VOLUME KNOB: The MDV3’s Volume knob is only active while the pedal is turned ON. Unlike previous versions, your V2 can boost above unity as much as
15dB. Settings around 12 to 1 o’clock get “unity gain” which is another way of saying “neither boosting nor cutting the volume.”.
INTENSITY KNOB: Controls the depth of the effect. Increase depth by turning knob clockwise (CW) or decrease by turning counter clockwise (CCW)
CHORUS / VIBRATO SWITCH: Since Univibes were really 4-stage Phasers, “Chorus” is a misnomer, but was the “Trower/Hendrix” setting on Univibes back in
the 60s & 70s. Chorus mode is the lush, watery swirling sound most associated with David Gilmour, Robin Trower, Frank Marino, and Jimi Hendrix. “Vibrato” is
simply the pitch bending up and down and can be best described as very similar to the vibrato effect on Clapton’s guitar on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
VINTAGE / MODERN SWITCH: Offers a choice between traditional “Vintage” warm-voiced preamp (ala a vintage Univibe) and “Modern” for a slightly more
sparkly, present sound.
LED: This bright blue lens tells you when the pedal is ON and pulses to the speed that the pedal is modulating.
IN JACK: Plug cable from your guitar into this, or the cable coming from the “out” of another effect.
OUT JACK: Plug the cable going to your amp into this, or the cable going to the “input” of another effect.
ON/OFF TRUE-BYPASS FOOTSWITCH: Located to the left of the bottom of the Treadle, use your toe or your heel to turn the pedal on or off!
TREADLE FEEL ADJUSTMENT: The Treadle resistance is fully adjustable softer or harder depending on how tight the Nut on the treadle axle-bolt (see Diagram 2, below) is set.
For a softer feel, grab a couple of 7/16” wrenches and turn the axle-nut CCW, not more than a 1/4-turn at a time. To tighten the feel of the treadle, turn the nut CW about a
1/4-turn. Warning! Never exceed 37 ft. lbs. of torque on this nut as overtightening can lead to bending of the steel treadle and its bracket, causing damage to the pedal.
POWER REQUIREMENTS: You may only use 18VDC with the MDV-3. It comes with a Fulltone IPS-18 (18VDC 500mA) power supply that will work in any country. Our power
supply is the only switching-type that does not hum, hiss, or high-pitched squealing that all other switching-type adapters exhibit. We have gone to great lengths to design and
manufacture a power supply that is dead quiet. If you must use a different power supply, you must use a power supply that is 18 volts DC, and offering at least 50mA of
current, or higher. DC pots is a standard 2.1mm x 5.5mm barrel connector configured Center-Negative.
If you use a pedalboard multi-power supply, make sure to use one that is regulated and has discrete (Isolated) outputs so that only clean DC is supplied. If you use an 18VDC
power supply that does not offer enough current, the MDV3’s bulb will be dimmer and the overall effect will be weaker sounding.
INTERNAL TRIMMERS (see DIAGRAM 1) There are 3 internal trimmers that are adjusted by us during final testing. There is no need for you to change these settings although
they are marked so that you can return to “factory settings” should they get out of adjustment. Improper settings will make your unit sound odd and/or anemic, or could render it
incapable of acheiving the full range of available speeds. If your unit is sounding odd , it might be that you are using a power supply that does not offer enough current, and have
nothing to do with these trimmers.
Trimmer #1 Intensity : allows you to fine-tune the amount of current that gets to the light bulb thus adjusting the amount of pitch-bend Vibrato and Phasing. This is set at our
shop and should not be touched but (if need be) should only be adjusted by someone who understands the nature of the circuit and how the Lightbulb affects the overall sound.
The Trimmer is accessible by removing the four screws holding the rubber feet and removing the bottomplate. Use a small slotted or Phillips-head screw driver to turn the
Trimmer slightly Counter Clock-Wise (CCW) to DECREASE bulb brightness and the Phase swoosh. Turn slightly CW to INCREASE bulb brightness and “Phase Swoosh.” You
have to use your ears, but our optimal setting is marked on the trimmer should you want to return
to the factory setting.
Trimmer #2 Symmetry : allows subtle change to the rythmic feel of the oscillator to fine tune the heartbeat-like feel that’s a hallmark of a properly-made Univibe clone. It’s ok to
mess with this trimmer, as it’s simply a matter of personal preference...just use your ears!
Trimmer #3 Exp Max : Caution! This trimmer determines the available speed range and should not be changed unless you consult with us first. Having said that, turning this
trimmer CW increases available fastest speeds while sacrificing the slowest speeds. Turning this trimmer CCW gives slower slow speeds at the cost of the fastest speeds. This
trimmer is adjusted to give the best slower speeds, which yield the more usable sounds on a ‘vibe.