Empress Effects Nebulus User Manual

nebulus

user manual

Introduction

Modulation effects are sort of like spices, used tastefully they can
elevate a dish into flavour country. With the Nebulus you get it all,
9 different spices that will cater to just about any modulation meal
you're after.

Along with the sonic versatility, we've included 8 presets for the
most demanding live sets. A hybrid of analog and digital, the
Nebulus harnesses the best of both domains. The Advanced
Configuration mode lets you tailor the functionality to meet your
needs in any situation.

It's musical, it's lush, it's Nebulus!

- Jason Fee

Quick Start

Basic chorus: a smooth swirling chorus

Tremolo chorus: chorus and tremolo, together at last...

Quick Start ...continued

Vibe: the classic vibe sound

Rotary: offers up the delicious warble of a rotary speaker

60s Flanger: a big sweeping flanger

Thru zero flanger : often misunderstood, but oh so musical!

The Modes

Chorus A - Basic Chorus Mode: By basic we mean that this chorus is

basically perfect sounding: lush, beautiful, deep, you get the idea.
The special switch allows you to get rid of some of the low
frequency throb that is often associated with chorus effects.

Chorus B - Multi Chorus Mode: This mode offers a rich and thick
multi-tap chorus sound. Again, the special switch allows you to roll
out some of that low frequency throb.

Chorus C - Tremolo Chorus: A blend of chorus & tremolo together.
It's a unique effect that has a great feel. The depth knob controls
the tremolo depth and the special switch controls the chorus.

Vibe A - Single Vibe: This is reminiscent of some of those classic
vibe sounds with some added versatility. In this mode the special
switch controls the resonance intensity.

Vibe B - Classic Vibrato: This is a full featured vibrato that will give
you more warble than you'll ever need. The special switch adds
compression to the vibrato sound which is a match made in heaven.
Hint, if you just want to use the compressor, turn the width to 0.

Now you've got a 10th mode....but who's counting.

Vibe C - Rotary: This mode gives you the Doppler spin and
amplitude modulation of a rotating speaker cab. The special switch
pumps up the horn volume to give you a bit more of that driving
whirl.

Flanger A - 60's Tape Flange: Smooth, wide, and deep. Try it with
the warm tone, and with your favourite overdrive in front of it. The
special switch brings up the regeneration.

Flanger B - 70's Flanger: It inverts the phase of the feedback for a
more aggressive sound. Again, the special switch brings up the
regeneration.

Flanger C - Thru-Zero Flanger: The delayed signal actually passes
right through the dry signal and goes back in time, defying the laws
of physics, and giving you a really cool flange sound. Again, the
special switch brings up the regeneration.

Submode: Select the type of eect from the chart below.

chorus

a

mode

special

b c

basic multi w/ trem uni vibrato rotary 60s 70s

vibe flanger

a b c

a b c

regenerationhorncompdepthLF throb regen

thru 0

Mode: Select between chorus, vibrato and anger.

Chorus has a smooth, rich shimmering quality adding
dimension to your sound.

Vibe is a pitch modulation eect that adds a warbly feel.

Flanger is a wide sweeping phase eect that adds a

sense of air and movement.

Mix: Controls the level between the dry signal and the
wet signal. Counterclockwise is 100% dry, and turning
clockwise will increase the amount of eect in the signal.

Rate: Adjusts how quickly the eect will modulate.

Preset Stompswitch: Press to scroll through presets. Each LED color

represents a dierent preset. When the LED is white, the Nebulus will
use the settings currently indicated by knobs and switches.

Controls at a Glance

+

Power: 9V - 12V DC negative
tip 2.1mm jack. 280mA or greater

-

Tone: Changes the tonal character of the eect.

Bright will add some high end.

Clean will leave the signal unaected.

Warm will darken the sound.

Special: Modies the eect. Performs a dierent function
for each mode. See the chart at the upper left to
reference the functionality in each mode.

Output: Sets the overall output level (volume) of the pedal.

Depth: Adjusts the width of the modulation.

Bypass Stompswitch: When the LED is shining, the eect is applied to the

signal. When o, the pedal is being bypassed.
When scrolling through presets, the bypass LED will blink indicating the preset is
ready to load. Press the bypass switch to engage the new preset.

Advanced Configuration

Entering the advanced configuration: Unplug the power from the

Nebulus. Plug the power back in while holding down both the
preset and bypass stompswitches. The bypass LED should blink
twice to confirm that you are in the advanced configuration.

Modifying the advanced configuration: Each toggle controls a
configuration parameter. When a parameter is modified, the preset
LED will blink to confirm that a change has been made.

Exiting the advanced configuration: Hold down both the preset and
bypass stompswitches. The bypass LED will blink twice to confirm
that the Nebulus has exited the advanced configuration.

Factory reset: While in the advanced configuration, press the
following stompswitches in order: preset, bypass, preset, bypass.
The LEDs will do a little dance to confirm that the Nebulus has been
reset to its factory settings. Please note that this overwrites the
current presets with the factory presets.

Advanced Conguration at a Glance

Presets Write-Protect: Choose
if presets are write protected or
adjust on the y.

left(default): Presets rewritable
center: Presets are write-

protected. Any changes made
while in a preset will not be
saved.

right: “Locked” Control

adjustments are disabled in all
presets except the manual
preset (white LED).

Presets: Choose
how many presets
are used.

0: white
1: orange
2: green
3: blue
4: pink
5: yellow
6: aqua
7: lime green
8: purple

Preset System: Choose how to

scroll and recall presets.

left(default): Standard Presets.

Scroll with the preset switch
then use the bypass switch to
activate the new preset.

right: Instant Presets. Press the

preset switch to instantly load
the next preset in line.

Bypass Mode: Set the
Nebulus to operate in true
bypass or soft bypass.

left(default): True bypass.
right: Soft bypass.

Manual Mode Preset: This

controls if the manual preset
appears when scrolling
through the presets.

left(default): Manual mode

appears.

right: No manual mode.

Using Presets

The Nebulus allows you to save and recall presets. All pedal settings
are saved in a preset and each preset is represented by a different
color of the preset LED.

To load a preset, use the preset stompswitch to scroll through
presets. The LEDs will blink, indicating that the preset of that color
is ready to load. Press the bypass stompswitch while the LEDs are
blinking to engage the new preset.

To modify a preset, just move a control. The new setting for that
control is instantly stored in the preset. Presets can be locked to
prevent changes from overwriting the preset. See Advanced
Configuration for steps on locking presets.

The manual preset is represented by a white LED. It does not store
settings. Instead, it will always use the current settings on the
knobs and switches.

Adjusting the Headroom

The Nebulus has an internal switch which allows for the adjustment
of the input headroom. This switch is accessed by removing the
back plate. The pedal ships with the switch in the -6dB position,
which allows for an input level of +5.1dBu. If the input to the
Nebulus is especially loud, and you are noticing distortion under
normal conditions, you can increase the headroom by moving the
switch to the -12dB position. If the input is low, and you'd like to
increase the signal-to-noise ratio, you can move the switch to the
0dB position.

Powering the Nebulus

Go to www.empresseffects.com/power.html for a full list of
compatible power supplies.

Please Note: The Empress Nebulus requires at least 280mA of
current to function properly. Any power supply rated at 9V DC,

supplying negative tip polarity ( ) and at least 280mA of
current should work.

Popular options are the Boss PSA-120S or PSA-240 (not the PSA­120T because it only supplies 200mA). When powering with the
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+, you will need to use output 5 or 6 and
the dip switch should be set away from the normal position.

If your Nebulus is underpowered, symptoms could include:
powering off, bypass turning on/off quickly, weird sounds and
functions not working properly. If you have any questions on
powering your Nebulus, please call us at 888-676-1853 or email us
at [e-mail].

Legal Stuff

FCC 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.

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

Specifications

Input Impedance:

1MΩ

Output Impedance:

1KΩ

Frequency Response (-3dB):
Input Headroom with -6dB pad:
Input Headroom with -0dB pad:
Input Headroom with -12dB pad:
Output Headroom:
Distortion:
Signal to Noise:

8Hz – 18.5kHz
+5.1dBu
+0.2dBu
+10.8dBu
+10.2dBu

0.40%

102.7dB

Input Voltage:

9VDC

Required Current:
Power Input Connector:
Height (enclosure only):
Height (including controls):
Length:
Width:
Weight:

280mA

2.1mm Barrel Connector

1.5”
2”

3.5”

4.5”

12.5oz

www.empresseffects.com