Helios Overdrive V1 User manual

VTR EFFECTS –HELIOS OVERDRIVE V2 Page 1
WELCOME!
Representative of the sun, the day and the skies, Helios is the one that
brings the morning light in an energetic way. He is responsible for every
beginning. It symbolizes the beginning of cycles, waking up and all being
born.
The Helios Overdrive V1 was the first pedal we launched, in it we sought
to innovate in the appearance of a Brazilian effect pedal and its timbre.
Helios Overdrive V2 brings to the game a new concept of overdrive,
completely analog, but with digital features. Yes, here we have an
overdrive with presets, this marks the beginning of a new concept of
products that we intend to launch. With Helios V2 you have 4 clip
modes, space to save 6 presets (expandable) and inclusion in the world
of MIDI control. This is the beginning of a new way to use an analog
overdrive.
SUMMARY
Page
CLIP MODES 3
•The complete guide to understanding clipping modes.
CONTROLS 3
•Basic Pedal Controls
PRESETS 3
•See how to access and save presets.
MIDI 4
•Step-by-step to understand how MIDI works.
OPERATION 5
•General pedal operation guide
LED GUIDE 5
•Details on the colors indicated on the LED's.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 5
•Important technical details about the pedal.
POWER SUPPLY 5
•Know how to turn on your pedal without harming your circuits
WARRANTY, REPAIR AND RETURN 6
Legal Information

VTR EFFECTS –HELIOS OVERDRIVE V2 Page 2
CLIP MODES

VTR EFFECTS –HELIOS OVERDRIVE V2 Page 3
CLIP MODES
SILICON DIODES
This mode contains 4 silicon diodes (1n4148), with 2 diodes for each signal
cycle.
Interesting facts: This was the clip in version 1 of Helios Overdrive.
GERMANIO DIODES
This mode contains 2 Germanium diodes (1n34A), with 1 diode for each
signal cycle.
Interesting facts: In this mode the volume is much louder than the others,
and we have less distortion compared to other modes, which makes this
mode ideal for boosting other overdrives.
LED’S
This mode contains 2 red LED's, 1 LED for each signal cycle.
Interesting facts: In this mode the compression is lower and we have more
output level, ideal for getting more open tones.
MOSFET
This mode contains 2 mosfet's (2n7000), being 1 mosfet for each signal cycle.
Interesting facts: This is the mode with more distortion compared to others,
with it you'll be able to get more compressed and aggressive tones.
CONTROLS
Gain: Control the circuit's amplification factor, causing signal distortion (the
gain has been increased compared to version 1).
Tone: Control how much high frequencies have passed through the circuit.
Bass: Control the amplification of low frequencies (Control on the right side of
the pedal via the trimpot).
Volume: Control the output level of the circuit.
Switch Preset: Save and access up to 6 presets.
Switch Bypass: Switch the footswitch on/off via the relay's true bypass system.
PRESETS
Save Preset
1. Set all controls to the desired setting (after entering the mode below,
changes made to the knobs will no longer be recognized).
2. Hold down the preset footswitch until the preset led starts flashing (you
need to hold it down for about 1 second).
3. Press the footswitch preset to change the location where the new setting
will be saved (the footswitch will just step through the presets).
4. Press the footswitch for more than 1 second and the setting will be
saved.

VTR EFFECTS –HELIOS OVERDRIVE V2 Page 4
Access Preset
1. Press Preset to load and to switch presets.
2. If a preset is active and the preset footswitch is pressed for more than
1 second, the pedal will save any changes that have been made to the
current preset.
MIDI
Our pedals are prepared to be controlled by MIDI protocol on channel 1 to
channel 4 (check the operation guide to learn how to change the MIDI
channel), so you can access presets, save new presets and even control
individual parameters of your pedals via a MIDI controller. Below are
instructions on how to communicate with the pedal.
Our system does not use the standard MIDI interface, as there is no
optocoupler on the input, but this system is used in several pedals in this
industry. You will need a MIDI converter or controller with TRS P10 outputs
to use MIDI on our pedals. Below is the pinout to be followed:
Access Presets
Send a Program Change message with the preset number you want to access
(Example: Preset 1 = 10; Preset 2 = 20).
Save Presets
Hold the footswitch Bypass and send a Program Change message with the
preset number you want to save, the pedal will save the current setting in
the desired location (12 slots available).
Control Parameters
Send a Continuous Controller message according to the information below:
CC #1 - Effect ON/OFF (Value 127=ON / Value 0=OFF).
CC #2 - Clipping Modes:
•Value 1 = Silicon;
•Value 2 = Germanium;
•Value 3 = LED RED;
•Value 4 = Mosfet.
CC #3 - Gain (Submit a value from 0 to 127).
CC #4 - Level (Send a value from 0 to 127).
CC #5 - Tone (Send a value from 0 to 127).
CC #6 - Bass (Submit a value from 0 to 127).

VTR EFFECTS –HELIOS OVERDRIVE V2 Page 5
OPERATION
Intelligent Bypass: The Helios Overdrive V2 is equipped with an intelligent
bypass system, which will recognize the time of pressing the footswitch and
automatically activate the momentary bypass function. Therefore, pressing
the footswitch quickly will do the normal function of reversing the bypass
state, pressing and holding the footswitch for more than 500ms when
releasing the bypass will return to the state before it was pressed, performing
the momentary bypass function.
Change Clipping: Press both footswitches at the same time.
Change MIDI channel: When turning on the pedal power, keep the preset
footswitch pressed and the Preset LED will light up, turn the Time knob and
the LED color will change, thus indicating the channel change, as follows:
Blue: Channel 1; Green: Channel 2; Red: Channel 3; White: Channel 4.
LED GUIDE
Bypass LED: When lit indicates the effect is on and its color indicates which
preset bank is selected. Green Bank 1; Red Bank 2.
Preset LED: Its color indicates which preset is selected. Blue Preset 1; Green
Preset 2; Red Preset 3; Pink Preset 4; Yellow Preset 5; White Preset 6.
Clipping LED: Its color indicates which clipping mode is selected. Blue: Silicon;
Red: Germanium; Green: Led's; White: Mosfet.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
•Electrostatic painting in beige color.
•Measures: 12.3 cm x 6.5 cm x 3.5 cm.
•Weight: 465 grams.
•Superior finishing through UV Printing (Ultra Violet).
•True-bypass by relay.
•Low/mid gain overdrive.
•Organic and dynamic tone.
•Controls: Volume, Tone, Bass and Gain.
•Input Impedance: 1MΩ.
•Output Impedance: 10KΩ.
POWER SUPPLY
•Minimum current of 100mA.
•Please use a negative center 9V DC source, and preferably for isolated
sources to minimize any source of noise.

VTR EFFECTS –HELIOS OVERDRIVE V2 Page 6
WARRANTY
This warranty covers repair or replacement of any device created by the
company at any time while the product and/or part is being manufactured. The
warranty does not apply if there is interference or attempted repairs by third
parties not affiliated with VTR Effects.
The warranty does not extend to third parties or individuals who purchase the
products in a chain, only to the original purchaser registered in the company's
database. During the first 3 months after purchase, the costs of transporting
the equipment will be exempt and after this period the costs will be paid by the
customer.
Warranty does not include: lost profits, lost savings, damage to other
equipment, and incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or
inability to use this product.
In no event will VTR Effects be liable for repairs or replacements that cost more
than the amount of the purchase price.
REPAIR
In case of damage caused by the owner's action, VTR Effects offers free labor
to repair it, however, the value of any exchanged components and shipping
costs will be charged.
DEVOLUTION
Any product can be returned up to 7 days after its purchase, in addition to
the 7 days provided for in Law 8078/90, provided it is kept in new condition.
If the product has been damaged (electronic and external damage such as
scratches) by the customer, this will prevent its return.
•If the product has a manufacturing defect, the product warranty
must be activated to resolve the defect. After repair, if the product
still does not please, it may be returned, provided that within the
above period.
•In cases of return, the Customer bears the cost of shipping the
product
•For credit card purchases, the value of the product will be refunded
on the card itself, always discounting the card installment fees