(firmware 1.1.23)
Bubbles V.3 is a delay that expands greatly on the previous iterations of Bubbles. Like previous Bubbles, Bubbles V.3 uses a PT2399 delay chip that can be addressed with a step sequencer. Unlike previous Bubbles pedals, Bubbles V.3 actually uses two PT2399 delays and two sequencers, controlled by a microcontroller. So it’s basically two Bubbles V.2 pedals in one unit with many new ways to manipulate them.
Before you start
- Bubbles V.3 is very flexible when it comes to power. You can either just use the USB-C connector (a lot of work has gone into making it pick up as little noise as possible, but its still gonna be noticeable if using a noisy power source, since the audio path is very analog). Or you can power it with a 9-12V center negative or positive power supply in the 2.1mm barrel jack (because I got tired of pedals being stuck with 9V center negative).
- The PT2399 delays in Bubbles can be driven to the point of locking up (No audio passes anymore). Bubbles is designed like this intentionally. As the delay gets longer, the fidelity decreases and, as it approaches locking up, audible artifacts form (Where Bubbles gets its name). The severity of this can be calibrated by holding Rocker Left (left delay) or Rocker Right (right delay) and moving the slider. As you move it right, the delay time increases until you hit a point where it locks up. Stop anywhere to the left of that to set the max delay point for the mode you’re on.
- The two delays (And their corresponding sequencers) are named "Left" and "Right". This corresponds to where its controls are on the top panel. For the purposes of delay mode, Left is first and Right is second (see the Controls section). We have internally addressed the left sequencer as the "main" sequencer, so this is the sequencer that the midi/clock/cv output signals will follow.
Contents
- Physical
- Controls
- LEDs
- Mode Selection
- Bubbles’ Behaviors
- Clock Sources
- Triple Bypass 🌢
- Tone Switches
- Slider Recording
- Mode Pages
- Firmware Update
Physical ▲
Top Panel Controls ▲
- Mix Knobs: Adjust the wet/dry mix of associated delay. CCW = Dry, CW = Wet.
- Slider: Adjusts different things depending on the mode (See Mode Pages).
- Feedback Knobs: Adjust feedback of associated delay. CCW = No feedback, CW = Self-oscillate.
- Encoders: Adjust tempo and steps of associated sequencer.
- Mini Buttons: Cycle through "bubble bounce behavior" for associated sequencer.
- Tone Switches: Set the tone of the associated delay. Up = Bright, Down = Warm.
- Step Knobs: Each knob represents a step in a sequencer.
- Mode Rocker: Used for Mode Selection.
- Function Button ⚙ (Left key switch): Used in combination with other controls for various operations.
- Bypass Button 🌢 (Right key switch): Toggle bypass. The pedal is active when this button is lit.
- CV Output Jack: Outputs CV signal of the first (left) sequencer.
- Clock IN Jack: Reads analog clock triggers.
- Clock OUT Jack: Sends analog clock triggers.
Enclosure Mounted Jacks ▲
- MIDI Jacks: MIDI input/output for midi clock and start/stop messages.
- Expression Input: Red Ring. Standard guitar pedal expression input.
- Signal Input: Black Ring
- Signal Output: White Ring
Controls ▲
"Encoder" means press one of the encoders.
"Encoder turn" means to rotate the encoder.
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Bypass effect | Bypass 🌢 |
| Series / Parallel toggle | Function ⚙ + Bypass 🌢 |
| Change mode | Rocker Left / Right |
| Change "Mode Page" | Function ⚙ + Rocker Left / Right |
| Cycle "Bubble Bounce Behavior" | Mini Button |
| Change Sequencer Clock Source | Function ⚙ + Mini Button |
| Change Tempo (internal clock) | Encoder Turn |
| Multiply / Divide Sequencer Clock (internal clock) | Function ⚙ + Encoder Turn |
| Multiply / Divide Sequencer Clock (external clock) | Encoder Turn |
| Tap Tempo, Step or "Phase Shift" (depends on clock source) | Encoder Press |
| Set tempo of (first) held sequencer to tempo of (second) pressed sequencer | Encoder(press and hold) + Encoder Press |
| Sequencer Start (left sequencer also sends MIDI START message) | Function ⚙ + Encoder |
| Sequencer Stop (left sequencer also sends MIDI STOP message) | Function ⚙ + Encoder |
| Set "Triple Bypass" Clock Source | Bypass 🌢 + Either Mini Button |
| Record Slider Movement | Function ⚙ + Slider |
| Cancel Slider Recording | Function ⚙ double tap |
| Reset To Defaults | Function ⚙ hold on power up |
| Edit Sequencer Amount Of Steps | Encoder Press + Turn (to start editing) when editing, the left encoder now sets first step and right sets last step. |
LEDs ▲
| LED | Communicates |
|---|---|
| Slider left | LFO 1 |
| Slider right | LFO 2 |
| Slider middle | Clock Input |
| Feedback Knob | Multiplied or Divided clock pulse |
| Encoder | Base clock pulse |
Mode Selection ▲
Bubbles V.3 has various interesting ways of modulating the PT2399 (LFO, portamento, etc). These are introduced by selecting a mode. Each mode has a primary and secondary parameter controlled by the Step knobs and the slider. For a reference of all modes and their parameter assignments, see the Mode Pages section).
To begin changing the mode, rock Left or Right on the Mode Rocker. The lights will illuminate in a color to indicate the current mode variation page and the mode you are on is indicated by a Step knob being lit in that color. To change mode, rock Left or Right. To change the mode variation page, either hold Function ⚙ and rock Left or Right or press the left or right Encoder. The mode Selection interface will go away after not pressing anything for a bit.
Note: Bubbles V.3 will boot on the mode it was last on when powered down. For the first boot ever, it will start on mode 1.1 and be in Parallel delay mode. This section assumes mode 1.1. See further sections for details on how the active mode changes operation.
Bubbles’ Behaviors ▲
As a sequencer moves through its steps, it hits the end of of its bounds or the active step of the other sequencer. The bubble behaviors set what the sequencer does in those moments. Pressing the mini button on the side of the sequencer to be changed will cycle the two lights near it to indicate what behaviors are active:
| LED | When Lit | When Off |
|---|---|---|
 |
After sequencer reaches boundary, direction reverses | After sequencer reaches last step, it jumps back to first step |
 |
When sequencer reaches current step of other sequencer, it shares | When sequencer reaches current step of other sequencer, direction reverses |
Clock Sources ▲
In addition to its internal clock and manual mode, Bubbles can read clock from Clock In (5V trigger), Serial MIDI In, USB MIDI In, and Expression.
To set the clock source for a sequencer, hold Function ⚙ and press the Mini button on the side of the sequencer you want to change. The step LED will light up above the current clock source (labeled on front panel), and pressing Mini repeatedly while holding Function ⚙ will cycle the source. (This is the same for setting triple bypass clock, but then it cycles in with a Red LED).
| Clock Source | Panel Label | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Internal | INT. | Internal clock that responds to tap tempo |
| Manual | MAN. | Sequencer steps manually by pressing the encoder for the sequencer you want to move. Pressing Function ⚙ will move both sequencers at once if they're both set to this clock source |
| USB MIDI | USB | Clock from USB MIDI input |
| Serial MIDI | MIDI | Clock from serial MIDI input |
| Clock In | CLK | Clock from CLOCK IN jack (5V trigger) |
| Expression | EXP | Moving the expression pedal moves the sequencer |
| All | ALL | Any pulse from any connected clock moves the sequencer |
Triple Bypass 🌢 (Right key switch) ▲
The Bypass 🌢 button works like any other bypass when you press it normally, but it has some added features.
If you hold Bypass 🌢 down the bypass state will change, then change back when you release it. If you double-tap the Bypass 🌢 button, the bypass state will toggle in sync with whatever clock source you have set it to. To edit the clock source just press and hold the Bypass 🌢 button and then press either mini button. The step LED will light up in red above the current clock source (labeled on front panel).
Tone Switches ▲
Each delay has a tone switch. It switches between two different filters for the delay.
Slider Recording ▲
Slider motion can be recorded. Hold down Function ⚙ while moving the slider (button will light red), and release Function ⚙ when you want to stop recording. The Function ⚙ button will light green to indicate recording is playing back, and the slider LED will also show level. To stop playback and discard recording, double-tap Function ⚙.
Mode Pages (Function + Rocker) ▲
Here’s a full list of all the modes.
Pink (Blue) - Basic Delays ▲
| Step Knobs | Slider | Expression | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delay time | Delay range | (same as slider) |
| 2 | Delay time | Delay range dichotomized | (same as slider) |
| 3 | Delay time | Delay range, Left sequencer only | (same as slider) |
| 4 | Delay time | Delay range, Right sequencer only | (same as slider) |
Yellow (Red) - Portamento ▲
| Step Knobs | Slider | Expression | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delay time | Portamento speed | Delay range |
| 2 | Delay time | Portamento speed dichotomized | Delay range |
| 3 | Delay Time | Portamento Speed (Left Yellow), Delay Range (Right Red) | Delay Range |
Teal (Lime Yellow) - LFO ▲
| Step Knobs | Slider | Expression | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LFO speed | LFO depth | (same as slider) | LFO on both sequencers |
| 2 | LFO speed | LFO depth | (same as slider) | LFO on Left only |
| 3 | LFO speed | LFO depth | (same as slider) | LFO on Right only |
| 4 | LFO speed | LFO depth dichotomized | (same as slider) | LFO on both sequencers |
| 5 | LFO depth | LFO speed | (same as slider) | LFO on both sequencers |
| 6 | LFO depth | LFO speed | (same as slider) | LFO on Left only |
| 7 | LFO depth | LFO speed | (same as slider) | LFO on Right only |
| 8 | LFO depth | LFO speed dichotomized | (same as slider) | LFO on both sequencers |
Blue (Green) - Square LFO ▲
The sames as regular LFO, just with a Square wave LFO instead of Sine.
Red (Blue) - Silencer ▲
The effect is muted at a rate set by controls.
| Step Knobs | Slider | Expression | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silencer speed (R), Delay range (L) | Delay time | (same as slider) | Silencer on Right only |
| 2 | Silencer speed (L), Delay range (R) | Delay time | (same as slider) | Silencer on Left only |
| 3 | Silencer Speed | Delay time | (same as slider) | Silencer on Both |
Firmware Update ▲
It’s very easy to update the firmware for Bubbles V.3. Once you have downloaded the latest firmware from the website all you need is a USB-C cable to connect the pedal to your computer.
- Find the tiny button at the back of the pedal next to the USB-C port.
- Connect one end of your USB-C cable to your computer, then press and hold the tiny button at the same time as plugging the other end of the USB-C into the pedal.
- The pedal should now appear in your computer’s file-system as a drive. (You can let go of the button now!)
- On your computer drag and drop the .uf2 file onto the root of the Bubbles drive. The pedal will sense the file and automatically update itself and restart.
- Once the pedal has restarted disconnect your USB-C cable one more time.
- Press and hold the Function ⚙ button at the bottom-left of the pedal while plugging the USB-C cable back in. This resets the pedal and Bubbles will now flash the new firmware. Your LEDs will
before doing the usual rainbow start pattern. - Finished!
You can download the latest firmware (version 1.1) and read or download the Bubbles V.3 User Guide at: magpiestuff.com/bubbles-v3/