EarthQuaker Devices Aqueduct Vibrato Pedal
EarthQuaker Devices Aqueduct Vibrato Pedal
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  • $199.00

EarthQuaker Devices Aqueduct Vibrato Pedal

[Guild Note: No one can present EarthQuaker Devices better than the EQD Marketing Team themselves. What follows derives straight from either the manufacturer's website, or the product's instruction manual.] 

Contrary to what’s written on the faceplate of certain famous deluxe amplifiers, Vibrato is a form of frequency (or wavelength) modulation which we hear as a variation in pitch. It is often confused with Tremolo, which among other things, is a type of amplitude modulation our ears hear as a change in volume.  Aqueduct uses a short delay line with eight modulation modes to deliver gentle amp-like rolling pitch-wobbles, steady kosmiche pulsations, rapid trills, slimy sonic squiggles, whammy bar wiggles, pitch bends, and anything else your pitch-warped brain can picture in your murky mind’s eye. With eight modulation methods to choose, Aqueduct offers a variety of pitch-shifting vibrato tones adaptable to nearly any musical situation. Sine, Triangle, Ramp, and Square modes provide tried-and-true pitch modulation for players wanting to add subtle and organic textures to their music. Random mode introduces a “warped record” effect at low settings and rolls the dice on an unpredictable assortment of greasy pitch-bends as the Depth is increased. For players on the hunt for a dynamic and touch-sensitive Vibrato experience, Aqueduct’s Envelope modes allow for interactive control over the Depth, Rate, and pitch of the vibrato by simply playing harder or softer.

Envelope-Controlled Pitch mode (Env P) is equipped with a wet/dry blend expanding the tonal possibilities beyond vibrato to include chorus, flanger, and tactile tremolo bar-like pitch bends. We’ve lovingly nicknamed it “the My Bloody Valentine setting.” Aqueduct’s intuitive control set make it easy for pedal novices and tap-dancing pedal-heads alike to dial in swampy vintage-inspired vibrato, synthesizer-like sonar pulses, touch-sensitive pitch modulation, and more. Rate adjusts the LFO speed which controls how quickly the pitch rises and falls. Depth controls the LFO amplitude, adjusting the intensity of the vibrato effect. The rotary switch labeled Mode selects between one of eight LFO waveshape and envelope combinations which drastically alter the character of the modulation. It is also the latest pedal to feature EarthQuaker Devices proprietary Flexi-Switch™ feature which allows users to select between momentary and traditional latching-style switching in the moment and on the fly. For standard latching operation, tap the footswitch once to activate the effect and then tap again to bypass. For momentary operation, hold the footswitch down for as long as you’d like to use the effect. Once you release the switch the effect will be bypassed.

  • True pitch-shifting vibrato
  • Easily conjure swampy vintage-inspired vibrato, synth-like sonar pulses, touch-sensitive pitch modulation, chorus, flanger, and tactile tremolo bar-like pitch bends from a single pedal
  • Eight modulation modes
    • Sine: The smoothest and most subtle of all waveforms, sine waves are most commonly associated with classic amp-like vibrato.
    • Triangle: Triangle waves have a sharper rise and fall than sine waves with a more pronounced pitch bend at the peak of each LFO cycle.
    • Ramp: Like a triangle wave with a twist. The Ramp waveform has a sharp sonar pulse followed by a rapid downward slope with a synthesizer-like sustain and release.
    • Square: Square waves are the most rigid and abrupt of the waveforms. Rather than gliding smoothly between pitches, square waves produce an instant on-or-off transition between notes.
    • Random: introduces a “warped record” effect at low settings and rolls the dice on an unpredictable assortment of greasy pitch-bends as the Depth is increased
    • Env D: Envelope-Controlled Depth mode. The waveshape is set to a sine wave, the speed of which may be adjusted using the Rate control. The Depth control sets the sensitivity of the envelope - the point at which the effect kicks in as you play. In this mode, your pick attack sets the intensity of the modulation. The harder you dig in, the more pronounced the effect.
    • Env R: This is Envelope-Controlled Rate mode. In this mode, the input level (i.e. pick attack) controls the LFO rate. Play harder for faster modulation or lay low for slower modulation speeds. The Rate control adjusts the sensitivity of the envelope. Depth selects the LFO intensity.
    • Env P: This is Envelope-Controlled Pitch mode, which we’ve lovingly nicknamed “The My Bloody Valentine setting.” If your instrument doesn’t have a tremolo bar, it does now. In this mode, the frequency modulation is controlled by the dynamics of your pick attack and not the LFO.
Pro Tip:
When using any of the envelope modes, we recommend placing the Aqueduct first in the signal chain and/or before any effects that increase volume or gain. The Aqueduct was designed for low to medium output pickups. Any increase in output will make the envelope settings more responsive at lower settings thus making them less dynamic.
 
Flexi-Switching - This device features Flexi-Switch™ Technology! This relay-based, true bypass switching style allows you to simultaneously use momentary and latching-style switching.
  • For standard latching operation, tap the footswitch once to activate the effect and then tap again to bypass.
  • For momentary operation, hold the footswitch down for as long as you’d like to use the effect. Once you release the switch the effect will be bypassed. 
Power
Since the switching is relay based, it requires power to pass signal. This Device should be powered by a standard 9-volt DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center barrel. We always recommend pedal-specific, transformer-isolated wall-wart power supplies or multiple isolated-output supplies. Pedals will make extra noise if there is ripple or unclean power. Switching-type power supplies, daisy chains and non-pedal specific power supplies do not filter dirty power as well and let through unwanted noise. Do not run at higher voltages!
 
Warranty
This Device has a limited lifetime warranty. If it breaks, EarthQuaker will fix it. 
  • Flexi-Switch allows for momentary and traditional latching-style switching
  • True Bypass
  • Silent Relay-Based Switching
  • All-Analog Dry Signal Path
  • All-Digital Wet Signal Path
  • Current Draw: 68mA
  • Input Impedance: 1M Ohm
  • Output Impedance: <10K Ohm
  • Boxed Dimensions: 5.5” x 3.25” x 3.25”
  • Out-of-Box Dimensions: 4.75" x 2.50″ x 2.25″
  • Boxed Weight (USA): 1.1 lbs.
  • Each and every Aqueduct is constructed with human hands in Akron, Ohio, USA.
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