Mash Switch; Bypass Mode; True Bypass And Buffered Bypass Explained; Switching Between True Bypass And Buffered Bypass - TC Electronic BRAINWAVES PITCH SHIFTER User Manual

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BRAINWAVES PITCH SHIFTER User Manual
When using the Brainwaves before the amp's input, it is generally best to place it
before your other pedals. However, if any stereo effects are used before the pedal,
you can preserve this stereo signal by connecting to both of the Brainwaves'
inputs and sending the output jacks to other stereo pedals, different amps, or to a
stereo input on a mixer.
Example 2: In the amp's FX loop
FX Return FX Send
Brainwaves
Input
Combo Amp
The Brainwaves has a very wide gain range, and can easily be used with guitar or
loop-level signals. Simply connect the amp's Send jack to the Brainwaves input,
and connect the output to the amp's Return jack.

5.2 MASH switch

The MASH function on the Brainwaves is a very exciting and innovative feature
that allows continuous control of a desired parameter through pressure on the
footswitch. This opens up countless creative possibilities, particularly with the
user-defined TonePrints.
The standard toggle function of the footswitch reacts to single, quick presses of
the switch to turn the pedal on and off. If you press the switch slightly harder and
hold it down, the MASH function will engage, causing the associated LED to light
up slightly. As you press down harder on the switch, the LED lights up brighter
and the parameter that has been assigned to this function will increase its value.
Releasing the footswitch will exit the MASH function and the LED will turn off,
but the pedal will still be engaged.
Note that the pressure needed to reach the maximum MASH level is only
10 kg (around 20 pounds), which can be achieved just by squeezing with your
fingers. You shouldn't need to lean too much weight on the pedal. With some
practice, this feature will become familiar and expressive much like a wah or
volume pedal.
Using the TonePrint app software, you can assign your own parameter to this
unique feature and save a custom preset that allows you to create sounds that
very few pedals have been capable of before. See Chapter 3 for more details on
TonePrints.
Guitar

6. Bypass Mode

6.1 True Bypass and Buffered Bypass explained

True Bypass mode is a hard-wire bypass that gives absolutely no coloration of
tone when the pedal is bypassed. This is the default mode for your effect pedal.
Using True Bypass on all pedals is a perfect choice in setups with a few pedals and
relatively short cables before and after the pedals.
If...
• you use a long cable between your guitar and the first pedal or
• if you use many pedals on your board or
• if you use a long cable from your board to the amp,
... then the best solution will most likely be to set the first and the last pedal in
the signal chain to Buffered Bypass mode.
Can you hear the difference between a pedal in True
Bypass or Buffered Bypass mode?
Maybe, maybe not – many factors apply: active vs. passive pick-ups, single-coil
vs. humbucker, cable quality, amp impedance and more. We cannot give a single
ultimate answer. Use your ears and find the best solution for your setup!
6.2 Switching between True Bypass and
Buffered Bypass
To set the bypass mode, proceed as follows:
•
Disconnect the pedal and turn it on its back.
• Unscrew the back plate of the pedal and look for the two small dip-switches
in the upper left corner.
• The upper DIP switch (the one closer to the power in jack), switches between
True Bypass mode (default) and Buffered Bypass mode.
• Set the DIP switch to the desired position.
• Remount the back plate.

6.3 Kill-dry on/off

When you activate Kill-dry, the direct signal is removed from the pedal's output.
Use this mode when you place your TC Electronic effect pedal in a parallel
effects loop.
To set Kill-dry mode, proceed as follows:
1. Disconnect the pedal and turn it on its back.
2. Unscrew the back plate of the pedal and look for the two small dip-switches
in the upper left corner.
3. The lower DIP switch (the one further away from the power in jack),
switches between Kill-dry on and Kill-dry off mode.
True bypass
Buffered bypass
Kill-dry off
Kill-dry on