Empress Effects Phaser User manual

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
Phaser
Operating Instructions
Check out www.empresseffects.com for instructional videos!

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
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To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose unit to rain,
swimming pools, or any other moisture.
The unit requires a 9V-18V DC negative tip power
supply which connects on the back side of the unit. The
supply must have a current rating of 120mA or greater. The
Standard Boss PSA-120 is a popular choice and works well.
Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................3
Thank You......................................................................................3
The Basics of the Phaser Effect .....................................................4
Quick Start.....................................................................................4
Operating Modes ..........................................................................5
Knob Mode................................................................................5
Tap Mode..................................................................................5
Auto Mode ................................................................................5
Controls .........................................................................................5
Knob Mode and Tap Mode Controls.........................................5
Auto Mode Controls..................................................................7
Controls Common to All Modes................................................8
Auto Mode ....................................................................................9
The Attack and Release Controls ..............................................9
Sensitivity................................................................................10
The Submodes.........................................................................11
Mix/Blend and Vibrato Configuration.........................................15
Changing the Mix/Blend Configuration ..................................15
Harmonic Enhancement Circuit ..................................................16
Engaging the Harmonic Enhancement Circuit ........................16
Universal Control Port.................................................................16
Configuring the Control Port...................................................17
Expression Pedal Configuration..........................................18
External Tap Switch Configuration .....................................18
Midi Configuration..............................................................19
External Audio Configuration .............................................19
Midi Control ................................................................................19
Control Change Messages.......................................................21
Midi Time Code.......................................................................
22
User Setting Templates ...............................................................23
Specifications ..............................................................................24
Reference Charts.........................................................................24
Auto Mode ..............................................................................24
Waveforms..............................................................................24
Index............................................................................................24

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
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Introduction
The Empress Phaser gives you maximum control in a small,
manageable package. We’ve combined features that enable
you, dear musician, to realize your phasing dreams. From a
heavily effected 4-pole setting or a milder 2-pole setting, the
Empress Phaser can take you there.
You’ll recognize the cool tap features from our other pedals.
And with the Empress Phaser pedal we’ve also introduced the
universal control port. Now you can control your phaser from
a control voltage (CV), an expression pedal, an external audio
input, external tap switch, or via MIDI.
The auto modes allow you to shape the effect to your playing,
rather than having to limit your playing to the effect.
Under the hood we’ve included a couple switches which will
allow you to change the pedal’s configuration. There’s a
switch to enable a vibrato mode and a switch that adds some
pleasing harmonics to the signal if clean and pristine isn’t your
thing.
To help you get the most out of this pedal we’ve put some
brief instructional videos on our website that cover most
aspects of this pedal: www.empresseffects.com.
Thanks for purchasing the Empress Phaser!
Enjoy,
Steve Bragg
Thank You
Ian Chesal for editing this manual.
Ian Chesal, Matt Coburn, Wayne Eagles, James Lang, Jordan
Allen, Allan Gauthier and Chris Breitner for beta testing.

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
The Basics of the Phaser Effect
The phaser effect operates by blending the instrument's input
signal with a phase-shifted copy of itself. Doing this filters the
audio and causes cancellations at various frequencies
depending on the amount of phase shift. As the degree of
phase-shift changes, the cancellations and filtering sound
shifts up and down the frequency spectrum. This moving filter
‘whooshing’ through the signal is what our ears hear as the
phaser effect.
Quick Start
Set the knobs and switches to match the picture above. If the
blue bypass LED is not already lit, press the bypass switch to
engage the phaser. Twiddle away!

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Operating Modes
The phaser has three modes: knob mode, tap mode, and auto
mode.
knob mode
The speed of the phaser is set with the speed knob and the
speed range switch. The fastest speed range will give you ring
modulator type sounds.
tap mode
The speed is set by tapping in a tempo with the tap switch.
The speed of the effect will be the tempo tapped multiplied by
the ratio set using the ratio knob. For example: if you have the
ratio knob at 1:2, the speed of the phasing effect will be twice
as fast as the tempo tapped.
auto mode
In auto mode, effect parameters change based on how you
are playing. We’ve set out an entire section in this manual just
to handle this very cool and deep mode. Check it out on page
9. You will also find a handy mode quick reference printed on
the front of the pedal.
Controls
You’ll notice many knobs serve two functions. The green text
on black background apply when the pedal is in auto mode.
The black text on green background applies when the pedal is
in knob or tap mode.
Knob Mode and Tap Mode Controls
blend – controls the amount of the original signal and the
phase-shifted signal that appears at the output. When set
completely counter-clockwise all you hear is the original, dry
signal; set completely clockwise is an equal amount of the
original, dry signal and the wet, phase shifted signal – this is
where you’ll hear the most prominent signal cancellations.
The blend knob can be configured internally to act as a
traditional mix knob. Mix mode allows you to obtain a 100%
wet signal when you turn the knob all the way counter-

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clockwise. For more details see the Mix/Blend section on page
15.
speed/ratio – with the mode switch set to tap, this knob sets
the multiplication ratio for the tapped in tempo. For example,
set at 1:2, the phasing rate will sound twice as fast as the rate
tapped.
When the mode switch is set to knob, the ratio/speed knob
sets the speed of the phaser.
width – determines how far the phase shift varies from the
center position in tap and knob modes. The higher you set this
the more pronounced the phasing effect will be.
waveform – selects the phasing waveform. The available
waveforms are:
1. Sine Wave
2. Triangle Wave
3. Asymmetrical Sine Wave
4. Swung Sine Wave
Fast, then slow with the second half the sine period
taking twice as long as the first.
5. Saw Wave
6. Reverse Saw Wave
7. Square Wave
8. Super-Crazy-Random
Random steps. Try it with a fast speed setting!
gain –controls the output gain. The point where unity gain is
achieved varies and depends on the other settings you have
made on the pedal.
mode – sets the operating mode of the pedal. In tap mode the
speed of the effect is set by tapping the tap switch. In knob
mode the speed of the effect is set by the speed/ratio knob.
The auto mode is described in detail on page 9.

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speed range – controls the range of available speeds that can
be swept through with the speed/ratio knob when the pedal
is in knob mode.
stages –selects the number of all-pass poles used in the wet
signal. The 2-pole setting sounds the least effected, 4-pole is
the setting you’ll find in most one-knob phasers, and 3-pole
sounds quite different from both.
resonance – selects the amount of feedback applied to the
wet signal. Feedback creates a resonance peak in between the
valleys in the frequency response when the phase shifted
signal is added back with the original signal.
expression – selects what parameter is controlled by any
expression pedal or control voltage (CV) device attached to
the control port on the pedal. More details can be found on
page 16.
tap – in tap mode this switch is used to set the tempo, or
speed, of the phasing effect by repeated tapping.
In knob mode this switch restarts the phasing effect at the
beginning of the wave form when tapped. When held down in
knob mode it acts as a brake, gradually reducing the speed of
the effect to the minimum value for the selected speed range.
Auto Mode Controls
sensitivity – Sets how sensitive envelope follower and trigger
detector is to dynamic changes in the audio coming into the
pedal. See the Auto mode section on page 9 for a detailed
description.
attack - Sets the attack time for the envelope and trigger
responses. Please see page 9 for a detailed description.
release –Sets the release time for the envelope and trigger
responses. See page 9 for a detailed description.
submode – selects the submode. The submodes are described
in detail on page 11.
tap – reverses the action of the phase shifting effect. For
example, in a speed-follows-envelope mode, the phasing

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effect speeds up as the input signal gets louder. Pressing the
tap switch in this situation would cause the speed to get
slower as the signal got louder.
Controls Common to All Modes
bypass – puts the pedal in true bypass. Bypassing is
implemented with a relay, which has conductivity and
isolation as good as a traditional mechanical switch, but is
more reliable.
input – a high impedance (Hi-Z) instrument input jack.
output – output jack. Sound appears here.
blend exp – allows you to connect an expression pedal to
control the blend. When an expression pedal is attached to
this jack the blend knob setting is ignored. We recommend
turning down your amplifier before connecting or
disconnecting an expression pedal.
control port – allows you to connect an expression pedal,
control voltage device or external audio signal to control an
assignable parameter on the pedal. For more information
please see page 16.
power – the Empress Phaser requires a 9V DC, 2.1mm,
negative tip power supply. Any 9V DC supply that has a
current rating of 120 mA or greater will work. The Boss PSA-
120 is a popular choice and works well.

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
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Auto Mode
In auto mode, effect parameters change based on how you
are playing. The changes follow the envelope of the input
signal, increasing or decreasing as the input signal gets louder
or quieter or are triggered by sudden changes in the signal
volume.
Effect parameters are changed in one of two ways when you
use auto mode:
1. Envelope Follow
When following an envelope in auto mode, the pedal
tracks the input volume and moves a parameter to
follow the changes in the volume level. The envelope
follow approach is used in submodes 1 through 4.
2. Trigger Detection
When detecting a trigger in auto mode, the pedal
tracks the signal and when a sudden, rapid increase in
volume occurs it changes a parameter from a low value
to a high value and then back down to a low value. The
kind of actions that would set off a trigger might be an
aggressive strum on a guitar or a chord hit on a
Rhodes. The trigger detection approach is used in
submodes 5 and 6.
The Attack and Release Controls
When using a submode that employs envelope detection, the
attack switch determines how quickly the pedal reacts to a
increase in input signal volume.
For example: with submode 2 selected and the attack set to
fast, when a sudden increase in volume occurs the unit will
change to a faster speed almost instantly. With the attack set
to slow it takes much longer for the speed of the effect to
increase.
The release knob controls how quickly the pedal reacts to a
decrease in input signal volume. Set fully counter-clockwise
the release time is the fastest, set fully clockwise it is slowest.

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A slower release time generally sounds a bit smoother and a
faster release time, more abrupt and jarring.
When using a submode that employs trigger detection, the
attack switch sets the speed at which the pedal moves the
parameter from its minimum to maximum values. The release
knob sets the speed at which the parameter returns back to its
starting value.
We recommend you start with the attack switch and release
knob both set to their fastest settings when starting out with
auto mode. With these settings it’s most apparent what each
submode is controlling and how it sounds when you vary your
input signal. Once you’ve got a feel for what’s happening in
the submode, slow things down to taste.
Setting the expression switch to 'width' will allow you to
control the release with an expression pedal.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity knob controls how the pedal listens to your
input signal when in auto mode. For quieter, softer input
signals or quieter passages you should set the sensitivity to a
higher value. For louder input signals or passages it should be
turned down.
The red LED above the tap switch turns on when the pedal
detects a trigger threshold in your input signal when it’s in a
submode that uses trigger detection. If you find that auto
mode is missing some of the triggers, increase the sensitivity.
If you find that auto mode is triggering when it shouldn’t be
then decrease the sensitivity.
When the pedal is in a submode that uses envelope detection
the red LED above the tap switch will light up red when it is
detecting maximum volume. Ideally, in envelope based
submodes, the LED will only light up when you’re playing your
absolute loudest. This will ensure you are experiencing the full
range of the parameter sweep.
Setting the expression switch to 'speed' will allow you to
control the sensitivity with an expression pedal.

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The pedal can also track an external audio signal input using
the control port instead of tracking the signal at the input
jack. See page 16 for details.
The Submodes
There are eight submodes available in auto mode.
Submode 1: Phase Shift Follows Envelope
The center of the phase shift changes according to how
loud you play. Hitting the tap switch inverts the phasing
motion for a different tone.
Try the attack and release set fairly quick, close to fully
counter-clockwise, so that it tracks the envelope tightly.
Example Setting- the funk:
Submode 2: LFO On Envelope
The speed and the center of the phasing effect are both
increased as the input signal grows louder. The tap
switch reverses the changes as the signal grows louder.
Example Setting-milder setting for clean playing:
Submode 3: Speed Follows Envelope, Sine Waveform
As the instrument signal gets louder the speed of the
phasing effect increases. The waveform selected for this
mode is a sine wave with a width of 50%. Press the tap

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switch to change the operation and have speed slow
down as the instrument volume increases.
Try the attack and release set fast so envelope tracking
is very tight. The sensitivity controls the fastest speed
that will be reached when the signal is loudest.
Example Setting- musical slow down with chord decays:
Submode 4: Speed Follows Envelope, Random Waveform
Similar to submode 3 but using a random step
waveform. The louder the input signal the more
frequently a new speed value is chosen at random for
the effect. Hitting the tap switch reverses the action so
that a louder signal causes the waveform to slow down.
Example Setting- crazy insanity:
Submode 5: Follow Trigger
A peak in the volume of the input signal will trigger the
effect to shift from maximum phasing to minimum
phasing. Hitting the tap switch inverts the phasing
motion for a different tone.
Try adjusting the sensitivity knob so the trigger light
above the tap switch only turns red when your input
volume peaks. The attack and release settings can have
a huge impact on the sound of this mode so play around
with them. For special effects try high depth and
resonance settings.

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Example Setting- funky pick attacks:
Submode 6: Trigger Random Level Mode
When a trigger is detected the amount of phase is
shifted to a new, random amount. This mode sounds
close to a random waveform but the changes can be
controlled and triggered by how loud you make your
instrument input. In this mode the release knob
determines how quickly it shifts from the current
random level to the next. The attack knob has no effect.
Example Setting- smooth shift with each note played:
Submode 7: Rhythm Mode
Cycle through preset rhythm patterns by turning the
ratio knob, each ratio represents a different pattern.
You change the speed of the rhythm pattern by hitting
the tap stomp switch. There are five different rhythms
available for you to explore. Like submode 6, the release
knob determines how quickly it shifts from the current
random level to the next random level in the rhythm.
(The rhythms are listed on the next page.)

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
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Position
on ratio
knob
Time
Signature Rhythm
1:1 3/4
2:3 2/4
1:2 5/4
1:3 6/8
1:4 4/4
Example Setting-
Submode 8: Direct Control Mode
Without an expression pedal plugged in to the control
port, this mode operates like submode 5, audio sweep,
except that it triggers only when you hit the tap stomp
switch. Hold down the tap stomp switch and the sweep
will keep rising to its maximum value. Releasing the tap
stomp switch will cause it to return to the starting value.
With an expression pedal plugged in to the control port
on the pedal this submode lets you control the degree of
phase shift with the expression pedal. (The speed knob,
width knob, and expression switch are ignored in this
mode).
Explore the mix and the poles setting to find your
desired state of controlled phasing bliss.
Example Setting-slow decay shift down with every tap
stomp hit:

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
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Mix/Blend and Vibrato Configuration
The Empress Phaser allows the blend knob to be configured as
a blend knob or a mix knob.
It ships configured as a blend knob. In this configuration there
is a constant amount of dry signal. As you turn the blend knob
clockwise more wet signal is added.
In ‘mix knob’ mode, with the knob turned 100% clockwise, you
hear only phased signal. When the knob is in this position
there is no dry signal being added to the wet signal so you’ll
get a vibrato type effect – it becomes more pronounced as
you increase the width and speed of the effect. To get a
regular phaser sound when the pedal is in the mix
configuration set the knob to the 12:00 position – this adds
the dry and wet signal at equal volumes giving you maximum
phase cancellation.
Changing the Mix/Blend Configuration
To change the mix/blend configuration open up the pedal and
locate the DIP switches label ‘BLEND’ as pictured below:
Configuration DIP2 DIP3 DIP4
Blend (default) ON OFF ON
Mix OFF ON OFF

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
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Harmonic Enhancement Circuit
The Empress Phaser is clean and pristine sounding by design.
In some instances, with certain styles of music and
performance, a dirtier sounding phaser may be desired. To
accomplish this we’ve included a circuit which adds subtle, yet
pleasing, even harmonics to the wet signal. You can engage
and disengage this circuit by flipping a DIP switch inside the
pedal.
Engaging the Harmonic Enhancement Circuit
Engaging the circuit can be done by opening up your phaser
and locating the ‘BLEND’ dip array. Switching DIP1 on or off
turns the harmonic enhancement circuit on and off
accordingly.
Universal Control Port
With the Empress Phaser pedal we've introduced our new
universal control port. It is a single ¼” jack which can accept:
•An expression pedal
•A CV (control voltage) signal
•An external tap switch
•An external audio input (used by the auto modes)
•MIDI

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Configuring the Control Port
The control port configuration is set using the dip-switch array
inside the unit. Power off the unit and remove the back plate
of the pedal by removing the 4 bottom screws. Beside the
processor you’ll see a set of 3 dip-switches you can toggle
labeled CON JACK CONFIG . On power-up the configuration
will be changed to the new setting.
Here’s a table of the dip settings for the various
configurations:
MODE DIP1 DIP2 DIP3
Expression OFF OFF OFF
Control Voltage ON OFF OFF
External Tap - Latching OFF ON OFF
External Tap – Momentary
(normally open) OFF OFF ON
External Tap – Momentary
(normally closed) ON ON OFF
Audio Input ON OFF ON
Midi OFF ON ON

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
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Expression Pedal Configuration
The pedal ships in this configuration. Plug an expression pedal
in to the control jack on the right side of the phaser and use
the expression switch to select which parameter you’d like to
control with the pedal. You can select speed or width when
using knob and tap modes. In auto mode the speed and width
switch positions will control sensitivity and release,
respectively. The expression pedal varies the parameter
between zero (or fully counter-clockwise) and the setting on
the knob. In other words,the knob sets the maximum setting.
The phaser will work with most Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS)
expression pedals. It has been tested with the following
pedals:
M-Audio EXP
Moog
Boss FV-500L
Mission Engineering EP-1
Roland EV-5
Any expression pedal used with the Phaser should have:
Tip – signal
Ring – power
Sleeve – ground
Control Voltage Configuration
In this configuration the Empress can have its width and speed
parameters with an external control voltage. The Empress
works with control voltages which sweep between 0V and 5V.
External Tap Switch Configuration
In this configuration you can plug an external tap switch into
the control port to set the tap time. This is useful if you have
more than one tap-tempo pedal so that you can set them all
with one switch.
The Empress Phaser is able to accept external tap switches
which are latching and momentary (both normally open and
normally closed).

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Midi Configuration
See the section labeled ‘Midi Control’ on page 19 for a
complete explanation of this configuration.
External Audio Configuration
In this configuration you can plug an audio signal into the
control port to override the normal input. The auto modes will
use the external audio signal to detect triggers or generate the
envelope rather than the signal at the input. Try connecting a
drum machine to this input.
In some cases plugging in an external audio source may create
a ground loop. If you hear a hum introduced in the output
signal when and external audio signal is plugged in you should
lift the ground of the incoming signal.
Midi Control
The Empress Phaser allows all of its digital parameters to be
controlled via midi control change messages and to have its
tempo changed with midi clock messages. To use midi with
your Empress Phaser you’ll have to:
1- Attach the Empress Midibox using a ¼” patch cable to
the control port. This is a simple device which converts
the signal on a standard midi cable to a quarter-inch
cable you can plug into your phasers control port. (not
included with the phaser)
2- Configure the pedal for midi control by setting the
internal dip switches to the midi mode. This was
explained in the control port section on page 17.
3- Configure the unit’s midi channel by switching dip
switches inside the back of the unit. Open the unit by
removing the four screws on the bottom and remove
the lid. Next to the output jack you’ll see a set of 3 DIP
switches labeled ‘MIDI CH’. You’ll use these to select
the midi channel. Select a channel that won’t conflict
with the other devices in your midi rig.

Copyright © 2010 Empress Effects
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Midi Channel Dip Configuration
Channel DIP1 DIP2 DIP3
1 OFF OFF OFF
2 ON OFF OFF
3 OFF ON OFF
4 ON ON OFF
5
OFF
OFF
ON
6 ON OFF ON
7 OFF ON ON
8 ON ON ON