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USER MANUAL
BLUE NEBULA TAPE ECHO AND GUITAR FX PEDAL
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NAVIGATION BUTTONS
OK = SELECT/MANUAL
TRUE BYPASS
FOOTSWITCH +
EFFECT ON LED
INPUT JACK
OUTPUT JACK
PARAMETER
ADJUST: P1, P2, P3
PREAMP GAIN, CLIP LED,
PREAMP LEVEL, EFFECT
OUTPUT LEVEL
12V DC JACK
MIDI IN
USB
‘PREVIOUS PATCH’
FOOTSWITCH
‘NEXT PATCH’
FOOTSWITCH
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GE TTING STARTED
Connect the DC IN jack on the right-hand side of the pedal to a suitable 12V DC CENTRE POSITIVE
power supply. Within a couple of seconds, the Blue Nebula will display a Welcome message which gives
the Firmware version currently installed. Firmware updates can be made via the USB port using the
Librarian App.
When you power up your Blue Nebula there are several options you can use to adjust how the pedal
works. While the Welcome message, shown above, is displayed on the LCD you can press one of the
Navigation buttons as follows:
Store: Initializes the memory so it’s ready to accept your User Patches. It clears the User Patch
memory and copies the 22 factory pre-sets into the first 22 User Patches (0-21). WARNING – this
erases/overwrites all the User Patches so if you have already created some patches that you wish to
keep make sure you have backed them up onto your computer using the Librarian app.
To prevent accidentally wiping your patches, the Blue Nebula will prompt you with “OK to initialize”
If you really do wish to initialize the User patch memory press the OK button, otherwise press any other
button to abort the operation.
Edit: This allows you to calibrate the P2 knob so it displays the correct ‘Head’ settings for some of the
vintage echo machines that the Blue Nebula emulates. Just follow the prompts on the LCD.
OK: This allows you to set the MIDI channel (1-16) that the Blue Nebula uses to receive MIDI messages
on its MIDI IN connector. Use the UP and DOWN navigation buttons to select the required MIDI
channel and press Store to set it.
UP: This allows you to set the repeat rate of the UP and DOWN patch change switches. The factory
default is 120ms which provides a reasonable scroll speed but allows single clicks of the patch change
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footswitches to change one patch at a time without accidentally skipping over a patch. Use UP and
DOWN to alter the time in increments of 10ms (a longer time gives a slower repeat rate) and press
Store when you’re done.
MANUAL MODE
If you hit the OK button the Blue Nebula will go into MANUAL MODE. This allows you to use the Blue
Nebula as a manual stomp box effect and you can select any of the 16 effects by using the UP and
DOWN buttons with the current effect name shown on the top line of the LCD. You can adjust the
effect parameters in real-time by using the P1, P2 and P3 knobs. The function of each parameter knob
varies depending on the effect you have selected and will be shown on the bottom line of the LCD:
To exit MANUAL MODE, press the Edit button.
TWEAKING THE MIX
Depending on the acoustic properties of the venue in which you are playing, there may be times when
you wish to fine-tune the relative levels of the echo with the dry signal – in a large room with reflective
surfaces the natural reverberation of the room may require a lower amount of echo. Rather than having
to go in and edit each patch to adjust the ‘Mix’ you can simply press the Store button. This will display
an asterisk (*) at the right-hand end of the bottom line on the LCD:
The P1 knob will now be ‘live’ allowing you to tweak the dry/echo mix. When in this mode the setting of
the P1 knob temporarily overrides the value stored in the patch. NB: YOU CANNOT CHANGE
PATCHES WHILE IN THIS MODE.
To exit back to normal mode, press the Edit button and the P1 value in the patch will be restored.
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Tip: In the Echomatic II Classic emulation P1 controls the combined echo level of Heads 1, 2 and 3, not the
overall Dry/Wet mix. This means you can adjust the H123 level but the H4 level will still be taken from the
value stored in the patch.
EDITING A USER PATCH
Blue Nebula can store a total of 128 User Patches, numbered from 0 to 127. Each patch can be given a
name (up to 16 characters) and can use any of the 16 available effects. Each effect has three parameters
which can be set using the parameter knobs P1, P2 and P3 and these settings are stored in the patch.
To edit a User Patch hit the Edit button and the LCD will show the effect currently being used by the
patch:
You can change this if you wish by this using the UP and DOWN buttons to select any of the 16 effects
available in the Blue Nebula. With the required effect displayed hit the OK button to select it and the
top line of the display will now show the names of the effect’s parameters with the current values of the
three parameter adjust knobs P1, P2 and P3 on the bottom line:
The ^ and characters that you may see beside each number indicates if the parameter knob value is
currently lower (^) or higher () than the value currently stored with the patch. Think of the arrow as an
indicator telling you to increase (^) or decrease () the control setting to match. You can ignore these
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indications and just ‘tweak’ the knobs until you hear the sound you are after or you can use them to set
the controls to match the stored patch and then make small adjustments by ear.
Tip: When the control setting is the same as or very close to, the stored value, neither ^ or is displayed.
You then know you have matched the control to the stored patch setting.
When you have the effect sounding how you like, hit the Store button to store the effect and
parameter settings.
Tip: If you want to leave the patch settings as they were originally press OK instead of Store
You will now be prompted to enter a name for your patch:
A flashing cursor will show where the next character will be entered. If the patch already had a name,
this will be displayed, and you may edit it if you wish. If you do not wish to change the name, simply
press Store to move on to the next step.
Use the UP and DOWN buttons to scroll through the letters A B C etc. Space is the character
preceding A followed by the digits 9- 0 so, for example, repeatedly pressing DOWN will give the
sequence C B A space 9 87 etc.
When the desired character is showing press OK. This will enter that character and step the cursor on
to the next character in your patch name. If you make a mistake and want to go back to a previous
character press Edit until the cursor is flashing over the character you want to change then edit it as
before using the UP and DOWN buttons.
When you have finished entering the name press the Store button again to complete the naming
process and select where you wish to store your patch:
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The number shown is the current bank (memory location) from which you started the editing process.
You can simply store your patch back in this same bank by pressing the Store key again. NB: THIS
WILL OVERWRITE ANY PREVIOUS PATCH STORED THERE.
If you want to store the new patch in a different bank use the UP and DOWN buttons to select a
different bank number, then press Store to store the patch in that bank:
NB: THIS WILL OVERWRITE ANY PREVIOUS PATCH STORED THERE.
THE PREAMP AND OUTPUT LEVEL CONTROL S
The three knobs to the right of the pedal: GAIN, PRE and MASTER operate in a similar way to the
corresponding controls on a guitar amplifier.
Gain & Pre Controls
Rotating the GAIN control clockwise increases the signal level from the 1
st
input pair of JFET transistors
and will increase the harmonic content in the following 2
nd
pair of JFET transistors by driving them
harder and into asymmetric distortion – just as a valve triode does in a vintage tape echo. This control
needs to be used carefully in conjunction with the PRE control to ensure that the Blue Nebula’s digital
signal processor (DSP) is not driven into clipping indicated by the CLIP LED - which is located in the
panel between the GAIN & PRE controls - flashing momentarily. The GAIN control should be set for
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the most agreeable harmonically rich sound and the PRE control used as described above to prevent
the DSP from being overdriven.
Master Control
This control should be used in conjunction with the BYPASS switch to ensure that the effects output
level is similar to the BYPASSED one. This ensures that you don’t have to change your guitar amplifier
settings as the unit is switched in or out of circuit.
USING MIDI
Here you will find the information on controlling the Blue Nebula using MIDI messages sent from
another device such as a MIDI foot controller or a MIDI sequencer running on a computer or laptop.
By connecting the MIDI Out from your computer, MIDI keyboard or foot controller to the MIDI IN on
the Blue Nebula using a standard MIDI cable, you will be able to send program change (PC) messages to
select different user patches.
MIDI PROGRAM NU MBER
BLUE NEBULA PATCH
0 – 127
User Patch 0-127
Table 1: MIDI Implementation
Note that some MIDI sequencers use MIDI program numbers from 1-128 whereas the MIDI standard
specifies values of 0-127. Blue Nebula uses program change values from 0-127 which matches the User
Patch numbering. Many sequencer programs have an option to use 1-128 or 0-127 values, so you may
be able to set it up to match the Blue Nebula. If not, to select a specific pre-set you would need to send
a program change (PC) value one higher than the required pre-set. For example, to select User Patch 16
you would send a PC 17 command.
Just experiment and you will find out the way your sequencer works!
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FACTORY PRESETS
The pre-sets cannot be edited but they can be copied to the user bank for editing, for example by
pressing Store when the Welcome message is displayed on the LCD after powering up the Blue
Nebula. This copies all the factory pre-sets into the start of the user bank.
PRE SET #
NAME
0
APA CHE
1
F.B .I.
2
MUS TANG
3
MAN OF M YSTE RY
4
FRIGHTE NED C ITY
5
MID NIGH T
6
Q M ASTERS ST ORES
7
THE STRANGER
8
SHADOOGI E
9
WONDERF UL LA ND
10
KON TIKI
11
THE SAVA GE
12
ATL ANTIS
13
PEA CE P IPE
14
COS Y
15
FLINGEL BUNT
16
SHINDIG
17
FOO T TAP PER
18
SLEEPWA LK
19
RID ER IN THE SKY
20
CAV ATIN A
21
ARG ENTINA
Table 2: Pre-sets for Tunes by ‘The Shadows’
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ECHO MA CHINE EMULATION1
SHOWN ON LCD AS
MEM ORY B ANK #
MEA ZZI ECHOM A TIC-I MODE L ‘J’ CLA SSIC
E-M ATIC I J CLAS
1
MEA ZZI ECHOM A TIC-I MODE L ‘F ’ CLA SSIC
E-M ATIC I F CLAS
1
COP ICAT VALV E 3 HEADS2
Copicat Valve 3H
1
COP ICAT IC30 0 3 HEADS3
Copicat IC30 0 3H
1
VOX LON G TOM CLAS SIC 6 HEADS
Vox Lon g Tom
1
MEA ZZI ECHOM A TIC-II C LASSI C
E-M ATIC II C LASS
1
ROL AND MODEL 301 MODE 5
Roland R301 V ari
1
MEA ZZI P A306 5 H EAD4
Mea zzi PA306
1
BINSON MODEL B2 M ODES 1 -5
BINSON-B2-1-5
2
BINSON MODEL B2 M ODES 6 -10
BINSON-B2-6-10
2
BINSON MODEL B2 M ODES 1 1-15
BINSON-B2-11-15
2
WAR M DE LAY UP TO 1 SECOND
War m Delay
2
MEA ZZI ECHOM A TIC-I MODE L ‘F ’ SPE CIAL
E-M ATIC 1 F Spec
2
REVERB + TRE MOLO
Rev erb / Tre molo
2
DEE P CH O RUS
Deep Ch orus
2
GUI TAR ‘ABBE Y’ REVERB
Guitar Abbey Rev
2
Table 3: Echo Machines Emulated by the Blue Nebula
UPLOADING EFFECTS TO THE BLUE NEBULA
The DSP code that emulates the vintage echo machine effects listed in Table 3 are stored in the first of
the Blue Nebula’s two DSP memory banks known as MEM 1. The second DSP memory bank, MEM 2,
can hold another 8 effects and you can use the free BLUE NEBULA EDITOR AND LIBRARIAN APP
to upload the code to MEM 2. This is beyond the scope of this User Manual but is described in detail in
the Blue Nebula Librarian User Guide which you can download from our website.
Some of the other effects that it’s possible to upload to MEM 2 include phaser, flanger, chorus,
tremolo, vibrato, wah, reverb, delay etc.
1
These are the standard emulations installed in the ‘Revision 4’ Blue Nebula pedals sold by Stanley FX.
2
This replaces the Echomatic-1 Model F Special, which is now in Memory Bank 2.
3
This replaces the E-MATIC II Bank which has been discontinued.
4
This replaces the Reverb + Tremolo which is now in Memory Bank 2
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AP PEND IX 1: DE TAILS OF THE HEAD SETTINGS IN THE EMULATIO NS IN MEM 1
EMULATION
HEAD SETTI NG
HEADS USED
FEEDBACK HEAD(S)
Echomatic-1J
A
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
6
6 Heads
B
1, 4, 6
2
121, 238, 331,
C
1, 3, 4, 6
4
424, 510, 595ms
E 6 6 F
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
5
Echomatic-1F
A
1, 2, 4, 5
3
5 Heads
B
2, 3, 4, 5
4
122, 280, 360,
C
1, 4, 5
5
428, 603ms
E
1, 2, 5
5 F
4, 5 3 Copicat Valve
A 1 1
3 Heads serial
B
1, 2
1,2
connected
C
1, 3
1,3
157, 297, 424ms
E
2, 3
2,3
F 1, 2, 3
1,2,3
Copicat IC300
A 1 1
3 Heads parallel
B
1, 2
1,2
connected
C
1, 3
1,3
125, 234, 338ms
E
2, 3
2,3
F 1, 2, 3
1,2,3
Vox Long Tom
A 6 6
6 Heads
B
5, 6 5 86, 160, 234, 308,
C
2, 4, 5, 6
5
382, 456ms
E
1, 2, 3, 4, 6
4,6
B. Andersson-->
F
2, 3, 4, 5, 6
5
Meazzi PA306
A
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
5
5 Heads as TVS
B
1, 3, 5
5
121, 194, 263,
C
1, 4, 5
4
335, 405ms
E
1, 2, 5
5 F
4, 5
3
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AP PEND IX 2: ECHOMATIC II CLASSIC AND ROLAND RE301 EMULATION DETAILS
These two emulations do not use the P2 control as a ‘switch’ to select a ‘Heads Program’ as is the case
for the other emulations detailed in Appendix 1. Instead, P2 is used as a 0-100 variable control.
In the Echomatic II Classic, which had four heads, P2 controls the echo level from Head 4 (H4) with P1
controlling the echo level of Heads 1, 2 and 3 together (H123). P3 controls the feedback, which is taken
from Head 4.
In the Roland RE301, which had three heads, for this emulation P2 (Vari) controls the speed of the
virtual motor and hence the delay times of the emulated heads. The RE301 had a number of ‘modes’
with various head combinations selected by a six-way MODE switch. This emulation simulates Mode 5
(Heads 2 and 3 selected) with feedback from both heads.
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AP PEND IX 3: DETAILS OF THE HEAD SETTINGS IN THE EMULATIO NS IN MEM 2
5
“B” uses x1.4 speed and Head levels typical of Dick Denney studio settings
EMULATION
HEAD SETTING
HEADS USED
FEEDBACK HEAD(S)
Binson-B2-1-5
A
1 1 4 Heads
B
2 2 77, 153, 230, 306ms
C
3 3 E 4 4 F 1, 2
1, 2
Binson-B2-6-10
A
2, 3
2, 3 B
3, 4
3, 4 C
1, 3
1, 3
E 2, 4
2, 4 F
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
Binson-B2-11-15
A
2, 3, 4
2, 3, 4 B
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4 C
1, 4
1, 4 E
1, 2, 4
1, 2, 4 F
1, 3, 4
1, 3, 4
Echomatic 1F Special
A
1, 2, 4, 5
4
A ‘modified’ Meazzi
B5
1, 2, 4, 5 (Fast)
4
Model Echomatic 1F
C
1, 2, 5
5
E 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4
F 1,2(-22dB), 4, 5
4
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AP PEND IX 4 : OTHER EFFECTS INCLUDED IN MEM2
EFFECT
P1
P2
P3
Warm Delay
Mix
Delay
Repeat
Single head tape delay with maximum delay time of ~1 second
Reverb / Tremolo
Reverb Level
Tremolo Rate
Tremolo Depth
Combined Reverb and Tremolo effect
Deep Chorus
Level
Modulation Rate 1
Modulation Rate 2
A Chorus effect with two modulating low frequency oscillators (LFO)
Guitar Abbey Rev
Level
Decay
Damping
Simulates a famous studio reverb room including a 120ms pre-delay
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AP PEND IX 5: ECHO SETTINGS EXERCISE
Let’s use the Meazzi Echomatic 1F-Special emulation as an example for setting some of your own User
Patches.
The A, B, C, E, F head settings in E1F-Special were chosen according to information supplied by Alan D
Jackson some years ago. These head settings include adjusted head levels and are reported as being
those that Dick Denney created in the Abbey Road Studios for recording particular instrumentals from
The Shadows.
The capability to set echoes for the following tunes is suggested following this Dick Denney approach.
• “A” Blue Star
• “B” Quatermasters Stores/Midnight (uses a Fast speed setting of 1.4 x normal)
• “C” Frightened City
• “E” FBI
• “F” Apache (slightly different from the Factory setting employing extra Head 2 at low
level).
1. So, using the “EDIT” facility given previously in this Manual let’s select E1F-Special and initially
adjust the Head Selection to “A”. This head setting is suggested to be the starting point for
Blue Star.
2. Now assuming you know this tune start to increase the Wet/Dry control until it sounds close to
the sound you have in your head.
3. Now adjust Feedback to get the correct number of Repeats – you may have to go back and
readjust the Wet/Dry setting to optimize the combination of the two controls.
4. Once you are happy with the sound just name the patch in a User location and STORE it for
recall.
This approach can be used to set correct echoes for many tunes/songs, it’s all a matter of examining
some of the settings supplied in the Standard User Patches for named tunes.
Remember that the Factory supplied settings are only the suggestions of the Blue Nebula design team
and that any of the User Patches can be modified to give a sound closer to your ideas. What is correct is
that the Playback Head combinations and timings are exactly as the original Vintage Echo Machines.
These are well known after years of study from various talented individuals across the globe.
Good luck with your experimentations and enjoy what the Blue Nebula has to offer.
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