Damage Control TimeLine User Manual

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL DELAY

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3

Precautions.................................................................................................................................................... 3

Rear Panel Connections............................................................................................................................... 3

Line Drawings and Features........................................................................................................................ 5

Mode Selector............................................................................................................................................ 5

Control Knobs............................................................................................................................................ 5

Footswitches .............................................................................................................................................. 6

LED Indicators .......................................................................................................................................... 7

Delay Modes.................................................................................................................................................. 7

MOD.......................................................................................................................................................... 7

SLAP ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

LONG ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

DOTTED EIGHTH ................................................................................................................................. 11

PONG ...................................................................................................................................................... 12

MULTI .................................................................................................................................................... 13

REVERSE ............................................................................................................................................... 14

Preset Operation......................................................................................................................................... 15

Playing Presets......................................................................................................................................... 15

Saving Presets.......................................................................................................................................... 16

Editing Presets ......................................................................................................................................... 16

Restoring Factory Presets ........................................................................................................................ 16

Delay Persist................................................................................................................................................ 17

Delay Modes............................................................................................................................................ 17

Presets...................................................................................................................................................... 17

Strum Tempo .............................................................................................................................................. 18

Looper ......................................................................................................................................................... 19

Recording the main Loop (Track 1)......................................................................................................... 20

Quantized Recording for the main Loop (Track 1).................................................................................. 20

Playing back the main Loop (Track 1) .................................................................................................... 21

Recording more layers (Track 2)............................................................................................................. 21

Erasing..................................................................................................................................................... 21

MIDI ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

Presets...................................................................................................................................................... 22

Controlling Knob Parameters .................................................................................................................. 22

Footswitch and Encoder Switch Remote Control.................................................................................... 23

Clock Input .............................................................................................................................................. 23

Specifications .............................................................................................................................................. 23

Warranty Information ............................................................................................................................... 24

2

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of a TimeLine Multi-Dimensional Delay. Our goal is to provide
musicians with premium, no-compromise tools that inspire musical performance and creativity. We believe
you will find our products to be of lasting value.

TimeLine is the world’s finest and most versatile delay product. 96KHz processing buffered by dual
12AX7’s produces un-compromised signal quality of the processed sound, while the analog dry path
ensures transparency. From vibrato, phasing, flanging and chorus, to slap-back, long echoes, multi-head
and reverse, the TimeLine’s continuous controls let you create your sound simply by turning knobs. The
user presets, tap tempo, strum tempo, 2-track looping, and MIDI implementation make sure the TimeLine
delivers in any performance or studio application.

Precautions

 The TimeLine’s tube circuits run at very high internal voltages. Never remove the back panel of

the unit. There are no user serviceable parts inside.

 Use only with the supplied AC power adapter.
 Avoid spilling liquids into the unit.
 Do not expose the unit to excessive heat or moisture.
 Refer all service and repairs to a qualified technician.
 Unplug unit when not is use.

Rear Panel Connections

INPUT L
(MONO)

INPUT R OUTPUT L

(MONO)

OUTPUT R

MIDI IN MIDI OUT

Audio I/O Jacks

Delay effects are typically placed after distortion effects, or in the effects loop of an

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amplifier if available.

The TimeLine is a true stereo processor. The Left and Right inputs are processed independently and sent to
the Left and Right outputs respectively. With a mono input, a stereo output is produced when using both
outputs. The TimeLine can be used in three basic I/O configurations:

POWER

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Mono-In/Mono-Out

Mono-In

Mono In-Stereo Out

Stereo In-Stereo Out

MIDI Connections

Connecting the output of a MIDI controller unit to the MIDI IN jack of the TimeLine allows you to sync to
clock, to control the knobs and switches remotely, and to access an almost unlimited number of Preset
Locations. Connect the MIDI Out to the MIDI In of another MIDI device. MIDI messages sent to
TimeLine will be echoed to the MIIDI Out jack. For more on MIDI, see the section under MIDI.

Power Jack

Use only the included Damage Control power supply to power the TimeLine.

4

Line Drawings and Features

Magic Eye

Mode Selector

LED

Indicators

Left
Tube
Chamber

Right
Tube
Chamber

Control

BYPASS

TAP TEMPO

Knobs

Footswitches

Mode Selector

This twelve-position encoder determines the operational mode of the TimeLine, selecting one of seven
Delay modes (MOD, SLAP, LONG, DOTTED_EIGHTH, PONG, MULTI, and REVERSE), Looper mode,
or one of four Preset Banks. The encoder has a push-switch that is used during preset saving, and loop
erasing. See the sections on Preset Operation and Looper for more detail.

Control Knobs

Note: For knob operation in LOOP mode, see the section under LOOPING.

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TIME – sets the delay time based on the Mode setting.

REPEATS

maximum. In MOD mode (Delay Times from 1ms to 25mS) this control is
commonly called Regeneration, and will intensify any sound as it is turned
clockwise.

– sets the number of repeats from one at minimum to infinity at

5

Footswitches

BYPASS LOOP:START/STOP

In the Delay modes this footswitch toggles between BYPASS and effect ON. In any Preset Bank,
step on this switch to toggle between Preset A and Bypass. In Looper Mode this activates
RECORD start and stop, and subsequently acts as PLAYBACK start and stop. For more
information, see the sections on Preset Operation and Looper.

TAP TEMPO LOOP:PUNCH IN/OUT

In the Delay modes, step at the desired delay time to set the delay tempo. BONUS: In these
modes you can also hold down the button and pluck or strum staccato notes to set the tempo.

In any Preset Bank, step on this switch to toggle between Preset B and Bypass. In Looper Mode,
press and hold this to record Track 2. For more information, see the sections on Preset Operation
and Looper.

MOD DEPTH – sets the range of modulation from no modulation at OFF, to

full modulation at maximum. In MULTI mode, Mod Depth controls the position
of playback head 1, from no delay (OFF) to max delay determined by the current
delay time.

MOD SPEED – controls the speed of the modulation from .1 Hz to 10 Hz. In

MULTI mode, Mod Depth controls the position of playback head 2, from no
delay (OFF) to max delay determined by the current delay time.

FILTER – sets the filter shape of the repeat filter from flat (no filter) at OFF to

an analog-stomp-type shape at 12:00 to a tape-type filter at maximum. The filter
morphs smoothly between these points.

SMEAR – smoothes out percussive or sharp attacks over time, creating repeats

that don’t interfere with the direct signal. At minimum setting this effect is off,
and gradually increases to maximum effect.

MIX – sets the ratio of dry signal to wet signal, from fully dry at minimum, to

fully wet at maximum. The Grit and Filter controls may affect the relative level
of the delayed signal, so you may want to fine tune the Mix and Repeats control
once you dial in the delay sound you want.

GRIT – adds gradual amounts of distortion, noise and even some aliasing

reminiscent of analog bucket-brigade circuits with low clock-speeds.

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LED Indicators

The LED indicators offer a comprehensive survey of the state of operation of TimeLine. For detailed
information on the LED indicators in each mode, see the individual sections under Delay Modes, Preset
Operation, and Looper.

LEFT TUBE CHAMBER – indicates the MOD SPEED and MOD DEPTH settings in the

Delay modes. In Preset Operation, this indicates the ON/BYPASS status of Preset A. In Looper
mode, the status of Track 1 is indicated.

RIGHT TUBE CHAMBER – indicates the Delay Time in the Delay modes. In Preset

Operation, this indicates the ON/BYPASS status of Preset B. In Looper mode, the status of Track
2 is indicated.

MAGIC EYE – indicates the Delay Time in the Delay modes. In Preset Operation, this

indicates the Delay Time of an engaged preset. In Looper mode, the Magic Eye displays Loop
Tempo and/or loop status.

Delay Modes

TimeLine’s seven Delay Modes, in conjunction with the eight continuous controls, allow you
to re-create the sounds of classics from vintage to modern, including tape based units,
vintage stomps, and studio rack processors. But TimeLine isn’t limited to what has been
done in the past. Use your imagination along with the power and flexibility of the
continuous controls to create sounds that are uniquely your own.

MOD

Tap Tempo

The delay ranges from 1ms to 25ms in MOD mode. These ultra-short delays create EQ effects
such as comb filtering and resonators when the delay time is fixed. Phasing, vibrato, flanging and
chorus effects are obtained when the delay time is modulated with the Mod Depth and Mod Speed
controls.

LED Indicators

In Mod Mode, all LED indicators display the Mod Speed and Mod Depth settings. With Depth at
minimum (no modulation) the LEDs are orange. As Depth increases, the LEDs change from
orange to red to green at the Speed of the LFO, with the intensity of the change increasing with the
Depth control. When BYPASSED, the tube chambers and Magic Eye are green.

Step on the TAP TEMPO button at the rate you want for modulation speed (otherwise set by the
MOD SPEED knob). Alternatively, you can step and hold the TAP TEMPO button down while
you play or strum staccato notes to set the modulation speed.

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Tips

• The Repeats control is commonly called Regeneration or Feedback when delay times are in
this ultra-short range. Turning the Repeats knob clockwise will intensify any sound, making a
resonant filter more peaky, or a flanger sound more jet-like, or a chorus more de-tuned.

• The Mod Speed and Mod Depth work together to vary the Delay Time. If turning up the Mod
Speed control results in unwanted increases in pitch variations, then the Mod Depth can be
reduced to compensate.

• Use the Filter and Grit controls to shape the fidelity of the sound. The Smear control will add
a larger spatial dimension to the sound when turned up.

Example Settings

Filter/Resonator

Vary the Delay Time knob to see how this affects the tuning of
the resonator. The intensity of the effect is varied with the
Repeats (Regeneration). Make sure the Mix is at 12:00 for
maximum effectiveness

Comb Phaser
Similar to the Resonator, but now the Mod Speed and Mod
Depth vary the Delay Time. Again, the Repeats control sets the
intensity of the effect.

Leslie

(Doppler)

One of the characteristic sounds of a rotating speaker is the pitch
variation that occurs as a result of the motion of the speaker,
known as the Doppler effect. Set Mix to full Wet to hear the
pitch variations without interaction with the Dry signal. This
setting uses the Filter to add some character.

Tape Flanger
Slightly longer Delay Time, lots of Regeneration, and a 50/50
Dry/Wet Mix creates a flanging effect. Add some Filtering to
create a warm tape-driven flanger. Vary the Delay Time knob to
‘tune’ the flanger’s voice.

Digital Chorus
Increasing the Delay Time and eliminating the regeneration
(Repeats) yields a chorus. By turning off the Filter, we get a
clean high-bandwidth effect. The Smear control adds dimension
to the sound.

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