Is my Pigtronix EP-1 busted?

[DyerWolf]

So I just got my new (to me, although the auction claimed it would be a new item I'm fairly certain it had been used before). Anyway, the instruction manual describes the EF/LFO switch as following the Phaser settings when it's in LFO and responding to sensitivity when in EF mode. Based on the fact that the blinking changes based on alterations to the Speed knob etc. I assume blinking indicates LFO mode. Now in EF mode, regardless of how I alter the sweep and sensitivity, I am getting no "wah" effect. My tone is still slightly altered, basically sounding more like a very light phaser setting, and this tone is constant regardless of how I make changes to various knobs. Is my new toy broken or have I just not figured out how it works yet?

Edit: I should also note that the LF mode tone is a constant effect regardless of how hard I dig in, slap/pop etc.

another edit: The manual says that when you move the Sweep past 3 o'clock it is now "open" so you won't hear the effect. Well, I don't hear the effect in any position but I do hear a strange pitch alteration when moving from 2 o'clock to 4 o'clock so something is happening there but I still don't hear a Envelope Filter effect.

[Jared Lash]

Is the green LED on the even when you aren't playing? If so, what you need to do is back off the sweep knob until the LED is unlit. With my basses this is around 1 or 2 o'clock on the sweep knob.

Then play with the sensitivity until you get to a point you like, based on how much you want it to be triggered by your playing.

Also, crank the resonance knob. I keep mine dimed or close to it, though it will give you some effect starting at 1 o'clock.

Hope that helps.

[DyerWolf]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Is the green LED on the even when you aren't playing? If so, what you need to do is back off the sweep knob until the LED is unlit. With my basses this is around 1 or 2 o'clock on the sweep knob.

Then play with the sensitivity until you get to a point you like, based on how much you want it to be triggered by your playing.

Also, crank the resonance knob. I keep mine dimed or close to it, though it will give you some effect starting at 1 o'clock.

Hope that helps.

The Green LED is off, and it never turns on when I begin playing, even if I bring the sweep all the way to the threshold of going on and then backing off.

So the knobs on the phaser side of the pedal still have some kind of effect during EF mode? I tried cranking the resonance, but that again had no effect. I tried cranking all of them, which creates something pretty cooky in LFO mode but still the same old nothing in EF mode.

I just heard an envelope style effect, but it was only when I did a harmonic sustained for a long period of time, and it was a very slow effect. In normal playing, still nothing.

[Jared Lash]

The character and speed knobs have no use when using EF mode but the intensity and resonance knobs do.

Alright, if the LED is off and you've brought the sweep to the threshold point then you need to crank up the sensitivity.

In fact, I'd max out the resonance, intensity and sensitivity knobs while leaving the sweep right at the threshold of turning on the LED.

If you don't get any filter sounds at that point, I'd contact Pigtronix, because it is likely busted.

[DyerWolf]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

The character and speed knobs have no use when using EF mode but the intensity and resonance knobs do.

Alright, if the LED is off and you've brought the sweep to the threshold point then you need to crank up the sensitivity.

In fact, I'd max out the resonance, intensity and sensitivity knobs while leaving the sweep right at the threshold of turning on the LED.

If you don't get any filter sounds at that point, I'd contact Pigtronix, because it is likely busted.

Still nothing. Thanks alot for the help though. Now to contact Pigtronix and the ebay seller and see if I can get this sorted out.

[RickenBoogie]

Not sure if this is related, but sometimes my EP-1 doesn't want to work properly in EF mode. If i switch between modes, and my speed knob is set low, (8 or 9 o'clock), the envelope might not trigger unless I hit the switch off then on again. Hope you get yours sorted.

[RickenBoogie]

I just re read my last post, and it seems confusing. The speed knob doesn't function in EF mode, but that's the culprit in my case nonetheless.