Electro Harmonix Super Space Drum User manual

SUPER SPACE DRUM

Analog Drum Synthesizer

Congratulations on your purchase of the Super Space Drum (SSD), a faithful
reissue of the Electro-Harmonix Super Space Drum first released in 1979. The
Super Space Drum uses analog synthesis techniques $ such as modulating an
oscillator followed by a gated volume amplifier $ to create drum sounds ranging
from deep kicks to high toms to sci-fi drums. Trigger the SSD from the built-in
pushbutton or an external, non-MIDI, electronic drum pad. Pass external sounds
through the gated amplifier via the auxilliary input.

WARNING: Your Super Space Drum (SSD) comes equipped with an Electro-Harmonix

9.6DC-200 power supply (same as used by Boss® & Ibanez®: 9.6 Volts DC 200mA). The
SSD requires 25mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. Using the wrong adapter or a
plug with the wrong polarity may damage your SSD and void the warranty.

- CONTROLS -

FREQ Controls – Use the START and STOP knobs together to control the start

and end frequencies (pitch) of the synthesizer’s sweep:

START Knob – Sets the starting point of the frequency
sweep. Sweeps can begin anywhere from 20 Hz when set fully
counterclockwise to 4 kHz when set fully clockwise.

STOP Knob – Sets the end point of the frequency sweep.
Sweeps can end anywhere from 20 Hz when set fully
counterclockwise to 4 kHz when set fully clockwise.

TIME Knob – Controls the amount of time that the sweep will take to get from
the START frequency to the STOP frequency. As TIME is turned clockwise, the
sweep time slows down. Sweep time ranges from 40 ms to 6 seconds.

SENS Knob – Controls the sensitivity of the SSD to an external trigger. As SENS
is turned clockwise, it becomes more sensitive and less amplitude is required
from the external trigger to activate the Super Space Drum.

VOLUME Knob – Controls the volume of the output. As VOLUME is turned
clockwise, the output volume increases.

MOD Controls – The MOD controls consist of a MOD switch, a DEPTH Knob,
and a RATE knob. Use the MOD controls to apply an LFO modulation waveform
to the SSD’s frequency sweep for an extra layer of analog fun.

MOD Switch – Set to ON to engage modulation. OFF disables
modulation.

DEPTH Knob – Controls modulation depth or amount. This knob is
center-detented. At 12 o’clock, the modulation depth is zero. Set the
knob fully counterclockwise for the largest negative depth. Set fully
clockwise for the maximum positive depth. Vary the positive or negative
depth setting to taste. The positive waveform has a rising sawtooth
waveshape that produces a reverse type of modulation at lower RATE
settings. Negative depth consists of a falling sawtooth that produces
sharper sounding modulation at lower RATE settings.

RATE Knob – Controls the rate of modulation. Turn this knob
clockwise to increase the modulation rate from 10 Hz to 1.5 kHz. Higher
RATE settings can produce ring modulated sounds.

LED – Lights up when the SSD is powered up. The LED blinks briefly upon
receiving an external trigger pulse or when you press the SSD’s white
pushbutton. If you power the SSD from a battery, the LED’s brightness
diminishes as the battery’s life nears its end.

Pushbutton Trigger – Push the white pushbutton at the center of the logo to
trigger the SSD and create amazing sounds.

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- I/O JACKS -

OUTPUT Jack – This ¼” jack provides the audio output from the SSD. The

output impedance varies from 100Ω to 25kΩ. Please note: when powering from

a battery, inserting a plug into the OUTPUT jack turns on the SSD. Remove the
plug from the OUTPUT jack to prolong battery life when not using the SSD.

EXT. TRIG Jack – Connect this jack to the output of an external trigger source.
We recommend using a ¼” TS plug/cable but a TRS plug may also be used as

long as the trigger signal is present on the tip. The input impedance is 2MΩ.

The SSD synthesizer triggers when it receives positive-going pulses or clock
signals. The acceptable trigger amplitude range is 3V to 15V for unipolar signals
or +/-3V to +/-8V for bipolar signals. Nearly all types of gate, clock, and trigger
signals that fall within these voltage ranges will trigger the SSD. Some examples
of acceptable trigger signals include: electronic drum trigger pads; an electronic
pulse (as produced, for example, by the EHX Clockworks); a clock generator
(such as the EHX 8 Step Program); gate signals from synthesizers such as V­Trigger; simple clock sync signals from drum machines.

Please note: The SSD does not respond to MIDI. Use a MIDI to CV/Gate
converter if you wish to trigger the SSD with a MIDI device.

AUX IN Jack – This ¼” jack is the input for an external sound source. The
signal present at the AUX IN jack connects to the SSD’s internal gated amplifier.
When a plug is inserted into the AUX IN jack, the SSD’s internal oscillator

synthesizer is disconnected from the output. The input impedance is 2.2MΩ.

Use AUX IN to gate external instruments and sound sources with the SSD’s
trigger. Each time you trigger the SSD $ whether you use the EXT. TRIG input or
the pushbutton $ the AUX IN signal will be heard at the OUTPUT jack. Use the
TIME knob to set the decay time of the AUX IN signal.

9V Power Jack – Although the Super Space Drum accepts 9V Batteries, EHX
supplies your SSD with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200 power supply. Plug the
output of the AC adapter into the 9V power jack located at the top of the Super
Space Drum. The SSD draws 25 mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. Please
do not exceed 12VDC on the SSD’s power jack.

- CHANGING THE BATTERY -

To change your 9V battery, remove the four screws on the bottom of the Super
Space Drum. Take off the bottom plate and change the battery. Do not touch the
circuit board while the bottom plate is off or you risk damaging a component.

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]

Europe

JOHN WILLIAMS
ELECTRO-HARMONIX UK
13 CWMDONKIN TERRACE
SWANSEA SA2 0RQ
UNITED KINGDOM
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]

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.

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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.

- WARRANTY INFORMATION -

FCC COMPLIANCE

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