Walrus Audio Eras - User Manual

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WALRUS AUDIO ERAS (5-state Distortion)
• Item: 58814
• EAN: 810424033108
• Packaging dimensions: 14.6 x 10.7 x 6.4 cm
• Weight: 0.44 kg
• Pictures | Translations | User Manual
Need to know for Retailers
• Versatile high-gain distortion with 5 selectable “flavors” (-> Modes)
• Each Mode varies in regard to compression, bass-response, clipping-type & gain-amount
• Great for all types of heavy music genres from rock to metal
• Blend in dry signal for clarity or stacking/mixing other drive pedals
• Great for bass guitar with blending ability
• Active boost/cut bass & treble control for dialing in tone with different pickups
Full Feature List
• 5-state High-Gain Distortion
• Tight response and multiple clipping options
• Control: Volume, Blend, Gain, Bass, Treble, Mode (5-positions selector switch)
• Dry/Wet Blend knob to mix with other drive pedals or gain-stacking
• Mix-in dry signal for Bass Guitar applications
• Active Bass and Treble control to cut/boost depending on guitar-/pickup-type
• 5 different distortion “flavors” selectable via Mode switch
• Each mode features different type of compression, bass-response, clipping and gain-amount
• Mode 1: Slight mid-cut, LED hard-clipping (tight-response e.g. for palm muting)
• Mode 2: Slight mid-cut, Silicon hard-clipping (smooth with added compression)
• Mode 3: Slight mid-cut, dual LED/Silicon hard-cliping (rich tone with added sustain)
• Mode 4: Deep mid-cut, LED hard-clipping (scooped mids, tight response)
• Mode 5: Deep mid-cut, Silicon hard-clipping (ryhtmic, warm and full)
• True bypass
• Top mounted Input & Output
• 9-volt DC, Center Negative, 100mA minimum
• Power Supply not included
• Made in the USA

Summary

About the ERAS Distortion Pedal

Key Features for Retailers

Highlights versatile high-gain distortion with 5 modes, suitable for various music genres and bass guitar.

Comprehensive Feature List

Details the 5-state distortion, controls, modes, bypass, connectivity, and power requirements.

ERAS Distortion: In-Depth Description

Gain States and Modes Explained

Explains the five distinct gain states (modes) of the distortion pedal, detailing their clipping and response.

Design and Specifications

Covers the pedal's enclosure, artwork, dimensions, and power requirements.

User Manual: Controls and Operation

Understanding the Controls

Details the function of Volume, Blend, Gain, Bass, and Treble knobs for sound shaping.

Mode Switch Functionality

Describes each of the five mode switch positions and their effect on gain and clipping.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Walrus Audio Eras (5-state Distortion) is a high-gain distortion pedal designed to deliver a wide range of aggressive tones suitable for various heavy music genres, from rock to metal. It offers a versatile sound palette through its five selectable "flavors" or modes, each providing a distinct combination of compression, bass response, clipping type, and gain amount. This pedal is engineered for musicians who seek a tight response, multiple clipping options, and the ability to craft unique distortion sounds.

Function Description:

The core function of the Eras pedal is to provide high-gain distortion with exceptional versatility. It achieves this through a sophisticated circuit that allows users to sculpt their tone with precision. The pedal features a 5-state high-gain distortion engine, ensuring a tight response and offering multiple clipping options to suit different playing styles and musical contexts.

The control layout includes several key knobs:

• Volume (VOL): This knob sets the overall output volume of the pedal. The Eras has ample volume on tap, allowing users to find the perfect sweet spot for integrating it into their existing rig without sacrificing signal strength.
• Blend (BLEND): This crucial control allows for blending between a fully clean and a fully distorted signal. When set to minimum, the output is the original, clean input with no distortion. As the knob is turned to the right, more distortion is introduced. At maximum, the output is entirely distorted, with no clean signal blended in. This blending capability enhances note clarity by running clean and distorted channels in parallel within the pedal. It's also highly beneficial for bassists who wish to retain their dry signal while adding distortion. Furthermore, the Blend knob facilitates creative stacking and mixing with other drive pedals placed before the Eras, allowing for unique tonal mixtures. Any gain added before the Eras input will affect both the internal clean and dirty channels.
• Gain (GAIN): This knob determines the amount of gain applied to the guitar signal as it passes through the overdrive circuit, allowing users to dial in anything from subtle grit to full-on saturation.
• Bass (BASS): This active control allows users to cut or boost low frequencies after the distortion circuit. It can be used to tighten up the low-end for a more focused sound or to increase low-frequency emphasis for a thicker tone. The low-frequency response of the Eras is interactive with the gain control; higher gain naturally produces more bass, while lower gain yields less. The Bass knob helps balance the wide range of gain the Eras offers. Starting at noon, turning down removes bass, and turning up adds bass.
• Treble (TREB): This active control allows users to increase treble to punch through a mix at high gain or to roll off treble to smooth out low-gain signals. Similar to the bass control, users may find that at higher gain, more treble is desired, while at lower gain, rolling back the treble might be preferable. Starting at noon, turning down cuts out highs, and turning up adds more highs.
• Mode Switch (MODE): This five-position rotary switch is central to the Eras's versatility. Each position offers a different combination of internal gain and clipping styles, effectively providing a distinct "flavor" of the pedal.

Usage Features:

The Eras pedal is designed for ease of use and maximum tonal flexibility. Its intuitive controls allow musicians to quickly dial in their desired sound. The five distinct modes offer a broad spectrum of distortion characteristics:

• Mode 1 (Tight mode): Features a slight mid-cut, LED hard-clipping, and internal volume compensation. This mode provides the fastest response, making it ideal for palm muting and precise riffing.
• Mode 2 (Tight mode): Offers a slight mid-cut and silicon hard-clipping, resulting in a smoother sound with added compression.
• Mode 3 (Dual clipping mode): Combines a slight mid-cut with both silicon and LED hard-clipping. This mode delivers a rich and full tone with enhanced sustain.
• Mode 4 (Rhythm mode): Provides a deeper mid-cut, LED hard-clipping, and internal volume compensation. This mode is characterized by scooped mids and a tight response, perfect for rhythm guitar.
• Mode 5 (Rhythm mode): Features a deeper mid-cut and silicon hard-clipping, offering a rhythmic, warm, and full sound.

Each mode changes the internal gain and clipping style, which means the other controls (Volume, Blend, Gain, Bass, Treble) will behave slightly differently, encouraging experimentation to find the perfect sonic balance. The Blend knob is particularly useful for bass guitar applications, allowing bassists to mix in their dry signal for clarity and punch while adding distortion. It also excels at stacking with other drive pedals, creating complex and unique distortion textures. The active Bass and Treble controls provide precise tone shaping, adapting to different guitar and pickup types.

Maintenance Features:

The Walrus Audio Eras pedal is built for durability and reliable performance. While specific maintenance instructions are not detailed, the robust construction and high-quality components ensure longevity. The pedal is designed with true bypass switching, meaning that when the effect is disengaged, the signal passes through unaffected, preserving the integrity of the guitar's tone. The top-mounted input and output jacks contribute to a tidy pedalboard setup and reduce cable clutter. The pedal operates on a standard 9-volt DC, center-negative power supply with a minimum current draw of 100mA, making it compatible with most pedal power supplies. Power supply is not included. The device is made in the USA, ensuring quality manufacturing standards.

Walrus Audio Eras Specifications

General

Technology	Analog
Input Impedance	1MΩ
Output Impedance	100Ω
Bypass	True Bypass
Inputs	1 x 1/4" Mono
Outputs	1 x 1/4" Mono
Controls	Volume, Blend, Tone, Gain
Power Source	9V DC (center negative)
Power Requirements	9V DC (center negative)