Electro-Harmonix S9 string ensemble

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Summary

Operating Instructions

Initial Setup and Operation

Connect power, instrument, and amp. Set controls, select preset, and engage.

Factory Settings & User Manual Download

Consult suggested factory settings and download a blank PDF for custom settings.

Power Supply Safety Warning

Warning about using the correct 9VDC power supply to prevent damage and voiding warranty.

Controls and Connections

Core Control Knobs

Details the DRY VOL, EFFECT VOL, CTRL 1, CTRL 2, and PATCH knobs.

Bypass Mute DIP Switch

Internal switch to select dry signal or mute output during bypass.

Preset Descriptions

SYMPHONIC, JUNE-O, PCM, FLOPPY

Descriptions for SYMPHONIC, JUNE-O, PCM, and FLOPPY presets detailing their sounds and controls.

AARP, CREWMAN Presets

Descriptions for AARP and CREWMAN presets, including their emulated synths and control functions.

FREEZE Presets (ORCH, SYNTH, VOX)

Descriptions for ORCH FREEZE, SYNTH FREEZE, and VOX FREEZE presets with Freeze function details.

Suggested Factory Settings

Preset Knob Settings Overview

Visual guide to recommended knob positions for all 9 presets.

FREEZE FUNCTION

Freeze Function Controls

Freeze function is available on patches 7-9. CTRL 2 controls Auto/Manual Freeze selection.

Auto Freeze Mode

CTRL 2 CCW enables Auto Freeze. LED blinks until a note is played, then doubles speed.

Manual Freeze Mode

CTRL 2 CW enables Manual Freeze. Notes freeze when played after entering effect mode.

Stopping and Resetting Freeze

Press footswitch to enter bypass to stop and reset the Freeze effect.

Performance Tips

Optimal Pedal Chain Placement

Use STRING9 as the first pedal. Place distortion/modulation/delay/reverb after it.

Distortion;Overdrive Placement

Avoid distortion/overdrive before STRING9 to prevent signal muddying and instability.

Pickup and Volume Settings

Use strong bridge pickup, volume at 10. Consider clean boost for low output pickups.

Hi-Fidelity Output Connection

Connect EFFECT OUTPUT to a keyboard amp, PA, or mixing console for best hi-fidelity sound.

Notes and Specifications

Buffered Bypass Mode

Indicates the pedal provides a buffered signal when in bypass mode.

Input Impedance

The input impedance of the STRING9 pedal is 1 megaohm (1ΜΩ).

Output Impedance

The output impedance for both the DRY and EFFECT output jacks is 500 ohms (500Ω).

Current Draw

The STRING9 pedal requires a current draw of 100 milliamperes (100mA).

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Service and Return Procedure

Contact EHX Customer Service for warranty repairs, obtain RA#, and include problem description.

Customer Service Contact Information

Contact details for Electro-Harmonix service in the US/Canada and Europe.

COMPLIANCE

FCC Compliance Statement

Equipment tested per Part 15 FCC Rules for Class B digital devices, designed for residential protection.

CE Conformity Mark

Indicates product conforms to applicable European Conformity directives.

WEEE Recycling Symbol

Indicates electronic components should be recycled at a proper electrical waste facility.

The Electro-Harmonix STRING9 String Ensemble is a guitar effects pedal designed to transform an electric guitar's sound into various string ensemble emulations. It allows guitarists to produce lush string lines and chordal string pads, similar to what other Electro-Harmonix 9-series pedals do for organs, electric pianos, and analog synthesizers. A key feature of the STRING9 is its ability to generate atmospheric pads, incorporating a groundbreaking Freeze algorithm from other Electro-Harmonix pedals like the HOG and Superego into three of its patches. The pedal is designed for ease of use, requiring no special pickups for clear polyphonic tracking, whether playing single notes or full chords.

Function Description

The STRING9 offers nine distinct string ensemble patches, each with unique characteristics and adjustable parameters:

SYMPHONIC: Emulates a large symphonic orchestra, adding a lower octave to the bottom guitar strings for a fuller sound. CTRL 1 adjusts the tone, making the effect brighter when turned clockwise and darker when turned counter-clockwise. CTRL 2 controls sustain/release time, increasing the fade-out time as it's turned clockwise. This sustain/release effect manages fade-out volume rather than a reverb tail.
JUNE-O: Inspired by classic polyphonic analog synths from the early 80s. CTRL 1 is a tone control. CTRL 2 acts as an octave switch, allowing selection between five different octaves.
PCM: Recreates the sound of a smaller studio string section, reminiscent of vintage digital keyboards. CTRL 1 is a tone control. CTRL 2 adjusts vibrato depth, increasing it as turned clockwise and bypassing vibrato when fully counter-clockwise.
FLOPPY: Emulates mechanical string machines from the 1960s and 70s, such as the Mellotron® and Orchestron® (which used optical floppy discs). CTRL 1 is a tone control. CTRL 2 controls sustain/release time.
AARP: Emulates the beloved Arp® Solina string synthesizer. CTRL 1 adjusts the speed of a Small Stone Phase Shifter effect, increasing modulation speed clockwise and bypassing the phase shifter when fully counter-clockwise. CTRL 2 controls sustain/release time.
CREWMAN: Emulates the classic Crumar® Performer analog string and brass synthesizer. CTRL 1 sets the filter envelope sweep time and direction. In its counter-clockwise range, it adjusts the attack time of the filter sweep, while in its clockwise range (beyond "noon"), it controls the decay time. Sweep time becomes faster as the knob is turned clockwise in either section. CTRL 2 controls sustain/release time.
ORCH FREEZE: Combines an orchestra sound with a Freeze effect. CTRL 1 is a tone control. CTRL 2 selects between Auto Freeze and Manual Freeze modes, with the counter-clockwise half selecting Auto Freeze and the clockwise half selecting Manual Freeze.
SYNTH FREEZE: A string synthesizer sound with a Freeze effect. CTRL 1 is a tone control. CTRL 2 selects between Auto Freeze and Manual Freeze modes.
VOX FREEZE: Features Mellotron® choir and strings with a Freeze effect. CTRL 1 adjusts the speed of a Small Stone Phase Shifter effect. CTRL 2 selects between Auto Freeze and Manual Freeze modes.

Usage Features

The STRING9 is designed for straightforward operation. To begin, connect the provided power adapter to the 9V power jack. Plug your instrument into the INPUT jack and connect your amplifier or mixer to the EFFECT OUTPUT jack. For initial setup, set the DRY knob to minimum (fully counter-clockwise) and the other top-row knobs (CTRL 1, CTRL 2, EFFECT) to 12 o'clock. Select a preset using the PATCH knob (SYMPHONIC is a recommended starting point) and press the footswitch to activate the LED, indicating the effect is engaged. From there, you can play your instrument and adjust the controls to your preference.

The DRY VOL knob controls the volume of the untreated instrument signal that is present at the EFFECT OUTPUT jack. It does not affect the signal at the DRY OUTPUT jack. The EFFECT VOL knob controls the overall volume of the selected patch at the EFFECT OUTPUT jack.

The BYPASS Footswitch and STATUS LED toggle the EFFECT OUTPUT jack between buffered bypass/mute and EFFECT mode. The LED lights up when the pedal is in EFFECT mode. The STATUS LED also blinks to indicate it's waiting for a Freeze trigger or has received a new one.

Freeze Functionality: The Freeze function, available in patches 7-9 (ORCH FREEZE, SYNTH FREEZE, VOX FREEZE), allows notes and chords to sustain indefinitely, creating atmospheric pads. The Freeze algorithm acts on the string ensemble sounds, not the dry guitar signal.

Auto Freeze: To use Auto Freeze, set CTRL 2 to its counter-clockwise half. In effect mode, the STATUS LED blinks until a note or chord is played. The LED's blink speed momentarily doubles when a new Freeze is captured. The STRING9 automatically holds the string effect for each note or chord played until the next one is played. To stop the Freeze, press the footswitch to enter bypass. If Auto Freeze triggers too easily, slightly reduce your guitar's volume.
Manual Freeze: To use Manual Freeze, set CTRL 2 to its clockwise half. Start in Bypass mode, then press the footswitch to enter effect mode. The STATUS LED blinks until a note or chord is played, and its blink speed doubles to confirm a new Freeze. Once played, the Freeze engages and sustains until you return to Bypass mode. A useful tip is to play your note or chord just before pressing the footswitch to immediately freeze it. Turning up the DRY knob allows you to play along with your frozen soundscape. Changing to a different patch will stop and reset the Freeze sound.

Signal Routing:

The INPUT Jack is where your instrument or another effects pedal connects. The DRY OUTPUT Jack always outputs the buffered dry signal, regardless of whether the pedal is in EFFECT or BYPASS mode. The EFFECT OUTPUT Jack outputs the mix of dry and effect signals in effect mode. In bypass mode, it outputs either a buffered bypass signal or is muted, depending on the internal BYPASS MUTE DIP switch setting.

Internal DIP Switch (BYPASS MUTE): This small switch, labeled "dry/mute," is located inside the pedal and determines the signal output from the EFFECT jack when the STRING9 is in bypass mode.

Dry (factory default): The EFFECT jack outputs the signal present at the INPUT, which is standard guitar pedal routing for bypass.
Mute: The EFFECT jack output is muted in bypass. This is useful when sending the STRING9's string effects to a separate amplifier or mixer channel, and you don't want to hear your guitar through that amp while in bypass.

Performance Tips:

The STRING9 generally performs best as the first pedal in an effects chain. Distortion, modulation, delay, and reverb effects should typically be placed after the STRING9. It is not recommended to place the unit in the effects loop of a guitar amp.
Avoid placing distortion or overdrive pedals before the STRING9, as this can muddy the input signal and cause unstable tracking. If desired, place them after the STRING9.
For optimal playability, use a strong bridge pickup and turn the guitar's volume knob fully up. If using low-output pickups, a clean boost before the STRING9 might be beneficial.
For the most realistic string ensemble sounds, fingerpicking is often preferred over using a pick.
For the highest fidelity sound and true string ensemble realism, connecting the STRING9’s EFFECT OUTPUT to a keyboard amp, PA, or mixing console is recommended, though a guitar amp will also work.

Maintenance Features

To change the internal dry/mute DIP switch setting:

Remove the bottom cover of the STRING9.
Locate the small board with the footswitch and ribbon cable, where you will find the DIP switch labeled "dry" and "mute."
Carefully change the DIP switch setting using a small flathead screwdriver. It's important to note that this switch is delicate; do not force it. If it doesn't move easily, try moving it in the opposite direction first and then back to the desired position.

Troubleshooting Freeze Function:

If noise enters the INPUT jack when engaging the effect, the STRING9 might freeze the noise. To resolve this, press the footswitch to enter Bypass and reset the Freeze, then try again.

The STRING9 is a versatile tool for guitarists looking to expand their sonic palette with rich, expressive string sounds, offering both traditional ensemble emulations and innovative Freeze effects for sustained atmospheric textures.