Blackstar HT-DELAY - Pedal Manual

Features

The HT-DELAY combines the flexibility of digital technology with the unique valve Saturation control to deliver eight stunning digital delay effects with the natural tone and feel of a genuine high voltage valve circuit.

The Blackstar team are all musicians themselves and have years of gigging and recording experience. So when they embarked on the journey to design the ultimate digital effects pedals, they wanted to develop products that had none of the harshness of some digital products and provide the warmth and musicality of vintage effects pedals which players love.

The Blackstar designers acquired some of the most revered valve and vintage effects pedals and set to work distilling the ingredients that make these old designs so special. The valve Saturation control is one result of this exhaustive research. The Saturation control is in simple terms a valve gain and compression circuit which acts in the digital effects 'side chain' to impart the valve dynamics and harmonics typical of a vintage tape delay input circuit.

The features on the HT-DELAY have been selected to be particularly suited to live performance and that is why the Tap Time feature has been included, to allow the adjustment of delay time during performance. Some of the effects are quite traditional and some like the amazing Loop functions may be less familiar. Each of the eight delay effects has been designed by technical reference to vintage effects equipment and then hours of honing 'by ear' to provide effects that are both natural sounding and inspirational to the player.

Controls

1. Effect
   The Effect rotary switch selects one of the eight delay effects.

2. Time
   This control varies the time between the delay repeats. At minimum settings there is a 'slapback' effect ideal for rockabilly riffing. As the delay time is increased the effect becomes more spacial. The most recent change either by the Tap switch (14) or Time knob sets the delay time. The Tap Time / Loop LED (13) always blinks at the current delay time.
   Note: When adjusting time via the Time knob, the maximum delay time is 1.5 seconds. If you want over 1.5 seconds delay, use the Tap switch (14) for access to the full 3 second maximum delay time.
   The maximum delay time in Multihead 1 is 1.5 seconds.
3. Feedback
   This control adjusts the number of delay repeats. At minimum settings, there is a single delay repeat, at maximum setting continuous repeats will occur.
4. Saturation
   By adjusting the drive to the high voltage valve circuit in the effect side chain, the Saturation control affects the amount of valve compression and harmonics present in the effect. This is similar to how vintage style tape echo input circuits worked, adding warmth and mild overdrive/compression, due to the tape and valve characteristics.
   At low levels the effect will sound more linear, but as the control is increased the valve circuit becomes more saturated and the effect becomes denser and richer in valve compression and harmonics. At maximum settings the delay repeats will have a crunchy, valve driven quality.
   The Saturation circuitry is optimised to work at guitar or -10dBV loop operating levels. Operation at +4dBV loop levels is not recommended.
5. Saturation Indicator LED
   The Saturation Indicator LED works in conjunction with the Saturation control (4) to indicate the amount of saturation in the valve circuit. When the LED is green there is little or no saturation and the effect response will be quite linear. When the LED is orange, there is mild to moderate saturation in the valve circuit. Once the LED colour becomes red it indicates full saturation in the valve circuit and maximum saturation is reached.
6. Level
   This controls the amount of effect that is mixed in with the direct signal. The level control is somewhat interactive with the Saturation control.
   Note: With the Saturation control level set high, the effect will become denser and therefore a reduced amount of Level will be required.
7. Output – Right
   This is the right hand signal for use in a stereo set-up. Always use a good quality screened guitar lead (see Suggested Set-ups section).
8. Output – Left (Mono)
   This is the main output in a mono set-up or the left hand signal for use in a stereo set-up. If you use the HT-DELAY in the effects loop of a guitar amplifier this is where to connect the effects return signal to the amplifier. Always use a good quality screened guitar lead (see Suggested Set-ups section).
9. Input
   Plug your guitar in here. Alternatively, if using the HT-DELAY in the effects loop of a guitar amplifier this is where to connect the effects send signal from the amplifier. Always use a good quality screened guitar lead (see Suggested Set-ups section).
10. Valve Viewing Window
    Through this grille you can see the ECC83 valve at the heart of your pedal. The valve is backlit with an LED, which is also the power-on LED and indicates that the power has been connected.

Do not attempt to remove the fixing screws or grille.
No user serviceable parts inside.

11. Effect On/Off LED
    When the RED LED is on the effect is present. When the RED LED is off the pedal is in bypass.
12. Effect On/Off Footswitch
    Press this switch to turn the effect on or off.
13. Tap / Loop LED
    In Linear, Analogue, Multihead 1, Multihead 2, Tape and Space modes this LED blinks at the current delay time. The most recent change either by the Tap switch or Time knob sets the delay time.
    In Loop mode this LED indicates the loop status as described in Loop 1 and Loop 2 Mode sections below.
14. Tap / Loop Footswitch
    In Linear, Analogue, Multihead 1, Multihead 2, Tape and Space modes pressing the Tap switch more than 2 times with the same intervals will adjust the delay time.

Loop 1 Mode

One shot / Loop playback
This mode allows for a phrase of up to 7.2 seconds to be recorded and played back at any time during a performance. The Loop footswitch can be used to retrigger the phrase for a sampling effect.

How to use Loop 1

1. When Loop 1 is selected, the Loop LED will blink slowly RED.
2. Pressing the Loop switch puts the pedal into RECORD READYmode and the Loop LED flashes quickly RED.
3. Recording starts automatically as soon as you start to play theguitar and the LOOP LED lights solid RED.
4. To finish recording press the Loop switch and the Loop LED willturn to solid GREEN (if the recorded phrase lasts more than 7.2sec, the recording will stop automatically when that time is reached).
5. To playback your recorded phrase, press the Loop switch. Holding the Loop switch down will loop the phrase, alternatively pressing the Loop switch at anytime will retrigger the phrase for a sampling effect.
6. At any time pressing the Effect On/Off switch will turn thesampled phrase on or off.

Loop 2 Mode

Sound on sound delay looper
In this mode you can overdub a new sound on to the recorded sound as many times as you want.

How to use Loop 2

1. When Loop 2 is selected, the Loop LED blinks slowly RED.
2. Pressing the Loop switch puts the pedal into RECORD READYmode and the Loop LED flashes quickly RED.
3. Recording starts automatically as soon as you start to play theguitar and the Loop LED is lit solid RED.
4. Pressing the LOOP switch will complete the recording and thepedal goes into PLAYBACK mode automatically and the LED is lit solid GREEN.
5. In this mode, when the LED is GREEN, you can play along withthe looping sound.
6. When you press the Loop switch again, the Loop LED lightsORANGE to show you are in OVERDUBBING mode. As you play the new phrase it is overdubbed onto the existing recorded sound.
7. Pressing the Loop switch again will complete the overdub. The LED will return back to GREEN and you are back in PLAYBACK mode.
8. By repeating steps (f) and (g), you can overdub the loopingsound as many times as you want.

Note: Loop time is determined by the length of the first recorded phrase.

MEMORY CLEAR and Effect On/Off function - Loop 1 and Loop 2

When you press the Effect On/Off switch (12), the loop continues playing 'silently in the background' until you press the Effect On/Off switch again.
When you press the Effect On/Off switch for more than 1 second, playback stops and the memory is cleared ready for a new recording.

15. DC Inlet
    For the input of the 22V DC / 1.1A adapter supplied. Always use a Blackstar approved adapter.

Technical Specification

Power: 22V DC
Maximum Current Draw: 1.1A
Controls: Effect, Time, Feedback, Saturation, Level
Delay Time: 3.0 seconds in delay modes, 7.2 seconds in loop modes
Valve: ECC83 (12AX7)
Switches: Effect On/Off Switch, Tap/Loop switch
Indicator: Effect On/Off, Saturation, Tap Time/Loop Status, Power On/Off (Valve Backlight LED)
Jacks: Input, Left (Mono) Output, Right Output
Input Impedance: 1MOhm
Output Impedance: <1kOhm
Nominal Operating Level: -10dBV
Dimensions (mm): 160 X 119 X80
Weight: 1.3kg

Suggested Settings

Visit the Blackstar website at www.blackstaramps.com for the latest suggested settings and audio clips.
You'll also find the latest information on products and artists.

Important safety information

Read the following information carefully. Save all instructions for future reference.

High internal operating voltages

Do not open the equipment case. There are no user serviceable parts in this equipment. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Unauthorised modification of this equipment is expressly forbidden by Blackstar Amplification Limited.
Never push objects of any kind into ventilation slots on the equipment casing.
Do not expose this apparatus to rain, liquids or moisture of any type.
Only use the correct Blackstar approved DC adapter supplied.
Unplug the DC adapter from the mains supply when not in use.

Blackstar Amplification Ltd, Beckett House, 14 Billing Road, Northampton, NN1 5AW, UK
For the latest information go to: www.blackstaramps.com

The specifications and information in this publication are subject to change without prior notice.

Documents / Resources

References

• Home Page Blackstar Amplification

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