Telonics Multi-Taper, FP-100 User Manual

Copyright Notice

No part of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of Telonics, Inc.,

Multi-Taper © “Foot Pedal”Audio Control System

Patented

Typical FP-100 Configuration

Copyright  2015 Telonics, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
This device is fully covered by a multiplicity of patents, both granted and pending.

932 E. Impala Ave., Mesa, AZ 85204.

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Multi-Taper © “Foot Pedal” Audio Control System

General Description:

This “pedal” is actually a family of advanced technology volume and/or audio effects control
systems based upon a series of revolutionary technologies developed by Telonics, Inc. This system
takes the mechanical form of a conventional foot pedal which can be configured with the
axle/pivot point installed in what has historically been called “high” or “low” configuration
(although this historical terminology is still used, the actual physical height is “low” regardless of
the pivot point chosen). It can be used as a foot pedal of the simplest form; however it contains
technical capabilities which far exceed those of any currently available audio dynamics control
device. The basic model includes accurate emulations of virtually all audio tapers of mechanical
potentiometers (“pots”) used in the past, as well as the audio control “taper” of all popular
electronic foot pedals. It also includes one or more recently developed tapers which add
capabilities related such things as gain and sustain – which have not been available to musicians in
the past. (Additional replica tapers or custom tapers can be factory installed via the USB port).
Tapers are selectable by means of a digital switch on the side of the unit near the input and output
jacks. This patented control system does not utilize potentiometers, encoders or light devices of
any type. There are no components to physically wear out.

It incorporates the latest technology in low-noise, analog high headroom amplification - in a class
with the latest exceptional dynamic response studio-grade amplifiers, while preserving the warmth
of vintage tone. Like all Telonics equipment, it is fully analog. The signal chain is never digitized,
therefore A/D or D/A noise is Not added to your signal. The FP-100 system does not modify your
tone (unless you load down your pickup with the Impedance Control). In terms of frequency
response, it is “flat”, or “transparent”. You may “think” it boosts the high frequency response, but
it Does Not. It simply allows you to hear what has always been there, but was attenuated by your
system prior to installing the FP-100. It is fully buffered, preventing noise from externally
connected tuners and other devices from entering the signal chain as well as providing safety from
system malfunction due to shorted or intermittent cables. A full-time tuner output allows tuning
with the pedal in any position, including the “off”/minimum position. It is factory programmed via
a miniature USB port. Subsequent software updates and additional capabilities may be uploaded
via this USB port. The FP-100 is machined from solid aluminum billet block. It will not skate
around the floor with normal foot movement. It is designed to accept most popular pedal bar
brackets and attachment devices. A patented blue LED pedal-board light also indicates both proper
power and that it is operating within acceptable parameters. The light can also indicate abnormal
operation through an internal error code reporting system.

An optional micro-miniature remote sensor is available which assumes full control of the pedal
in terms of treadle movement when plugged in. This remote control system opens limitless
possibilities, from mechanical control by instruments, to usage by musicians who have a physical
impairment and have been prevented from playing until now. (A remote sensor will be supplied at
no charge to individuals who suffer a physical impairment which can be aided by this remote
control device).

Its internal circuitry is well-behaved in terms of power supply connection, interruption or
disconnection, thereby minimizing noise which might annoy listeners or possibly damage speaker
systems. This is no garage-shop hobbyist toy. It is the culmination of years of research, designed

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and hand-built in the U.S.A. by leading and internationally recognized aerospace engineers,
technicians, assemblers and musicians in a state-of-the-art facility in Mesa, Arizona by Telonics,
Inc., an established leader in scientific instrumentation and communications since the 1970’s.
Dependability, long-term reliability, performance and value are paramount in this pedal/system.
Service, support and advice is always as close as the telephone or e-mail.

Telonics, Inc. is well known by scientists world-wide for the manner in which we stand firmly
behind our products on a personal basis. Please contact us with any questions you might have, we
invite design comments and are open to any and all suggestions:

[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]

TEL: [phone] ext. 122 or ext.102 FAX: [phone]

www.telonics.com

Mechanical

Pedal:

Material: CNC milled 6061-T6 Aluminum with hardened bearing surfaces

Axles are oil-hardened (O1) tool steel, 55-60 C-scale Rockwell

Finish: Heavy hard anodized (Mil-A-8625 Type II, Class 2, 0.002”)

Lettering: Laser-engraved (all markings are burned through the hard

anodize coating. No paints or inks are used on the product,
markings will not smear or wear off.)

Outline
Dimensions: 10.6L x 3.7W x 2.4H in. (27L x 9W x 6.1H cm)

Weight: 2.35 lb (1.06 kg)

Optional External Sensor:

Size: 0.8L x 0.9W x 0.125H in. maximum

(20.3L x 22.9W x 3.2H mm) maximum

Connector: ¼” TRS male “Stereo Plug” (Tip-Ring-Shield/Sleeve)

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Mechanical Adjustments:

Axle Position – History and Considerations:

In order to discuss the differences between what have been traditionally called
“high” and “low” pedals, one must first define whether we are discussing old,
traditional pot pedals (and some of the very early “light” pedals), or, the newer
generation of electronic pedals.

Historically, the early pedals were, indeed made in a truly “high” and “low”
version, and in fact, the high version was indeed “taller” than low version –
which prompts the discussion regarding longer and shorter legs, brushing the
undercarriage of the steel with a knee, etc.

BUT, often overlooked is the fact that the axle in older “high” pedals was/is
positioned farther forward on the pedal than the “low” models.

Disregarding the actual pedal height factor, and more important to many players,
is that having the axle/pivot point at a different point directly influences the
RANGE of MOTION of the players ankle for the same angle range of the
movable top/treadle on the pedal. As a result, the two types of pedals have a
different feel. Think of it as a children’s teeter-totter. The older “high” pedals are
more like a normal teeter-totter with the pivot point close to the middle.
The older “low” pedals are more like a teeter-totter with the axle moved back
toward the back (or toward your heel on the pedal). Also note that as you move
the axle farther and farther back (toward the heel) with the pedal in the fully
“heel down” condition, two things happen:

1. The heel of your foot gets lower and lower respect to the front of your foot,
and,

2.

You get a leverage effect. Depending upon how far back the axle is placed.
You no longer have a one-to-one relationship, that is, if you move the back of
the pedal 1/8 of an inch, the front of the pedal moves more than 1/8th of an
inch…….

Fast forward to the new generation of electronic pedals.

Because they do not have large pots in them,
there is no need to build a pedal any higher than
the older “low” pedals in order to change the
pivot point of the pedal by moving the axle
forward or backward. As a result, there is very
little difference (only a few millimeters) in what

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are still sometimes called “low” or “high”
models. This varies by manufacturer between
their two models. In the case of Telonics pedals,
there is no longer a need to produce and stock
two models as one pedal covers both conditions;
the axle can be moved to either position to suit
the player without changing the over-all height to
any appreciable degree.

So with Telonics pedals, the aspect of pedal height is no longer applicable with
respect to players having longer or shorter legs. The only significant difference
between the two axle positions in new pedals is therefore the axle placement.
This axle placement becomes important to the player with regard to his or her
comfort with respect to his or her preferred/comfortable range of ankle motion.

This has sometimes boiled down to whether the player is younger or older, and
whether they prefer to wear shoes (or boots) with low or high heels when they
play.

There is a generally accepted common range of motion for the ankle which the
majority of players find to be most comfortable. It is therefore necessary to
choose an axle position which will correspond to a comfortable range of motion
for the type of heel that you prefer to wear while playing, since the heel controls
the angle of your ankle when your shoe is in a given position. People generally
want their foot to be comfortable when the pedal is at full “heel-down”/when the
pedal is at minimum volume. AND, they want their foot to feel comfortable as
they continue the pedal’s range of motion on through to full “toe­down”/maximum volume position.

In general we find that people who wear boots to play in (or women with heels)

prefer the axle to be in the
rearward position (closest to the
back of the pedal) – which is
commonly still called a “low”
pedal. A higher boot or shoe

heel raises the back of the
player’s foot, and placing the axle toward the back of the pedal drops the rear of
the treadle a corresponding amount so the foot is not “pointed” as far forward.
Unless this is done, the ankle may have to be rotated uncomfortably (for some
people) forward when the toe is fully down. As an observation, some players
have also remarked that the leverage of such a “low” pedal can feel a bit
“touchier” simply because of the leverage change when the axle is moved
toward the rear of the pedal.

Players who wear relatively flat soled shoes (or people who play barefoot),

typically prefer having the
axle/pivot point near the center
of the pedal. This type of pedal
is still often called a “high”
pedal through force of habit or
convention. We have also

found that standing 6-string
guitar players, bass players, fiddlers, etc, typically prefer pedals with the axle
placed near the center of the pedal (they also prefer to have and use the Telonics
friction lock/clutch so they can easily move their foot on and off the pedal
without accidentally changing the volume setting, or have the pedal change due
to the stage vibration from woofer vibration or stomping – C6th players also
often prefer this type of clutch so they can move their foot on and off the volume
pedal when using two feet on their guitar pedals).

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There are certainly more axle considerations, but I hope this information is of
some assistance to you. Once you get past "high" or "low" axle placement, you
are actually just scratching the surface of important considerations for a
professional volume/swell control pedal.

Both DRAG (ease of treadle movement) and TENSION (treadle

return tension) are independently adjustable to suit the
user. Please refer to the photos and drawings provided in
this document:

Drag: A 3/16 (0.187) inch “Allen”-type HEX head cap
screw located on the bottom of the pedal provides a
means of customizing the Drag experienced during
pedal movement. A 3/16 inch HEX wrench is supplied
from the factory for this adjustment. Note that this
adjustment is very sensitive. Turning this screw only a

slight amount will greatly change the ease of pedal
movement. A fraction of a turn Clockwise (CW) will increase drag
(make the treadle more difficult to move). Conversely, a small
amount of adjustment in the Counterclockwise (CCW) direction will
decrease the drag, making the treadle easier to move.

Tension: A Phillips-head screw on the front face of the base

adjusts treadle return Tension (lift). It
can only be properly adjusted if the
Drag adjustment is fully relieved (set to
minimum drag). It exhibits a very wide
adjustment range, requiring several
turns in either direction to make an
appreciable difference. It has been
factory adjusted with the drag
adjustment set to minimum. If you
should decide to adjust it, first be sure
the Drag screw is turned CCW to
minimum drag, make any desired
tension adjustment, then re-set the Drag
to complete the process.

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Bracket
Interface: The FP-100 is designed to interface with most popular pedal bar

brackets which utilize either two screws, or a
triangular three hole pattern. The screws which
attach the two front feet are slightly longer in
order to allow for the thickness of a bracket.

To mount a two-hole bracket, remove the two
front feet and mount it using the two screws
with the rubber feet still attached (under the
bracket).

To attach three-hole brackets, remove both front
feet AND the single screw just behind them
(slightly toward the center of the pedal). Attach

the bracket using all three screws.

Note: This center screw is provided solely for

bracket use, it serves no other purpose and can

be removed if desired.

Note: The brackets from some manufacturers

are not produced with consistent hole pattern

location and spacing. In some cases it may be

necessary to enlarge a hole or holes, or even

re-drill the odd hole in a bracket.

(Refer to the pictures showing various types of pedal bar mounting brackets, no modifications to
these brackets were necessary.)

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