Digitech TIME BENDER User Manual

Master Time, Space, and Dimension

Owner’s Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WarnInG for your ProtectIon

reaD tHe foLLoWInG:

KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS

HEED ALL WARNINGS

FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS

The symbols shown above are internationally accepted symbols that
warn of potential hazards with electrical products. The lightning flash
with arrowpoint in an equilateral triangle means that there are dangerous
voltages present within the unit. The exclamation point in an equilateral
triangle indicates that it is necessary for the user to refer to the owner’s
manual.

These symbols warn that there are no user ser viceable parts inside the
unit. Do not open the unit. Do not attempt to ser vice the unit yourself.
Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis for any
reason will void the manufacturer’s warranty. Do not get the unit wet. If
liquid is spilled on the unit, shut it off immediately and take it to a dealer
for service. Disconnect the unit during storms to prevent damage.

Safety InStructIonS

NOTICE FOR CUSTOMERS IF Y OUR UNIT IS EQU IPPED WITH A P OWER CORD.

WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE SHALL BE CONNECTED TO A MAINS SOCKET OUTLET WITH A
PROTECTIVE EARTHING CONNECTION.

The core s in the mai ns lead are coloured i n accordanc e with the following co de:

GREEN and YELLOW - Earth BLUE - Neutral BROWN - Live

As colours of the cores in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the
coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:

•

The core which is coloured green and yellow must be connected to the terminal in the

plug marked with the letter E, or with the earth symbol, or coloured green, or green
and yellow.

•

The core which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal marked N or coloured

black.

•

The core which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal marked L or

coloured red.

This equipment may require the use of a different line cord, attachment plug, or both,
depending on the available power source at installation. If the attachment plug needs to
be changed, refer servicing to qualified service personnel who should refer to the table
below. The green/yellow wire shall be connected directly to the units chassis.

CONDUCTOR

L LIVE BROWN BLACK

N NEUTRAL BLUE WHITE

E EARTH GND

WARNING: If the ground is defeated, certain fault conditions in the unit or in the system
to which it is connected can result in full line voltage between chassis and earth ground.
Severe injury or death can then result if the chassis and earth ground are touched
simultaneously.

WIRE COLOR

Normal Alt

GREEN/

YEL

GREEN

THE APPARATUS SHALL NOT BE EXPOSED TO DRIPPING OR SPLASHING LIQUID
AND NO OBJECT FILLED WITH LIQUID, SUCH AS VASES, SHALL BE PLACED ON
THE APPARATUS

CLEAN ONLY WITH A DRY CLOTH.

DO NOT BLOCK ANY OF THE VENTILATION OPENINGS. INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.

DO NOT INSTALL NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS RADIATORS, HEAT REGISTERS,
STOVES, OR OTHER APPARATUS (INCLUDING AMPLIFIERS) THAT PRODUCE HEAT.

ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS/ACCESSORIES SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

UNPLUG THIS APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR
LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized
plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or third prong are provided for
your safety. If the provided plug does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

Use only with the cart stand, tripod bracket, or table specified by the manufacture,
or sold with the appar atus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/
apparatus combination to avoid injur y from tip-over.

Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid
has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

POWER ON/OFF SWITCH: For products provided with a power switch, the power
switch DOES NOT break the connection from the mains.

MAINS DISCONNECT: The plug shall remain readily operable. For rack-mount or
installation where plug is not accessible, an all-pole mains switch with a contact
separation of at least 3 mm in each pole shall be incorporated into the electrical
installation of the rack or building.

FOR UNITS EQUIPPED WITH EXTERNALLY ACCESSIBLE FUSE RECEPTACLE: Replace
fuse with same type and rating only.

MULTIPLE-INPUT VOLTAGE: This equipment may require the use of a different line
cord, attachment plug, or both, depending on the available power source at installation.
Connect this equipment only to the power source indicated on the equipment rear
panel. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, refer servicing to qualified service
personnel or equivalent.

If you want to dispose this product, do not mix it with general household waste. There is a
separate collection system for used electronic products in accordance with legislation that
requires proper treatment, recovery and recycling.

Private household in the 25 member states of the EU, in Switzerland and Norway may return their used
electronic products free of charge to designated collection facilities or to a retailer (if you purchase a similar
new one).

For Countries not mentioned above, please contact your local authorities for a correct method of disposal.

By doing so you will ensure that your disposed product undergoes the necessary treatment, recovery and
recycling and thus prevent potential negative effects on the environment and human health.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

eLectroMaGnetIc

coMPatIBILIty

This unit conforms to the Product Specifications noted on the
Declaration of Conformity. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:

this device may not cause harmful •

interference, and

this device must accept any interference received, •

including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

Operation of this unit within significant
electromagnetic fields should be avoided.

use only shielded interconnecting cables.•

u.K. MaInS PLuG WarnInG

A molded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord
is unsafe. Discard the mains plug at a suitable disposal
facility.

NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED OR
CUT MAINS PLUG INTO A 13 AMP POWER
SOCKET.

Do not use the mains plug without the fuse cover in
place. Replacement fuse covers can be obtained from
your local retailer. Replacement fuses are 13 amps and
MUST be ASTA approved to BS1362.

DecLaratIon of

conforMIty

Manufacturer’s Name: DigiTech
Manufacturer’s Address: 8760 S. Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah 84070, USA

declares that the product:

Product name: TimeBender

Product option: all (requires Class II power
adapter that conforms
to the requirements of
EN60065, EN60742, or
equivalent.)

conforms to the following Product Specifications:

Safety: IEC 60065 (7th ed. 2001)

EMC: EN 55013 (2001+A1)
EN 55020 (1998)

Supplementary Information:

The product herewith complies with the requirements of the
Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC and the EMC Directive
2004/108/EC.

Vice-President of Engineering – MI
8760 S. Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah 84070, USA
Date: February 24, 2009

European Contact: Your local Di giTech Sales and Se rvice Office or

Harman Music Group
8760 South Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah 84070, USA
Ph: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

®

TM

Warranty

We at DigiTech® are very proud of our products and back up each one we sell with the
following warranty:

1. The warranty registration card must be mailed within ten days after purchase date to
validate this warranty, or you can register via our website (www.digitech.com).

2. DigiTech warrants this product, when used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects
in materials and workmanship under normal use and service.

3. DigiTech liability under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing defective
materials that show evidence of defect, provided the product is returned to DigiTech
WITH RETURN AUTHORIZATION, where all parts and labor will be covered up to a
period of one year (this warranty is extended to a period of six years when the product has
been properly registered by mail or through our website). A Return Authorization number
may be obtained from DigiTech by telephone. The company shall not be liable for any
consequential damage as a result of the product’s use in any circuit or assembly.

4. Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the burden of the consumer.

5. DigiTech reserves the right to make changes in design, or make additions to, or
improvements upon this product without incurring any obligation to install the same on
products previously manufactured.

6. The consumer forfeits the benefits of this warranty if the product’s main assembly is
opened and tampered with by anyone other than a certified DigiTech technician or, if the
product is used with AC voltages outside of the range suggested by the manufacturer.

7. The foregoing is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and DigiTech neither
assumes nor authorizes any person to assume any obligation or liability in connection
with the sale of this product. In no event shall DigiTech or its dealers be liable for special
or consequential damages or from any delay in the performance of this warranty due to
causes beyond their control.

NOTE: The information contained in this manual is subject to change at any time without
notification. Some information contained in this manual may also be inaccurate due to
undocumented changes in the product or operating system since this version of the manual was
completed. The information contained in this version of the owner’s manual supersedes all
previous versions.

Congratulations!

Table of Contents

Introduction ...............................................................................................1

Included Items ...................................................................................1

Features ..............................................................................................2

Guided Tour - Front Panel ........................................................................3

Guided Tour - Rear Panel ..........................................................................8

Tutorial ......................................................................................................10

Make Connections .............................................................................10

Set Up the TimeBenderTM ..................................................................11

Create a Basic Digital Delay ..............................................................11

Try a Different Pattern .......................................................................11

Change the Multiplier Value ..............................................................12

Set the Key by Strumming a Chord ...................................................12

Set the Tempo by Strumming with Muted Strings ............................12

Set the Key and Tempo by Strumming .............................................. 12

Set the Repeat Pattern by Strumming (Smart Strum) ........................13

Add a Pitch-Shifted Voice ..................................................................13

Adjust the Repeats ............................................................................13

Change the Delay Type ......................................................................14

Add Modulation .................................................................................14

Store the Current Settings to a Memory Location .............................14

Load Settings from a Memory Location ............................................14

Using the Looper ...............................................................................14

Using an Expression Pedal ................................................................16

Using the Envelope Delay Type ........................................................17

Delay Types ...............................................................................................18

Digital ................................................................................................18

Analog ................................................................................................ 18

Moving Head Tape .............................................................................18

Variable Speed Tape ...........................................................................18

Table of Contents

Dynamic Digital ................................................................................. 19

Dynamic Analog ................................................................................19

Dynamic Repeats ...............................................................................19

Time Warp ..........................................................................................19

Reverse ..............................................................................................20

Envelope ............................................................................................20

Looper ................................................................................................20

Voicings .....................................................................................................21

Scalic Voicings ...................................................................................21

Triad-Centered Voicings ...................................................................22

Fixed Shift (Chromatic) Voicings ......................................................22

Random Voicings ...............................................................................22

Time Patterns ............................................................................................23

Simple Delay .....................................................................................23

Dual Delay .........................................................................................23

Multi-tap Pattern Delay .....................................................................23

Root-Based Pattern Delay .................................................................. 24

Connection Diagrams ................................................................................26

Connection Diagrams ........................................................................26

Mono In/Mono Out ............................................................................26

Mono In/Stereo Out (Ping-Pong Delays) ..........................................27

Mono In/Stereo Out (Centered Delays) .............................................28

TimeBenderTM in an Effects Loop .....................................................29

TimeBender in an Effects Chain (Stereo In/Stereo Out) ...................30

Appendix ...................................................................................................31

Factory Reset .....................................................................................31

Troubleshooting .................................................................................31

Specifications ............................................................................................33

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the DigiTech® TimeBender™ musical
delay!

The DigiTech TimeBender is a new kind of delay pedal. It completely rebuilds the
idea of delay and what it can add to your performance.

It has an entire pedalboard worth of different kinds of delays built right into it: Digital,
Analog, Variable Speed and Moving Head Tape, plus several more. And you can
control their repeat patterns by strumming your guitar. The delay repeat patterns will
imitate whatever pattern you strum (up to six delays in a single pattern). You can also
select from a long list of preset repeat patterns.

The TimeBender can also change the pitch of the repeats and keep them in the key
you’re playing in. The result can be a melodic hurricane of musical notes following
every note you play, all with the right rhythm and harmonies.

It’s incredibly powerful and it adds tremendous depth to your music, yet it’s simple to
control: it only has two footswitches. The best place to begin is the Tutorial section of
this manual on page 10. And once you get to know the TimeBender, there’s no limit to
the incredible musical delays you’ll be able to create.

Included Items

TimeBender
PS0913B Power Supply
This Manual
Registration Card

1

Introduction

Features

Five seconds of true stereo delay.•
Selectable voicings, for musically intelligent arpeggios and harmony-based •
delays.
Set tempo, key, and even time patterns just by strumming your guitar.•
Strum Pattern allows you to easily create and save custom delay patterns on •
the fly.
Tempo Multiplier button lets you produce delays in between beats and makes •
complex patterns such as triplets much easier to configure.
Traditional delay sounds (Digital, Analog, Fixed Head Tape and Variable •
Speed Tape, Reverse) are easily selectable and ensure that this is the only
delay pedal you’ll need.
Fits in your pedal chain like any other delay.•
Built-in 20 second Looper lets you create and overdub loops on the fly.•
Harmony-shifted delays let you create new delay sounds in any key. •
Save your favorite sounds to four memory locations.•
Tone control gives you full control over the sound of your delays.•
Modulation control with three speed ranges can be used with all the delay •
types.
Envelope delay creates musically correct arpeggios as well as tempo-based •
rhythm-chopping effects.
Dynamic Delays “duck” the repeats while you play and leave the repeats •
when you stop.
Expression pedal input lets you morph between two saved settings for •
amazing new effects.
Optional FS3X footswitch input enables up and down memory changes.•
Supports both mono and stereo inputs and outputs, as well as full stereo •
effects including ping-pong, stereo modulation, and dual-delay lines.

2

Guided Tour - Front Panel

PATTERN

DELAY TYPE DELAY TIME

VOICING

REPEATS MODULATIONTONE MULTIPLIER

ON

MIX

STORE

1

2 3 4 MEM

DRY
OFF

SLOW FAST

MEDIUM

BPMTAP REF

HOLD FOR

BPM

TOGGLE

DYNAMIC
ANALOG

DYNAMIC

DIGITAL

DYNAMIC
REPEATS

TIME WARP

VARIABLE

SPEED TAPE

MOVING

HEAD TAPE

ANALOG

DIGITAL

LOOPER

ENVELOPE

REVERSE

STRUM

TEMPO

1

3

7

9

10

13

14

16

1

17

1

2

4

5

15

6

12

11

8

Delay Type Knob 1.

The Delay Type knob selects the different delay types and styles. Each delay type
has a unique sound which is described in detail on page 18.

Delay Time Knob 2.

The Delay Time knob sets the length of the delay. The display shows the delay
time when you turn this knob.

Display3.

The display usually shows the current delay time (the time it takes for a repeat to
be heard). It shows this in either delay time or in beats per minute. For delay
time, the format is [S.MMM] where S is seconds, and MMM is milliseconds. For
beats per minute, the delay time is expressed in terms of quarter note beats per
minute, with a resolution of 1/10 beat.

3

Guided Tour - Front Panel

When you turn the Voicing knob, the display shows the currently selected voicing.
If the Voicing knob is untouched for two seconds, the display goes back to showing
the current delay time. The display also shows the selected delay when you turn the
Delay Type knob.

When the Looper is selected, the display reads Loop. When recording starts, the
available loop time (shown in seconds) begins to count down in the display. When
the loop is playing back, the current playback position within the loop is shown
as a series of vertical bars moving across the display in proportion to the length of
the loop.

Voicing Knob 4.

The Voicing knob lets you change the pitch of the delayed signals (repeats) that
you hear. When the voicing is set to unison (U or U U), the TimeBenderTM creates
a traditional delay effect. But by changing the delay voicings, you have access
to a huge canvas of sonic possibilities like octave shifts and intelligent musical
intervals. Turn the Voicing knob by a single click to see the currently selected
voicing set. Turn it again to cycle through the other available voicing sets. The
voicings are described on page 21.

Mix Knob5.

The Mix knob controls the level of the delayed signal or Looper playback. Turn
it all the way down (counter-clockwise) to hear just your guitar and no delays. As
you turn the Mix knob up (clockwise), the delayed signal gets louder. For a 100%
wet mix (all delay, no input guitar signal), turn the Mix knob all the way up to the
black region marked DRY OFF. The display will briefly show d.OFFfor all delay
types except Reverse, Envelope, and Looper. To get the dry signal mixed back
in, turn the Mix knob counter clockwise until it is out of the DRY OFF region
(the display will briefly show d. On). For every delay type except Reverse and
Envelope, the Mix knob controls the level of the delays only – the input guitar
signal is the same undigitized signal you would hear if the TimeBender were
turned off. But when Reverse or Envelope are active, the input guitar signal level
gets reduced as you turn up the Mix knob, so you can adjust a wet/dry mix.

Memory Indicator LED6.

When the Memory Indicator LED is lit, you can step on the right footswitch to
advance to the next memory location. When the Memory Indicator LED is off,
you can use the right footswitch to set the tempo by tapping at the desired beat.
Holding down both footswitches at the same time turns the Memory Indicator
LED on or off.

4

Guided Tour - Front Panel

Memory Location LEDs7.

The Memory Location LEDs indicate which memory location is currently
loaded. To make it easier to see at a glance which memory location is being
used, all LEDs up to and including the currently loaded location are illuminated.
When no memory LEDs are illuminated, no memory location is loaded, and the
TimeBenderTM is set exactly how the controls, LEDs, and (optional) expression
pedal indicate. When you load a memory location by stepping on the Tempo /
Memory footswitch, the settings stored in that location become active, and the
knob positions and displays may not match how the TimeBender sounds.

Store Button 8 .

If any changes are made to the knobs or buttons, the Store button’s LED lights
up. Press the Store button once and the current Memory Location LED flashes (or
the first Memory Location LED, if no memory location is loaded). Use the right
footswitch to select which memory location to use. Press the Store button a 2nd
time to store the changes into that memory location. After the store operation, this
memory location will now be active. To cancel the store procedure while the Store
LED is flashing, press the Delay On/Off footswitch or the Multiplier button.

Tempo LED 9.

The Tempo LED flashes at the quarter note reference delay time. If the Multiplier
is set to something other than the quarter note reference, the delay repeats will not
be heard in sync with the Tempo LED flash rate.

Pattern Knob10.

The Pattern knob selects the delay pattern that will be repeated at the selected
tempo (like single delay, dual delay, multi-tap, etc.). When the “Strum” setting is
chosen, you can hold down the right footswitch to strum out a time pattern. See
page 13 for more information on creating patterns.

Modulation Knob 11.

The Modulation knob lets you add chorusing to any delay type. There are three
ranges on the knob that correspond to the speed of the modulation that will be
applied. As the Modulation knob is turned through the first range, you’ll hear a
slow modulation with increasing depth. As you pass into the second range, the
modulation depth will drop to zero and then increase, but this time with a faster
modulation speed. The final range implements a very fast modulation.

5

Guided Tour - Front Panel

When Time Warp is selected, the Modulation knob adds synchronized pitch
vibrato to the delay signal in three different sync ranges.

Multiplier Button12.

The Multiplier button changes the repeat rate by a fixed multiple or sub-multiple
of the quarter note reference delay time (up to a maximum of five seconds;
multiplying the reference delay time to more than five seconds pushes it out of
range, indicated by dashes ---- in the display). For example, if your current
reference delay time is set to 1 second, setting the tempo multiplier to the quarter
note value will cause the current pattern to be repeated every second. If you
change the tempo multiplier (by pressing the multiplier button) to the half note
setting, the pattern will repeat every two seconds. When the “triplet” eighth
note setting is selected, the pattern will repeat every 1/3 of a second. The tempo
multiplier also makes it easier to create off-beat delay patterns. For example, if
you use the dotted eighth note setting with a single delay, you can play on eight
note boundaries and get delays played back in between your own notes.

Note: Even though the tempo multiplier always changes the delay time, the
display will not reflect this if it is set to show BPM because BPM timing is always
reported in terms of quarter note beats. To switch between BPM display and time
display, press and hold the Multiplier button for one second.

Tempo/Memory Footswitch13.

The Tempo/Memory Footswitch’s function depends on the state of the Memory
Indicator LED. When the Memory Indicator LED is off, the footswitch can
be used to tap out a tempo that will be reflected in the display. Otherwise, the
footswitch advances to the next memory location each time it is pressed. See the
Memory Indicator LED description on page 4 for more information.

Additionally, this footswitch can be used to set several important delay effect
parameters using only your guitar. Pressing and holding the Tempo/Memory
footswitch activates the Smart Strum feature. With the Smart Strum feature,
you can do the following: strum a chord to set the scale used for voicings with
intelligent shifts, or strum at a steady beat to set the reference delay time. Also, if
the time pattern knob is set to “Strum”, you can strum a time pattern, as described
on page 13.

6