NEURON - GAIN INTELLIGENCE
NEURON GAIN INTELLIGENCE
USER GUIDE
Thank you for purchasing our product. We really mean it.
We hope to earn your trust by delivering a quality product
that inspires you to make great music.
Neunaber products are designed and manufactured in
Orange, California USA.
Please visit www.neunaber.net for more information and support.
PREFACE
Neuron is the culmination of years of research and development. We studied the
gain circuits of pedals and amps — both tube and solid state — to learn not only
how they sound good, but why. We developed new and unique algorithms to test
our findings, then refined these algorithms based on what we learned.
Our goal was never to emulate or mimic other gear. This would imply that there
is no room for improvement — or at least, no room for unique greatness. Each
technological medium has strengths and weaknesses, and to use one medium to
emulate another denies its inherent power and versatility.
Sound is subjective — particularly when created as artistic expression. To gauge
what sounds “good,” we can trust only our own judgments. If our own sense of
what sounds good is confined to what we have heard, then we can only emulate.
However, to chase the sound in our own heads, we cannot be limited by what
currently exists.
In other words, we learn by studying the masters; but we create through invention.
INTRODUCTION
Neuron achieves a seamless array of incredible amp tones in a compact pedal —
from sparkling clean to heavy distortion and everything in between. A multistage,
dynamic gain architecture yields unparalleled control over the desired amount
of distortion — eortlessly producing harmonic structures that range from subtle
to dense and complex. One of its most salient features is its feel, which is almost
hyper-realistic when compared to an amplifier.
Among Neuron’s many features are the following:
• Integrated compressor constrains the drive level for smooth, consistent tone.
• Adjustable studio-quality noise gate keeps your signal quiet.
• Tilt EQ adapts your tone to various setups without changing presets.
• Defeatable speaker simulator for running direct.
• Three-band EQ with tightness and presence enables a plethora of tonal
options.
• Up to 6 presets can be stored for quick recall via the footswitch. Up to 24
presets can be recalled using a MIDI controller.
• All controls are accessible using a MIDI controller.
CONNECTIONS
Note — Tilt EQ settings are a suggested starting point. Adjust to taste.
External Speaker / Simulator
Direct with Internal Speaker Simulator
To Amplifier
clean channel input
Tip: The small speaker in a practice amp may sound more full-range; therefore,
try enabling the Speaker Simulator when running into the clean channel input or
eects loop return of a practice amp.
MIDI
Adapter cables to convert from 2.5mm TRS to 5-pin DIN are included.
CONTROLS
Setup Controls
These controls are accessed by holding down the Engage footswitch while turning
the knob.
Speaker Simulator
This control turns the internal speaker simulator on/o.
LED Color Knob Position Use
O yellow-
green
On blue full clockwise direct to a recording interface, mixer, powered
Note — the Speaker Simulator is a global setting: it is independent of the preset selection.
The Speaker Simulator filter is voiced to sound similar to Iconoclast with default
settings and tone knobs at 12 o’clock. It is not adjustable.
full counterclockwise
external speaker simulator such as Iconoclast,
amplifier head & cabinet, or combo amp
speaker, or headphone amp
Tilt EQ
The global Tilt EQ allows one-knob compensation for a variety of output
connections. Start with the EQ controls at 12 o’clock or their default setting. Then
use the Tilt EQ to dial in a neutral-sounding tone. Finally, create your presets.
When you change your output connection (for example, from an amp to direct),
the Tilt EQ may be used to adapt your tone to your new setup without needing to
change your presets.
Note — the Tilt EQ is a global setting: it is independent of the preset selection.
PRIMARY CONTROLS
Gain
The Gain control provides over 60 dB of gain, ranging from clean to heavy
distortion. This control is level-compensated: increasing the gain increases
distortion but only slightly aects the level.
Comp
The single-knob compressor ranges from none to heavy compression. Increasing
this control simultaneously decreases the threshold and increases the ratio and
level parameters of the compressor. As such, the compressor adds additional
clean gain to your signal. A moderate amount of compression can control the
dynamics of your clean tones, while a more modest setting goes a long way in
controlling overdrive and sustain.
Level
The Level control adjusts the output level of the signal.
EQ — Low, Mid, High
The three-band EQ allows you to adjust the low frequencies (bass), middle
frequencies, and high frequencies (treble) of your signal. Unlike the tone stacks
in many amps and pedals, this EQ has been designed so that the controls do not
interact.
ALTERNATE CONTROLS
These controls are accessed by holding down the Engage footswitch
while turning the knob.
Gate
The Gate control adjusts the noise reduction threshold. Fully counter-clockwise is
o. Set the Noise Gate as follows:
1. Press and hold the Engage switch.
2. Start with the Gate knob fully counter-clockwise.
3. Slowly turn the knob clockwise until the noise attenuates. Stop and release
the switch.
Tightness
The Tightness control adjusts a pre-gain high-pass filter. Increasing this control
will tighten the low end with high-gain settings. Increase the Low control to
compensate for any reduction of low frequencies.
Presence
The Presence control adjusts a post-gain low-pass filter.
FOOTSWITCHES
Preset
The Preset switch selects a stored preset. The LED illuminates when a preset is
selected. For more information, refer to the Using Presets section.
Engage
The Engage switch selects between engaged and bypassed. The LED illuminates
when the pedal is engaged.
USING PRESETS
Manual Mode: The Preset LED is o. All settings will be reflected by the knob
positions. All alternate controls will retain the values last set when in Manual
Mode.
Preset Mode: The Preset LED is on. All Primary and Alternate controls are
recalled from a stored preset. If a knob is changed, the value of this control will
snap to the current position of the knob. This change is not saved until the preset
is saved (see Saving Presets).
By default, only one preset is accessible via the footswitch. You may increase this
to as many as 6; pressing the footswitch cycles through presets sequentially. To
access multiple presets:
• Disconnect power
• Hold down the Engage switch and reconnect power
• Press the Preset switch a number of times equal to the number of presets you
want to access (between 1 and 6).
• Release the Engage switch
Up to 24 presets may be recalled via MIDI Program Change command. The LED
color of each preset may be changed using a MIDI Control Change command. The
following table details the mapping of presets and default LED colors:
Footswitch Preset Number MIDI Program Number Default LED Color
Manual 0 o
1 1 red
2 2 blue
3 3 green
4 4 yellow
5 5 magenta
6 6 cyan
not available 7 - 24 colors 1-6 repeat
Saving Presets
Press and hold the Preset switch for 2 seconds to save a preset. The LED turns
WHITE to indicate that the preset has been saved.
When only one preset is accessible, this preset may be changed whether in
Manual Mode or in the preset itself. The current settings are saved to preset 1,
which then becomes active.
When multiple presets are accessible, you must first recall the target preset, make
the desired changes, then save the preset. In this case, you cannot save to a
preset from Manual Mode.
Finding a Preset Value
When a preset is selected, the LED blinks white when the position of a control is
the same as the preset. When all the controls (both primary and alternate) are the
same as the preset, the LED will remain white.
FACTORY RESET
WARNING!
A factory reset will reset all parameters to their default settings:
• All preset and MIDI parameters
• Manual-mode alternate controls
• Tilt EQ and Speaker Simulator selection
• Number of presets accessible via the footswitch
A factory reset is initiated as follows:
• Disconnect power
• Hold down the Engage switch
• Reconnect power
• Turn the Gain knob fully counter-clockwise and wait at least 2 seconds
• Turn the Gain knob fully clockwise and wait at least 2 seconds
• Release the Engage switch
MIDI
Unless specified otherwise, the MIDI OUT functions as a soft THRU,
echoing the MIDI IN.
Channel
The default MIDI channel is 1 but may be changed to any channel 1-16 via System
Exclusive Command or as follows:
• Disconnect power
• Hold down the Engage switch and reconnect power
• Send any MIDI command containing the channel number to which to set
Neuron
• Release the Engage switch
Program Change
Program Change numbers 0 - 24 are recognized; 25 - 127 are ignored.
Control Change
The default CC (control change) numbers are shown in the following chart.
These numbers may be remapped to any CC number between 0 - 119 via System
Exclusive Command. Multiple parameters may share a CC number.
Parameter Parameter Number Default CC# Value
Gain 0 102 0 - 127
Compression 1 103 0 - 127
Level 2 104 0 - 127
Low 3 105 0 - 127
Mid 4 106 0 - 127
High 5 107 0 - 127
Low-Pass Filter 6 108 0 - 127
Gate Threshold 7 109 0 - 127
High-Pass Filter 8 110 0 - 127
Preset LED Color 9 111 0 = red
1 = blue
2 = green
3 = yellow
4 = magenta
5 = cyan
Engage 10 112 0 = bypass
1 - 127 = engage
Save Preset 11 113 any = save
Speaker Simulator 12 114 0 = o
1 - 127 = on
Tilt EQ 13 115 0 - 127
SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE COMMANDS
All numbers are shown in decimal format.
Summary
Legend
SOX — Start of Exclusive, always = 240
SysEx ID — Neunaber System Exclusive ID number, always 3 bytes = 0, 2, 40
Device ID — For Neuron, always = 1
EOX — End of Exclusive, always = 247
Format
Command
Change MIDI
Channel
Remap CC# 2 Parameter #, CC #
Preset Dump
Request
Preset Dump
Reply/Write
SOX SysEx IDDevice IDCommand
Number
1 Channel # - 1
0, 2,
240
40
1
3 Preset #
4
Data Bytes
(1 - 11 bytes)
Preset #, 10 bytes
of preset data,
firmware version
EOX
247
DETAILS
Change MIDI Channel
Replace “Channel # - 1” with the new MIDI Channel number minus 1. For example,
to change the MIDI Channel number to 6, send the following bytes:
240, 0, 2, 40, 1, 1, 5, 247
Remap Control Change Number
Replace “Parameter #” with the Parameter Number in the Control Change table.
Replace “CC #” with the desired Control Change number. For example, to change
the Level parameter (2) to Control Change number 7, send the following bytes:
240, 0, 2, 40, 1, 2, 2, 7, 247
Preset Dump Request
This command requests all the preset parameters for a specified preset and
will replace the normally-echoed THRU data from the MIDI OUT with the reply.
Replace “Preset #” with the requested preset number. For example, to request
Preset 6, send the following bytes:
240, 0, 2, 40, 1, 3, 6, 247
Preset Dump Reply
The reply from the MIDI OUT will consist of the following, where “…” is 10 bytes of
preset data followed by the firmware version number:
240, 0, 2, 40, 1, 4, 6, …, 247
These bytes may be saved and retransmitted to the MIDI IN to restore the preset.
Refer to the following Preset Write command for details.
Preset Write
Replace “Preset #” with the number of the preset you wish to overwrite. Preset
Data are the 10 bytes corresponding to Parameter Numbers 0 - 9 in the Control
Change table. This string of bytes is the same format as that received from the
Preset Dump Reply. The firmware version number is ignored.
SPECIFICATIONS
I/O
Input unbalanced ¼” TS
Nominal input level -10 dBV, instrument level
Input impedance 1 MΩ
Output unbalanced ¼” TS
Output impedance 1 kΩ
Output level 0 dB @ 50% level
MIDI IN/OUT compliant with MIDI Specification CA-033
ELECTRICAL
Sample rate 96 kHz
Minimum latency 0.315 ms
Bypass relay, true bypass
POWER
Input 9 - 12 V DC
Current 70 mA
Connector center-negative, 5.5 mm OD x 2.1 mm ID
Recommended adapter 9 V DC, 100 mA or greater pedal power supply
PHYSICAL
Dimensions 4.6” W, 2.8” L, 1.9” H / 116 mm W, 68 mm L, 47 mm H
Weight 0.564 lbs / 256 g
This product contains no user-serviceable parts.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
California Proposition 65 Warning: This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. While we believe our products are not harmful
when used as designed, we provide this warning to comply with Proposition 65.
© 2019 Neunaber Technology LLC. All rights reserved. Neunaber logo and Neuron™ are trademarks of
Neunaber Technology, LLC.
At Neunaber, we love to see what you do with your ‘toys’. We encourage you
to tag us in your posts, pictures & videos featuring your Neunaber gear. To stay
connected, go ahead and follow us on the channels seen below. We can’t wait
to see what you do!
@NeunaberAudio
Neunaber Audio
www.neunaber.net
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