The MXR Joshua Ambient Echo is a one-stop-shop sunk deep into iconic soundscapes, from tonal trips out of the ’60s and ’70s to the ethereal ambience of the ’80s soundscapes. Once upon a time, you needed a whole rack processor get these tones, but this pedal comes with everything you need to cop that distinct tonal palette in a modern and user-friendly format—and it’s already dialed in and ready to go.
EXTERNAL CONTROLS:
ECHO 2: button adds secondary repeats at 1/4 note tempo (indicated by blue LED)
TRAILS: button toggles effect Trails mode on/off (red LED indicates on)
DELAY: knob adjusts length between repeats
MOD: knob adjusts intensity of modulation
VOICE: knob adjusts mix of -1, +1, and +2 octave signal blend
REGEN: knob sets number of repeats
DIVISION: knob selects tempo of primary repeats
MIX knob: adjusts overall volume of effect signal
CTR: jack allows an expression pedal to control settings or tap switch to set tempo around tempo selected by DIVISION knob
FOOTSWITCH: toggles effect on/bypass (blue LED indicates on) and engages Tap mode
POWER:
The MXR Joshua Ambient Echo requires 9 volts (300mA) and can be powered by the Dunlop ECB003 9-volt adapter or the MXR Iso-Brick™ and Mini Iso-Brick™ power supplies. This pedal cannot be powered by a battery.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Run a cable from your guitar to the M309’s IN jack and run another cable from the M309’s OUT jack to your amplifier.
2. Start with all knobs except VOICE and DIVISION at 12 o’clock. Set VOICE and DIVISION knobs fully counterclockwise. Turn the effect on by depressing the footswitch.
3. Rotate DELAY knob clockwise to increase the time between repeats or counterclockwise to decrease it.
4. Rotate MOD knob clockwise to increase the intensity of the modulation effect or counterclockwise to decrease it.
5. Rotate VOICE knob clockwise to mix in a blend of -1, +1, and +2 octave signals.
6. Rotate REGEN knob clockwise to increase number of repeats or counterclockwise to decrease it.
7. Rotate DIVISION knob clockwise to cycle through rhythm settings: ¼ note, dotted ⅛ note, ⅛ note, ⅛ note triplet, double delay with an ⅛ note, and dotted ⅛ note.
8. Rotate MIX knob clockwise to increase overall volume of effect signal or counterclockwise to decrease it.
9. To engage a second repeat set to a 1/4 note, push the ECHO 2 button. To change the tempo the second repeat, press and hold the ECHO 2 button and turn the DIVISION knob to select your new preference. It will stay in this mode until you change it back the same way.
10. Push the TRAILS button to allow your repeats to gradually fade out according to your REGEN setting rather than stop abruptly when disengaging the pedal. This button will illuminate red when Trails mode is engaged.
FOOTSWITCH: BYPASS & TAP TEMPO:
1. By default, the FOOTSWITCH toggles the pedal on or off in a true bypass system. When Trails Mode is engaged, buffered bypassing is used.
2. The FOOTSWITCH can also be used as a tap tempo switch to set the rhythm of your primary repeats. Press and hold for 1 second to engage tap tempo mode, and then tap your desired rhythm.
USE AN EXPRESSION PEDAL TO BLEND BETWEEN TWO SETTING CONFIGURATIONS:
An expression pedal such as the such as the DVP5 Volume (X)™8 Pedal can be used to toggle and sweep between two different setting configurations. First, set the CTR switch to its TAP/EXP (left) position. Next, run a TRS cable from the expression pedal to the M309’s CTR jack. Set rocker to its heel-down position. Adjust knobs and set mode buttons desired. Move rocker to its toe-down position. Adjust knobs and mode buttons as desired to a different setting configuration. Moving the rocker back and forth will transition smoothly between the sounds created by the two settings.
USE AN OFF-BOARD TAP SWITCH TO CONTROL TEMPO:
An off-board tap switch such as the M231 MXR TRS Tap Switch can be used to control the delay time based on the rhythmic value chosen with the DIVISION knob. First, set the CTR switch to its TAP/EXP (left) position. Next, run a standard mono patch cable from the tap switch’s output jack to the M309’s CTR jack. While the M309 is on, tap your desired rhythm onto the Tap Tempo Switch.
FREEZE MODE:
While using an off-board tap switch as described above, holding down the off-board switch will freeze the delay lines at max feedback and prevent any new signal from engaging with the delay until the switch is released.
STEREO OUTPUT:
To operate in stereo mode, run a TRS splitter cable from the M309’s OUTPUT jack to your chosen inputs. Press and hold the ECHO 2 button, and rotate the VOICE knob fully clockwise to select stereo output mode. ECHO 2 and TRAILS buttons will flash to confirm. To change back to mono output mode, follow the same steps, and rotate the VOICE knob counterclockwise.
The CTR jack can also be used as a right channel audio output. Set the CTR switch to its right position, and run an instrument cable from the M309’s CTR jack to a separate output source. The ring connection on the OUT jack will be muted.
ADVANCED SETTINGS:
By pressing and holding the ECHO 2 or TRAILS buttons while adjusting any of the pedal’s knobs, you can fine-tune various functions. We recommend leaving these settings as they are unless you understand how they work at a deep level as any changes can alter the overall sound of the pedal.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm -
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.