
infinite sustain and more.
But wait, kids, there’s more! The Superego+ adds new mind-blowing features
such as: a Threshold control that reacts to your picking dynamics; separate
Attack and Decay controls; expression pedal input; and the optional ability to
control the pedal via an external footswitch. And to really extend the range of
the Superego, we’ve included 11 unique effects to help you explore even more
otherworldly soundscapes. Add additional effects through the effects loop for
even more craziness. Or, just use the effects alone as you would with any
standard multi-effect device.
Whether on stage or in the studio, if you’re an ambient/drone specialist or just
looking for something a little new or different, relax your mind, set the controls
for the heart of the sun, and start crafting some unique and special sounds.
WARNING: Your SUPEREGO+ comes equipped with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200BI
power supply (same as used by Boss®& Ibanez®: 9.6 Volts DC 200mA). The Superego+
requires 140mA at 9VDC with a center-negative plug. Use of the wrong adapter or a plug
with the wrong polarity may damage your SUPEREGO+ and void the warranty.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………….1
GETTING STARTED: MODES…………………………………………………………………….2
STARTER SETTINGS…………………………………………………………………………………..3
CONTROLS………………………………………………………………………………………………..4-5
POWER/INPUT/OUTPUT…………………………………………………………………………6-7
EFFECTS………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8
SETTING EXPRESSION PEDAL PRESETS/
NOTES AND SPECIFICATIONS………………………………………………………………….9
BLANK USER TEMPLATE…………………………………………………………………………..10
WARRANTY INFORMATION……………………………………………………………………..11
FCC COMPLIANCE………………………………………………………………………………………12

2
GETTING STARTED: MODES
Let’s begin our exploration of the Superego+ by learning about the five major
functions you can select with the MODE footswitch. Each press and release of
the MODE footswitch cycles through the following modes:
MOMENT
When set to MOMENT mode, the Superego+ freezes your signal at the moment
you press and hold the BYPASS footswitch and continues to produce the frozen
effect as long you hold down the footswitch. When you release BYPASS the
frozen signal fades out. With a mix of dry signal you can play over the frozen
sound. Release and press and hold the BYPASS footswitch as you play a new
chord/note to create a new freeze.
SUSTAIN (MOMENT+AUTO)
In SUSTAIN mode, the Superego+ works similarly to a piano sustain pedal. The
Superego+ continues to automatically freeze notes as you play and while the
BYPASS footswitch is held down. Use the THRESHOLD knob to set trigger
sensitivity to your playing and instrument. Release BYPASS to fade out the frozen
sound and disable the effect.
AUTO
In AUTO mode, the Superego+ automatically freezes the notes you play while
the pedal is on. Press and release BYPASS once to enable AUTO mode. Double-
tap BYPASS to go into bypass mode. Press and hold BYPASS while a frozen
signal is sounding to momentarily stop accepting new signals; when you release
BYPASS, AUTO mode returns to freezing your notes. Use the THRESHOLD knob
to set trigger sensitivity to your playing and instrument.
LATCH
In LATCH mode, the Superego+ freezes your signal at the moment you press the
BYPASS footswitch and continues to produce the frozen effect even after you
release BYPASS. To freeze a new sound press and release BYPASS again.
Double-tap BYPASS to enter bypass mode and fade-out the frozen signal.
LIVE EFFECTS (MOMENT+AUTO+LATCH)
In LIVE EFFECTS mode the dry signal is routed through the built-in effects of the
Superego+ and the internal synth engine is disabled. You cannot freeze sound
while in this mode. Use either the EFFECT or BYPASS footswitch to toggle an
effect on or off in this mode. The effect signal is routed through the external
effects loop after it goes through the Superego+ internal effects.

3
STARTER SETTINGS

4
CONTROLS
DRY Knob
Controls the volume level of the dry signal. As you turn DRY clockwise the
volume of the DRY signal increases to a maximum of +3dB.
EFFECT Knob
Controls the volume of the effected signal. Fully CCW removes the effect signal
entirely. Fully CW presents the maximum effect signal. The effect volume control
operates before the SEND output jack in the signal chain.
ATTACK Knob
Controls the fade-in speed of the frozen signal. When set fully CCW, the frozen
signal starts immediately. As the knob is turned CW the frozen signal fades in
more slowly. Adjust the ATTACK knob to create swell and pad effects.
DECAY Knob
Controls the fade-out speed of the frozen signal. When fully CCW, the frozen
signal fades out quickly. As the knob is turned CW, the fade-out time increases.
When set fully CW, the frozen signal plays indefinitely until a new freeze function
is triggered. If the DECAY knob is set very high at the time the Superego+ goes
into bypass, the bypass LED flashes as the effect signal fades out. This bypass
fade-out time is determined by the DECAY setting and provides a maximum
fade-out time of up to 2 seconds. Once the bypass fadeout is complete the LED
turns off as the Superego+ enters bypass.
THRESHOLD Knob
Controls how sensitive the Superego+ is to the input signal. THRESHOLD is least
sensitive when set fully CCW. At this setting, the input signal has to be very
strong to trigger the effect. As the knob is turned CW, the Superego+ becomes
more sensitive and the effect becomes increasingly easier to trigger. When set
fully CW, even light playing will trigger the effect.
LAYER Knob
In SUSTAIN, AUTO, and LATCH modes, use the LAYER knob to set the level of
the previously frozen signal when it is mixed with a newly frozen signal. When
set fully CCW, the previously frozen signal is not present in a new freeze. At a
setting of fully CW, 100% of the previously frozen signal is present. The LAYER
knob works in a similar fashion to the feedback knob on a delay or the overdub
amount on a looper. Adjust to taste!
GLISS Knob
Controls the speed of the glissando effect. The glissando/portamento feature
glides the pitch of one frozen sound into the next. This function is great for
smooth transitions with lots of texture.

5
Effects Selector Knob
Selects which of the 11 effects will be applied to the frozen or effected signal
when the EFFECT footswitch is engaged. See p. 8 for detailed descriptions of
each effect.
RATE Knob
Controls the rate/speed of the selected effect. For effects that do not utilize a
rate control, the RATE knob will have an alternate function. This alternate
function is printed (in purple) below the effect name on the Effects Selector
knob.
DEPTH Knob
Controls the depth/amount of the selected effect. For effects that do not need a
depth control, the DEPTH knob will have the alternate function printed in green
below the effect on the Effects Selector knob.
BYPASS Footswitch
Enables or disables the Superego+ pedal. Depending on what mode the
Superego+ is in, this footswitch can function as a freeze trigger, or an auto
trigger enable/disable (See MODES for more information).
EFFECT Footswitch
Turns the internal effect section of the Superego+ on and off. In LIVE EFFECTS
MODE the EFFECT footswitch as well as the BYPASS footswitch turn the
Superego+ on and off.
MODE Footswitch
Cycles through the five modes indicated by the mode LEDs.

6
POWER/INPUT/OUTPUT
POWER
Connect the output plug of the supplied AC Adaptor into the 9V power jack at
the top of the Superego+. The polarity at the power jack is center-negative only,
the Superego+ draws 140mA. Do not exceed 10VDC at the power jack.
INPUT Jack
Plug the output of another effects pedal or an instrument such as guitar, bass, or
keyboard into this ¼” input jack. This jack is the main input to the Superego+.
OUTPUT Jack
Use this jack for the main output of the Superego+. Connect a ¼” cable from
the OUTPUT jack to your amplifier, another effects pedal, a mixer, or an audio
recorder. Experiment with placing other effects after the Superego+ to create
rich soundscapes.
SEND Jack
If you would like the freeze signal to go through an external effects chain while
keeping your dry signal out of this chain, use the Superego+ built-in effects loop.
Connect SEND to the input of the external effect. Alternately, you can use the
SEND jack as a “wet-only” output; when you do so, the freeze signal is muted at
the OUTPUT jack. The EFFECT knob always controls the volume at the SEND
jack.
RETURN Jack
If using the external effects loop, plug the output of the external effect(s) into
the RETURN jack. The signal present at the RETURN jack is mixed with the dry
signal and sent to the OUTPUT jack.
EXP (Expression) Jack
Connect a standard TRS expression pedal or control voltage (CV) between 0 to
5V to the EXP input to allow external control over the ATTACK, DECAY, RATE,
DEPTH, THRESHOLD, LAYER and GLISS parameters. An EXP preset can be saved
for each effect setting. The SUPEREGO+ will take a “snapshot” of all 7 knob
parameters at the heel-down position and a snapshot of all 7 knob parameters at
the toe-down position, allowing the expression pedal to sweep between the two
settings. NOTE: refer to the SETTING EXPRESSION PEDAL PRESETS section
on p. 9 of this manual.
Once an EXP preset has been saved the LED between RATE and DEPTH lights
red, otherwise this LED lights green.
You can also use an expression pedal or other CV source without programming a
preset. Each internal effect has a default expression control range that is active
by default from the factory or after erasing the expression pedal preset.

7
EXT (External Control) Jack
Use a TRS three-button external/auxiliary switch (such as the DigiTech®FS3X) to
remotely control the Superego+ footswitches. To connect the external switch,
unplug power from Superego+, connect the external switch to the EXT jack and
then apply power. If you’re handy at DIY, you could build your own footswitch
based on the following circuit diagram:
The switch connected to the TIP+RING of the external footswitch behaves like
the BYPASS footswitch. Use this control to remotely switch the Superego+ on
and off. This switch will also control triggers in LATCH mode.
The switch connected to the RING controls the EFFECT footswitch. This switch
can be used to remotely turn on and off the Superego+ internal effects.
The switch connected to TIP works as a MODE selector and an EFFECT off
switch. A single press is the equivalent of double tapping the BYPASS footswitch
to enter bypass when the Superego+ is in SUSTAIN, AUTO, or LATCH mode. To
change modes, press and hold the TIP+RING switch; the Superego+ will slowly
cycle through the 5 modes. Release the footswitch to select the currently lit
mode.
USING A SINGLE EXTERNAL SWITCH WITH A ¼” TS CABLE
When using a single external switch with a ¼” TS cable (standard guitar cable),
the switch will have the same functionality as the onboard BYPASS footswitch.
USING EXTERNAL CLOCK TRIGGER WITH A ¼” TS CABLE
You can also use a clock signal to trigger the Superego+ BYPASS function.
Connect the clock signal to the TIP of the EXT Jack. Each negative-going clock
signal present at the TIP connection is equivalent to pressing the BYPASS
footswitch. The nominal amplitude for the clock signal is 0V to 5V. The
Superego+ is triggered by the falling edge of the clock signal.

8
EFFECTS
FLANGE, PHASE, MOD and ROTARY use the RATE and DEPTH knobs as
indicated. Other effects assign different functions to the RATE and DEPTH knobs.
These alternate functions are indicated by the purple and green text next to the
relevant effect name on the Effect Selector knob. The purple text indicates the
parameter that is controlled by the RATE knob. The green text indicates the
parameter that is controlled by the DEPTH knob. Note: The LED above the
Effect Selector knob lights green to indicate that the effects section is active.
With an EXP pedal attached, a red LED indicates that you have programmed an
EXP pedal preset for the effect selected.
DETUNE: Subtle and shimmery pitch detune. EXP pedal controls pitch.
ECHO: Pristine repeats. Feedback is preset. EXP pedal controls delay time.
DELAY: Warm, analog-sounding repeats with modulation. Feedback is preset.
EXP pedal controls delay time.
FLANGE: Electric Mistress-style flanger with filter matrix, rate, and feedback
control. DEPTH controls the feedback amount. The RATE knob controls both the
filter matrix and the flange rate. With the RATE knob fully CCW, the filter matrix
is at minimum. The filter range increases to its maximum setting at about 11
o’clock on the RATE knob. As you turn RATE past 11 o’clock the flange will begin
to oscillate very slowly; modulation speed increases to maximum when RATE is
set fully CW. EXP pedal controls rate.
PHASE: Small Stone-style phase shifting. EXP pedal controls rate.
MOD: Pitch-based vibrato or chorus. RATE controls speed. Depth is 0 at noon.
Noon to CCW is pitch vibrato depth. Noon to CW is chorus depth. EXP sets rate.
ROTARY: Rich rotary sound. Use the DEPTH knob to control tweeter/horn
balance. Turning the DEPTH knob CCW adds more horn and reduces the
tweeter. Turning the DEPTH Knob CW adds more tweeter and reduces the horn.
Expression pedal controls rate.
TREM 1: Sine wave tremolo. EXP pedal controls rate.
TREM 2: Square wave tremolo. EXP pedal controls rate.
PITCH: Pitch shifting effect. RATE knob at noon is unity. CW steps up the
major scale (also including minor 3rd and minor 7th) to +1 octave. CCW steps
down the major down to -1 octave. EXP pedal controls +1 octave whammy-style
effect over the unity effected signal.
FILTER: Resonant Low-Pass filter. RATE controls frequency and DEPTH
controls resonance. EXP pedal controls frequency.

9
SETTING EXPRESSION PEDAL PRESETS
Program and save EXP pedal presets by executing the following steps:
1. Insert an expression pedal into the EXP jack.
2. Tap the EFFECT footswitch, if necessary, to ensure that the effects are off.
3. Press and hold the EFFECT footswitch for more than one second. The green
Effects LED will start to blink.
4. Release the EFFECT footswitch.
5. Set the expression pedal to heel-down and set the 7 controllable knobs
(ATTACK, DECAY, RATE, DEPTH, THRESHOLD, LAYER and GLISS) to the
desired heel-down setting.
6. Put the expression pedal in toe-down position and set the same 7 knobs to
the desired toe-down setting. If you do not want a knob to change with the
expression pedal then do not turn it during this step.
7. NOTE: The expression pedal must be placed into the heel-down and toe-
down positions at least once during preset acquisition.
8. Press and hold the EFFECT footswitch.
9. The Effects LED will flash red to confirm that a preset has been saved. The
Red LED will only light with an expression pedal plugged into the EXP jack.
10. Release the EFFECT footswitch, the red LED goes solid. The solid red LED
indicates that an expression pedal preset has been saved and is active.
MORE ABOUT EXPRESSION PEDAL PRESETS
•To exit programming an expression pedal preset without saving changes, press
and release the EFFECT footswitch at any time before step 8 in the above
procedure.
•When a preset is active, turning any of the 7 control knobs will save that
knob’s new setting as both the heel-down and toe-down setting. The EFFECTS
LED will flash red for half a second and then remain lit solid.
•To erase a preset, make sure the EFFECTS are off. Press and hold the
EFFECTS footswitch for 5 seconds. After one second the green LED will begin
flashing. After 5 seconds the green LED will flash quickly. Release the EFFECTS
footswitch and the preset will be cleared. The EFFECTS LED will light green
and the expression pedal controls the default parameter.
NOTES AND SPECIFICATIONS
•Buffered bypass
•Input impedance: 2.2M ohms (INPUT and RETURN jacks)
•Output impedance: 500 ohms (OUTPUT and SEND jacks)
•See p. 10 for a blank user template you can photocopy or use directly to
record your favorite personal settings.
•Go to ww.ehx.com/products/superego-plus to download a blank template you
can print and fill out to keep track of your favorite settings.

10

11
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 [email protected] or +1-718-937-
8300. 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
EHX CUSTOMER SERVICE
ELECTRO-HARMONIX
c/o NEW SENSOR CORP.
55-01 2ND 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]

12
FCC 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.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the
user's authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.