USER MANUAL
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Contents Knobs and Switches ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Front Panel Controls - Tape Saturation ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Front Panel Controls - Doubletracker ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Front Panel Controls - Auto-Flange On/Off ����������������������������������������������������������������� 5 In Depth - Input
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Knobs and Switches Front Panel Controls - Tape Saturation VOICE Selects between two tape machine styles: classic: produces the response and saturation characteristics of 2-track mastering reel-to-reel machines. cassette: employs an auto level control (ALC) process, common to many high-end cassette recorders, resulting in a compressed, fat tone. SATURATION Sets the amount of tape drive by adjusting the preamp gain. At low levels, a subtle harmonic enhancement occurs.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Knobs and Switches Front Panel Controls - Doubletracker TYPE Selects phase and internal routing to tailor tonality and low-end: sum: the Reference and Lag Decks are summed in phase. invert: the Reference and Lag Decks are summed out of phase. bounce: the right channel of the Lag Deck is phase-inverted and bounced to the left channel input. With mono output or Wide Stereo on, you get a double-repeat effect.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Knobs and Switches Front Panel Controls - Auto-Flange On/Off Press and hold the DOUBLETRACKER ON (AUTO-FLANGE ON) footswitch to achieve a recording studio-inspired, Auto-Flange effect. This engages a “virtual audio engineer” manning the faders and tape reels to create a smooth and predictable through-zero flange experience on the fly. NOTE: Also, see page 11 for setting the Auto-Flange effect’s time.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Knobs and Switches In Depth - Input Level & Saturation Ranges The SATURATION knob allows for a wide range of level options to provide a nicely saturated tape effect. The overall range of tape saturation is rig dependant. Depending on your application, input signal level, and specific rig setup, the effect of the tape saturation will vary. The following are some general guidelines.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Knobs and Switches In Depth - Lag Time Ranges TAPE FLANGE -.3 to 3 ms Very short LAG TIME settings produce a moving comb-filter/ flange effect—which goes ‘through-zero’ when the LAG TIME is set less than zero. A static filter effect is achieved when the WOBBLE is turned to minimum. • Set the BLEND to 50/50 (12 o’clock position) for the most pronounced flange effects.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Knobs and Switches In Depth - Lag Time Ranges (cont.) SLAPBACK 50 to 150 ms First heard in the rock ‘n roll records of the ‘50s, a slapback echo produces the sound of a performance in a large space where the echo reflects back from an opposing wall. • With the BLEND past 12 o’clock, the slap can be louder than the input. Try this with shorter slap times. • Try slap echoes with TYPE set to the invert option.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Rear Panel I/O and Control AUDIO INPUT SELECTOR MONO: Use with a mono input signal, such as a guitar. Output is stereo. Use OUT L for mono connection. STEREO: Use with a stereo input signal. Output is stereo. IN OUTPUTS High impedance, ultra lownoise, discrete Class A JFET preamp input. Use a TRS stereo adapter/cable for stereo input. Low impedance stereo outputs. Use OUT L for mono output.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Rear Panel I/O and Control (cont.) USB 9VDC Computer connection for MIDI control as well as for performing firmware updates. Use the included power supply or an adapter with the following rating: • 9VDC, center negative • 300mA minimum EXP / MIDI Multifunction communication jack for external control of Deco’s features and functions. Can be set to operate in one of the following modes. (See “Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack” on page 19 for details.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Live Edit Functions Use the following steps to enter Live Edit mode and access the secondary functions of the controls. Any of the following secondary functions can be edited while in Live Edit mode. Auto-Flange Time Sets the sweep time for the Auto-Flange effect. The Auto-Flange is triggered as a momentary function by pressing and holding the Doubletracker ON footswitch. (See page 5.) 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch to enter Live Edit mode.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Live Edit Functions Low Trim Applies a subtle high pass filter to reduce the low end, which can clean up some rumble and muddiness of your effected tone. 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch to enter Live Edit mode. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the TONE (LOW TRIM) knob to adjust the low end. The TAPE SATURATION ON LED indicates your selection from GREEN (full bandwidth) to AMBER (high pass filtering is applied).
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Live Edit Functions Doubletracker Boost / Cut Adjusts the amount of volume increase or decrease, +3dB or -3dB, applied to the Doubletracker, when enabled, to allow for precise level matching. 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch to enter Live Edit mode. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the BLEND (DOUBLETRACKER BOOST/CUT) knob to adjust the Doubletracker level.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Live Edit Functions Wide Stereo Mode Generates a wide stereo image by sending the Reference Deck signal to the Left Out and the Lag Deck to the Right Out. 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch to enter Live Edit mode. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the WOBBLE (WIDE STEREO MODE) knob to turn the Wide Stereo Mode On/Off.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Live Edit Functions MIDI Clock Sync Selects whether Deco’s echo repeats will sync to incoming MIDI Clock messages. 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Set the position of the TYPE (MIDI CLOCK SYNC) switch to select whether Deco will sync to incoming MIDI Clock messages. Both LEDs will momentarily change color to indicate the current status as you set the switch.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Live Edit Functions Respond/Ignore MIDI Expression When set to MIDI mode, this setting selects whether Deco will respond to MIDI Expression CC# 100 , values 0 (heel) to 127 (toe), to control the knob settings in the same manner as a TRS expression pedal. 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Set the position of the VOICE (MIDI EXP) switch to select whether Deco will respond to MIDI Expression CC# 100.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Power Up Modes Input Mode Deco provides two input modes to tailor the range of the Tape Saturation for your input signal. 1 Press and hold the DOUBLETRACKER ON footswitch while powering up Deco. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the SATURATION (INPUT MODE) knob to select the Input Mode. Both ON LEDs will change color to indicate the current status as you turn the knob.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Power Up Modes Bypass Mode Setting Deco to Buffered Bypass mode preserves the high frequency response of your instrument’s signal through your pedal chain and long cable runs. 1 Press and hold the DOUBLETRACKER ON footswitch while powering up Deco. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the LAG TIME (BYPASS MODE) knob to choose between True Bypass or Buffered Bypass modes.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Power Up Modes Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch while powering up Deco. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the LAG TIME (EXP/MIDI JACK) knob to select the function of the rear panel’s EXP/MIDI jack. The DOUBLETRACKER ON LED will change color to indicate the current status as you turn the knob.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack (cont.) 3 Press either footswitch to store the EXP/MIDI jack mode and begin using Deco. NOTE: The EXP/MIDI jack mode setting persists across power cycles and is not saved per preset.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker External Control Expression Pedal Setup Use a TRS expression pedal to control the knobs of Deco . 1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Expression mode. (See page 19 for configuration instructions.) RIGHT IN LEFT OUT RIGHT OUT EXP USB MIDI IN MIDI OUT 2 Connect an expression pedal to the EXP/MIDI jack of Deco using a TRS cable. 3 Press and hold both footswitches until both LEDs blink GREEN. 4 Rock the expression pedal to the HEEL position.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker External Control Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode Connect a MiniSwitch or other external latching footswitch with a TRS cable to store and recall your favorite setting. OR 1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Favorite mode. (See page 19 for more info.) 2 Connect an external switch with a TRS cable to the EXP/MIDI jack. 3 Dial in your desired sound. 4 To save your sound as the new Favorite setting, press and hold both footswitches until they blink GREEN.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode (cont.) COMPARE MODE With a Favorite or MIDI preset recalled, as a knob or switch is adjusted, both LEDs flash GREEN when the current knob or toggle switch position matches the setting of the preset. NOTE: Along with the knobs and toggle switches on the face of the pedal, all Live Edit settings and the bypass states of Tape Saturation and Doubletracker are stored with the Favorite and MIDI presets.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker External Control Tap Mode Connect a MiniSwitch or other external momentary footswitch with a TRS cable to tap in a Lag Time. OR 1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Tap mode. (See page 19 for more info.) 2 Connect an external switch with a TRS cable to the EXP/MIDI jack. 3 Tap in a tempo in 1/4 notes to set the Lag Time in 1/8th notes of the tempo. NOTE: When in Tap mode, press and hold the external switch to engage the instant Auto-Flange effect.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker External Control Configuring MultiSwitch Plus Configure Deco and MultiSwitch Plus for remote access to three additional presets. 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Hold until both LEDs stop blinking. 2 Turn the SATURATION knob all the way counter-clockwise to set the MIDI channel to Channel 1. The DOUBLETRACKER ON LED should be GREEN. 3 Turn the TONE knob to select any of the following MIDI OUT options.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker External Control Using MultiSwitch Plus Selecting and saving Deco presets using MultiSwitch Plus. Preset 1 Preset 2 Preset 3 NOTE: Footswitches A, B, and C on MultiSwitch Plus correspond to MIDI Program Changes 1, 2, and 3. 1 Step on a switch that is not illuminated to recall its corresponding preset. 2 Step on an illuminated switch to bypass Deco. Saving Deco Presets with MultiSwitch Plus: 1 Dial in the sound that you would like to save as your preset on Deco.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker MIDI Functionality Configuring Deco to Use MIDI Using MIDI unlocks a set of tools that can be used to load any of Deco’s 300 preset locations using a suitable MIDI controller or interface connected to the Deco EXP/MIDI jack. This requires a Strymon MIDI EXP cable or a MIDI controller/interface, such as Strymon Conduit, with at least one quarter-inch output. NOTE: When using a Strymon MIDI EXP Cable, the MIDI OUT mode must be set to Off. (See page 31 for more info.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Configuring Deco to Use MIDI (cont.) STEP 1 – SET EXP/MIDI JACK TO MIDI MODE 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the LAG TIME knob clockwise until the DOUBLETRACKER ON LED is BLUE to select MIDI mode.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Configuring Deco to Use MIDI (cont.) STEP 2 – SET MIDI CHANNEL 3 Turn the SATURATION knob to set the MIDI communication channel. The TAPE SATURATION ON LED indicates status.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker STEP 2 – SET MIDI CHANNEL (CONT.) 4 Press either footswitch to exit and store your MIDI Channel setting and begin using Deco. NOTE: A simple way to check that communication is working is to send CC #10 with a value of 127 when the TAPE SATURATION footswitch is off. This will turn the TAPE SATURATION footswitch LED on if MIDI is properly connected and configured.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Configuring Deco to Use MIDI (cont.) STEP 3 – SET MIDI OUT MODE 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the TONE knob to select what kind of MIDI data is sent from Deco to other MIDI devices. Both LEDs will flash momentarily to indicate status. • OFF: RED (default) - No MIDI messages are sent out of Deco.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker MIDI Functionality (cont.) Saving Presets in MIDI Mode When in MIDI mode, the currently loaded settings can be saved to any of Deco’s 300 preset locations at any time. 1 To enter Save mode, press and hold BOTH footswitches. Both LEDs will blink GREEN to indicate that Deco is waiting to receive a MIDI Program Change message.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker MIDI Specifications MIDI Program Changes Deco contains 300 preset locations, numbered sequentially from 0-299. Because MIDI Program Change messages have a maximum number of 128 (0-127), the presets are grouped into three MIDI patch banks. MIDI BANK 0 = PRESETS 0-127 MIDI BANK 1 = PRESETS 128-255 MIDI BANK 2 = PRESETS 256-299 0 Favorite setting (accessible via MiniSwitch) See page 22 for details.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker MIDI Specifications (cont.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Factory Reset Performing a Factory Reset restores the pedal to its factory default Power-up modes and secondary functions, and replaces all stored presets with their factory default settings. 1 Press and hold the DOUBLETRACKER ON footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Sweep the VOLUME knob from 0-100% and back two times.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Factory Reset (cont.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Features • Detailed recreation of the mechanics of two vintage studio reel-toreel tape decks and their interactions • Nuanced sonic delivery of the classic saturation effects of the tape record/playback process • Simple and intuitive Lag Time knob allows for slapback delays, tape echoes, tape flanging, and tape chorusing • Three Tape Saturation adjustment and tone shaping knobs: Saturation, Volume, and Tone • Two Tape Saturation voicings: Classic and Cassette • Tape S
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Specifications Input Impedance: Output Impedance: A/D & D/A: Max Input Level Signal/Noise Bypass Switching Dimensions 1 Meg Ohm 100 Ohm 24-bit 96 kHz +10 dBu 109 dB typical True Bypass (electromechanical relay switching) 4.5” deep x 4” wide x 1.75” tall Power Adapter Requirements Use an adapter with the following rating: 9VDC, center negative, 300mA minimum. © 2022 Damage Control Engineering, LLC.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Appendix 1: Sample Settings pg 39
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Sample Settings WIDE WOBBLE WET SLAPBACK CASSETTE MIDI Program Change 0 MiniSwitch Favorite MIDI Program Change 1 MultiSwitch Plus A ON THE EDGE WORN OUT DECK MIDI Program Change 2 MultiSwitch Plus B MIDI Program Change 3 MultiSwitch Plus C PRETTY TAPE FLANGE LIVE EDIT FUNCTIONS Deco provides a way to adjust several parameters that do not have a dedicated knob or switch. These are called LIVE EDIT functions and each are described in detail starting on page 11.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Appendix 2: Power Up Modes Quick Reference pg 41
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Power Up Modes Quick Reference Global parameters and functions can be accessed via a power up procedure. All power up functions persist through power cycles. General Options 1 Press and hold the DOUBLETRACKER ON footswitch while powering up Deco. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Adjust the desired functions with the knobs and buttons noted below. 3 Press either footswitch to store your changes and exit power up mode.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Power Up Modes Quick Reference (cont.) Global parameters and functions can be accessed via a power up procedure. All power up functions persist through power cycles. MIDI & Jack Options 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch while powering up Deco. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Adjust the desired functions with the knobs and buttons noted below. 3 Press either footswitch to store your changes and exit power up mode.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Appendix 3: Live Edit Controls Quick Reference pg 44
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Live Edit Controls Quick Reference Deco provides a way to adjust several secondary functions that are available on the controls (see “Live Edit Functions” on page 11). Live Edit Functions are saved per preset. 1 Press and hold the TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch until both LEDs blink to enter Live Edit mode. 2 Release the footswitch and use the knobs as described below. 3 Press TAPE SATURATION ON footswitch to store your setting and exit Live Edit mode.
Deco - tape saturation & doubletracker Strymon Non-Transferable Limited Warranty Warranty Strymon warranties the product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the original date of purchase when bought new from an authorized dealer in the United States of America or Canada. If the product fails within the warranty period, Strymon will repair or, at our discretion, replace the product at no cost to the original purchaser.
