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The Tremolo Probe is a kind of cross between a theremin volume control
and a Super Hard-On. There is a 3-5/8" square copper plate mounted
on a chunk of 3/8" clear acrylic that passes over the top of the
pedal housing, angles down to sharp turn, and goes back to the pedal.
Under the whole mess is a 3 5/8" by 7" sheet of aluminum that
provides shielding from annoying ground effects and wires under the
stage. It also serves to protect the knob from being knocked off if
you drop it on that end... and it makes a nice toe chopper if you are
barefoot, so (legal disclaimer:) DO NOT DROP THIS PEDAL ON YOUR FOOT!
IT IS HEAVY AND HAS VERY POINTY CORNERS THAT COULD DAMAGE LIVING CREATURES
AND FINE HARDWOOD FLOORING. ALSO, YOU COULD BREAK SOMETHING. Like your
dog.
What does this pedal do?
At the he heart of this pedal is a super hard-on circuit combined with
a probe controller circuit that I developed for use with the fuzz probe
and some other devices not yet released. You can tap on this pedal with
your foot to make lovely tremolo sounds that are in perfect time with
your foot's movement... so they can be perfectly in time with your performance
or the band's tempo changes. You can also use the pedal to make reverse-sounding
volume swells or pedal-steel type volume effects.
How does it work?
The copper antenna projects a field of RF energy that is affected by
your foot (or other appendage), altering the circuit that generates
it, an in so doing, increasing the brightness of that LED on the top
of the pedal and also controlling the master volume of the output. You
can set the drive of the pedal with the knob on the back... it gets
pretty darn loud, so watch out. It will distort in an interesting way
when it is cranked. Basically, the reason it is called the tremolo probe
is that you can tap on the antenna at any speed and your sound will
be a nice tremolo in time with the band. It is possible to set the volume
to be up slightly when your foot is off the antenna and come up louder
as your foot approaches the antenna... see next.
How do I use it?
You might start with these settings and rules:
1) Plug in your cords (output and battery switch is on LEFT).
2) Make sure your guitar cords are AWAY from the antenna. They will
mess with the probe just like your foot does.
3) Stomp on the switch and you'll be able to tell when it's on, when
it is quiet with your foot away. Bring your foot near the antenna to
control the volume of the guitar.
4) Put your foot completely on the pedal and adjust the knob on the
back until it's at the right volume. Voila.
DON'T MESS WITH THE SCREWDRIVER ADJUSTMENT SETTINGS
UNDER THE PEDAL!!!
Now that I said that, half of you will run for a screwdriver. Just remember
this: use a bright light first and MARK the original settings. The white
screwdriver slots have a light arrow imprinted on them... really, they
do, look closer. Use a pin or sharp tool or sharpie and scratch or mark
the metal where the original setting is before you goof around with
the controls. Turning the controls in the direction of the arrows INCREASES
the sensitivity of the antenna. DO NOT turn up the LED control to the
top and leave it there. All that will do is drain your battery. In case
you want to reduce the sensitivity, turn the RF control in the opposite
direction from the arrow and you can make the plate respond only when
your foot is in contact with it. If you are careful, you can adjust
it so that the sensitive range goes from just touching it to putting
your weight on it.
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