Eventide Eclipse User manual

Eclipse
User Manual
Part number 141045 Manual/Software Release 4.0.1 18 September, 2009
2001-9 Eventide Inc., One Alsan Way, Little Ferry, NJ 07643 USA
Harmonizer is a registered trademark of Eventide Inc. for its audio special effects devices incorporating pitch shift.
Eventide, Eclipse, Orville ,and UltraShifter are trademarks of Eventide Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Inc., ADAT is a trademark of Alesis Inc.,
CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation.

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Eclipse User Manual - Contents
Release 4.0.1 Page 1 of 66 Eclipse User Manual
The Hows and Whys of This Manual................................................................................................... 5
Overviews, Basic Information, and Quickstart...................................................................................... 6
The Big Picture – A Must-Read .............................................................................................................. 6
Knobs, Keys, and Jacks........................................................................................................................... 7
The Front Panel.................................................................................................................................... 7
The Back Panel..................................................................................................................................... 9
Getting Around and Altering Parameters.............................................................................................. 11
The “Areas” (e.g. – Levels, Program, Setup, etc.)............................................................................. 11
Understanding the Display and Soft Keys ......................................................................................... 12
The Bottom Line of the Display .........................................................................................................................................................12
The Top Line of the Display...............................................................................................................................................................13
Altering Parameters............................................................................................................................ 13
Quickstart............................................................................................................................................... 14
Hooking Up To the Outside World.................................................................................................... 14
Analog Connections...........................................................................................................................................................................14
Digital Connections...........................................................................................................................................................................14
Choosing Effects................................................................................................................................ 15
Altering the Effects ............................................................................................................................ 15
Tempo................................................................................................................................................................................................15
Tempo Mode......................................................................................................................................................................................16
Tempo-Controlled Parameters: T_DELAY, T_RATE, etc..................................................................................................................16
Tutorial 1: Loading a Program, Setting the Tempo, and Assigning
Modulation......................................................................................................................................... 16
Tutorial 2: Creating a Program “from Scratch” and Assigning a Hot
Key..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Operation................................................................................................................................................. 20
Mounting and Handling ..................................................................................................................... 20
Memory Cards.................................................................................................................................... 20
The Display Brightness and Click Features....................................................................................... 20
Global Signal Flow and Levels ............................................................................................................. 21
Using the Meters ................................................................................................................................ 21
Input and Output Modes (Global Stereo or Global Mono?) .............................................................. 22
Global Wet/Dry Mix .......................................................................................................................... 22
Global Levels ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Bypassing and Muting........................................................................................................................ 24
Digital Setup.......................................................................................................................................... 24
Digital Input ....................................................................................................................................... 24
Internal and External Clock Source ................................................................................................... 25
Using Higher Sampling Rates Disables Some Programs ..................................................................................................................26
Digital Output..................................................................................................................................... 26
ADAT Output or Two-Channel Optical Output?...............................................................................................................................27
Program Operations - Load, Save, Remove, etc.................................................................................... 28
Sorting and Loading Programs........................................................................................................... 28
Loading Programs From MIDI .........................................................................................................................................................29
Using MIDI Maps.............................................................................................................................................................................29
Using MIDI Bank Select Messages....................................................................................................................................................30
Saving and Updating Programs.......................................................................................................... 30

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Saving Programs...............................................................................................................................................................................30
Updating Programs...........................................................................................................................................................................31
Comparing the Current Program with the Saved Program...............................................................................................................31
User Groups...................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Removing Programs........................................................................................................................... 31
Removing ALL Your Saved Programs...............................................................................................................................................31
Checking free space in internal memory or a card............................................................................................................................ 31
Copying and Protecting Programs...................................................................................................... 32
Naming Things – The Mechanics ...................................................................................................... 32
Parameters ............................................................................................................................................. 33
Hot Keys............................................................................................................................................. 33
Assigning Hot Keys ........................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Renaming Hot Keys...........................................................................................................................................................................34
Deleting Hot Keys ............................................................................................................................................................................. 34
Altering Parameters in the PARAMETER Area................................................................................ 34
Master Parameters: M_LEVEL, M_DELAY, M_FBACK, etc...........................................................................................................34
Tempo-based Parameters: T_RATE, T_DELAY, T_TAP, etc............................................................................................................35
Envelope-following Parameters: SENS, ATTACK, and DECAY....................................................................................................... 36
LFO Parameters................................................................................................................................................................................ 36
Sends and “Manual” Parameters .....................................................................................................................................................37
Routing and Levels between Effects Blocks...................................................................................... 37
Routing.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Wet/Dry Ratio.................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Output Level......................................................................................................................................................................................39
Bypassing Effects Blocks...................................................................................................................................................................39
Loading Different Algorithms into Effects Blocks............................................................................ 39
Modulating Parameters Via the modulation block: LFO, ADSR,
Envelope, MIDI, Pedals, and More....................................................................................................... 40
Patching a Parameter to the Modulation Block’s “Modules” ..........................................................................................................40
Scaling Modules and Selecting Modulation TYPE............................................................................................................................ 41
Setting Up the Modulation Block....................................................................................................... 43
The Modulation Block ....................................................................................................................................................................... 43
More on modulation........................................................................................................................... 44
External Controllers ........................................................................................................................... 45
Dedicated External Controllers.......................................................................................................... 47
Setting the Trigger Switch Mode .......................................................................................................................................................47
Reversing a controller.......................................................................................................................................................................47
MIDI Setup......................................................................................................................................... 48
The Rear Panel Pedal Jacks..............................................................................................................................................................49
Storing and Loading Setups................................................................................................................... 50
Utilities .................................................................................................................................................. 51
Transmitting and Receiving Data via the Serial Port......................................................................... 51
Dumping Data Via the MIDI and Serial Ports................................................................................... 51
Bulk Copying Programs..................................................................................................................... 52
Fixing and Initializing Internal Memory............................................................................................ 53
Fixing Strange Behavior, Freezes, Etc............................................................................................... 53
Formatting Memory Cards................................................................................................................. 54
Word Clock Termination ................................................................................................................... 55
Updating Software.............................................................................................................................. 56
Creating an “Upgrade Card”...........................................................................................................................................................56
Updating with a Memory Card.......................................................................................................................................................... 56
Upgrade via the OUpdate Application.............................................................................................................................................. 56
Finding Out The Current Software Version ......................................................................................................................................57
Approved CompactFlash Cards ......................................................................................................... 57
Electrical Specifications.......................................................................................................................... 58

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Sample Rates .....................................................................................................................................................................................58
Frequency Response..........................................................................................................................................................................58
Digital Inputs/Outputs.......................................................................................................................................................................58
Analog Input (XLR Balanced Inputs).................................................................................................................................................58
Analog Output ...................................................................................................................................................................................58
Remote Control Inputs.......................................................................................................................................................................58
MIDI Connections .............................................................................................................................................................................58
Power ................................................................................................................................................................................................59
Size ....................................................................................................................................................................................................59
Weight................................................................................................................................................................................................59
Warranty Information............................................................................................................................ 60
What the warranty does and does not cover......................................................................................................................................60
Who is covered under the warranty...................................................................................................................................................60
When the warranty becomes effective................................................................................................................................................60
Who performs warranty work............................................................................................................................................................61
Shipping within the 50 United States.................................................................................................................................................61
Shipping outside the 50 United States ...............................................................................................................................................61
Index......................................................................................................................................................... 63

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The Hows and Whys of This Manual
Of course you have more exiting things to do than to read this manual. For one thing, you have Eventide’s
fabulous new Eclipse Harmonizer brand processor waiting to effect all those sounds so badly in need of
effecting. While the Eclipse is engineered for intuitive, user-friendly operation, reading this manual, either
in part or in whole, will help clarify and illuminate its vast array of powerful features. Here’s how we’ve
made that as painless a process as possible:
The Overview and Quickstart section will get you up and running fast, with references to the more in-
depth discussions contained in the Operation section. If you’re really in a hurry, skip to the tutorial on
page 16...
The Operation section will answer all of your in-depth questions with a complete, tedium-free discus-
sion of all of the Eclipse’s potent features.
The Table of Contents and Index will direct you to topics of interest with dispatch.
There is only one convention employed in the manual that might need explaining. We’ll write things like:
The display brightness is determined by SETUP page 2 DISP (BRIGHT). Its values range
from 0(the dimmest) to 15 (the brightest).
To change the brightness, you would first press the SETUP key. Notice
that the font (character style) used for the word “SETUP” looks some-
thing like the font on the faceplate of your Eclipse.
Because it says “page 2,” you’d press the SETUP key again to get to
“page 2.” Notice the little “2” in the lower right corner. Notice that this
refers to screen page 2, not User Manual page 2 !
Then you would press the soft key below the phrase DISP. Again, notice
that the font looks (something) like the font on the display.
Then you would press the soft key under (BRIGHT).
Finally, you would spin the knob to select a brightness between 0and
15.
With that said, go read… then play… then read some more… then play
some more…

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Overviews, Basic Information, and Quickstart
You’ve bought a serious piece of machinery, friend. A beneficiary of Eventide’s venerated Orville and
H3000 line of effects processors and a quarter century of Eventide’s digital audio excellence, the Eclipse
boasts…
The world’s richest sounding and widest array of effects
A global tempo feature that synchronizes LFOs, delay times, and other time-sensitive parameters to
the music being processed
Two configurable effects blocks for serial, parallel, or dual-mono processing
An arsenal of LFOs, envelope followers, and ADSRs that can be patched to any parameter
Analog and AES/EBU, S/P DIF, optical, and ADAT digital inputs and outputs for total flexibility
24bit resolution for superb fidelity at up to 96kHz sampling
MIDI control of parameters for inspired creativity
Read on to learn how to put all this muscle to use...
The Big Picture – A Must-Read
The Eclipse is conceptually simple. At any given time:
A “program” is loaded. Programs such as delays, reverbs, and pitch shifters (among many others) do
the effecting.
A “tempo” is running unless turned off. The Eclipse derives the tempo from a sequencer connected to
its MIDI In port or from the front panel TAP key (there are a few other ways to set the tempo). Many parame-
ters such as LFO rates and delay times change to synchronize with the tempo.
A “modulation block” is modulating. The modulation block contains LFOs, envelope followers, etc.,
that exist independently and in addition to any LFOs, envelope followers, etc., that are constituents of
programs. You can patch parameters from programs to these LFOs, envelope followers, etc.
A suite of “global parameters” defines the Eclipse’s overall behavior. Global parameters are such
things as input and output levels, digital audio speeds and protocols, MIDI channels, and so on.
You load and save programs with the PROGRAM key, and a program’s most important parameters are lo-
cated under the HOT KEYS key. A program contains two “effects blocks” and the routing between them
(series, parallel, etc.) is accessible with the PARAMETER key (some programs only use one of the two available
effects blocks). An “effects block” runs one of the Eclipse’s core set of “algorithms.” The algorithms are de-
scribed in the separately provided “Eclipse Algorithms” document. Put another way:
A program, such as Desert Gtr contains one or two effects blocks
and the routing between them (series, parallel, etc.).
An effects block runs an “algorithm,” such as polydriver or diff-
chorus.
You load and save programs under the PROGRAM key.
You alter the routing between effects blocks and the parameters of
each effects block under the PARAMETER key.
When it comes to routing signals inside the Eclipse, it’s helpful to think of the effects blocks and the rout-
ing between them as existing within the “DSP.”

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All of the levels and signal selection outside the DSP are addressed in the LEVELS area and the SETUP
area. Refer to the “Eclipse System Signal Flow” sheet provided in the pocket of this manual to “look”
at the signal flow outside the DSP. You cannot save these settings as parts of programs.
All of the routing and levels inside the DSP are addressed in the PARAMETER area. Refer to the “Pro-
gram Signal Flow” sheet provided in the pocket of this manual to “look” at the signal flow inside the
DSP. All of these settings are saved as parts of programs.
This is as confusing as it gets, so if you have this straight you’re all set.
Knobs, Keys, and Jacks
... certified ergonomically sound after extensive testing on free-range humans.
The Front Panel
1) POWER Toggle this toggle to “1” to turn the Eclipse on. Toggle this toggle to “0” to turn the
Eclipse off.
2) PROGRAM Press this key to load and save programs. see page 28
3) HOT KEYS Press this key to access the most important parameters for the current program. Addition-
ally, assign any parameter to the HOT KEYS area for quick access. see page 33
4) LEVELS Press this key to alter input and output levels, system wet/dry mix, system routing (not to
be confused with the routing between the two effects blocks that comprise a program), and
metering parameters. see page 21
5) SETUP Press this key to access system parameters such as display, digital rate and clock source,
MIDI configuration, and much more.
6) Display This is your window on the inner workings of the Eclipse.
7) Soft Keys Each of the four soft keys corresponds to the bracketed phrase in the display directly above
it. Pressing a soft key allows the parameters associated with that soft key to be altered.
8) Keypad The keypad is used to enter parameter values. Negative values can be entered by pressing
the +/- key before or after the number. Numbers entered will not “stick” until you press the
ENT key. Use the increment or decrement keys (the little triangles) to change parameter
values by small, sensible amounts.

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9) Knob Turning the knob changes parameter values.
10) Meter Displays the signal level at various points throughout the
signal path. It’s useful both for optimizing sound quality
(you always want a high signal short of clipping) and for
troubleshooting. You can alter the point in the signal flow
at which the meter is “inserted” by pressing LEVELS meter
(source). see page 21
11) OVERLOAD
This LED lights to let you know that the signal being
monitored by the meter (see above) has clipped (over-
loaded). Clear the OVERLOAD LED at LEVELS meter <OL
CLEAR>. This LED is cleared automatically when a new
program is loaded.
12) Rate & Source
The LED that is illuminated tells you the rate at which the Eclipse is sampling. The EXT
LED indicates that the Eclipse is taking its clock from the digital device connected to the
Eclipse’s digital input. see page 25
13) TAP Press the key once to check the current tempo or press it rhythmically to change the tempo.
Many of the Eclipse’s time-based parameters will automatically synchronize to the tempo.
To define the tempo see page 15. To learn about parameters that synchronize to the tempo, see page 35.
14) PARAMETER
Press this key to access all the program parameters – those found in the simpler HOT KEYS
area and many more! Change a program’s underlying algorithm, change the routing be-
tween effects blocks, or change the parameters of the underlying algorithms themselves.
see page 33
You can alter the program-independent “modulation block” under this key as well.
see page 43
15) BYPASS Press this key to bypass the effects. This key can be made
to bypass the entire unit, just the DSP, or it can mute the
Eclipse, depending on SETUP MODES (BYPASS).
see page 24 for more on Bypassing and Muting
16) MEMORY CARD
Insert a CompactFlash card into this slot to save and load programs. Remove the card by
pulling it out (but be sure the BUSY light isn’t illuminated when you do so!). see pages 20 ,54
and 57
17) BUSY This LED illuminates when data is being written to or read from the memory card. If no
memory card is inserted, BUSY illuminates when MIDI or serial data is transferred to or
from the Eclipse. This can be a handy troubleshooting tool!
18) EDITED This LED illuminates when you’ve made changes to a program as a reminder to consider
updating the program before loading another one. If you do not update, you’ll lose any
changes next time you load the program.

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21
The Back Panel
A) AC Port Connect an IEC standard 3-prong AC power cord here. The center post is chassis ground.
B) Analog Audio Inputs
The Eclipse’s analog inputs accept either unbalanced 1/4-inch con-
nectors or balanced XLR connectors. Pin #1 is ground, pin #2 is posi-
tive phase (hot), and pin #3 is negative phase (cold). To “unbalance”
the XLR jack, use both pins #1 and #3 as ground and use pin #2 as
“hot.” If pin #1 and/or pin #3 are unconnected, you will get more
noise and hum than signal! You can connect a guitar to the 1/4-inch
inputs, but the input level will need to be boosted (LEVELS {IN
GAIN}).
C) XLR Analog Audio Outputs
These analog outputs accept balanced XLR connectors. The same pin
layout and “ungrounding” procedure described above applies here as
well.
D) 1/4-inch Analog Audio Outputs
These analog outputs accept balanced 1/4-inch connectors. The sleeve
is ground, the ring is negative phase (cold), and the tip is positive
phase (hot). Using an unbalanced 1/4-inch connector will reduce the
output by 6dB.
E) XLR Digital Interface
Use these connectors to connect professional digital audio gear to the Eclipse. These cables
are differential with a shielded twisted pair. To select the XLR input as the digital source,
go to SETUP DIG-IN (DIG-IN). If you want to synchronize the Eclipse to this digital input
(you usually will), set SETUP DIG-IN (CLOCK) to DigIn as well. The XLR output is al-
ways active, but the format of the data being sent out can either be Pro (professional) or Cns
(consumer) as determined by SETUP DIG-OUT FORMAT (CS-TYPE). You will probably
want this set to Pro if you’re using the XLR output as your main (or only) digital output.
We recommend the use of purpose-manufactured Digital Audio cables, which have low capacitance and con-
trolled impedance for carrying AES/EBU signals. Ordinary microphone cables will usually work at 48kHz,
but may reduce range and add jitter and distortion to the signal. It is unlikely that microphone cable will
prove satisfactory for 96kHz operation. see page 24
3
21
1/4"

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F) RCA Digital Interface
Use these connectors to hook up the Eclipse to CD players, DAT recorders, and other au-
dio gear using RCA connectors. The connectors are two-conductor RCA jacks. Your plug
should have the shield connected to the sleeve with the single shielded conductor con-
nected at the tip. To select the RCA input as the digital source, go to SETUP DIG-IN (DIG-
IN). Set SETUP DIG-IN (CLOCK) to DigIn as well. The RCA output is always active, but
the format of the data being sent out it can either be Pro (professional) or Cns (consumer) as
determined by SETUP DIG-OUT FORMAT (CS-TYPE). You will probably want this set to
Cns if you’re using the RCA output as your main (or only) digital output.
S/P DIF is a consumer digital audio standard, with two audio channels encoded into a single connector. We
recommend the use of professional quality cables made of RG-59/U coaxial cable. Ordinary "hi-fi" type
leads may prove inadequate, especially at the higher sample rates. see page 24
G) Optical Digital Interface
Use these connectors to hook up the Eclipse to CD players, ADATs, and other audio gear
using optical connectors. Use a “Toslink” compatible optical cable (while it might make you feel
good to make it yourself, we recommend buying professionally made optical cables!). Actually, any func-
tional optical cable that fits will probably work… To select two-channel AES-S/PDIF pro-
tocol optical input, select Optical under SETUP DIG-IN (DIG-IN). To select eight-channel
ADAT protocol input, select ADAT under SETUP DIG-IN (DIG-IN), and select the input
channels under SETUP DIG-IN {ADAT-IN} (repeatedly press the soft key to “ungang” the input
channels). If necessary, set SETUP DIG-IN (CLOCK) to DigIn as well. The optical output is
always active, but the format of the data being sent out it can be S/PDIF (two-channel), or
ADAT (eight-channel) as determined by SETUP DIG-OUT (OPTICAL). What’s more, two-
channel optical output can either be Pro (professional) or Cns (consumer) as determined by
SETUP DIG-OUT FORMAT (CS-TYPE). see page 24
H) Word Clock I/O
Use these BNC connectors with any audio gear that supports word clock. Word clock is a
more reliable time reference than that supplied by the digital audio itself. If synchronizing
to another device’s clock via word clock, use SETUP DIG-IN (CLOCK) set to WClk. The
word clock output is always sending the sampling rate selected at SETUP DIG-IN
(CLOCK). see page 26. A word clock connection may need termination see page 55.
I) Serial Port Connect a “9 pin” serial cable (IBM PC type RS232) to this port to transfer information to
and from a personal computer. Do not use the "null modem" type of cable designed for file
transfer between two computers - it will not work.
With the Memory card removed, the BUSY LED on the front panel illuminates whenever a message is re-
ceived at the serial port. Note: If the serial port is “enabled” and MIDI is “enabled,” a command received
over either the serial port or the MIDI In port causes the port not receiving the command to be ignored until
the command is complete. see page 51
J) MIDI MIDI is used for instrument-to-instrument digital communications. The Eclipse sends and
receives Eventide system exclusive messages and, in addition, can respond to and generate
certain standard MIDI commands. The Eclipse has three MIDI ports:
In The Eclipse accepts (and processes) MIDI messages received at the MIDI In
port. The connector is “7 pin” and can provide power to a suitable pedal board,
provided you supply power at the “Remote Power In” socket described below.
It can also send MIDI messages from this connector to a suitably equipped
system. This means, for example, that a pedal board can be connected to the

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Eclipse by means of a single cable that supplies power as well as a communi-
cation path. A normal “5 pin” MIDI cable can be used as a standard MIDI in-
put.
Out The Eclipse sends MIDI messages to other devices via the Out port. MIDI mes-
sages are also sent out the serial port if it is “enabled.”
Thru Any MIDI information received at the MIDI In port is echoed directly to the
MIDI Thru port regardless of the Eclipse’s configuration (as long as the
Eclipse is powered up).
With the Memory card removed, the BUSY LED on the front panel illuminates whenever a
MIDI message is received at the MIDI In port. Note: If the serial port is “enabled” and MIDI
is “enabled,” a command received over either the serial port or the MIDI In port causes the
port not receiving the command to be ignored until the command is complete.
for MIDI Setup, see page 48
K) Remote Power In
Power supplied at this jack is sent “down” the MIDI In port’s pins 6 and 7. Use a suitable
MIDI pedal board and connect its “wall wart” (external power supply) to this jack. Use a
"7 pin" MIDI cable between the Out port on the board and the In port on the Eclipse.
Power will be remotely supplied to the MIDI pedal board.
L) Foot Pedal Jacks 1 & 2
Stereo 1/4-inch connectors. The sleeve is ground reference, the ring is a +5 volt (source),
and the tip is an analog signal between 0 to 5 volts input to the Eclipse. Connect either foot
switches, foot pedals, or control voltage sources to these inputs to modulate parameters or
to trigger events (including remote program loads, see page 48). To set up the foot pedal jacks, see
page 49
Getting Around and Altering Parameters
At any given time, the Eclipse is doing a whole bunch of “stuff.” Unfortunately, you can’t look at all that
“stuff” in one fell swoop. We could have arranged things otherwise, but we figured you’d rather not devote twelve rack
spaces to the Eclipse display where you really only need one! As a compromise, we’ve created a number of “win-
dows” on its inner-workings. We call them “areas.” Inside each area are parameters that can be selected
by using the “soft keys” below the display. Once a parameter is selected, you can alter its value with the
knob or the keypad. Let’s look at this in a little more depth, shall we?
The “Areas” (e.g. – Levels, Program, Setup, etc.)
Each area has a dedicated key and an LED that illuminates when you’re “in” that area. For example,
pressing the LEVELS key illuminates its LED and changes the display to show the LEVELS area parame-
ters. Press the LEVELS key again to see even more parameters! Here’s a list of areas and the sorts of things
you can view in each:
LEVELS Input and output levels at different points along the signal
path along with master wet/dry controls and coarse signal
flow controls. see page 21
PROGRAM Utilities for sorting, loading, and saving programs.
see page 28

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HOT KEYS A real help for speedy sessions! All of the most important
parameters for factory programs are found here, and you
can assign parameters from any other area here for quick
access. see page 33
PARAMETER Parameter adjustments for the effects running on each of
the Eclipse’s effect blocks, effect block bypassing, pro-
gram loading, routing, and modulation block (<EDIT
MOD>) controls. see page 33
SETUP Catchall for system level functions such as display
brightness, digital rates and sources, MIDI setup, and lots
of other cool stuff.
Understanding the Display and Soft Keys
The Bottom Line of the Display
The display shows two lines of text. The top line is typically dependent
on the bottom line, so let’s talk about the bottom line first. As you can
see from the screen to the right, there are (typically) four bracketed phrases along the bottom. Press the
LEVELS key on your Eclipse until you see the same screen. Pressing the soft key below a bracketed phrase highlights
that phrase and allows you to adjust the parameter associated with that phrase. From now on, we’ll just
treat those phrases as if they were actually the soft keys like so: “press {IN GAIN}.”
Pressing {IN GAIN} results in the screen to the right (try it!).
Notice that the top line contains the parameter associated with {IN GAIN}.
Turning the knob or using the keypad (with the ENT key) alters that pa-
rameter (try it!). …but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. There are four kinds of brackets around soft keys,
and each denotes something different.
{curly braces}
are for “ganged” parameters. Pressing the soft key more
than once cycles through the gang. First the parameters
are linked, then just one is adjustable, then just the other is adjustable, then both are linked
again, and so on. Try this on LEVELS {IN GAIN} i.e., the {IN GAIN} soft key in the LEVELS area.
<angled brackets>
indicate that pressing the soft key will perform an action,
such as triggering an LFO. Here, pressing PARAMETER
<FXA: ON> bypasses effects block A. Then pressing
PARAMETER <FXA:OFF> “un-bypasses” it.
sub-menu indicates that more soft keys “hide” beneath this one.
Pressing a sub-menu changes the screen entirely as dif-
ferent soft keys are displayed.
(A menu is a list of choices, as in a restaurant, so a sub-menu is a menu one or more levels
down.)

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You know you’re a level down because a little triangle appears in the lower right corner of
the screen. To come “back up,” press the area key for the area you’re in (in this example, we’d
press LEVELS). Try this on LEVELS METER.
(parentheses)
are for individual parameters. Here we see LEVELS
(WET/DRY).
^_BACK This special soft key sends you “up a level.” Here we see
PARAMETER <EDIT MOD> after the PARAMETER key has
been pressed a few times. Pressing ^_BACK sends us “up”
to the normal PARAMETER area screen.
Before we move on to the top line of the display, we should point out a
little graphic you may notice on the bottom right corner of the screen.
It’s a number next to a right pointing arrow. This graphic indicates that the area you’re in has more than
one “page.” The number is the page you’re on. Pressing LEVELS after being in some other area will result
in the screen to the right. As shown, we’re on page 1 and we know there are other pages because there’s an
arrow.
To flip to the other pages, press the area key associated with those pages.
Here we’ve pressed the LEVELS key again. Notice the position of the
arrow relative to the page number. If the arrow is to the left of the page
number, it indicates that pressing the LEVELS key again will take us back to the first page.
The Top Line of the Display
The top line of the display usually shows what area you’re in (e.g.,
LEVELS, SETUP, PROGRAM, etc.) and the parameter value for the high-
lighted soft key.
The PARAMETER area breaks from this convention a bit, with the first
page showing which algorithms are loaded into each effects block and
whether each effects block is muted or not. You’ll find a few other such
anomalies, but they shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.
Altering Parameters
Once you highlight a (NORMAL) or {GANGED} soft key, the top line of
the display will show a parameter (or parameters) that you can adjust. To
adjust a parameter you can…
Turn the knob!
Key in a value with the keypad, pressing ENT when you’re finished. Negative values can be entered
by pressing +/- either before the keyed number or after the keyed number. If you key in a number that
is “out of range,” the highest or lowest value available will be shown. If you don’t press ENT, the
number you typed won’t “stick”! NOTE: You can often obtain greater precision than the display will show by key-
ing in a value. For example, if you key in a delay time of
333.333 , the display will read 333 . But the actual value will be
333.333 !
Press the INC/DEC keys (the little up and down arrow in the keypad).

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Quickstart
Pressing keys is fine, but if that’s all you wanted to do you’d have been better off buying an infant’s “ac-
tivity center”. No, the whole point is to get some of that Eventide goodness into your music, and that’s
just what we’re gonna do now…
Hooking Up To the Outside World
The Eclipse will sum analog and digital inputs and will output both analog and digital signals at all times.
see the separate “Eclipse System Signal Flow” sheet for all the gory details
Analog Connections
Insert either an unbalanced 1/4-inch cable (at –10dB) or a balanced XLR
cable (at +4dB) into one or both analog inputs (see page 9). Such a signal
could come from a mixer or a preamplifier. You can plug a guitar directly
into the Eclipse, but you’ll have to crank the gain (LEVELS {IN GAIN}).
Even then, the signal may not be optimal. Instead, we recommend using a
preamp or effects loop.
Connect balanced 1/4-inch or XLR cables to the analog outputs (both will be operational). These could
lead to a mixer or an amplifier. Using an unbalanced 1/4-inch cable at the output will halve (-6dB) the
output level. see page 9
Digital Connections
OK, this is meant to be a Quickstart section, so we’re going to keep things as simple as possible. If
something doesn’t make sense or if things aren’t working as you expect them to, go to page 24.
To input digital audio, first plug a cable into an appropriate port on the
back panel. Next, select from XLR, RCA, Optical, or ADAT under SETUP
DIG-IN (DIG-IN). If you select ADAT, use the {ADAT-IN} soft key to se-
lect which two channels the Eclipse will process by repeatedly pressing
the {ADAT-IN} soft key. Next, you will probably want to set SETUP DIG-
IN (CLOCK) to DigIn.
All of the digital outputs send live signals all of the time! However, they
only send one protocol. Select that protocol under SETUP DIG-OUT
FORMAT. Under (CS-TYPE) select Pro if you are primarily interested in
using the XLR digital outputs, and Cns if you are primarily interested in
using the RCA or optical (non-ADAT) digital outputs.
To output the ADAT protocol through the optical output, set SETUP
DIG-OUT (OPTICAL) to ADAT. Then use the (ADAT-OUT) soft key to se-
lect which channels will receive processed audio (Ch 1 or Ch 2), which
will receive the signal supplied at the ADAT input (Thru), and which will
be muted.

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Choosing Effects
The Eclipse has a whole bunch of cool programs, and you can sort
through them in a number of useful ways. Press PROGRAM CRITERIA
(SORT BY) to select either Number or Name for numerical or alpha-
betical listings. Press PROGRAM CRITERIA (SEARCH B) to select either
Source (if you’d like to sort effects based on what type of input they were
designed for) or Effect (if you’d like to sort effects based on their underly-
ing algorithms). We’ll ignore the other choices for now. Press the
PROGRAM key to jump back “up” a level.
Now use the < > and < > soft keys to hop between categories and the
knob to scroll through programs within categories. When you see a pro-
gram you want to load, just hit the <LOAD> soft key. for more detail, see page 28
Altering the Effects
As soon as you load a program, you’ll be taken to the HOT KEYS area and presented with all of the most
important parameters in said program. Most parameter types are self-explanatory, and there is a nice ex-
planation of several of the more opaque parameter types on page 34. For now, we’ll explain the whole
concept of the tempo and synchronized parameters.
Tempo
The Eclipse’s tempo feature is your ticket to a good time… Almost all the time-based parameters (LFO
rates, delay times, etc.) in the Eclipse are synchronized to its tempo. Consequently, setting the Eclipse’s
tempo to the tempo of the material you’re working with makes for very useful effecting. The tempo can
be set five ways:
Tap the tap key
With SETUP TEMPO (TAP SRC) set to the factory default,
Internal, simply tap the TAP key at the tempo you’d like.
You can adjust SETUP TEMPO (AVERAGE) to determine
how many taps the Eclipse will consider in determining the
tempo you tap.
Manual Entry With SETUP TEMPO (TAP SRC) set to the factory default,
Internal, simply enter the tempo you’d like at SETUP
TEMPO (TEMPO).Like most parameters in the Eclipse, you
can enter a number with greater precision than the Eclipse
will display. For instance, if you enter a tempo of 124.4
bpm (beats per minute), the display will only read 124, but
the actual tempo will be 124.4.
Foot Switch Control
Set SETUP TEMPO (TAP SRC) to Foot Sw1 or Foot Sw2 to
control the tempo from the rear panel foot switch jacks.
While not very accurate, this can still be useful because so
many of the Eclipse’s parameters are controlled by the
tempo.

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MIDI Clock Set SETUP TEMPO (TAP SRC) to Midiclock to control the
tempo from a MIDI sequencer connected to the Eclipse’s
MIDI input.
See page 47 for information about enabling Midi Clock output.
Externals Set SETUP TEMPO (TAP SRC) to extx (where xis a
number between 1 and 16) to control the tempo from
external controller inputs.
See page 43 for more information about Externals.
When you save or update a program, the current tempo is saved along with
it. This saved tempo will replace the current tempo the next time the pro-
gram is loaded.
You can disable the tempo by setting SETUP TEMPO (TAP SRC) to Off.
Additional explanations and diagrams can be found on page 26. We highly recommend checking them out!
Tempo Mode
When a program is saved, the current tempo setting is always saved as
part of the program. However, it might be desirable to ignore the tempo
stored in a program and instead have Eclipse maintain a constant tempo
setting. The SETUP TEMPO ( MODE ) determines whether Eclipse will be
set to the program’s tempo when the progra m is loaded. To maintain the
current tempo setting when loading a program, choose Global. To update
the system tempo to the saved value when loading a program, choose
Prog.
Tempo-Controlled Parameters: T_DELAY, T_RATE, etc.
You’ll notice many parameters with “T_” stuck onto the beginning of
their names. These parameters synchronize to the tempo. For example,
to the right we see (T_RATE). Its values are rhythmic, and right now the
chorus depicted will oscillate once every 1/2 note.
If you want the chorus to ignore the tempo, set (T_RATE) to off and use
the unadorned (RATE) soft key to enter in a rate.
If you want every parameter in the Eclipse to ignore the tempo, set SETUP
TEMPO (TAP SRC) to Off.
See page 35 for a more in-depth discussion of “T_” parameters. See page 26 for a diagram of the tempo and its
relation to “T_” parameters.
Tutorial 1: Loading a Program, Setting the Tempo, and Assigning Modulation
OK, we’re going to run you through “a day in the life of your Eclipse”! First, turn it on.
We want to load a program, and that’s the sort of thing that happens in
the “PROGRAM area.” So, press the PROGRAM key!
The Eclipse sorts its programs so that the type of program you want to
load is easily found. Press CRITERIA (SORT BY) and turn the knob until
the display reads Number. Then press (SEARCH B) and turn the knob
until the display reads Source (this will allow us to search for a program based on
the type of instrument the program was designed for).

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Press the PROGRAM key again to jump “up” a level. see page 28 for more
information
Press the < > and < > keys until the left side of the screen reads
Programs-Guitar. Now you can access programs that were designed to
process guitars. Use the knob to select the program FuzzADSRPreamp.
Load the program by pressing the conspicuously labeled <LOAD> soft
key. You’re whisked away to the HOT KEYS area…
Too much distortion? Select the (FUZZ) soft key and use the knob to
select out.
Press the HOT KEYS key again to access more soft keys. Need more
funk? Select (SENS) and use the knob to tune in the “good stuff”!
OK, let’s load a different program that has an LFO so we can check out
the Eclipse’s tempo feature. Go back to the PROGRAM area and press the
< > soft key until the left side of the display reads Programs-All.
Use the knob to select Dual Modfilter and then <LOAD> it.
To insure that your tempo is behaving in a way that makes what follows
comprehensible, set SETUP TEMPO (TAP SRC) to Internal. You can
experiment with other settings (such as the all-important Midiclock) on your own time!
As an important aside, selecting Off would disable the tempo feature.
Return to the HOT KEYS area, play some music and tap the TAP key in
time. You’ll notice that the tempo is displayed (with less precision than
it truly possesses) and that the program’s modulating filters get all cozy
and synchronized with the music.
Select HOT KEYS (T_RATE) and play around with different values, such
as whole note or 1/8 note. Not bad…
Notice that if you alter (T_RATE), the associated parameter (RATE) is
affected. It works like this: you select the source of the tempo as
described above. The tempo then “informs” all the T_DELAY, T_RATE,
and T_xxxxx parameters in the program that is loaded. They “filter” the
tempo information based on the rhythmic value you choose and
“inform” the actual (DELAY) or (RATE) parameters in the program in
their “native language” (e.g., milliseconds or Hertz).
The “unadorned” (DELAY) and (RATE) parameters are thus slaves to the
tempo and their associated (T_xxxxx) parameters. To relinquish control
back to the “unadorned” parameters, either turn off the tempo system as
described above, or turn off a given (T_xxxxx) parameter to off (just
keep spinning the knob to the right; you’ll get there!). Doing either ef-
fectively breaks one of the arrows shown to the right.
see pages 15 and 35 for more information

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Finally, let’s assign the modulation block’s LFO to a parameter. Press
PARAMETER page 2 <EDIT MOD> LFO#1, and set (T_RATE) to whole
note. Now the modulation block’s LFO is cycling once a measure. Use
the ^-BACK soft key to “jump up” a level. see page 43 for information on the modula-
tion block LFO and all of the other wonderful modulators!
All of the modulators in the modulation block exist independently of
programs. To prove it, load the program CombDelays. Should you peek
back at the LFO’s (T_RATE), you’ll find it hasn’t changed.
Now go to the HOT KEYS area and set (M_COMB) to 0 %.
To assign the modulation block’s LFO to this parameter, hold down its
soft key until the page shown to the right appears.
Select <MODULATE> and then set (SOURCE) to LFO#1. Trippy!
You can change the depth of the effect with (SCALE).
To disconnect modulation, simply set (SOURCE) back to off. see page 40
for more information about patching parameters to the modulation block