VTR Effects | HELIOS | Dynamic Overdrive | English Manual

1. First Steps with Helios Overdrive
2. Power
3. Helios Overdrive Connections
   1. USB-Micro B Port
   2. MIDI Input and Output
4. Helios Overdrive Controls
   1. Volume
   2. Tone
   3. Gain
   4. Bass
   5. Bypass LED
   6. Bypass Switch
   7. Preset LED
   8. Preset Switch
5. Clipping
   1. Understanding Clipping
   2. Changing Clipping
6. Understanding Presets
   1. Saving a Preset
   2. Navigating between presets
   3. Changing the number of accessible presets
   4. Calibration
7. MIDI
   1. Configuring MIDI Channel
   2. Accessing Presets via #PC
   3. Controlling Parameters via #CC
8. Firmware Update
9. Technical Specifications
10. Changelog

Power

Note: Power supply sold separately.

The Helios Overdrive requires an isolated 9-volt DC power supply, center negative, with a 2.1 x 5.5 mm barrel connector (same as standard Boss connectors), which can provide 200 mA (milliamperes) of current. The Helios must be connected to a separate power supply or connected to an isolated power output from a multi-output power supply. Connect the power supply to the 9VDC connector on the rear panel of the pedal.

Important power notes:

• The Helios Overdrive requires 200 mA of current. Make sure your power supply can provide at least 200mA to the pedal for proper operation and performance.
• An isolated power supply provides power and grounding that is electrically separated, typically by means of a transformer for each connector. Some low-cost power supplies may have separate connectors but may not provide real ground and power isolation, causing noise and ground loop noise.
• If the power supply has multiple outputs, verify if each output provides true isolation or if you should connect the pedal to its own power supply.
• There is no problem connecting a power supply that can provide more than 200 mA. The pedal only draws the current it needs and will not be damaged if the supply is 9VDC.
• If the power supply is not isolated, you may hear additional humming in the pedal signals. If the supply cannot provide 200 mA of current, the pedal may not function properly, even if the LEDs and switches appear to be working.

Helios Overdrive Connections

All audio connections of VTR Effects pedals accept TS (Tip-Sleeve) 1/4" instrument cables (6.35 mm or known as P10). Although TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) cables can be used, they offer no benefit compared to TS cables.

USB-Micro B Port

The USB port on your Helios is used for firmware updates. USB MIDI and preset transfer system will soon be implemented through the USB port.

MIDI Input and Output

The new MIDI system of the Gold Series line is compatible with the universal standard established by the MIDI protocol, now using optocouplers. The MIDI connection is made through P2 connectors located on the back of the pedal. If your controller doesn't have P2 output, you will need to make a cable to convert the DIN 5 Pin connection to P2, following the polarity shown below (reverse of Boss polarity).

MIDI DIN 5 Pin 5 = P2 Ring MIDI DIN 5 Pin 4 = P2 Tip

[MIDI connector diagram remains as in original]

The MIDI Out connector must maintain the same polarity.

Helios Overdrive Controls

The following controls are available on Helios:

Volume

The Volume knob will adjust the final volume of the circuit. Important to note that due to the nature of the Helios circuit, this control has a logarithmic and non-linear response.

Tone

The Tone knob will control a low-pass filter that comes after the clipping and gain stage. Important to note that due to the nature of the Helios circuit, this control has a logarithmic and non-linear response.

Gain

The Gain knob will adjust the circuit's gain, thus controlling the amount of distortion. Important to note that due to the nature of the Helios circuit, this control has a logarithmic and non-linear response.

Bass

The Bass trimpot is located on the right side of the pedal, and it can be configured using a small phillips screwdriver. It will adjust the bass response of the circuit. Important to note that due to the nature of the Helios circuit, this control has a logarithmic and non-linear response.

Bypass LED

This LED indicates whether the pedal is activated and which preset bank is selected. Green: Bank 1 Red: Bank 2

Bypass Switch

Through the Bypass FootSwitch, it's possible to activate/deactivate the effect.

Preset LED

The color of this LED indicates which preset is selected.

Preset Switch

Through the Preset FootSwitch, it's possible to navigate through the pedal's preset system, which is better explained in the preset section.

Clipping

The Helios Overdrive offers 6 clipping options and the possibility to expand clipping in the future, with clipping modules that we will release soon.

Understanding Clipping

To identify which clipping the pedal is using, just observe the color of the clipping LED:

• 🎒 Red (Silicon Dynamic): Silicon Dynamic clipping that has been present since the first version of Helios Overdrive. This clipping brings 4 silicon diodes, which provide greater dynamics to the sound.
• 🌀 Blue (LED's): LED clipping brings 2 red LEDs to clip the signal. One of the characteristics of this clipping is to have greater dynamics and a more open sound.
• 🥝 Green (Germanium): Germanium clipping brings 2 germanium diodes to clip the signal. It offers less volume than the others and also less gain.
• 🎃 Orange (MOSFET): MOSFET clipping brings 2 MOSFET transistors to clip the sound. One of the characteristics is to have much more compression than other clipping.
• 💎 Cyan (Silicon Classic): Silicon Classic clipping brings 2 silicon diodes to clip the sound. One of the characteristics is to have much more compression than other clipping.
• 👛 Pink (Silicon Asymmetric): Silicon Asymmetric clipping brings new horizons to the Helios Overdrive circuit, bringing a more aggressive voice. This type of clipping is present in the classic SD1 from Boss.

Changing Clipping

To change the clipping on Helios, simply press the foot bypass and foot preset buttons simultaneously. Each time this combination is activated, the clipping advances to the next option, being necessary to go through all options before returning to the previous one.

[Continuing with rest of translation...]

Understanding Presets

With the ability to save 99 presets, the Helios Overdrive will make your playing much easier, as there will be no shortage of space to save your favourite drive tones. Now let's understand how presets work in practice in Helios, how to save them and how to access them.

Saving a Preset

Saving a preset is a simple process. First, create the desired tone. Then, press and hold the preset button for about 2 seconds. The pedal will start to flash the preset LED. Now, click the preset button once to advance to the next save location, or double-click to return to the previous location. This way, you can choose where you want to save the preset. Each bank can store up to 7 presets and the pedal has 2 banks, allowing you to save a total of 14 presets in this mode.

If you want to change the save bank, simply press the bypass button once. When changing the preset bank, the bypass LED colour will also change to indicate the new selected bank. For example, the LED can turn green for bank 1 and red for bank 2. After pressing the bypass button to alternate between banks, observe the LED colour to confirm the current bank before saving the preset.

Finally, to save the preset, keep the bypass button pressed until the clipping LED starts flashing pink. Done, the preset is saved.

Navigating between presets

Navigation between presets is done through the preset footswitch. When pressing the footswitch once, the user advances to the next preset. When pressing the footswitch twice in succession, the user returns to the previous preset. This footswitch navigation system is simple and intuitive, allowing for quick changes between presets during a song or performance.

It's important to note that through the preset footswitch, it's possible to directly access a maximum of 14 presets, with 7 in each bank. However, to access all 99 available presets, it's necessary to use a MIDI controller. This option provides a wide range of possibilities for accessing and controlling available presets.

Some relevant information about navigation between presets should be highlighted:

When switching between presets, there might be a small delay of about 400ms. This delay is necessary for the microcontroller to understand whether a single tap or a double tap occurred on the footswitch.

Changing the number of accessible presets

In update 1.0.1, we introduced an exciting new feature for Helios users: the ability to customize the number of presets accessible through the preset footswitch. Now you can adjust your Helios to have only one preset per bank or use all 7 available presets. With this functionality, your experience with Helios will become even more incredible and personalized.

After installing update 1.0.1, when turning on the pedal, you'll notice that the bypass LED and preset LED will flash yellow. Now, just turn the gain knob to select, by color, which will be the last preset accessible by the footswitch. When turning the knob completely to the left, you'll have access to just one preset per bank, and when turning it completely to the right, you'll have access to all 7 presets per bank. After defining your preset preference, press the bypass footswitch to save the changes. From this moment on, whenever you want to modify the configuration again, simply disconnect the pedal from power, press both bypass and preset footswitches simultaneously, and turn the pedal on again. When the LEDs flash again in yellow color, release the footswitches and repeat the procedure.

This way, you can easily personalize the number of available presets on your Helios, making it even more versatile and adapted to your playing style.

Note: This functionality will not exclude any preset. If you have already created several presets and reduce to just 1, the others will not be excluded, they just won't be called.

Calibration

This function is essential and needs to be done right after updating the pedal, as it will calibrate the knob readings in the Helios processor. Below are the instructions on how to use this function:

1. Press the preset footswitch and turn on the power to the pedal.
2. Turn all knobs (including the bass trimpot) to the left. Note that when doing this, the preset LED will turn green.
3. Click on foot bypass to advance.
4. Turn all knobs (including the bass trimpot) to the right. Note that when doing this, the preset LED will turn green.
5. Click on foot bypass and the calibration will be completed.

MIDI

With a MIDI controller, you can get even more out of your Helios Overdrive by sending #PC and #CC type messages. Check below which messages you should send to the pedal.

Configuring MIDI Channel

To configure the MIDI channel of the pedal, follow the step-by-step below:

1. Make sure the pedal is turned off. Then, press and hold the foot bypass.
2. Turn on the pedal power while continuing to hold the bypass button.
3. The preset LED will start flashing blue, indicating that the pedal is ready to receive the MIDI channel configuration.
4. Now, send a MIDI message to the desired channel to define the communication channel.
5. The pedal will confirm the configuration by flashing the clipping LED.
6. Done! The MIDI channel has been successfully configured.

Accessing Presets via #PC

To access a Preset via MIDI, you should send a #PC (Program Change) message on the channel that the pedal is configured to, with the number of the Preset you wish to access.

Example: #PC value 1 to access Preset 1; #PC value 99 to access Preset 99;

Controlling Parameters via #CC

To control a parameter via MIDI, you should send a #CC (Continuous Controller) message on the channel that the pedal is configured to, following the table below. One detail to note is that in the current firmware version, when commanding a knob parameter, the display will not update the parameter bar with the value received via MIDI; this is a function that will still be implemented.

We are working on more MIDI implementations for future updates; if you have any suggestions, we are open to hearing them.

Firmware Update

Attention: The update method below no longer exists from version 1.0.3, updates are now only through app.vtreffects.com.br

To update your pedal's firmware, follow the instructions below:

1. Disconnect the pedal from the power supply.
2. Press and hold the preset foot.
3. Connect the USB cable to the pedal and computer.
4. The clipping LED will start flashing pink, indicating that the pedal is ready for updating.
5. On your computer, an external drive corresponding to the pedal will be opened.
6. Open the drive and locate the update file (.bin) that you want to install.
7. Copy the update file to the pedal's drive.
8. Wait until the file transfer is complete.
9. After the transfer, disconnect the USB cable from the pedal and computer.
10. Turn on the pedal again.
11. The firmware update will have been completed.

Update notes: When connecting the USB between the pedal and computer, you should hear a sound. If you don't hear it, the connection wasn't successful and this might be due to the USB cable. Try using another cable and, if the problem persists, contact our support.

Technical Specifications

• Beige electrostatic paint finish
• Dimensions: 12 cm x 6.5 cm x 6.2 cm (height includes knobs)
• Weight: 300 grams
• Superior finish through UV (Ultra Violet) printing
• Relay-based true bypass
• ARM 32Bits processor at 240Mhz
• Input Impedance: 500KΩ
• Output Impedance: 200Ω
• Fully analog dry signal
• Operating voltage: 9V DC (BOSS Polarity)
• Current consumption: 200mA
• Industrial quality PCB

Changelog

V1.0.1

• Included function to manipulate the number of available presets.

V1.0.2

• Included communication with the preset transfer system.

V1.0.3

• New digital to analog control system (no jumps when turning the knobs)
• Knob reading calibration function inserted
• Removed update function with old method
• Improved preset footswitch reading