Empress Effects tremolo User manual

user manual
tremolo

Introduction
The Empress Tremolo is an original design built from the ground up
to include innovative features without sacrificing tone. The audio
signal path is analog, but the tremolo effect is controlled digitally via
opto technology.
We’ve included features never before seen on a tremolo, including
tap tempo and rhythm features, that expand upon the basic effect
increasing its functionality and ease of use.
To help you get the most out of this product, we’ve put some brief
instructional videos on our website:
www.empresseffects.com
Enjoy,
Steve Bragg

Quickstart
Plug your guitar into the jack on the right side. Plug your amplifier
into the jack on the left side. Set the mode switch to “tap tempo”
and set the waveform switch to “tube”. Set depth to half, rate to
1:2, rhythm to 1 (all the way counterclockwise), and gain to one
half. Now tap the tempo you would like using the tap stomp
switch.
There’s your standard tremolo.

Controls at a Glance
Power: 9V DC negative
tip 2.1mm jack. 30mA or greater
+
Depth: The amount of tremolo
eect applied to signal
Rate/Ratio: When in normal or two speed mode,
this is the rate or speed of the tremolo eect.
When in tap tempo mode, this sets the ratio of foot
taps to tremolo pulses. For example, at a 1:2 ratio,
the tremolo will do eigth notes when you tap
quarter notes.
Normal Mode: The rate of the tremolo is controlled by the
rate knob.
Tap Tempo Mode: The rate of the tremolo is set by taping
on the tap stompswitch twice. The ratio of foot taps to
tremolo pulses is set by the rate/ratio knob. The tremolo
averages the last 4 intervals tapped, so to get the most
accurate tap tempo, tap the tap stompswitch 5 times.
Two Speed Mode: There are two separate tremolo rates
that can be chosen from. Both rates are settable. The rate is
set by the rate knob. Switching between tremolo rates is
achieved by hitting the tap stompswitch.
Tap Stompswitch: Used to set the rate of the tremolo
eect when in tap tempo mode. When in two speed
mode it’s used to switch between speeds

Controls at a Glance
Power: 9V DC negative
tip 2.1mm jack. 30mA or greater
-
Waveform Switch: Three positions. The middle position
is an asymmetrical waveform modeled after a sweet
sounding vintage tube amp tremolo. The right position is
a square waveform for your dance-type music. The left
position is a triangle waveform that gives a “pulsey”
sound.
Bypass Stompswitch: When the LED is shining, the
tremolo eect is applied to the signal. When o, the
tremolo is being bypassed (true bypass).
Rhythm: Here is a diagram of the eight rhythms with
"0" being accented:
1) 0000 (normal tremolo)
2) 0x0x
3) 0xx0xx
4) 0xxx0xxx
5) 0xx0xx0x
6) 0x0x00x0x0(this one is in 5/4)
7) 0xx0xx0x0x0x
8) 0xx0xx0xxx0x0xxx
Gain: The Empress Tremolo can deliver up to 6dB of
gain. Set to a little less than one half for unity.

Tap Tempo Mode
In tap tempo mode, use the tap stomp switch to enter a speed for
the tremolo. The tremolo will change to the new speed after 2 taps
and will average the speed of your last 4 taps. Use the ratio knob to
multiply the tapped tempo by 1, 2 or 4.
Two Speed Mode
In two speed mode, the tap stomp switch is used to toggle between
2 preset speeds.
To set the speeds: use the rate knob to set the first speed. Then
press the tap stomp switch and use the rate knob to set the second
speed. Once the two speeds are set, use the tap stomp switch to
toggle between the two speeds. When the tap stomp switch is
pressed, the tremolo will ramp from one speed to the next, much
like a Leslie cabinet would when switching between fast and slow.

Normal Mode
In normal mode, use the rate knob to set the speed of the tremolo.
The tap stomp switch is not used.
Rhythms
There are 8 rhythms available on the tremolo. Each rhythm consists
of a series of accented and unaccented beats. Here are the 8
settings with ‘0’ being accented and ‘x’ being unaccented.
1) 0000 (normal tremolo)
2) 0x0x
3) 0xx0xx
4) 0xxx0xxx
5) 0xx0xx0x
6) 0x0x00x0x0(this one is in 5/4)
7) 0xx0xx0x0x0x
8) 0xx0xx0xxx0x0xxx

Specifications
Input Impedance:
475kΩ
Output Impedance:
250Ω
Frequency Response (-3dB):
6Hz –30kHz
Distortion:
0.025%
Noise:
-104dB
Input Voltage:
9VDC –12VDC
Required Current:
Power Input Connector:
Height (enclosure only):
Height (including controls):
Length:
Width:
Weight:
30mA
2.1mm Barrel Connector
1.5”
2”
3.5”
4.5”
1lbs
www.empresseffects.com