Triskelion Harmonic Energizer
The latest creation from Totally Wycked Audio, the Triskelion uses vintage Synth technology to re-shape the harmonic structure of the input signal, adding punch, clarity and depth to any guitar tone.
The Triskelion's specially designed filter can create glassy clean tones, boost midrange for throaty solos, or tune your rig to any room for a wall of singing, resonant feedback. Massive amp sounds, explosive lead-breaks, infinite sustain, and downright nasty, energy-intense tones are just a few of the uses for the Triskelion “ the possibilities are almost limitless!
The Triskelion circuit shares similarities with vintage units such as the Maestro Parametric Filter and the Systech Harmonic Energizer “ this latter pedal was prized by several well-known artists, including Jim Walsh and Greg Lake. It's most notable advocate was guitar legend Frank Zappa, who used the Systech for many of his throaty, mid-boosted solo tones.
It's no surprise that Frank's son, Dweezil Zappa, relies on the Triskelion to replicate his father's guitar sounds for the ongoing Zappa Plays Zappa project. In fact, Dweezil actually uses three “ yes, THREE “ Triskelion's in his live touring rig!
So if you're looking to step out from the masses and create guitar tones that drop jaws and drawers, then you owe it to yourself to add a Triskelion “ or three “ to your arsenal! Get energized!
CONTROLS
Since we've been accused of using hyperbole in our video explanations of the Triskelion, here's how it works in boring layman's terms “
The Triskelion is basically a single-band parametric EQ with optional gain boost. The special sauce is in how the selected frequency and "Q (or width of the boosted frequency) of the filter will affect the interaction between your guitar and amp.
Energy “ Controls amount of frequency boost, or "Q of the filter. Maximum boost is +22 dB gain @ 130Hz; +16 dB gain @ 1 kHz or +16 dB gain @ 1.55kHz, if VM Boost switch engaged
Variant Mass “ Controls the frequency to be boosted. Control range is 130 Hz (full ccw) to 1 kHz (full cw) or 1.55 kHz (VM boost switch engaged)
Amplitude “ When engaged, controls output level of Triskelion. Maximum output is +18 dB (full cw). However, amount of boost is frequency-dependent, and will vary depending on where VM and Energy controls are set.
VM Boost Switch “ When engaged expands frequency range of VM control to 1.55 kHz (full cw). While this adjustment seems like a small value, it effectively adds an octave to the EQ range of the pedal.
Amplitude Engage Switch “ Turns Gain off/on, allowing Triskelion to be used as a straight EQ or EQ with Level Boost.
EXP Jack “ Allows user to control VM setting using an external expression pedal. Recommended unit is a Roland EV-5, but the internal pot connections must be reversed in order to work properly with Triskelion. Click here to download a wiring diagram of the EV-5 modification. When using an EXP pedal with the TK-01, make sure that the VM control is set to MAX and that any secondary level controls on the EXP pedal are set to zero.
Power “ Triskelion can run off a standard 9-Volt battery or 9-Volt DC adaptor with tip-negative polarity. Current draw ranges from 40-80 mA, depending on control settings. We recommend our PA-9 Power-All or similar device for clean, consistent power.
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