BIAS DISTORTION PRO

USER MANUAL

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Introduction

BIAS Distortion Pro is an ultimate distortion pedal that allows you to design your dream
distortion tone component by component and expand further customization, using the Amp
Matching feature and ToneCloud with included BIAS Pedal PC/Mac.

In this document, well explain how to set up your BIAS Distortion Pedal and all the features
within this powerful unit.

Control Panel
For BIAS Distortion Pro pedal, there are 2 major parts of the control panel.

Preset Panel
With a preset knob, 7 parameter knob and a 3-way toggle switch, you can customize the
presets stored in the device.

1. Preset knob - Controls the current engaged preset. Once the parameter changed, LED blinks.
2. GAIN - Controls the amount of distortion.
3. BLEND - Controls the mix ratio of output stage (tone shaping) module.
4. LEVEL - Controls the overall output volume.
5. LOW - Controls the volume of bass range frequency.
6. MID - Controls the volume of mid range frequency.
7. HIGH - Controls the volume of high range frequency.
8. BOOST - Controls the volume of the boost.
9. Boost type - Selects from three different boost type

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 Footswitch panel
With A/B/C and a BOOST footswitch, you can engage/bypass those presets and booster
on stage.

Rear Panel

1. Input - TS Hi-Z input

2. Output - TS output
3. EXP. - TRS for expression pedal
4. USB - Micro USB, for power supply and BIAS Pedal integration
5. MIDI In/Thru - Supports standard MIDI with 5-pin MIDI jack
6. Wireless button/Breathing LED - There are 3 different state of this LED
LED breathes softly when the pedal is on.
LED blinks rapidly - Bluetooth is on
LED stays on - Connecting with App
7. 9VDC Power Jack- Supports 9VDC power supply with negative tips.

Connect
Start using the BIAS Distortion Pro pedal:

Plug in the 9V DC power supply or included micro USB and USB adapter , and connect it to
the power cord from the wall. Once you plug the power in, pedal will automatically turn on
and the LED blinks. If LED is not reacting as you plug the power in, please check your
power supply.

Simply insert the cable connected to your guitar, into INPUT jack located on the I/O panel.

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 Then connect another cable to in the OUTPUT jack on the I/O panel, to a guitar amplifier.

To use expression pedal, plug the pedal in the EXP. jack with TRS cable. Please refer to the
Expression Pedal chapter.

Bypass Mode
Bypass mode is the initial state when the pedal turns on. No preset is on and the input signal
will be passed to the output without modification. You can press A/B/C footswitch to turn on the
preset and begin to shape the tone. Press again to go back to bypass mode.

With BIAS Pedal app, you can choose between True Bypass and Buffer Bypass.

True Bypass
Create a short circuit between input and output to make the bypassed signal untouched and pure.

Buffer Bypass
The signal will still go through our main circuit but bypass the effects. This might slightly affect the
tone but the signal will be boosted a little bit to drive longer with less noise.

The default of BIAS Distortion Pro is buffer bypass and you can switch with BIAS Pedal app or
unplug the power and:
Hold footswitch A and then plug power into engage True Bypass
Hold footswitch B and then plug power into engage Buffer Bypass

BOOST
BIAS Distortion Pro comes with 3 different boost effect.

Boost Type:
Different boost types comes with different tonality

Treble Boost - Boost the volume particularly on the top end

Clean Boost - Boost the volume over the entire frequency range
Fat Boost - Boost the volume particularly on the low-mid range

Boost Position:
Long press Boost footswitch to switch between Pre and Post position of the boost effect.

Pre (Red) - The boost effect is placed before the distortion effect. Pushing the volume will mainly
increase the gain and saturation.
Post (Blue) - The boost effect is placed after the distortion effect. Pushing the volume will mainly
increase the overall volume of the signal.

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Save
Once you reach the result you want, you can save the preset in the device.

Save preset
Once the parameter changed, the preset LED blinks. Hold the preset knob until the LED
stop blinks to save the changes.

*If you want to discard the changes, switch to other presets or go back to bypass mode to leave the
changes.

Save footswitch assignment

Once the preset changed, the footswitch LED blinks. Hold the preset knob until the LED
stop blinking to save the new mapping.

*If you want to discard the changes, press the footswitch again to go back to bypass mode and leave the
changes.

Expression Pedal
Supports expression pedal to continuous control parameters on stage

Connects with standard TRS expression pedal for continuous control the knobs of BIAS
Distortion Pro.

Calibration:
1. Connect with an expression pedal with TRS cable.
2. Hold Wireless button on the rear panel to engage calibration mode and LED A blinks. Turn the
expression to the minimum position and set your knobs to the value of the minimum position. Press
footswitch A to save and B starts to blink.
3. Turn the expression pedal to the maximum position and set the knobs to the value of maximum
position. Press B to complete calibration and leave calibration mode.
4. Hold Wireless button can leave the mode directly.

Control
Once you finish calibrating, simply press the exp pedal and the parameters will change linearly between the
minimum and maximum value.

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MIDI
BIAS DISTORTION Pro Supports standard MIDI commands

MIDI IN - Receive MIDI commands from external MIDI device. Connect the MIDI Out on the MIDI
device to MIDI IN on BIAS Distortion Pro.

MIDI THRU - BIAS DISTORTION Pro will pass the MIDI command it received to MIDI THRU port.
You can connect MIDI THRU to other MIDI device.

MIDI Channel:
Default MIDI Channel is 1. With BIAS Pedal app, you can choose the MIDI channel from 1-16.

Program Change:
Program Change allows you to switch presets with external MIDI device.

PC# Preset
PC# 0 Preset 1
PC# 1 Preset 2
PC# 2 Preset 3
PC# 3 Preset 4
PC# 4 Preset 5
PC# 5 Preset 6
PC# 6 Preset 7
PC# 7 Preset 8
PC# 8 Preset 9
PC# 9 Preset 10
PC# 10 Preset 11
PC# 11 Preset 12
PC# 12 Preset 13
PC# 13 Preset 14
PC# 14 Preset 15

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PC# 15 Preset 16
PC# 16 Preset 17
PC# 17 Preset 18
PC# 18 Preset 19
PC# 19 Preset 20

Control Change:
Control Change allows you to control certain parameter with external MIDI Device

CC# Control Value

CC# 20 LOW 0-127
CC# 21 MID 0-127
CC# 22 HIGH 0-127

CC# 10 MASTER (LEVEL) 0-127

CC# 11 GAIN 0-127
CC# 12 BLEND 0-127

CC# 13 TONE 0-127

CC# 50 Boost knob 0-127
CC# 51 BOOST type 0-2

CC# 80 A Footswitch 0=up, 127=Down

CC# 81 B Footswitch 0=up, 127=Down
CC# 82 C Footswitch 0=up, 127=Down
CC# 83 Boost Footswitch 0=up, 127=Down

CC# 93 Boost Long Press 0=up, 127=Down

CC# 100 Expression Pedal 0-127

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Factory Reset
Factory reset allows you to rest your pedal back to factory default

By holding wireless button and then plug the power in, pedal will engage reset mode. In reset
mode, the LEDs will keep blinking and you can long press wireless button to reset device or
short press to leave. Pedal will then reboot to complete the reset process. You can also reset
the pedal within BIAS Pedal app.

Items which will be reset:

Device name
MIDI setting
Presets
Bypass type

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Technical Specification

Technical Specification PRO

Hardward PRO
Built Full metal framework for strongest built quality
6 tone-shaping knobs plus boost for excellent hardware
Knobs control
Footswitches 4 rugged metal footswitches for preset change and boost
Instrument Input Mono 1/4" TS Hi-Z Input
Expression Pedal Input 1/4" TRS Input
Output Mono 1/4" Output
MIDI 5 pin connectors for In/Thru
USB Connect with BIAS Pedal desktop (PC & Mac) via Micro USB
Bluetooth Connect with BIAS Pedal iPad
9V DC (negative tip required) / Micro USB cable
Power supply 270mA
Dimension (H x W x D) 62.7 x 142 x 227 mm
Weight 1.3 kg

Features PRO
Come with 10 default presets for each bank and able to
Presets import new ones with BIAS Pedal app
Distortion Pro Pedal comes with A/B bank with total 20
Bank presets
MIDI Control Full MIDI Implementation for much more flexible control
Provides an additional boost function with 3 different boost
type to increase additional Gain volume and shape your tone.
Boost Boost can be placed before or after the Distortion pedal.
True bypass True Bypass for the pure sound quality
Connect with EXP. Pedal to real time control any parameter
Expression Pedal on stage

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 Work with BIAS Pedal (Mac, PC and iPad) for pedal
Software customization, preset management and remote controlling
USB connection USB connection with PC & Mac
USB power supply Able to power up the pedal with USB connection
Bluetooth Bluetooth connectivity for BIAS Pedal iOS
Tone Match Allows to match any kind of distortion sound
Tonecloud Share and download tons of distortion sound

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Applications
BIAS Distortion is not only a distortion pedal but also a preamp pedal

Work as Distortion Pedal

With a low gain amplifier, BIAS Distortion can turn it into juicy crunch or brutal high gain
amplifier. You can also add little drive and shape tone for mid-gain amplifier.

Connection:
As a distortion pedal, you can put it in front of the amplifier.

Work as Preamp Pedal

BIAS Distortion pedal is also a preamp pedal. It allows you to boost the signal up to line level
and shape the tone you want. The gain variety from low to high provides the usability for all
conditions.

Connection:
With a guitar/bass amplifier, you can connect the output from BIAS Distortion to
RETURN on the amps effect loop. The signal will directly go to power amp on the amp
and drive the speakers.

With Power amplifier, you can connect the output from BIAS Distortion to the input of
power amp. The signal will the signal will be amplified and drive the speakers.

*BIAS Distortion does not come with cab simulation. Please connect with real cabinets or cab simulation.
Be careful about the volume of power amp and LEVEL on BIAS Distortion. It might be pretty loud.

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BIAS Pedal Integration
BIAS Pedal is the worlds first tone match modeler.

With BIAS Pedal app connecting with BIAS Distortion Pro, you can:

Manage the presets from the pedal

Import new preset to pedal
Import Pedal Match preset to pedal
Real time remote control the pedal
Customize the pedal
Pedal Match
Download preset from ToneCloud

Redeem your BIAS Pedal Desktop

BIAS Distortion Pro comes with a license of BIAS Pedal Distortion Desktop, both Plug-in and
standalone version. You can redeem the application on our web page:
https://store.positivegrid.com

Once you redeem and install BIAS Pedal Desktop, please log in with ToneCloud account to
activate the license.

Plug-in version - Works as a plug-in. You can add BIAS Pedal plug-in to the
audio FX of the DAW.
Standalone version - Works as a standalone application. Supports hardware
integration features.

Download BIAS Pedal Mobile

For BIAS Pedal mobile version, you can download the trial version one Apples App Store. With
trial version, you can connect with BIAS Distortion Pro and access all the features of hardware
integration. You can also unlock full function with in app purchase.

Requirement:

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iOS 9 or above. iPad 3 or above with 400 MB memory storage.

*Also, to prevent inconvenience, we allow you to access all features with Distortion Pro Pedal while connecting with
unlicense app. App will be temporarily unlocked.

Connect with BIAS Pedal Desktop

1. Launch BIAS Pedal Standalone on your Mac/PC.
2. Connect with BIAS Distortion Pro with micro USB. (no additional power supply required)
3. BIAS Pedal will automatically connect with Distortion Pro and switch to remote mode1 .

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In remote mode, BIAS Pedal will function as a remote app. All the UI is to control/reflect the pedal
hardware states.
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Connect with BIAS Pedal Moblie

1. Press the Wireless button on the pedal and LED will blink rapidly, meaning that wireless
is on.
2. Launch BIAS Pedal app and go to Settings => Connect.
3. Follow the instruction and app will connect with your pedal and switch to remote mode.

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Remote Mode
During remote mode, BIAS Pedal is controlling the BIAS DIstortion Pro Pedal.

1. Browse preset menu including presets from device and local

2. Preset actions - You can overwrite current setting, save as new or upload to
ToneCloud
3. In app Purchase - Purchase the full version of BIAS Distortion or Delay
4. Setting Menu - All the settings of device and app
5. Tool Tips
6. Signal Path - Shows all the distortion modules. You can design your own sound
7. BPM Control
8. Store to Pedal - Store current preset to the device
9. Noise Gate
10. Amp Room - Choose the amp model for the distortion pedal to preview the sound
(disable during remote mode)
11. Customize - You can customize the name and look of the pedal

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Signal Path
We visualize the process of the distortion shaping the tone.

1. Custom Panel - Shows the looks of the pedal

2. EQ 1 - There are 3 different EQ module
3. Clipping Stage - Controls the distortion process
4. Output Stage - Controls the tone shaping process
5. EQ 2 - There are 3 different EQ module
6. Power Module - Controls the Compression and output level

Setting Menu

1. Disconnect
Disconnect with the pedal
2. Device Info
Includes Device name, rename, S/N and firmware upgrade
3. Bypass Type
Choose from True Bypass or Buffer Bypass for BIAS
Distortion Pro
4. MIDI Channel
Set the MIDI Channel
5. Backup & Restore
Backup all the presets from device in app. You can restore to
any other BIAS Distortion Pro. Up to 5 backups
6. Factory Reset
Allows you to reset the device to factory default
7. App Information
Including Factory Reset (local), app version and other
information

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Firmware upgrade
We will keep improving and importing new features for BIAS Distortion Pedal

Go to BIAS Pedal info => Firmware upgrade and app will check the latest firmware version to
see if you need to upgrade the device. During firmware upgrade, please do not turn off the
power or disconnect. It might take few minutes to complete.

Please visit our website to find out whats new for each upgrade.

If you accidentally disconnect with pedal or power out during firmware upgrade, dont worry.
Follow these steps and you can recover your pedal easily.

1. After disrupting the upgrade, BIAS Distortion will turn into Bootloader Mode.
2. In Bootloader mode, pedal is not functional but you can still connect with desktop app
with USB cable or mobile app via bluetooth.
3. Once you connect the pedal with app, app will automatically restore BIAS DIstortion.

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http://www.positivegrid.com

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