Electro-Harmonix Operation Overlord User Manual

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OPERATION OVERLORD

Stereo Multi-Instrumental Overdrive

Congratulations on your purchase of the OPERATION OVERLORD, an advanced,
full-featured stereo overdrive and distortion pedal. With the OVERLORD’s broad
range of options and controls you can dial in great drive sounds for keyboards,
synths, guitars, basses, and more. Active 3-band EQ controls, footswitchable
BOOST mode, and a dry blend provide versatility for different tones and
instruments. The OVERLORD also features two independent distortion channels
for use with stereo setups. Whatever your rig, use the OVERLORD to dial in your
tonal inspiration.

- MODES OF OPERATION: NORMAL VS. BOOST -

The OVERLORD operates in two modes: NORMAL and BOOST. The NORMAL
mode uses three amp-like JFET gain stages for low to medium gain sounds.
When in NORMAL mode, use the GAIN knob to control the amount of overdrive.
The BOOST mode adds a classic pedal-style overdrive circuit before the JFET
stages to increase overall distortion. BOOST is engaged with the BOOST
Footswitch and is active when the blue LED is lit. In BOOST mode, both the
GAIN and BOOST knobs are active, and the BOOST knob controls how much
additional gain from the BOOST circuit is fed into the main JFET circuit.

- USING BOOST MODE AS AN INDEPENDENT PEDAL –

The OVERLORD’s BOOST circuit can also be configured to operate on its own,
without the NORMAL mode’s JFET gain stages. To enable this, remove the 4

screws on the bottom of the OVERLORD and locate the slide switch at the
bottom of the PCB. Being careful not to touch any components, slide the switch
in the direction labeled “BOOST INDEPENDENT.”

When independent BOOST mode is enabled, the BOOST circuit is active by itself
when the BOOST LED is lit and the BYPASS (red) LED is off. In this setting, the
GAIN and BOOST knobs are disabled. All other controls function normally. When
NORMAL mode is engaged (red LED lit), the pedal functions as usual, with the
BOOST mode feeding into the JFET gain stages.

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- CONTROLS -

Tip: The GAIN Knob, INPUT LVL switch, and DRY knob all work together. If
the INPUT LVL switch is set properly, turning the DRY knob should not
significantly change the overall volume. However, varied settings of the INPUT
LVL switch could produce some interesting higher- or lower-gain sounds. Feel
free to experiment with this switch – setting it “wrong” might sound great,
and won’t damage the circuit!

GAIN Knob – The GAIN knob controls the amount of overdrive/distortion. As
you turn GAIN clockwise, the amount of input gain increases.

BOOST Knob – The BOOST knob controls the amount of extra gain fed into the
main circuit when the BOOST and NORMAL modes are engaged (both LEDs lit).
As BOOST is turned clockwise, the amount of distortion increases.

DRY Knob – The DRY knob mixes a clean unaltered signal with the distortion
produced by the OVERLORD. At the minimum position of the DRY knob, the
output is 100% overdrive effect, and at the maximum position the output is
100% clean. This function is useful for preserving the harmonic integrity of your
playing, which is especially useful for keyboards or bass. For guitarists, this
feature can be useful if you are stacking the OVERLORD with other drive pedals,
or are playing it through an overdriven amplifier.

INPUT LVL Switch – This switch controls the overall input level of your
instrument into the OVERLORD. Use it to set an appropriate gain level for a
variety of instruments. Set the switch to HI for low-level instruments, like a
single-coil guitar or vintage electric piano. Set the switch to NORM for
humbucker guitars and most modern keyboard workstations. Use the LO setting
for high-output instruments, like some synthesizers or boosted guitars.

BASS Knob – Active control of the level of the bass frequency range.

MID Knob – Active control of the level of the middle frequency range.

TREBLE Knob – Active control of the level of the treble frequency range.

VOL Knob – This knob controls the overall volume output of the OVERLORD. As

this knob is turned clockwise, the output level increases.

BYPASS Footswitch and red LED – This footswitch selects whether the
OVERLORD is engaged or in buffered bypass mode. When the effect is engaged,
the red LED will be lit.

BOOST Footswitch and blue LED – This footswitch toggles Boost mode on
and off. When in Boost mode, the blue LED will be lit.

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L / R INPUT Jacks – These ¼” jacks are the audio inputs. The OVERLORD can be

Tip: The OVERLORD can also be used with a mono input and stereo output.
This can be useful for splitting your signal into two amplifiers, or sending one
signal to a mixing board and one to an amplifier.

used with either mono or stereo inputs. When using only one input, we suggest
you use the MONO/L input. The input impedance at each jack is 1M.

L / R OUTPUT Jacks – These ¼” jacks are the audio output from the OVERLORD.
If using the OVERLORD as a mono effect (i.e. one instrument into one amplifier)
we suggest using the MONO/L input and output jacks. When using stereo inputs
and stereo outputs, each signal is routed through an independent distortion
circuit. The output impedance at each jack is 220.

9V Power Jack – Plug the output of the OVERLORD’s supplied EHX9.6DC
200mA AC Adapter into the 9V power jack located at the top of the pedal. The
OVERLORD requires 90mA with a center negative plug.

Please register online at http://www.ehx.com/product-registration or complete and return the enclosed
warranty card within 10 days of purchase. Electro-Harmonix will repair 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 applies 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 office 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. Include with your returned unit: a written description of the
problem as well as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and RA#; and a copy of
your receipt clearly showing the purchase date.

United States & Canada

EHX CUSTOMER SERVICE
ELECTRO-HARMONIX
c/o NEW SENSOR CORP.
55-01 2ND STREET
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

This warranty gives a purchaser specific legal rights. A purchaser may have even greater rights
depending upon the laws of the jurisdiction within which the product was purchased.

To hear demos on all EHX pedals visit us on the web at www.ehx.com
Email us at [e-mail]

- WARRANTY INFORMATION -

Europe

JOHN WILLIAMS
ELECTRO-HARMONIX UK
13 CWMDONKIN TERRACE
SWANSEA SA2 0RQ
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

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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.



Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment under FCC rules.

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC COMPLIANCE