Wampler Dracarys - User Manual

With the Triple Wreck already passing into legend as one of the
most authentic high gain pedals available, Brian Wampler decided it
was time to make a pedal that represents the new style of high gain,
something that brings the power of modern metal and high gain
sounds into everyones rig.
After hearing Ola Englund’s incredible tones on You Tube, Brian
locked himself into the tone barn and didn’t exit until he had it
nailed. He wanted to make sure that not only the gain was in there,
but also the clarity and power. The depth and the width of the
modern high gain amps.
Sometime later, after hours of tweaking, hours of listening, hours of
finding that chuggachugga tone, he emerged from the darkness
with a fire breathing monster that we had no choice but to call
Dracarys! This pedal is not for the feint hearted!
Masses of tight articulate gain, a full 3 band active EQ and two
separate clipping modes, you can bring that tone, that power, that
agression to your rig...
To get the most out of your new pedal, you'll want to become very
familiar with the controls. The Dracarys has five controls and 2
voicing options. Each control will affect the others so it’s a good
idea to see how each works in realtion to the others as much as
possible. For example, the EQ knobs react differently in the OPEN
position than they does in the TIGHT position. After all, half the fun
is finding out - so play with everything and see what works best for
you!

Summary

Dracarys Pedal Introduction

Pedal Concept and Sound

Explains the pedal's origin as a successor to the Triple Wreck, focusing on modern high gain sounds for metal.

Development and Characteristics

Details Brian Wampler's process to achieve clarity, power, and depth, resulting in the aggressive 'Dracarys' tone.

Dracarys Controls Explained

Bypass Switch

Describes the relay-based soft switch for true bypass operation, indicated by an LED.

Volume Control

Manages the pedal's output level, suggesting finding unity gain for consistent sound.

Gain Control

Adjusts the amount of distortion, with heavier and thicker sounds achieved by turning clockwise.

Bass, Mids, and Treble Controls

Active EQ controls that add or subtract frequencies, recommended to be explored at extremes.

Open vs. Tight Voicing

Two clipping modes affecting compression and sustain; 'Open' for rhythm, 'Tight' for solos.

Suggested Settings

High Gain Setting

A suggested setting for achieving classic high gain tones suitable for rock music.

Modern Distortion Setting

A suggested setting for a full modern distortion sound with aggressive characteristics.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Wampler Dracarys is a high-gain distortion pedal designed to deliver modern metal and high-gain sounds, building on the legacy of the Triple Wreck. It aims to provide the power, clarity, and depth characteristic of contemporary high-gain amplifiers.

Function Description:

The Dracarys pedal is engineered to produce tight, articulate gain suitable for modern metal and high-gain genres. It features an active 3-band EQ and two distinct clipping modes, allowing users to sculpt a wide range of aggressive tones. The pedal is designed to integrate seamlessly into a musician's rig, offering versatility in tone shaping for both rhythm playing and solos.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Gain Structure: High-gain distortion, optimized for modern metal and aggressive tones.
• EQ: Full 3-band active EQ (Bass, Mids, Treble) for comprehensive tone sculpting. Active EQ means controls can both boost and cut frequencies.
• Clipping Modes: Two separate clipping modes: "OPEN" and "TIGHT."
  • OPEN Mode: Characterized by less compression, allowing the guitar to "open up" for rhythm playing.
  • TIGHT Mode: Provides more compression, enhancing sustain and making notes "sing" for solos.
• Controls: Five primary controls and two voicing options.
  • Volume: Controls the overall output level of the pedal, similar to a guitar or amp volume knob. It's recommended to find a "unity" volume (where affected and unaffected sound levels are equal) as a starting point.
  • Gain: Adjusts the amount of distortion. Turning it clockwise increases the heaviness and thickness of the sound. The amount and style of gain vary depending on the selected clipping mode.
  • Bass, Mids, Treble: Active EQ controls. These can be used to boost or cut frequencies. Starting at noon and experimenting towards the extremes is recommended to understand their effect.
• Bypass: Relay-based soft switch with true bypass switching, ensuring no signal degradation when the pedal is disengaged.
• Indicator: LED light indicates when the pedal is activated.
• Power: Operates with a 9-18V DC power supply.

Usage Features:

The Dracarys pedal offers significant flexibility in its application:

• Tone Shaping: The active 3-band EQ, combined with the "OPEN" and "TIGHT" clipping modes, allows for extensive tone customization. Users can dial in anything from tight, articulate rhythm tones to sustained, singing lead tones.
• Interacting Controls: Each control on the Dracarys affects the others. For instance, the EQ knobs react differently in the "OPEN" position compared to the "TIGHT" position. This interconnectedness encourages experimentation to discover the full range of tonal possibilities.
• Versatility: While designed for modern high-gain, the pedal's controls allow for a variety of aggressive sounds, from "doom" to "classic high gain for classic rock" and "full modern distortion," as suggested by example settings.
• Finding Your Sound: Users are encouraged to become familiar with how each control interacts and to experiment with different settings to find what works best for their specific rig and musical style. The manual emphasizes that "half the fun is finding out - so play with everything and see what works best for you!"
• Starting Points: For EQ, starting with all knobs at noon is a good practice before adjusting. For volume, finding a "unity" level is recommended.

Maintenance Features:

• Warranty: Wampler Pedals offers a five (5) year warranty to the original purchaser, covering defects in material and workmanship. A dated sales receipt is required for coverage.
• Exclusions: The warranty does not cover damage from accident, neglect, normal cosmetic wear, disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence, inadequate packing/shipping, unauthorized service/repairs, or modifications.
• Return Procedures: In the event of a defect, products must be shipped freight pre-paid and insured to WAMPLER SERVICE DEPT - 3383 Gage Ave., Huntington Park, CA 90255, USA. A Return Authorization Number (RAN) must be obtained from Customer Service prior to shipping and must be clearly displayed on the package. The product should be in its original packaging or equivalent. A brief description of the defect, return address, and telephone number must be included.
• Repair/Replacement: Wampler will repair or replace defective units at no additional charge, with replaced parts becoming Wampler property. Products are returned via ground shipping within the United States, freight prepaid. Expedited shipping costs are not covered.
• Incidental/Consequential Damage: Wampler is not liable for any incidental or consequential damages arising from the use or inability to use the product.
• Warranty Registration: Users are encouraged to complete online warranty registration within 10 days of purchase for safety notifications and quicker service.
• FCC Compliance: The device complies with Class B digital device limits (Part 15 of FCC Rules), designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. If interference occurs, users are advised to reorient/relocate the receiving antenna, increase separation between equipment and receiver, connect to a different circuit outlet, or consult a dealer/technician.
• Customer Support: Dedicated staff is available for warranty or product questions via email (help@wamplerpedals.com) or phone ((765) 352-8626).

Wampler Dracarys Specifications