The Iron Ether Subterranea is a multi-timbral analog pitch-tracking oscillator and octave pedal. It tracks the notes you play and generates three synth-style voices: a beefy low Octave with variable harmonics via the Timbre knob, plus an Octo Synth voice and a Uni Synth voice, each with its own waveform switch. Iron Ether designed it in collaboration with engineer Don Stavely, and it was released in 2013.1
The controls
The Subterranea's front panel combines knobs for the octave and clean levels with switches that set the waveform of each synth voice2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Timbre | Harmonic complexity of the Octave voice2 |
| Clean | Volume of the original input signal2 |
| Octo Synth waveform switch | Selects between a saw, narrow pulse, or square wave for the Octo Synth voice2 |
| Uni Synth waveform switch | Selects between a saw, narrow pulse, or square wave for the Uni Synth voice2 |
The Timbre knob shapes how harmonically complex the low Octave voice sounds, while the Clean knob sets how much of your untouched guitar signal sits underneath the synth voices. The two waveform switches give each synth voice a choice of saw, narrow pulse, or square wave, so the Octo Synth and Uni Synth can be set to different waveforms at the same time.2
Power, bypass and enclosure
The Subterranea runs on an industry-standard 9 volt DC center negative power supply and draws 45mA. It uses relay-based true bypass. The enclosure measures 4.7" x 2.5" (12cm x 6.3cm).2
Each Subterranea is individually machine engraved and painted. Iron Ether states that no two will look identical, with small individual variations within the same color scheme and style.2
Videos
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Questions
Who designed the Iron Ether Subterranea?
The Subterranea was designed in collaboration with engineer Don Stavely, according to Iron Ether's product page. Iron Ether is the maker, and the pedal was released in 2013.
Does the Iron Ether Subterranea use relay bypass?
Yes. Iron Ether specifies relay-based true bypass for the Subterranea, so the pedal switches with a relay and passes your signal unaltered when off.
What waveforms does the Octo Synth voice offer?
The Octo Synth waveform switch selects between a saw, a narrow pulse, or a square wave for the Octo Synth voice. The Uni Synth voice has its own switch with the same three waveform choices.
What polarity does the Subterranea power supply need?
The Subterranea runs on an industry-standard 9 volt DC center negative power supply, with a current draw of 45mA.
Is the Iron Ether Subterranea analog?
Yes. Iron Ether describes the Subterranea as a multi-timbral analog pitch-tracking oscillator and octave pedal.
Sources (3)
- Subterrograph, Iron Ether
- Subterranea, Iron Ether
- Arcing Prisms, Iron Ether