Himmelstrutz Gekko User manual

Gekko tips & tricks:
It might take some time to get a grip about all possibilities in this pedal. We encourage you to try several dierent
combinations of the outboard control setting as each will impart its own unique character on your tone. The Glaze
toggle switch for example, which oers 3 characters of the delay repeats, may sound feel totally dierent in dierent
situations guitar only in a band mix situation. We also recommend you to try an overdrive pedal—the Fetto’s!—
before or after Gekko. Our wish is that you’ll get a pleasant Gekko-ekko-kko-ko-oii experience!
Every pedal is 100% handmade, tested and carefully adjusted by the original designer in Sweden. If you happen to
remove the bottom plate and nd some internal controls (page 2), remember these parts are not meant to be
adjusted regularly by the user—because of functional warranty reasons. More information about Gekko, and
collaborating products, is available at www.himmelstrutz.com.
www.himmelstrutz.co
Doc: 6403024_om_003-. (#001-)
Gekko — Space-Boost/Echo
Owner’s Manual
Volume:
Output level. Start at
12 o’ clock to get a
volume similar to when
the eect is bypassed.
Clockwise gives more!
GIMME:
Eect ON OFF push switch*.
True mechanical (not
electronic) bypass. ON is
indicated with a magical,
blue LED
* The push switch in Gekko is not as
sti as the ones you might be used to.
Now you can play barefoot without
hurting your little toes.
OU :
Connect your amplier
or the next eect pedal
”Input” here
Thanks for choosing Gekko. Please read this document to get the best use and joy of this Swedish Space-Boost.
•
Repeat:
Delay echo repeats. 1
(min) to innite crazy
oscillation (max)
Mix:
Drive distortion control.
Start at 10-12 o’clock.
Clockwise gives more
IN:
Connect your instrument
or the previous eect
pedal ”Output” here
External controls:
Delay:
Delay time, approx. 40-60 mS
(min) to 500-600 mS (max).
Glaze
Delay repeats character 3 position***
toggle. Try out*** for yourself what is
best suited for your case(s)
Wobble
2 way toggle switch. ON (left) gives a
‘subtle’wobble time modulation
eect, depending on the playing
velocity echo repeat level (=more
sensitive on the lighter strings).
9-12V DC
External DC adapter. Standard 2,1 mm
barrel jack, 9-12 volt regulated DC with
centre-pin negative (BOSS standard).
The Himmelstrutz pedals are designed to be used with
straight power cable plugs. Right angle plugs may not
make a secure connection and are not recommended.
Sensor:
Delay time modulation
Sensor** which reacts to the
light in the room. If the light
variations are large and this
might aect the sound ’too
much’, use the included
black piece of “Sensor cover”
to cover the Sensor
1:2
*** The middle position may seem sharp
noisy in some cases (when playing
alone)—which on the other hand can
work really well in a mix band situation!
** The Sensor is covered with a thin tape,
painted with a semi transparent marker
pen (red blue green colours). If you want
the Sensor to be more sensitive active, it’s
up to you to remove the default tape
colour and replace with your own,
probably in lighter colour(s). If you want
the Sensor less sensitive, use darker
colours or the included “Sensor cover” to
completely cover the Sensor (=inactive).
As the power consumption in Gekko is high (compared to most other Himmelstrutz’ pedals) it cannot be used
with a battery, as this would last only for one or a few hours. Our recommendation is to use a high quality power
supply (optional)—preferable with isolated outputs to avoid sound interferences with other units!
Himmelstrutz Elektro Art do recommend www.voodoolab.com pedalpower_2.htm
If you play loud use ear protection. It’s easy to forget, but, yo, not a splendid idea in the long run.
Power OFF Gekko when not using it—to help saving all our power and environment!
Don’t forget to have fun and make some music, with ear protection if needed.
Good luck!
Joakim Hedeby, Himmelstrutz Elektro Art, Sweden
•
•
•
Wobble switch set in
position left gives higher
max delay times, approx.
600 instead of 500 mS.
Wobble switch set in
position right gives lower
minimum delay times,
approx. 40 instead of 60 mS.

2:2
www.himmelstrutz.co
Doc: 6403024_om_003-. (#001-)
Errors Caused By Changes Of
Internal Controls Void Warranty
WOBBLE LEVEL
– + – +
+ –
Gekko PCB
(bottom plate removed)
DELAY GAIN INPU LEVEL
Default
settings
DRY ON/OFF:
Jumper.
ON 2 pins enabled (default) enables
both the “direct” and the “eect” audio.
OFF (jumper lifted) disables the “direct”
and only the “eect” audio is ON (all wet)
DELAY GAIN:
Trimmer.
Turning counter clockwise increases the
gain drive of the delay amplier stage,
which means if set high (counter
clockwise) overdrive distortion in the
delay repeats could occur. This may be
loved by some guys while it’s simply
disgusting for others!
NB: DO NOT CHANGE ANY INTERNAL SETTINGS UNLESS YOU
KNOW EXACTLY HOW, WHAT & WHY YOU ARE DOING IT!
Gekko — Space-Boost/Echo
he Details
INPU LEVEL:
Trimmer.
This control adjusts the input sensitivity, from
instrument levels to line levels. Turning clockwise
gives a higher input level—which means when
“improperly” set, audio distortion interferences can
occur. This may be perfect for some eects music
styles and in other situations all ‘o-piste’
WOBBLE LEVEL:
Trimmer.
Counter clockwise gives a more
prominent wobble eect. Note: the
wobble eect is always more apparent
eective on shorter delay settings (Delay
knob below 12 o clock)
Internal
Application example
GUITAR
AMPSPEAKER
Space-Boost/Echo Great Old Distortion
Driver/Buer
Power supply
9-12V 9-18V 9-18V
To adjus he rimmers a
very small screw driver is
needed (< 2 millime res)!