Pedal Brainz

Hardware Features

3 Control Knobs:
Adjust the properties of light patterns and expression. (See Banks/ Modez below for property details)

2 Buttons:
Single-click to Increase or Decrease Mode number.
Double-click to Increase or Decrease Bank number.
***Bank change always begins with Mode 1 of new Bank***

Expression Type Switch (EXP / EYE):
Choose between manual expression (EXP) or engage the internal photocell (EYE) to add light-based control.

Scale Knob:
Variable control of the Maximum expression value.

Range Switch ( Least | / Less || / Full ||| ):
Adjusts the Maximum range of the Scale Knob.

Tip Direction (TR / RT):
Swaps the direction of expression between Tip-Ring (TR) and Ring-Tip (RT) for greater compatability across effects.

TRS 1/4" Jack:
Requires TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) between Pedal Brain and effect.

DC Jack:
Tip Negative, Sleeve Positive.

USB-C Jack (Internal):
For accessing the internal Adafruit QTPY platform.

Suggestions for Experimentation

Inital Settings:

1. Tip Direction: TR
2. Range: Full
3. EXP | EYE: EXP

4. Scale

Rotate Fully Clockwise for "Toe Down"
Rotate Fully Counter-Clockwise for "Heel Down"

Adjustments

3. Expression Type (EXP/ EYE) Switch
EXP is for full manual expression control
EYE adds light-dependent expression control

2. Range Switch ( Least | / Less || / Full ||| )
If Scale does not express effect fully, try adjusting the Range switch

1. Tip Direction (TR / RT) Switch
If there is no expression change when manually adjusting Scale (EXP), try changing Tip Direction

Digital Calibration

Use EXP to set Expression Calibration the switch to EYE once completed.

Mode 1 | Squarez

O = Blink 1 Brightness
OO = Blink Speed
OOO = Blink 2 Brightness

Mode 2 | Trainglez

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 3 | Trainglez Random

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Amount of Random Time Added to A1, A2
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 4 | Rainbowz

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Rainbow Cycle Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 5 | Rainbowz Random

O = Randomized Maximum Brightness
O O = Rainbow Cycle Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 6 | Mountainz Random Repeat

O = Amount of Randomness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Chance of Snack

Mode 7 | Mountainz Random Random

O = Amount of Randomness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Chance of Snack

Mode 8 | Strange Attractorz Singlez

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Amount of Randomness

Mode 9 | Strange Attractorz Doublez

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Amount of Randomness

Mode 10 | Strange Attractorz Triplez

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Amount of Randomness

Mode 1 | Squarez Tilt

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Blink Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 2 | Squarez Random

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness (Random)
O O = Amount of Random Time Added to A1, A2
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness (Random)

Mode 3 | Trainglez Doublez

O = Trianglez1 Fade Speed
O O = Alternate Speed
O O O = Trianglez2 Fade Speed

Mode 4 | Trainglez Attractorz

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Update Speed (How often the speed of the Attractor is applied)

Mode 5 | Sawz Up

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 6 | Sawz Up Random

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness (Random)
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness (Random)

Mode 7 | Sawz Down

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 8 | Sawz Down Random

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness (Random)
O O = Fade Speed O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness (Random)

Mode 9 | Sawz Random

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 10 | Twinkelz

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Twinkelz Frequency

Mode 1 | Rainbowz Shift

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Rainbow Cycle Speed
O O O = Color Hue Shift

Mode 2 | Rainbowz Stepz Set - Uses Declared Brightness values for the 4 values (randomBright01-04)

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Rainbow Cycle Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 3 | Rainbow Stepz Random Once - Randomize Brightness values for the 4 values once at startup

O = Duration of 4th Color Value
O O = Rainbow Cycle Speed
O O O = Duration of 1st Color Value

Modez 4 | Rainbow Stepz Random Random - Randomize Brightness values for the 4 values after each cycle

O = Duration of 4th Color Value
O O = Rainbow Cycle Speed
O O O = Duration of 1st Color Value

Mode 5 | Rainbow Sawz Set - Uses randomBright01-04 Declared in General Declarations

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Saw Direction

Mode 6 | Rainbow Sawz Random Once - Randomize Brightness values for the 4 values once at startup

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Saw Direction

Mode 7 | Rainbow Sawz Random Random - Randomize Brightness values for the 4 values after each cycle

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Saw Direction

Mode 8 | Rainbow Squarez

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Rainbow Cycle Speed
O O O = Duration when LED is fully off (It's Dark)

Mode 9 | Rainbow Squarez Modulate

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Rainbow Cycle Speed
O O O = Duration when LED is fully off (It's Dark)

Mode 10 | Popz

O = MAXIMUM BRIGHTNESS
O O = TWINKLE_SPEED
O O O = TWINKLE_DENSITY

Mode 1 | Firez

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Sparking
O O O = Cooling

Mode 2 | Rolling Hillz Random Random

O = Chance of Snack
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Amount of Randomness

Mode 3 | Sunset Hillz Random Random

O = Chance of Snack
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Amount of Randomness

Mode 4 | Shallow Hillz

O = Dark Duration
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Amount of Randomness

Mode 5 | Shallow Mountainz

O = Dark Duration
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Amount of Randomness

Mode 6 | Dripz

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Dark Duration

Mode 7 | Meteorz1

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 8 | Meteorz2

O = Duration of Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Duration of Minimum Brightness

Mode 9 | Oceanz

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Color Hue Shift

Mode 10 | Fire Oceanz

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Fade Speed
O O O = Color Hue Shift

Mode 1 - 10 | Attractorz

O = Maximum Brightness
O O = Cycle Speed
O O O = Complexity

Light Loopz - Long-Hold Up Button

Light Loopz - Expression Looper Mode allows for the Recording of a combination of Manual Fade and/ or Momentary Full Brightness that plays back with adjustable Speed and Brightness. Light Loopz can be accessed from any mode by holding the "Up" Button for 5 about seconds.

Controls:
Up Button = Toggle Start/ Stop Recording
Down Button = Momentary Brightness (When Recording)
O = Playback Brightness
O O = Speed (Record/ Playback)
O O O = Manual Brightness (Record)

Recording Steps:
1. Press the "Up" Button to Toggle from Play Mode to Record Mode (Indicated by Red Control Lights)
2. Once in record mode, light patterns can be authored using
"O O O" = for fadez of increasing and decreasing brightness
"Down Button" = for momentary full brightness
3. Press the "Up" Button to toggle from Record Mode to Play Mode (Indicated by Green Control Lights)
4. Playback speed can be controlled using "O O"

Recorded patterns are not saved after power-cycling.

Utility - Long-Hold Down Button

There are Utility Modez which can be accessed by holding the "Down" Button for about 5 seconds. The "Down" Button needs to be held between each Utility mode in order to advance the Utility mode.

Utility Mode 1 - External Control Brightness

This Mode sets the Maximum Brightness for the External Controls.
If the external lights are too bright, you can turn them down using this Mode without effecting the Expression values.

Control:
O O = Maximum Brightness for the External Controls (Default = Full Brightness)

The Maximum Brightness set in this mode is saved when exiting this Utility Mode and will be maintained after power-cycling.

IF YOUR INTENTION IS TO MAINTAIN FULL BRIGHTNESS MAKE SURE TO SET THE VALUE TO FULLY BRIGHT BEFORE EXITING THIS UTILITY MODE.

Utility Mode 2 - Speed/ Duration Multiplier

This Mode sets a Multiplier Amount that can be used to extend/ slow the duration of the cycling x1, x2, or x3.
If you want to slow thing down (or way down) you can adjust the Multiplier, which will increase the range of controls as indicated on the Bank/ Mode descriptions.

Control:
O O = Multiplier Amount (Default x1)
- Rotating the control will change the indicator light to indicate the Multiplier amount. "O" = x1 "O O" = x2 "O O O" = x3

The Multiplier set in this mode is saved when exiting this Utility Mode and will be maintained after power-cycling.

IF YOUR INTENTION IS TO MAINTAIN 1x (Default) MULITPLIER MAKE SURE TO SET THE VALUE TO "O" = x1 BEFORE EXITING THIS UTILITY MODE.

Utility Mode 3 - Color Mixer

This Mode can be used to manually mix colors.

O = Red Amount
O O = Green Amount
O O O = Blue Amount
Nothing in this mode is saved.

Utility Mode 4 - Memory Game

A two color button pressing memory game. Match the color flashing pattern with button presses that mirror the sequence.

Controls:
Up Button = Blue (Left) LED
Down Button = Orange (Right) LED

Nothing in this mode is saved.

Reset Dataz

The Left Brain saves the active Bank and Mode when the device is powered off. Additionally, data related to the Maximum Brightness of the control LEDs and Duration Mulitplier is also saved.

Data can be reset to default two ways:
1. Reset to Default
Hold the "Up" and "Down" buttons for 3 seconds while powered.

2. Hard Reset to Default
Hold "Up" and "Down" buttons while connecting to power.

FAQ

How does the Left Brain work?
A photoresistor inside uses patterns of light generated by an Arduino micro-controller to create passive resistence with effects that support expression control

Does it work with CV?
The Left Brain does not generate CV, however, it can passivly modulate CV passed through it

What power supply works best?
A 9v DC tip-negative sleeve positive supply isolated from other effects is optimal

Can I write my own Modez?
Yes, you can access the full operating code and update instructions for the Left Brain at: Pedal Brainz GitHub

Hardware Features

EXP/EYE Switch: Choose between manual expression or engage the Eye to add light-headed control.

Scale Knob: Variable control of the Maximum expression value.

Range Switch (Full/ Less/ Least): Adjusts the Maximum range of the Scale Knob.

Tip Direction: Swaps the direction of expression between Tip-Ring and Ring-Tip for greater compatability across effects.

TRS 1/4" Jack: Requires TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) between Pedal Brain and effect.

Suggestions for Experimentation

Inital Settings:

1. Tip Direction: TR
2. Range: Full
3. EXP | EYE: EXP

4. Scale

Rotate Fully Clockwise for Toe Down
Rotate Fully Counter-Clockwise for Heel Down

Adjustments

EXP is for full manual expression control
EYE adds light-dependent expression control

If Scale does not express effect fully, try adjusting the Range switch

If there is no expression change when manually adjusting Scale (EXP), try changing Tip Direction