The Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe is a resonant 4-pole lowpass filter pedal inspired by synthesizers, with deep envelope capabilities and expression control1. Where the original Xerograph is a static and foot-swept filter, the Deluxe adds an envelope follower, so it can create envelope filter sounds from classic auto-wah to modern subtractive synthesis, downward envelopes, and triggered slow synth sweeps2.
Iron Ether describes the pedal as a filter pedal at heart: the Frequency knob sets the cutoff frequency, removing frequencies above that point, and a 2-pole/4-pole switch chooses between two filter characters2.
An envelope filter with a 4-pole mode
The Xerograph Deluxe is a lowpass filter: it removes frequencies above the cutoff point set by the Frequency knob, and the resonance of the filter can be pushed to emphasize the cutoff point itself. The 2-pole/4-pole switch selects between two characters. Iron Ether describes 2-pole mode as a classic, funky filter with a wide, vocal-like resonance peak, and 4-pole mode as a fat, deep, and synthy filter with a sharp resonance peak2.
The envelope follower is what separates the Deluxe from a plain swept filter. An envelope stomp switch activates the follower, with an LED that changes from blue to turquoise when the envelope is on2. With the envelope active, the filter responds to the dynamics of your playing, which puts it in envelope filter and auto-wah territory, and Iron Ether says it reaches from classic auto-wah sounds through modern subtractive synthesis, downward envelopes, and triggered slow synth sweeps2.
| Control or switch | What it does |
|---|---|
| Frequency knob | Sets the cutoff frequency of the filter, removing frequencies above this point; with an expression pedal connected, it sets the minimum frequency of the sweep2 |
| Exp knob | Expression attenuator, limits the range of a connected expression pedal2 |
| 2-pole/4-pole switch | Chooses between a classic, funky 2-pole filter with a wide, vocal-like resonance peak and a fat, deep, synthy 4-pole filter with a sharp resonance peak2 |
| Envelope stomp switch | Activates the envelope follower; LED changes from blue to turquoise when engaged2 |
The current batch of the pedal features 3d-engraved graphics, painted in black and finished by hand, so each one looks slightly unique1.
Power and connections
The Xerograph Deluxe runs on an industry-standard 9 volt DC center-negative power supply and draws 85mA2. All jacks are located at the top of the pedal to save pedalboard space2.
At 85mA, the Xerograph Deluxe draws more current than many analog drives and fuzzes. If you power a board from a single supply, check that the output can cover it along with everything else.
The pedal measures 4.7" x 2.5" (12cm x 6.3cm), the same footprint as the original Xerograph24.
Expression pedal control
Connecting a passive expression pedal to the expression jack lets you control the frequency of the filter with your foot4. On the Deluxe, the Exp knob acts as a limiter on the expression pedal's range: combined with the Frequency knob, which sets the minimum frequency of the sweep, the expression pedal can be set to cover any frequency range2.
The Exp knob is new in Version 2 of the pedal. Iron Ether retooled the XD with the new expression attenuator knob and a stomp switch to activate the envelope follower2.
How it differs from the original Xerograph
The original Xerograph is a fat, synth-inspired 4-pole resonant lowpass filter with expression pedal control5. It is not an envelope filter or auto-wah. Iron Ether is blunt about this on the original's product page:
"This is not an envelope filter/auto-wah. It will not go wopwopwop or bzeeeyow with the dynamics of each note you play5."
Iron Ether product page5
The Xerograph Deluxe keeps the dubby static lowpass sounds and foot-swept resonant filter sweeps of the original and adds the envelope follower, which is what makes the dynamic, note-tracking filter sounds possible2. In short, if you want a filter that responds to how hard you play, Iron Ether points you to the Deluxe5.
The two pedals share the same footprint, the same 9V DC center-negative power requirement, and the same 85mA current draw24. The original also features CNC-engraved graphics, hand-finished with black lettering, so each one looks slightly different5.
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Questions
Does the Xerograph Deluxe take an expression pedal?
Yes. It has an expression jack that accepts a passive expression pedal, letting you sweep the filter frequency with your foot. The Exp knob acts as a limiter on the expression pedal's range, so combined with the Frequency knob you can set the pedal to cover any frequency range you want.
What power supply does the Xerograph Deluxe need?
It runs on an industry-standard 9 volt DC center-negative power supply and draws 85mA. That current draw is high enough that a typical daisy chain shared with several other pedals may not be ideal, but the voltage and polarity are the common standard.
What does the Exp knob do on the Xerograph Deluxe?
The Exp knob is an expression attenuator added in Version 2. It limits the range of a connected expression pedal, so that together with the Frequency knob, which sets the minimum frequency of the sweep, the expression pedal can be set to cover any frequency range.
How big is the Xerograph Deluxe?
It measures 4.7 inches by 2.5 inches (12cm by 6.3cm), the same footprint as the original Xerograph. All jacks are located at the top of the pedal to save pedalboard space.
Where can I find the Xerograph Deluxe manual?
Iron Ether publishes the owners manual as a PDF on its site, linked from the Xerograph Deluxe product and features pages. It covers the controls, the envelope follower switch, and expression pedal setup.
Sources (5)
- Xerograph Deluxe, Iron Ether
- Xerograph Deluxe, Iron Ether
- Super Arcing Prisms, Iron Ether
- Xerograph, Iron Ether
- Xerograph, Iron Ether