Electro Harmonix Intelligent Harmony Machine User guide

Congratulations on your purchase of the Intelligent Harmony
Machine (IHM): a compact, harmony generating, polyphonic
pitch-shifting powerhouse! The IHM creates authentic sound­ing diatonic harmonies—harmonies within a given key, tracked
from single notes—and performs polyphonic pitch-shifting—

xed pitch shifts independent of key, on both single notes
and chords—all from a standard electric guitar, bass or many
other electronic instruments. It accepts power from 9V bat-

teries and standard 9VDC center-negative power supplies. In
addition to the required input and output jacks, the IHM also

features a dry output jack for extra routing exibility.

WARNING: This device comes equipped with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200 power sup­ply. It requires 26mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. Use of the wrong adapter or

a plug with the wrong polarity may damage the device and void the warranty. Do not

exceed 10.5VDC on the power plug. Power supplies rated for less than 30mA will cause
the device to act unreliably.

Controls and Connections

1. KEY Knob This seven-position rotary switch, in conjunction with the toggle
switch to its right, sets the key the IHM is in while in Intelligent Mode. This

knob has no effect while in Polyphonic Override Mode.

2. KEY Toggle Switch This switch works in conjunction with the knob to its left

to set the key of the IHM. With the switch in its upwards position the key is set

to the sharp variation of the key set by the KEY knob. With this switch in its
downwards position, the key is set to the natural variation of the key set by
the KEY knob. This switch has no effect while in Polyphonic Override Mode.

3. MAJ / MIN Toggle Switch In Intelligent Mode this switch sets whether the

key (set by the KEY knob and switch) is major or minor. In Polyphonic Override
Mode this switch can be used for intervals 3, 4, 7, & 8 (3rds and 2nds) to set
whether the pitch-shift interval is a major 3rd/2nd or a minor 3rd/2nd.

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4. POLY-OVERRIDE Button Use this button to switch between Intelligent Har­mony mode and Polyphonic Override mode. When his switch is lit the IHM is
in Polyphonic Override mode.

5. INTERVAL SELECT Knob This eleven-position rotary switch selects the interval

of the harmony or pitch shift applied to the effect signal. The exact function

of these intervals varies depending on which mode the IHM is in.

6. MIX Knob Sets the mix between the dry and effect (harmony or pitch-shifted)
signal. Fully dry signal at minimum, fully effected signal at maximum.

7. VOL Knob Sets the output volume of the IHM.

8. MOMENT Button When this illuminated button is lit, the IHM is in momen-

tary mode. In momentary mode, the effect is only active while the footswitch
is held down.

9. INPUT Jack This is the input jack for the IHM. The load impedance present-

ed at the INPUT jack is 2.2MΩ.

10. OUTPUT Jack This is the main output for the IHM. The source impedance

presented at the OUTPUT jack is 680Ω.

11. DRY OUT Jack This jack outputs a buffered version of the dry signal present
at the INPUT jack at all times. The source impedance presented at the DRY OUT
jack is 680Ω. Pro Tip: when using DRY OUT, you can set MIX to maximum so
that only the wet signal is present at the OUTPUT jack. Each output jack now

outputs a different set of notes, or a unique signal, that can go to its own amp

or be processed individually.

12. FOOTSWITCH and STATUS LED The footswitch is used to toggle the effect

on and off. When the MOMENT button is lit, the IHM is in momentary mode,
and the effect will only be active while the footswitch is being held down.
With the MOMENT button off, the IHM is in latching mode. In latching mode
pressing and releasing the footswitch once will switch between the IHM being
active and being in buffered bypass mode. The red LED illuminates to indicate

when the IHM is active.

13. 9V Power Jack The included 9VDC, center-negative power supply can be
connected to the power jack to provide power without a battery. The IHM requires
26mA at 9VDC on a center-negative plug. Do not exceed 10.5VDC at the power jack.

When using a 9V battery, plugging into the INPUT jack activates power. The input
cable should be removed when the unit is not in use to avoid running down
the battery. We recommend alkaline batteries for the IHM.

To change the 9-volt battery, you must remove the 4 screws on the bottom of the
IHM. Once the screws are removed, you can take off the bottom plate and change
the battery. Please do not touch the circuit board while the bottom plate is off or
you may damage a component.

Note: When initially powered up (from either an AC adapter or a battery) the
IHM takes two to three seconds to turn on.

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Operating Instructions

Insert the output plug from the supplied 9VDC AC adapter into the power jack at
the top of the IHM, or make sure a working 9V battery is installed in the unit.
The IHM must be powered to pass signal, even in bypass. Connect an instrument
cable from your guitar to the INPUT jack. Connect an instrument cable between
the OUTPUT jack and a suitable amplier. Click the footswitch to engage the IHM
(the illuminated MOMENT button should be off). The red LED lights to indicate
that the unit is active. Start with MIX and VOL knobs at noon (50%)

The IHM operates in two distinct modes: Intelligent Mode and Polyphonic
Override Mode. When lit, the POLY-OVERRIDE button indicates that Polyphonic

Override is enabled. With this button off, the IHM is in Intelligent Mode. Press
and release the POLY OVERRIDE button to toggle between the two modes.

INTELLIGENT MODE

In Intelligent Mode the IHM generates diatonic harmonies in a set key based on
single notes played on your instrument. Playing multiple notes or chords will

not work well in this mode. Note: It is very important that your guitar be in tune
(based on A440) for the IHM to work properly in this mode!

Setting the Key

The key is set by the top-left seven-position knob in conjunction with the two toggle
switches to its right. If that knob is set to “C” and both knobs are set to the downward
position (natural, and MAJ) the key is set to C major. If the two toggle switches are
moved to the upwards position (#, and MIN) the key is now set to C# minor.

Selecting the Interval

The harmony interval is set by the bottom-

right eleven-position switch. The intervals are
listed in the chart on the right.

The exact note the IHM generates depends on

the key and interval settings along with the

exact note played. For example, with the key
set to C and the interval set to a 3rd up, if a C

note is played, the IHM will generate an E note,
a major third up from C. If a D is played with the
same settings, the IHM generates an F, a minor

third up from D. This is because in Intelligent

Mode the IHM produces diatonic harmonies,
harmonies that are within the set key.

Secondary Interval Options

When in Intelligent Mode, there are two
additional options for the last three interval

positions: 9, 10, and 11, each of which

generates two harmony voices. To access

INTELLIGENT MODE

1 6th Down
2 4th Down
3 3rd Down
4 3rd Up
5 4th Up
6 5th Up
7 6th Up
8 7th Up
9 3rd Up + 5th Up*
10 3rd Up + 7th Up*
11 5th Up + 8th Up*

* Secondary interval options available.

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these options, hold down the POLY-OVERRIDE button for about two seconds, until
it starts blinking. From here, press and release the same button again and the
blinking speed changes. There are three speeds: slow, medium, and fast. Slow is
the factory default and matches the printed labels on the IHM. The interval

settings are:

SECONDARY INTERVALS

SLOW MEDIUM FAST

9 3rd Up + 5th Up 4th Down + 3rd Up 6th Down + 4th Down
10 3rd Up + 7th Up 3rd Up + 6th Up 3rd Down + 3rd Up
11 5th Up + 8th Up 8th Down + 5th Up 8th Down + 4th Down

For positions 9 and 11, the two secondary options represent inversions of the
same chord. For interval 10, a 3rd+6th option is available, plus an inversion of

that option.

When setting the secondary option with the POLY-OVERRIDE button, your selection
applies to all three interval positions: 9, 10, and 11. Once you are done selecting,
press and hold POLY-OVERRIDE for about two seconds, until it stops blinking.

The IHM stores your secondary interval choice into internal memory and recalls
your setting on each power cycle.

Note: While the POLY-OVERRIDE button is blinking, the IHM will be in Intelligent Mode.

In some instances, when you rst start holding the button down, the IHM may briey

switch into Polyphonic Override mode until the button begins to blink.

POLYPHONIC OVERRIDE MODE

In Polyphonic Override Mode the IHM can

generate polyphonic pitch-shifts, very similar

to the EHX Pitch Fork™. To enter Polyphonic
Override Mode, press the top-right POLY­OVERRIDE button so that it is lit.

In Polyphonic Override Mode no key has
to be set. In this mode you can play single

notes as well as chords. The pitch-shift
interval is set with the same eleven-position

knob, though the interval settings might

differ as compared to Intelligent Mode (see

chart on the right).

Doubler

When using the Doubler setting, the IHM’s

effect signal is at the same pitch as the
input. This mode emulates the effect of
two guitarists playing the same part
simultaneously.

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POLYPHONIC OVERRIDE MODE

1 Doubler
2 Perfect 4th Down
3 3rd Down*
4 3rd Up*
5 Perfect 4th Up
6 Perfect 5th Up
7 2nd Down*
8 2nd Up*
9 Octave (8th) Down
10 Octave (8th) Up
11 Perfect 5th + 8th Up

* Set major or minor 3rd/2nd by using

the MAJ/MIN toggle switch.

MOMENTARY PITCH SWEEP TIME

When in momentary mode, by default, the pitch changes instantly to the set
interval upon pressing the footswitch, and changes instantly back to the bypass

signal upon releasing the footswitch. The IHM includes an option to slow down
the pitch sweep time when pressing and releasing the footswitch.

To enable this option, rst hold down the MOMENT illuminated button for about
two seconds. Release MOMENT after it starts blinking. While MOMENT is blinking,
the IHM will be in momentary mode. All knobs and switches will still work as
usual, except the VOL knob. While the MOMENT button is blinking, the VOL knob
adjusts the sweep time. As you turn the VOL knob clockwise, the sweep time
increases. Turning the knob all the way counterclockwise will result in there
being no sweep (the default setting).

To save the sweep time setting, hold down the MOMENT button again until it
stops blinking. Now pressing the footswitch in Momentary mode will result in

pitch sweeps with the set sweep time. The IHM stores your Momentary mode
sweep time setting into internal memory and recalls your setting on each
power cycle.

Tips

Selecting the Key: While in Intelligent Mode, if you are having a hard time

generating the correct harmony notes you want for a specic line, try playing
with the key setting. Different keys generate different harmonies for specic

notes, sometimes the harmony notes you want to generate are technically in

a different key (or scale) than what you would initially assume.
Signal Path Placement: Experiment with where you place the IHM in your

signal path, especially when it comes to distortion pedals. Placing the IHM
after distortion will lead to a more “realistic” sound as far as multiple guitars
playing together. Placing the IHM before distortion will “glue” the harmonies
together more, making it sound more like one unied instrument.

Notes and Specications

t Audio input impedance at INPUT jack: 2.2MΩ
t Audio output impedance at OUTPUT and DRY OUT jacks: 680Ω
t Current draw: 26mA at 9.0VDC
t Maximum input signal: +4.0 dBu

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WARRANTY INFORMATION

Please register online at www.ehx.com/product-registration or complete and return
the enclosed warranty card within 10 days of purchase. Electro-Harmonix will re-

pair or replace, at its discretion, a product that fails to operate due to defects in
materials or workmanship for a period of one year from date of purchase. This ap-

plies only to original purchasers who have bought their product from an authorized
Electro-Harmonix retailer. Repaired or replaced units will then be warranted for the
unexpired portion of the original warranty term.

If you should need to return your unit for service within the warranty period, please

contact the appropriate ofce listed below. Customers outside the regions listed
below, please contact EHX Customer Service for information on warranty repairs
at [e-mail] or [phone]. USA and Canadian customers: please obtain
a Return Authorization Number (RA#) from EHX Customer Service before returning
your product. With your returned unit, include a written description of the problem
as well as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, RA# and a copy of

your receipt clearly showing the purchase date.

United States & Canada

EHX Customer Service
Electro-Harmonix

co New Sensor Corp.

47-50 33rd Street
Long Island City, NY 11101

Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

This warranty gives a purchaser specic legal rights. A purchaser may have even greater rights depending upon

the laws of the jurisdiction within which the product was purchased.

Europe

John Williams
Electro-Harmonix UK
13 Cwmdonkin Terrace
Swansea SA2 0RQ
United Kingdom

Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

COMPLIANCE

Note: 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.
Modications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the

equipment under FCC rules.

The CE logo indicates that this product has been tested and shown to conform with all applicable
European Conformity directives.

The WEEE or “trashcan” logo indicates that this product is made up of electronic components that should not
be trashed alongside household waste but instead should be recycled by a proper electrical waste facility.

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