Alexander SYNTAX ERROR Manual

SYNTAX ERROR
audio computer system
The Syntax Error takes your tones back to the dial-up era, when video games were measured
by their bits and telephones were wired to your wall. Inside, the primitive sounds of
microchips await.
It's time to blow the dust out of your cartridges and plug in your controllers. Set your modem
for 14,400 baud and let the games begin.
The sonic scientists at Alexander Pedals have been working overtime to cram
the most pedal into the smallest box, and we now present the Neo Series!
Each Neo Series pedal incorporates an advanced 32-bit microcontroller adding
presets, expression, and MIDI capability.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEO
USB Mini-B
MIDI or firmware update
MultiJack
Expression, Footswitch, or MIDI
Output
Stereo output on ring
Tap to bypass, hold for next preset
DC 9V
80mA, center negative
Select Button
Hold to access ALT knobs
Input
Instrument or line level
Foot Switch
CONTROLS
Sample (Bonus): Adjusts the sampling rate of the audio computer system. Sampling rate is
minimum / most degradation with this knob clockwise. Hold the select button and turn this
knob to set the Bonus parameter, which controls a different function in each mode.
Code: Controls a different parameter in each mode. In Stretch mode, this knob controls the
sample clock direction and speed. In Cube mode, this controls the gain of the distortion.
And in Ring mode, it adjusts the speed of the modulation sample-and-hold.
Mix (Volume): Controls the amount of effected signal. Turn fully clockwise to "kill" the dry
signal. Hold the select button and turn this knob to set the Volume of both wet and dry
signals.
Tweak: Controls a different parameter in each mode. In Stretch mode, this knob controls the
length of the sample buffer. In Cube mode, this controls the cutoff frequency of the low-pass
filter. In Ring mode, this sets the depth of the sample and hold filter modulation.
NEO
SERIES
EFFECT MODES
Tap the Select Button to move to the next mode.
Stretch: This one will really mess with your drummer's head. We sample the incoming audio
and stick it in a buffer, then play it back. Pretty standard, right? Wrong. Turn the Tweak knob
to set the length of the buffer, then set the Code knob to adjust the sample playback clock.
The clock speed adjusts from +1 (normal speed) to -1 (reverse playback!) Use the Bonus
control to change the feedback into the delay line for trippy echo tones.
Hint: Set the Code knob near noon to completely break everything.
Cube: This is probably the most normal sounding thing in here. The Code knob controls
the gain and mix on a cubic distortion algorithm. Here's how we do it: (abs(INPUT^3))^3.
It sounds great, if you like math. Every distortion circuit (or program!) needs a tone control
so we added a resonant low-pass filter. The tone filter is bypassable, just turn the knob fully
counter-clockwise. The Bonus parameter controls the resonance of the filter.
Ring: This mode combines a ring modulator with a sample and hold LFO. Code controls
the speed of the sample and hold, while Tweak controls its depth. Set Code to minimum
to disable the LFO for a "normal" ring modulator (is that a thing?) The Bonus parameter
controls the EQ of the modulated signal.
Freq: Shifts the frequencies of the input signal by a fixed amount. This one will change the
pitch of incoming audio but unlike a traditional pitch shifter it doesn't maintain the intervals
between the notes you play into it. The Code knob adjusts the amount of frequency shift and
the Tweak knob controls the amount of signal that gets fed back into the shifter. Want more
options? Use the Bonus knob to change the time delay of the feedback, for comb filtering
and flanging textures. This mode ranges from beautiful bubbles to gargling nightmares, and
don't forget you can add in the crush effects from the Sample knob to grunge things up!
404 E. Main St, Garner, NC 27529 (919) 977-6665 alexanderpedals.com
G R E A T T O N E S . D O I N G G O O D .