Guyatone ULTRON Optical Envelope Filter Auto Wah (GST-U05)
Features Include:
- Selectable Manual-, Envelope-, or Oscillator-controlled filter operation
- HP, BP, LP, and Notch Filters with Hi, Lo, and Mid Frequency Ranges
- Variable Threshold, Peak, Frequency and Speed Controls with selectable Up/Down Filter Drive
- CV control of filter sweep (manual mode), Filter Peak or Oscillator Rate (oscillator mode) with 3 selectable pedal tapers (linear, audio, reverse audio)
- 6 Selectable waveforms in oscillator mode with tap tempo rate control
- 3-Digit LED display indicates oscillator Rate in BPM or M/Sec (selectable)
- Selectable Frequency Peak, Frequency Sweep ranges and Input attenuation for multiple instruments via internal DIP switches
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With optical circuitry based upon the vintage Mutron III envelope filter, the Ultron Auto Wah takes the soul of that classic effect and adds a variety of new and useful control features that set it apart from any other unit on the market.
With the Ultron three types of classic wah filter effects are available – Envelope Filter (filter effect controlled by pick attack), Auto Wah (filter effect controlled by internal oscillator), or Manual Wah (filter effect controlled via external expression pedal). For all three effect types the frequency range, direction and intensity of the filter effect are completely adjustable via the Threshold, Frequency, Drive and Peak controls on the unit’s front panel.
At the heart of the Ultron is Guyatone’s proprietary CPU controller which allows for quick selection of the Ultron’s primary effect function. Six Effect Modes are easily accessible from the unit’s front panel, and each Effect Mode features a Sub-Mode that can be accessed with a quick press of the Control Footswitch. If that wasn’t enough, the last two Modes also feature Bonus Modes that allow for manual selection of the oscillator Waveform via an external expression pedal.
The Six Effect Modes are as follows:
MOMENTARY WAVE – Functions as an Envelope Filter or, when Control Footswitch is pressed and held, an oscillator-controlled Auto Wah.
WAVE TAP –Functions as an oscillator-controlled Auto Wah with rate determined by tap tempo function of Control Footswitch.
PEDAL WAH/TOUCH – Functions as a Manual Wah with filter position controlled by the optional external expression pedal in Main Mode. Three selectable tapers (Linear/Audio/Reverse Audio) are available for the treadle. In Sub-Mode unit functions as an Envelope Filter.
PEDAL DEPTH/TOUCH - Main Mode varies Frequency Depth using the optional Expression pedal or functions as Envelope Filter in Sub-Mode
PEDAL SPEED1/TOUCH – Main Mode varies the speed of the Wave Form oscillation with the optional Expression Pedal over a range of 70-1000 mS. In Sub Mode the unit functions as an Envelope Filter.
PEDAL SPEED 2/TOUCH – Main Mode varies the speed of the Wave Form oscillation with the optional Expression Pedal over a range of 70-4000 mS. In Sub Mode the unit functions as an Envelope Filter.
Via these multiple Effect Modes, the user can achieve a limitless variety of filtering effects that can all be toggled through and tweaked in real time.
The Ultron’s CPU also offers six selectable waveforms when the unit is used in the oscillator-controlled Effect Modes - a variety of Triangle, Sawtooth, and Square Waves are available for quick selection via the unit’s front panel. In addition, the oscillator’s rate can be displayed in BPM or Milliseconds allowing for precise syncing to song tempo or external devices.
Like the Mutron III, the Ultron features selectable High Pass, Band Pass and Low Pass filters, allowing for use with a wide variety of instruments and input signals. Additionally, the Ultron features a Notch Filter setting which creates a “mid-scoop” effect particularly useful for Funk and Slap Bass.
The Ultron’s Range control offers similar improvements over the original Mutron, featuring the standard Hi and Lo ranges as well as the new Mid frequency range, which allows for much more precise positioning of the filter effect. The Ultron’s operation ranges can be further tweaked for use with specific instruments via an array of internal DIP switches.
We could go on and on regarding its features and functions, but to put it simply the Ultron is the ultimate Auto Wah! Whether you are looking to replace your vintage stompboxes or create an entire new range of filtering effects, the Ultron is a one-man audio arsenal!
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