Wampler Ethereal User manual

Ethereal

The Ethereal’s conception came about as a solution to guitarists who
wanted access to complex and exquisite ambient textures, but with
the easy of use and functionality that doesn’t require a college degree
to operate. Reverb and Delay have always been used in tandem, and
it seemed logical for the next step to be to combine the two to create
the ultimate ambient dream pedal, in a pedalboard friendly design.
Flexibility is key for being able to craft the perfect soundscape at any
given moment, so Brian set out to create something that would sound
amazing but still be easily tweakable in a live setting or in the studio.

For the sake of flexibility, the Mix knobs on the Ethereal allow you to
create the perfect blend for each of the delay and reverb signals,
making the ambient textures tumble over your signal in the most
glorious way while still retaining your full and beautiful analog tone.
This gives the player easy access to fine tune their ambient textures
to sit just right in the mix quickly and intuitively.

Along with the gorgeous ambient tones available, the Ethereal was
designed to also be a workhorse for players who want a simplified
way to get a basic delay and reverb into a single effect without crowd­ing up already congested pedalboards. It’s quite easy to dial in a basic
single delay line with a bit of reverb to to fatten up your lead lines, or
to add extra depth to a very dry room.

The controls are quite simple and intuitive, and no matter how you set
any of the knobs and switch, it’s possible to craft some gorgeous
textures that will take your tone to a completely different dimension.
The Ethereal has 5 knobs and 1 switch: Delay, Feedback, Tone, Delay
Mix, Reverb Mix, and a Delay Mode switch, along with a button on
the side to turn Trails mode on and off. As you would expect with a
Wampler, the signal path is untouched, we split the signal, place the
effect on one only, then lay it back on top of the original. This way
your clean tone, the tone you love of your guitar, remains completely
untouched and most importantly, unchanged.

To get the most out of your new pedal, you'll want to become very familiar with the controls. For full
explanations, please see below.

Bypass Switch – A relay based true-bypass footswitch that ensures that your signal is unaffected
when not in trails (side button OUT) mode. When you tap the footswitch the Ethereal is completely
bypassed and any repeats or reverb immediately cuts off. When in Trails mode (side button pressed
IN), your delay and reverb decay and repeats will slowly fade out over the course of a few seconds.
This is often more favorable due to its natural feeling versus abruptly cutting off the signal.

Delay – This controls the overall delay time before the first repeat happens, which ranges from 20ms
to 1000ms (1 full second of delay). Turning the knob counterclockwise will yield shorter delay times,
clockwise will result in longer delay times. When you switch the Delay Mode, the Delay time will
directly affect the rhythmic pattern that is created. Adjusting to a short time will have more of a
rhythmic feel, where extended times create an ambient wash of varying textures that surround your
tone giving each switch position their own unique voice and feel.

Feedback - Controls the overall number of repeats the delay signal creates, along with the length of
decay on the Reverb. Counterclockwise on the knob will lessen the number of repeats (minimum of 1
repeat fully counterclockwise) and a very small amount of decay on the reverb, to a full wash of
sustained repeats and lush reverb (approximately 3pm). Going past 3pm on the feedback knob will
result in the delay and reverb starting to self-oscillate. When it is oscillating, you can create some
really trippy 8-bit motorcycle sounds by adjusting the delay knob to a slower setting. Note: The
self-oscillation will be more apparent and occur a bit quicker with the tone knob farther clockwise.

Tone – The Tone control dictates the overall character and EQ of the repeats and the reverb decay.
This can go from warm and lush in the counterclockwise position to bright and percussive in the
clockwise position. We suggest starting at Noon and adjusting to your tastes to fit the tone you’re
looking for.

Delay Mix – Controls the amount of delay signal that is mixed in with your analog dry signal. Fully
counterclockwise has no delay mixed in whatsoever, so only the original analog signal is heard.
Turning the control clockwise will slowly mix in your delay signal. The Feedback and Tone knobs
affect this heavily, so a darker repeat and reverb may need more signal mixed in to hear the full
effects.

Suggested Settings

Rinse Cycle!

Pretty wet, but your natural clean
tone still shines through!

Ebb and Flow Beyond the Edge

The perfect way to add some
depth and movement to your
solos.

Slap happy

A bit of a throwback to the classic 50’s
recordings.

WARNING, this setting may start
an unforgettable re.

Reverb Mix – This controls the overall amount of reverb that is mixed in with your dry signal. Fully
counterclockwise results in no reverb being added whatsoever. Turning it clockwise will slowly
introduce a lush, deep reverb with an abundant amount of decay that’s perfect for creating a dreamy,
ambient atmosphere. Having a low mix and the Tone knob higher leads to a faux spring reverb type
tone, where having the mix up higher with the Tone set counterclockwise will result in a very dark,
moody and less obtrusive decay on your reverb that sits back in the mix perfectly for a bit of depth.

Delay Mode – This is controls the secondary delay function of the Ethereal. Along with the primary
¼ note that always stays constant, this switch allows you to add an additional repeat set at a 1/8th
note, triplet, or an interesting (and slightly trippy) 1/4th note + 1/8th note that feeds back into
themselves. Each mode has it’s own unique rhythmic pattern, and based on the delay time and tone
settings, it can create some very interesting and otherworldly rhythmic and ambient patterns.

Dark Multi Cathedral

Long, deep and full reverb with
reections bouncing o every
surface.

Day at the beach

Light, airy and full of sunshine
ambience.