EPI Analog Alien User Manual

EFFECTS PEDAL INTERFACE

Page 2 . . . . . . THANK YOU! Tips & Suggestions

Page 3 . . . . . . Specifications & Definitions

Page 4 . . . . . . Introduction

Page 5-6 . . . . Overview

Page 7-20 . . . Applications

1

Page 7: Application 1: Using the EPI as a Direct Box

Page 8: Application 2: Re-Amping

Page 9: Application 3: Dual Effects Loop Insertion with or without Effects
at Gtr Input, and on the Thru Ouput

Page 10: Application 4: Tri & Quad Amp Output Configurations

Page 11: Application 5: Six Output Configuration: Using either the 1/4”
Gtr Input, or XLR Balanced Input

Page 12: Application 6: Using the EPI with a 500 Series Rack

Page 13: Application 7: Adding Effects Pedals to a Pre-recorded Track

Page 14: Application 8: Using the EPI Return Insertion Jacks as a
Summing Box

Page 15: Application 9: For DJs, Turntablists, and DJ Composers:
Using the EPI to add Effects Pedal and/or Instruments to
Your Rig - in a Mono Configuration

Page 16: Application 10: For DJs, Turntablists, and DJ Composers:
Adding Effects and/or Instruments while using 1/4” or XLR
Outputs from Your Controller or Mixer - in a Stereo Configuration

© 2018 Analog Alien/Fix Audio All Rights Reserved

Page 17: Application 11: For DJs, Turntablists, and DJ Composers:
Adding Effects and/or Instruments while using RCA Outputs
from your Controller or Mixer- in a Stereo Configuration

Page 18: Application 12: Combining (summing) the Bass and Melody
Sides of the Chapman Stick to One Single Output

Page 19: Application 13: Combining (summing) the Bass and Melody
Sides of the Chapman Stick to One Single Output with Effects

Page 20: Application 14: Using 2 EPIs to Run Equipment such as
Projectors, DVD, CD Players etc., in Stereo

Tips & Suggestions on How to
Use the Analog Alien EPI.

2

De Analog
Alien Cust,

My brother Joe and I at Analog Alien, and Paul Wolff of Fix Audio,
are extremely passionate musicians and engineers just like you.

It is our shared passion and friendship which brought us all together
to pioneer a legitimate revolution of what could be accomplished in
a stomp pedal format.

After many months, and countless hours of tweaking and testing,
we are incredibly proud to offer you the incomparable Effects Pedal
Interface (EPI). We trust that it will bring you many years of astonishing
performance and versatility.

Most importantly, we genuinely care about you being a member
of the Analog Alien and Fix Audio family.

Thank you so very much for your support. We are truly grateful.

Happy playing. Happy recording.

Warmly,

Jack Napoli Joe Napoli Paul Wolff

DI Box.

Plug your guitar output to the main input of
the EPI. Use the Thru jack to send your guitar’s
signal to your amp. Use the balanced XLR
output connector to send your guitar’s signal
to a LO Z input, DAW, console, pro effect,
powered speaker, etc.

Re-Amp Box

Connect the input of the EPI to a balanced,
pre-recorded output signal coming from your
DAW or analog tape recorder. Connect an
amplifier to the buffered Gtr Output. In this
configuration, you can send a pre-recorded
guitar track that was recorded directly into
your recording device, back into you amp.
Mic the amp and re-record it back onto
a separate recording track for a LIVE
amp sound.

Recording Directly With
Your Effects Pedals.

You can use your effects pedal(s) to record
directly into your recording medium of choice
and take advantage of the EPI’s unique input
stage. Simply plug your instrument’s output
into your effects pedal(s) and send the output
signal of the pedal(s) to the Gtr Input of the
EPI. The EPI will adjust the signal and send the
balanced output to your recording device.
You can also send the signal directly to a LIVE
console for live use.

3

Specificatis

Gtr Input is -20 dBu
Gtr Thru (direct from Gtr Input, no buffer)
Buff Gtr Output (buffered from Gtr Input)
Gtr Input to -10 dBu RCA Out (buffered)
Gtr Input to +4 XLR Output (DI mode)
Gtr Input to -18 XLR Output (PAD switch in) (DI mic level mode)

-10 dBu RCA In to -10 dBu RCA Out (buffered)

-10 dBu RCA In to Buff Gtr Output (buffered)

-10 dBu RCA In to +4 XLR Output (buffered)

-10 dBu RCA In to -18 XLR Output (PAD switch in) (buffered with PAD)

+4 dBu XLR Input to +4 dBu XLR Output (buffered)
+4 dBu XLR Input to -18 dBu XLR Output (PAD switch in) (buffered)
+4 dBu XLR Input to -10 dBu RCA Out (buffered)
+4 dBu XLR Input to Buff Gtr Output (buffered)

All 3 inputs can be used at the same time, and are summed together.
All 3 outputs are available at the same time.

When the BOTH switch is pressed, the single effect will have a 50%
effect, as it is blended with the clean, bypassed, unused insert jack.
For example, a compressor will blend with the clean signal for a punchy
mix of both.

If two effects are plugged into the EPI insert jacks, you can switch
between them with the A/B foot switch; or if you hit the BOTH foot
switch, they will blend together in parallel.

DIRECT BOX MODE: XLR Output can be padded down -22 dB by

switching the Pad switch UP. XLR Output also has a ground lift switch
to lift Pin 1 of the XLR by switching the GND lift switch UP.

MIXER MODE: Output from guitar to Gtr Input, Gtr Thru to a

distortion pedal, then distortion pedal output to the -10 RCA Input.
The output of the box can now blend the guitar with the distortion
pedal balance by adjusting the output of the distortion pedal
output level.

RE-AMP MODE: Play back recorded guitar from the DAW into the +4

XLR Input and come out of the Buff Gtr Output into a guitar amp.

Gtr Input, -10 RCA In and XLR Input feed the A/B + BOTH foot

switches. The A/B foot switch selects insertion points A or B,
which are located on the side of the EPI.

The BOTH foot switch simultaneously sends the Gtr/XLR Balanced Input
and RCA input to both A and B insert send jacks located on the side of
the EPI.

The insert return A/B jack feeds the Buff Gtr Output, RCA and XLR
outputs, selected by the A/B foot switch. Pressing the BOTH foot switch
allows both insert return jacks to feed the Buff Gtr Output, RCA and
XLR outputs.

When nothing is plugged into the EPI insert jacks, they are internally
bypassed so there is no break in the signal. When only one effect is
inserted into the EPI insert jacks, the A/B switch will act like a bypass
when it is switched.

Definitis

-20 dBu Gtr Input: This refers to the actual measured average level of
a guitar output. All guitar outputs on the EPI will match the level of the
actual guitar regardless of the actual level.

-10 dBu RCA jacks: RCA jacks are calibrated to a level of -10, which
is a standard with most Hi-Fi devices that use RCA jacks.

+4 dBu XLR: Most XLR inputs and outputs are balanced and consid­ered “Pro Level” and put out a much stronger signal. These usually
come and go into DAWs, DAW inserts, and the inputs to speaker
systems. In other words, guitar level of -20 will come out of the RCA
at -10 and out of the XLR at +4. Same for the reverse of the signals.

Inoducing...

4

®

the Analog Alien

Gtr Input

(Balanced Input)

In ­Out -

Thru RCA

GND Pad

Buff Gtr

Output

Balanced

Output

Red

White

Guitar Effects Pedals

Effects Pedal Interface

A B

Send

Return

Both

Send

Return

A/B

+

9v

+

Effects Pedal Interface (EPI).

These days, many artists/musicians have a desire to use effects pedals in
ways that they were not designed or intended to be used - especially when
it comes to recording. How great would it be if you could send your vocals,

drums, keyboards, etc., through an effects pedal and come up with a sound
that no one else has? Well, now you can do all that and much more with the
Analog Alien EPI (Effects Pedal Interface).

The EPI is a high-end routing pedal that enables you to take the signal from
your effects pedal and record it directly into your DAW or analog tape deck,
professionally - without any loss of signal or fidelity. The EPI does this by auto­matically adjusting the impedance and voltage levels coming from your effects
pedals, so that they will interface properly with professional recording studio
levels. The EPI also has -10 dBu RCA input and output jacks for connection to
non-professional signal operating levels.

The EPI has two separate insertion points that are independent of each
other - A&B. These insertion points enable you to set up two separate signal

chains and switch between either of them, or have them both on at that same
time. You can blend both signal paths independently from each other, and then
combine them at the balanced XLR, buffered 1/4" or -10 dBu RCA outputs.

You can also plug the output of your effects pedal
directly into the input of the EPI and take advantage
of its unique input circuit. Your distortion and overdrive

pedals will take on a whole new sonic dimension when you
record them using the EPI.

The input of the EPI can also accept a direct signal from
the output of your DAW or mixing console. You can send

a pre-recorded track to any effects pedal and then re-record
the signal back into your DAW. If you’ve ever wondered
what your vocal or snare drum tracks would sound like
through a fuzz or wah pedal, now you'll know!

The EPI can also be used as a Direct Box (DI), Re-Amp
Box, or...you can split your guitar's signal and send it out
to 4 separate amps, with 4 separate effects, all at the
same time!

In LIVE stage situations, you can hook up two separate

pedal boards to the A/B insertion jacks and have each board
on independently, or both on at the same time, while
simultaneously sending your effected signal to the house
PA and your guitar amp!

The Analog Alien EPI will enable you to use your effects
pedals in ways you never even imagined. You'll never look at
your effects pedals in the same way again.

WARNING: The EPI is for line level

effects ON LY. Plugging devices into
the EPI, such as the output of a guitar
amp, may damage both the EPI and
your amp. This may also void the
Warranty of the EPI.

NOTICE: Certain effects pedals may

invert the polarity of the signal when
used in parallel with other effects
pedals. Because the A&B insertion
points in the EPI are wired in parallel,
a loss in output volume may occur
between effects pedals when they are
connected to both insertion points on
the EPI and one is out of polarity.

Gtr Input

(Balanced Input)

LEFT SIDE

1

Send

Thru RCA

Red

In -

Out -

White

Output

Guitar Effects Pedals

Buff Gtr

Output

GND PadBalanced

5

RIGHT SIDE

Send

7

1. Send “A” insertion jack

2. Return “A” insertion jack

3. Both foot switch: Use this

switch to have A&B insertions
ON simultaneously.

4. A/B foot switch: Use this to
switch between the “A” and “B”
insertion points.

5. Power jack 9v+ (pin negative -)

6. Return “B” insertion jack

7. Send “B” insertion jack

A B

2

Return

Both

Effects Pedal Interface

3

A/B

4

Return

9v

+

LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE

6

5

BACK PANEL

1. -20 dBu Output Pad switch. Pad is engaged when switch is in the UP position. Use this pad to lower the balance output of

the EPI by -20 dB if the input of the device you are plugging into is distorting.

2. GND (ground) lift switch. Ground is lifted in the UP position at the XLR Output. Use this switch when connecting the EPI
to both a professional device or a guitar amp should any ground buzzing occur.

3. -20 dBu 1/4” Buff Gtr Output (buffered). This jack has a buffered output and is used to connect the EPI directly to a guitar
amp’s input. You can insert an effects box into the signal path and then send it to your guitar amp input as well.

6

1

2

3

4 5 6

7

8

4. +4 Balanced XLR Output. Use this jack to send a balanced output from the EPI to any device that will accept it. You can

connect the XLR Output to the mic input of a DAW or professional mixing console. The EPI will automatically bump up the
voltage coming from its input or insertion points to +4 dBv operating levels.

5. -10 dBu RCA In (Red). Use this jack to send any unbalanced -10 dBv signal into the EPI. The EPI will take this -10 dBv input
signal and send it directly to the -10 RCA Out jack, while at the same time bump the voltage up to +4 dBv and simultaneously
feed it to both the +4 balanced XLR Output, and the 1/4” buffered guitar output.

6. -10 dBu RCA Out (White). Send any signal coming from the EPI directly out to a -10 dBv input. This jack can be used with a
mobile phone, or any device that accepts a -10 dBv signal.

7. Thru. This jack takes the direct unbalanced signal coming from the 1/4” Gtr Input jack and sends it directly out, unaffected,
to another unbalanced input. You can use this jack to go directly into the input of your amp, or send it to another effects box,
and then into the input of your amp. The Thru jack can also be used to connect a guitar tuner to the EPI.

8. -20 dBu Gtr Input (guitar) and +4 dBu XLR Input. Use this jack to get your balanced and unbalanced signals into the EPI.