tubesteader Lightkeeper User manual

MANUAL v1.0
The Lightkeeper is a tube based, all-analog boost/overdrive pedal,
designed to deliver that ‘tube-feel’ to any amp, house system, or
recording interface. Inspired by Dumble’s legendary clean channel
sound with lush dynamics and touch-sensitive sound we crave. It’s a
portable tone palette that’s perfect for enchancing the flat-sounding
amps or tucking in your case for jam sessions.
Sculpt your base tone from crisp clean to an edge of breakup while
reserving the footswitch boost/mid-punch for solos, thanks to the
3-way Mid and Boost footswitchable controls.
The Lightkeeper operates as a pure analog, Class A audio pre-amp
offering high fidelity sound without semi-conductor or DSP in the
signal path. It features a genuine ECC83/12AX7 vacuum tube operating
at 250VDC high voltage and delivers a warm, rich tone with gentle and
natural compression.
INTRODUCTION
TUBE BOOSTER / LIGHT OVERDRIVETUBE BOOSTER / LIGHT OVERDRIVE
TM
Congratulations on your purchase and thank you for supporting us!
CAUTION! RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT OPEN THE ENCLOSURE.
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 interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation.
Unauthorized changes or modification to this system can void the users
authority to operate this equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAN ICES-003 (B) / NMB-003 (B)
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS
All Tubesteader pedals are warrantied to be free from defects in parts
and craftsmanship for 5 years from the original date of purchase.
The external hardware, such as pots, switches and jacks are warrantied
to be free from defects for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase.
The tubes are covered for a period of 30 days from receipt of the pedal.
EXCLUSIONS:
- Damage caused by accident, abuse, modification, improper use.
- Cosmetic wear and tear of the enclosure and external hardware.
- Shipping costs.
Tubesteader reserves the right to make changes and
improvements in designs & dimensions without notice.
The Tubesteader will repair or replace, at our discretion, the product
under the warranty at no cost to the original owner. For any warranty or
repair inquiries, please contact [e-mail]
Returns are accepted within 7 days from the date of receiving your
order. To qualify for return the product has to be in “new” condition,
in the original packaging and perfect working order.
WARRANTYCOMPLIANCE

The figure below represents a block diagram
The 3-band controls of the EQ are interactive and also affect
the gain levels – just like in a tube amp.
Note the optional footswitch control over the Mid and Boost toggle
switches. When the lever is in the middle position, switching the
Mid-shift, Boost, or both switches together is made by the
panel-mounted footswitch, marked FC (Foot Control).
SPECIFICATIONS
SIGNAL PATH
Input Impedance: 1M
Output Impedance : < 10K
Vacuum Tube: ECC83/12AX7
Power: 12VDC @ 300mA (min.), power adapter supplied
Power connector: barrel 2.1mm, center negative
Enclosure: Die-cast aluminum
Size: 4.7" x 5.7" (120mm x 145mm)
Height: 2.75” (70mm) including tube protectors
Weight: 1.6 lbs (700 gr.)
IN
TRUE BYPASS
ON/OFF
MID
FC
BOOST
GAIN
VOLUME
OUT
V1a V1b
EQ
CONNECTIVITY
To prevent malfunction and equipment failure,
always turn down the volume before making any connections.
The Lightkeeper ships with an ECC83/12AX7 vacuum tube installed.
To explore additional tonal possibilities, the stock tube can be
swapped with equivalent preamp tubes from other brands.
When powering up from a cold state, please allow the Lightkeeper to
warm-up a few minutes before playing. The tube runs warm to the
touch under normal operation.
TUBES
As a pedal plugged into the input of a guitar amp.
Set the amp volume to normal listening level. Adjust the amp’s tone
control(s) to flat or centered. Let the Lightkeeper handle EQ and Gain
preferences. The Lightkeeper may be chained with other pedals. Where
there are no rules, we suggest running overdrive or distortion pedals in front
of the Lightkeeper with ambient and modulation devices behind it.
Run directly into a power amp or powered speaker.
Lightkeeper Output to an Amp FX-return Input.
Since the FX-return circuits differ between amp models, your overall levels
and sound results may vary.
Straight into a mixing console or recording interface.
We suggest to combine the Lightkeeper with an IR/Cabinet sim for
recording.
1
2
3
4
CONNECT THE LIGHTKEEPER:
CONTROLS
HAND� BUILT� IN� CANADA
FC BYPASS
ECC83
12AX7
VOL
BOOST MID
BASS MID HIGH
12VDC 300mA
GAIN
CLASS��A
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OFF
FC
ON
OFF
FC
ON
12
3
45
6
7
Gain boost, partially bypassing the EQ
Output volume
Amount of signal driving a 2nd gain stage
3-band interactive EQ
Midrange shift
Foot Control of MID/BOOST toggles
True bypass footswitch w/status light
BOOST
1 VOL
2
GAIN
3
BASS, MIDLE, TREBLE
5
MID
6
7
FC
BYPASS
4