The Copilot FX Gyroscope is a filter pedal with LFO modulation: an oscillator sweeps the filter to create movement in your tone, which the maker describes as "creating some phaser, vibe, trem-like sounds"1. It sits in the wider family of filter pedals, and Copilot FX pitches it at "the guitar, bass or synth player"1.
Controls
The Gyroscope's front panel is built around the LFO and its speed, with a volume control feeding the filter21.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Wave | Sets the LFO waveshape, in order: Square, Sine, Sample and Hold, Triangle, Staircase, Ramp up2 |
| Speed | Sets the LFO rate in manual mode, or the tap ratio multiplier in tap mode1 |
| Tap/Rate switch | Left: speed set by the Speed knob. Right: tap tempo mode2 |
| Tap switch | Tap twice to set the tempo when the switch is right; the LFO adjusts to the tapped tempo2 |
| Vol | Input volume to the filter2 |
The LFO offers six waveforms: "square, sine, sample and hold, triangle, staircase and ramp up waves"1. Each shape changes the character of the sweep, from the smooth cycle of a sine to the stepped, random jumps of sample and hold.
Tap tempo and external control
The Tap/Rate switch is the heart of how the Gyroscope moves. Set left, the Speed knob works as a traditional speed control for the LFO. Set right, the pedal runs in tap tempo mode: tap twice on the tap switch and the LFO adjusts to your tapped tempo, with the Speed knob then choosing the ratio2.
In tap mode the pedal gives "tap ratios of x1, x2, x3, x4, x8 and x1/2 of your taps"1, so one tap pattern can drive the LFO at double speed, half speed, or anywhere between.
For external control, the Expression Jack takes "external control of the LFO rate or tap ratio via a TRS expression jack or 0-5v CV signal"1. The earlier manual describes the same jack as an "Expression Input (TRS) for the rate/ratio: External control of the speed/ratio via a TRS expression pedal"2. A volume pedal-style TRS expression pedal or a synth-style CV source can therefore ride the sweep speed as you play. Copilot FX also lists the Gyroscope as compatible with its Broadcast, Broadband and Bandwidth pedals1.
Power
The Gyroscope runs only from a DC 9V power jack, center negative, drawing 10mA or higher21. There is no battery option1, so a standard 9V pedal supply is required; the modest 10mA draw means most supplies on a board can carry it.
The Gyroscope has no battery option and needs its own 9V DC center negative supply at 10mA or higher21.
Build
The enclosure is a powder coated aluminum case with silk screened artwork in enamel ink1. The input jack accepts a signal from your instrument or the output of another pedal, and the output runs to another effects pedal or an amplifier2.
Videos
Copilot Fx
Copilot Fx
Copilot Fx
Questions
What LFO waveforms does the Copilot FX Gyroscope have?
The Gyroscope's LFO offers six waveforms, selected with the Wave knob in this order: square, sine, sample and hold, triangle, staircase and ramp up. Each shape changes how the filter moves, from smooth sine sweeps to the stepped, random character of sample and hold.
Does the Gyroscope have tap tempo?
Yes. The Tap/Rate switch selects tap tempo mode when set to the right; tap twice on the tap switch to set the LFO speed. The Speed knob then sets the tap ratio, with multipliers of x1, x2, x3, x4, x8 and x1/2 of your taps. Set left, the switch puts the LFO rate under the Speed knob as a traditional speed control.
Can I control the Gyroscope with an expression pedal?
Yes. The Expression Jack takes external control of the LFO rate or tap ratio via a TRS expression pedal or a 0-5V CV signal. The maker's product page also notes it is compatible with the Broadcast, Broadband and Bandwidth pedals.
Does the Copilot FX Gyroscope take a battery?
No. The maker's product page lists no battery option, so the pedal runs only from a DC 9V power jack, center negative, drawing 10mA or higher.
Can the Gyroscope be used with bass or synth?
Yes. Copilot FX describes the Gyroscope as offering plenty of controls and options for the guitar, bass or synth player, and the input jack accepts a signal from your instrument or the output of another pedal.
What power supply does the Copilot FX Gyroscope need?
A 9V DC adapter with a center negative plug, supplying 10mA or higher. There is no battery option, so a suitable 9V supply is required to run the pedal.
Sources (2)
- Copilot Fx Gyroscope Modulated Filter Pedal, Copilot Fx, 2017
- Microsoft Word, Copilot FX, 2015