Endorphines Golden Master User manual

MULTIBAND MASTERING PROCESSOR

CONTENT
WARRANTY 3
VISIT US 3
INTRO 4
CONNECTING THE POWER 4
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 5
OVERVIEW 6
INTERFACE – FRONT PANEL 7
INTERFACE – REAR SIDE 7
OPERATION MODES 10
HOW EQUALIZER WORKS 10
HOW COMPRESSOR WORKS 11
HOW MID/SIDE PROCESSING WORKS 12
EXPRESSION INPUT ASSIGNMENT 13
PRESETS LOAD / SAVE 13
BYPASS FOOTSWITCH MODES 14
FIRMWARE UPDATE 15
CREDITS 16
COMPLIANCE 17
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WARRANTY
1-year warranty is guaranteed from the product's purchase date in case of any
manufacturing errors or other functional deficiencies during runtime.
The warranty does not apply in case of:
🠚 damage caused by misuse
🠚 mechanical damage arising from careless treatment (dropping, vigorous shaking,
mishandling, etc.)
🠚 damage caused by liquids or powders penetrating the device
🠚 heat damage caused by overexposure to sunlight or heating
🠚 electric damage caused by improper connecting
The warranty covers replacement or repair, as decided by us. Please contact us via
email for a return authorization before sending anything. Shipping costs of sending
a module back for servicing is paid by the customer.
VISIT US
https://endorphin.es
https://youtube.com/user/TheEndorphines
https://facebook.com/TheEndorphines
https://twitter.com/endorphin_es
https://www.instagram.com/endorphin.es/
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modules/browser/vendor:167
For technical requests: [e-mail]
For dealer / marketing inquiries: [e-mail]
ENDORPHIN.ES is a registered trademark.
It is doing business as FURTH BARCELONA, S. L. (EU VAT ID: ES B66836487).
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INTRO
Based on our GOLDEN MASTER eurorack module and our experience in electronic
live music performances , we developed the GOLDEN MASTER Pedal – a stereo
multiband processor PEDAL with surprisingly wide application palette: from
guitarists (and especially bass guitarists) to pedalboards’ or entire electronic mix
end-of-chain processor to deliver high pressure audio for live concerts and venues:
sound loud and punchy without overloading the master limiter.
GOLDEN MASTER Pedal takes inspiration from studio mastering and radio loudness
units from the 1990s and gives control over the EQ , compression (with parallel
compression ) and mid/side processing: all three available at the same time
along with the and multiband sidechain input that can be triggered using audio
sources sent into the expression pedal input. The settings are simplified and
intuitive. All of the settings can be stored to any of the 3 available preset slots for
instant recall. This pedal isn't just another compressor; it's a conduit for innovation
and expression, destined to become an essential tool in the arsenal of
forward-thinking musicians and sound designers.
Thanks to the 24-bit/96kHz audio fidelity with 32 bit internal processing, you'll get
incredible processing power. It features three bands - low, medium, and high - each
handling its distinct part of the audio spectrum. These controls feature a single knob
that both boosts and cuts signals. Set the overall loudness limit of your sounds and
the brickwall limiter ensures all your sounds stay in check. Bass guitar players will
love the proper control over the low end spectrum - stay in mono where needed
with enough punch and clarity - that might become the only must-have effect your
bass would need. This multi-band effect is the perfect end-of-chain tool, ensuring
that anything you throw at it sounds dynamic and full. Additionally it features high
impedance inputs and pseudo-balanced outputs, allowing it to work as a DI-box on
stage.
Configurable expression jack input can either be used to control EQ band gain or
can be switched to sidechain mode, which works by extracting the envelope
follower curve from an audio source fed into the expression pedal input and can be
mapped to control each EQ band in certain proportions (directly or inverted), turning
Golden Master into a multiband sidechain processor.
Page 4 of 17

CONNECTING THE POWER
Use a quality 9V ‘Boss’-standard center negative power adapter, typically 500mA.
However the unit may be powered from any 9 to 18V center-positive or
center-negative DC adapters (full protection). Power supply not included.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
🠚 Audio input impedance: 500 kΩ, output impedance: 100 Ω
🠚 Audio input: up to +12 dBV, 1/4" or 6.35mm TS unbalanced
🠚 Audio outputs: 1/4 or 6.35mm TS unbalanced or or TRS balanced
(pseudo-balanced outputs)
🠚 Power: 2.1mm tip / 5.5mm barrel DC jack, 150 mA minimum, 9V (adapter not
included)
🠚 Bypass options: true-stereo on electromechanical relays, buffered
🠚 Audio I/O: 24 bit, 96 kHz with 32 bit floating point internal processing
🠚 Dimensions: 125mm x 125 mm x 60 mm (5″ x 5″ x 2 ⅓ ″)
🠚 Weight: 450 gram (1 lb)
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OVERVIEW
Golden Master is a true stereo pedal designed for both live musicians and studio
heads that want to take extra care of their mix or just give extra punch to specific
sounds. Built in end of signal chain limiter makes it a great sound design tool
whether used on guitars or synthesizers especially when used for feedback
patching.
The signal chain is designed in the following way.
First the signal enters the stereo inputs with an additional digital saturation stage to
boost the signal to the right level, which can be especially useful to harder hit the
compressor. Next we have 3 bands, each with their own EQ setting, mute /
compressor enable button, compressor per band with global threshold, stereo
image enhancer and a final limiter.
🠚 Multi-band processor inspired by mastering tools from the 1990s: adds punch
and dynamics to your sound
🠚 EQ, Compression with the Sidechain input, Mid/Side processing
🠚 Three frequency bands with +8 db boost and -20 db cut
🠚 Brickwall limiter sets upper limit of signals, with look ahead latency of 1.5ms.
🠚 24 bit 96 kHz audio I/O with 32 bits internal processing
🠚 Per-band mute buttons
🠚 Parallel compression: mix dry signal to processed audio to retain much of the
original dynamics
🠚 Dual mode expression pedal input: in standard configuration the expression
pedal can be mapped to adjust each of the EQ bands (in + or – individually). In
Sidechain mode an envelope follower is extracted from an external audio source
sent to the expression input and applied as a control source for each of the EQ
bands.
🠚 Pseudo-balanced outputs allow to use the pedal between the effects chain with
simple unbalanced TS instruments cables but also as a final end-of-chain tool with
balanced output like a DI box.
Page 6 of 17

INTERFACE – FRONT PANEL
INTERFACE – REAR SIDE
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1. IN LEFT (MONO) , IN RIGHT JACKS: line level or high
impedance left and right stereo audio inputs. INPUT LEFT – is normalled , i.e.
pre-routed → to INPUT RIGHT when no audio cable is plugged into the IN R
jack . Accept standard unbalanced TSinstrument 1/4″cables, line levels (up to
12dBV or +/-2V) with soft clipping introduced with higher audio amplitudes.
2. OUT LEFT (MONO) , OUT RIGHT JACKS: final separate left
and right stereo audio outputs. Accept standard unbalanced TS instrument
1/4″ cables. Using 1/4″ TRS cables can be used as pseudo-balanced outputs
as a DI-box with better performance with noise cancellation since the ring is
connected to ground, catches the same hum which then self-cancels from
the audio from the tip.
3. EXPRESSION / SIDECHAIN INPUT JACK: assignable
expression pedal input. Accepts standard RTS expression pedal, +5V
supplied from the ring. Expression pedal morphing macro settings are saved
for each of the three presets separately. For more details on how to assign
the expression jack check EXPRESSION INPUT ASSIGNMENT section
below. Additionally used to accept audio line-level signals when the
SIDECHAIN mode enabled.
4. DC IN JACK: 2.1mm/5.5mm connector for the power adapter – typical
Boss
® standard, 500mA, +9V, center negative. This jack has internal reverse
protection and voltage rectification therefore accepts any DC adapter of 9 to
15 volts of any polarity – center positive or center negative.
5. VOLUME KNOB /MIX* : final audio volume: maximum at full CW, silent
at full CCW. Secondary /MIX* function (pressing or holding * VU IN/OUT while
turning the knob) controls the GLOBAL DRY/WET MIX after the INPUT GAIN stage
or the clean input at full CCW and the final processed audio chain output before the
VOLUME KNOB at full CW
6. INPUT GAIN KNOB: digital input gain saturator up to +10db.
Warning: May increase noise level, but compressor will work more
aggressively as the audio will hit the compressor harder. Use it in
combination with THRESHOLD knob (12) to fine tune the compressor action.
Default value is at 0db (no amplification).
7. *VU IN/ OUT BUTTON: selects the VU meter audio source. By
default it is off, which means the VU METER LEDs show the level of the input
signal post INPUT GAIN (6) stage. By pressing the *VU IN/OUT again (fully lit)
switches the VU METER LEDs to show the final audio output level.
Additionally acts as a SHIFT button when long holding and tweaking
parameters marked with asterisk /… * on the panel: dry/wet / MIX* (5) or
LOW/MID/HIGH KNOBS (10) to set the level of expression pedal or sidechain
influence per band.
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8. VU METER LEDs: two rows of seven LEDs act as a standard volume
unit meters per left and right channel. Used to show either the audio input or
output level selected with *VU IN/OUT (7) button press.
9. MODE BUTTON WITH LEDS: selecting the mode of
LOW/MID/HIGH BAND KNOBS . Shortly press to select one of the 3 modes
to edit: Equalizer, Compressor, Mid/Side widener. Selected MODE be edited
using the 3 band knobs (10) shown with the column of 3 LEDs (see below).
Long press resets the controls to their default (typically clean) states. When
the Expression input jack is set to SIDECHAIN MODE after pressing the VU +
Mode button, that row of LEDs shows selected Mode inverted (selected
Mode LED is off).
10. LOW / MID / HIGH BAND KNOBS: depending on the mode,
they adjust:
🠚 EQUALIZER MODE (eq): level of each band: from -20db (CCW) to normal
(noon) to +8db (CW). See HOW EQUALIZER WORKS section below.
🠚 COMPRESSOR MODE ( **comp ): adjusting predefined compressor
settings (see HOW COMPRESSOR WORKS section below): from soft (CCW)
to normal ( middle ) to heavy (CW).
🠚 MID/SIDE MODE (m/side): increase or decrease stereo enhancement per
band: from full mono in the CCW, to normal at noon to full stereo spread at
CW. See HOW MID/SIDE PROCESSING WORKS section below)
11. MUTE/COMPRESSOR ENABLE BUTTONS: a single press
on these buttons works as an immediate mute per band. When the band is
muted, its button LED is semi-dimmed. You can use it as a live performance
feature, but also to precisely set the compressor while muting other bands.
Long press (more than 1.5 seconds) enables the **compressor and its button
LED is fully lit. Only after the compressor is enabled on a certain band, you
will be able to set its parameter with LOW/MID/HIGH BAND KNOBS (10) set
to **comp mode (9).
12. THRESHOLD KNOB: global threshold offset for all 3 bands. Use it to
increase or decrease the compression amount so the audio ‘hits’ the
compressor harder or softer.
13. BYPASS /PRESET LOAD FOOTSWITCH: is essentially a BYPASS /
enable / activate effect / on footswitch. Each consequent press enables and
disables the whole effects chain. When the effects chain is enabled, the pink
LED near that footswitch is ON. When the effect chain is bypassed, the LED
is off and also all the remaining LEDs except the preset selection LEDs are
dimmed. Additionally is used to confirm the load of the newly selected preset
with PRESET (14) footswitch.
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14. PRESET /HOLD TO SAVE FOOTSWITCH: selects one of 3 presets
(15). Once you select the preset, its LED starts to blink. To load that preset
you have to confirm it with the BYPASS footswitch (20). Loading the presets
will not alter current bypass effect state on or off. To save the preset you have
to hold the PRESET footswitch for longer than 3 seconds. One of the 9 slots
will start to blink and you may choose the new slot to save to by pressing the
PRESET footswitch a few times. To confirm the preset save in the selected
slot press and hold PRESET (20) footswitch for longer than 3 seconds.
15. 3 PRESET LEDS: three white LEDs show the currently selected preset
slot and blink when you select the new one without activating it yet.
OPERATION MODES
Golden Master’s chain consists of 3 main parts that can be configured using 3 main
LOW/MID/HIGH BAND (10) KNOBS: stereo multiband EQ, stereo multiband
Compressor and stereo multiband Mid/Side processing. All modes are working
simultaneously, but only one can be edited at a time.
Once the MODE is selected (9) each of three knobs (10) changes its functionality
per band.
EQ MODE: LOW/MID/HIGH knobs adjust each band's volume with 100% in the
middle, -20 db CCW and +8db boost CW. Band crossover points are around 300 Hz
and 3 kHz.
COMPRESSOR MODE: LOW/MID/HIGH knobs adjust each band's compressor
settings: From soft (full CCW) to normal (middle) to heavy (full CW). In total, you can
morph per band between five different compressor settings (see HOW
COMPRESSOR WORKS paragraph below). There is 1.5 msec look-ahead time, to
make the compression more precise. Additional global THRESHOLD (12) knob can
be used to further adjust the threshold level for all the compressors at once.
MID/SIDE MODE: LOW/MID/HIGH knobs allow you to adjust the stereo spread of
each band. It is a powerful tool for removing muddiness by focusing the low-end in
the center of the mix, freeing up space on the sides. From mono (full CCW) to
normal (middle) to wide stereo spread (full CW) - see HOW MID/SIDE PROCESSING
paragraph below.
Page 10 of 17

HOW EQUALIZER WORKS
Equalizer or simply EQ is a tool used to adjust the levels of different frequencies in
the audio. For that purpose the audio is being separated (filtered, or so called
isolated) to separate bands which then sum together. Adjusting the volume of each
of those bands helps us to cut or boost a certain frequency spectrum allowing you
to balance the sound levels, eliminate unwanted frequencies and create a cohesive
sound. Cutting the frequencies involves reducing the levels of specific frequencies,
while boosting frequencies involves increasing their levels.
GOLDEN MASTER Pedal has 3 bands with band crossover points at around 300 Hz
and 3 kHz creating three: LOW (approx. 20 Hz to 300 Hz), MID (300 Hz to 3 kHz)
and HIGH (approx. 3 kHz to 20 kHz) bands. Separating audio spectrum in such
parts helps us to adjust most sensitive parts of the audio individually so most of the
musical instruments occupy mostly one of the bands each:
- HIGH BAND : bass guitar, kick drum, bass synth
- MID BAND : guitar, synthesizers, toms
- HIGH BAND : hi-hats, percussion
🠚 Note: The level of cut/boost is asymmetric; maximum boost is limited to +8dB,
while the cut is extended to -20dB like on a professional DJ mixers.
HOW COMPRESSOR WORKS
To better understand the GOLDEN MASTER Pedal, let’s have a small theory lesson
of how a compressor works. In the audio signal usually we have loud parts (e.g.
strong hits on the strings) and quieter parts (notes played with soft velocity). The
difference between those parts is called the dynamic range of a signal. What the
compressor does is it attenuates the loud parts towards more quiet ones - i.e.
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reducing the dynamic range of the audio. Of course that depends on the
compressor settings such as: ratio, threshold, attack and release. Why we
compress is that in the end we get a more smooth and consistent audio. Some
audio sources like bass guitar are especially sensitive in dynamic range and
therefore need to be compressed especially to be perceived without ‘drops’ of the
volume in the speakers. At the compressor GOLDEN MASTER Pedal has an
automatic makeup gain to ensure all the gain reduction we've made from the
compressor is being compensated. This way you get a balanced audio that also
goes through a limiter to ensure all the unwanted peaks or the audio clipping is
eliminated to avoid damaging your PA equipment.
The compressor settings values are already picked up to be intuitively chosen when
you turn the COMPRESSOR settings per band with LOW/MID/HIGH knobs (10)
giving you a distinct spectrum of soft to heavy settings.
So far, GOLDEN MASTER has six compressors for each stereo pair; LOW, MID and
HIGH bands running at the same time.
The compressor settings are tuned for each band separately and are morphed
between each other, however the generic settings are as following:
ATTACK: 50 mSec (CCW) to 14 mSec (CW)
RELEASE: 1500 mSec (CCW) to 150 mSec (CW)
RATIO: 1:1.25 (CCW) to 1:4 (CW)
THRESHOLD: -12db (CCW) to -20db (CW).
🠚 Keep in mind you can offset the global threshold for the compressors enabled on
a certain band with the THRESHOLD knob (12) so the compressor will ‘hit’ harder or
softer (by default the knob’s value is in the middle, 0db).
Page 12 of 17

HOW MID/SIDE PROCESSING WORKS
You may easily enhance the width of a whole mix by boosting the stereo width on
the high band. Yet another important use of Mid/Side is to make the bass mono. It’s
sort of an unwritten law that low-frequency instruments like bass guitar, kick drum,
synth bass, should stay in the center of a stereo mix. Otherwise with the wide stereo
image they may be self-canceled or simply lost in the speakers.
On the GOLDEN MASTER Pedal the middle channel is being extracted and
subtracted from the left and right channels of each band. The more you turn the
knob CW from the center, the more side information is left in the channels. When
the knob is turned CCW from the center, the stereo image will gradually become
more mono.
🠚 Note: to expect a proper stereo image ‘widening’, be sure to feed some stereo
signal into the GOLDEN MASTER Pedal. Feeding only single mono audio (e.g. into
IN L INPUT JACK will not give you a significant result as there is simply no
difference between the left and right and center/side parts will not be perceived.
EXPRESSION INPUT ASSIGNMENT
EXPRESSION PEDAL (RTS): to assign the expression pedal to a band, hold the VU
button and turn BAND knobs CW for positive or CCW for inverted modulation. In
this Mode EQ/COMP/MSIDE LEDs are non-inverted.
AUDIO SIDECHAIN INPUT: press VU + MODE buttons - EQ/COMP/M.SIDE LEDs
are inverted. To assign the extracted envelope follower from the sidechain audio
input to a band, hold VU button and turn BAND knobs CW for positive or CCW for
negative sidechain ducking.
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PRESETS LOAD / SAVE
Presets allow you to instantly save and recall knob positions, MUTE buttons (11)
states (incl. compressor enable on a certain band) and expression modes and
adjustments, except the VOLUME KNOB (5) position.
GOLDEN MASTER Pedal has 3 preset slots which correspond to 3 LEDs (15) above
the PRESET footswitch (14). You may still play with the current preset but only
select the new slot to load. Preset selection and saving is made with the idea to be
operated with one foot only.
TO LOAD A PRESET
🠚 shortly press PRESET footswitch (14) a few times to move the blinking LED over
to one of three slots you wish to load.
🠚 Press BYPASS footswitch (13) and the new preset will be loaded. All the
parameters which have continuous changes will slew to the new preset values to
avoid any clicks.
🠚 Note: loading the new preset with a single BYPASS footswitch (13) confirmation
will not alter current bypass effect state on or off.
Once you make some changes to the knobs on your GOLDEN MASTER Pedal you
wish to recall later, you have to save them. If the changes are not saved, you will
have the previously saved preset recalled on the next pedal startup.
TO SAVE THE PRESET
🠚 Hold the PRESET footswitch for longer than 2 seconds: one of the 3 slots will
start to blink
🠚 You may choose the new slot to save by short pressing the PRESET (20)
footswitch a few times.
🠚 To confirm the preset save in the selected slot, press and hold PRESET
footswitch for longer than 2 seconds.
🠚 Note: there is a blinking LED timeout when you started to load or save a preset
and LED is blinking asking for load confirmation (with BYPASS footswitch ) or save
confirmation with PRESET footswitch - after approximately 15 seconds it will return
to a normal state without any load or save.
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BYPASS FOOTSWITCH MODES
There are two bypass options that can be selected by pressing and holding MODE
+ BYPASS for more than 4 seconds. The number of BYPASS button blinks shows
the selected BYPASS type:
🠚 one blink (by default): TRUE BYPASS means that the stereo relays are
physically connecting audio input jacks to the effect processor or detaching them
from the effect rerouting to the output jacks directly without any buffers. You may
hear clicks in the pedal inside during relay bypass switching. When the pedal is
unpowered, its bypass is always true enabled – meaning it will pass the audio
signals from audio IN L/R to audio OUT L/R accordingly preserving your tone.
🠚 two blinks: BUFFERED BYPASS means that the relays are always on and
we enable/disable effects chain in the DSP code setting the /MIX* control to CCW
when bypassed. This type of bypass might be useful if you need a buffered audio
input to preserve a tone or volume amplitude.
BYPASS AUTOSAVE. Bypass enable and last preset selected are auto-saved every
2 seconds once we change them. That means if you selected the third preset on the
pedal and enabled bypass and in 2 seconds turned it off, it will remain bypassed on
the third preset recalled when on the next power up. Selected Bypass type is
auto-saved after a slightly longer time period than momentary settings, typically up
to 5 seconds.
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FIRMWARE UPDATE
Firmware updates are essential for any digital devices. They bring new features or
bug fixes. Feel free to write any bugs, features ideas or improvements to
[email protected]
Update procedure video:
To update the firmware on your Golden Master Pedal, first download the latest
firmware file once available on ENDORPHIN.ES website:
https://www.endorphin.es/modules/p/golden-master-pedal
The update procedure is made via audio: either computer or phone will work, we
advise you to disable all notifications (flight mode) so that the update is not
interrupted.
1. Power OFF your pedal.
2. Unplug all the cables from the pedal except for a simple mono or stereo
cable connecting the audio output from your computer headphones output to
the AUDIO IN 1 input of the pedal.
3. Set the output volume of your computer to 100% or slightly lower.
4. Hold PRESET FOOTSWITCH while powering your pedal ON - you will see
the PRESET LEDs 1-3 blink one after another.
5. Open the GOLDENMASTER_PEDAL_UPDATE_XXX.WAV file with any audio
player. Press play and wait 30+ seconds while the firmware is updating. A
row of 14 VU LEDs will slowly fill up from left to right showing the upload
status.
6. The pedal will reboot automatically after the new firmware has been installed.
That’s a good sign that the update was successful.
7. Enjoy the new features.
🠚 IMPORTANT: to prevent any errors during the audio playback of the
firmware, please disable any effects that might be applied to the audio (EQ,
room correction etc.)
Page 16 of 17

CREDITS
ENDORPHIN.ES – GOLDEN MASTER PEDAL
COLLECTION SPRING/SUMMER 2024
Module idea, concept and manual by Andreas Zhukovsky
Hardware design, code direction by Andreas Zhukovsky
Core engine programming by BSVi
Manual proofreading and beta testing by Wisdom Water
ENDORPHIN.ES are made in Barcelona, Spain
Follow, like, post and tag us at Instagram: @endorphin.es
COMPLIANCE
FCC
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes / modifications not approved by ENDORPHIN.ES doing business as Furth Barcelona, S.L.
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
CE
This device meets the requirements of the following standards:
EMC: 2014/30/EU EN55032: 2015 ; EN 55103-2: 2009 (EN55024) ; EN61000-3-2; EN 61000-3-3
Low Voltage: 2014/35/EU EN 60065: 2002+A1: 2006+A11: 2008+A2 :2010+A12: 2011
RoHS2: 2011/65/EU
WEEE: 2012/19/EU
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