Stratus FAQ | Help Center

• How do I update Stratus' firmware?

To update Stratus' firmware, download the Stratus Update Tool located at www.chaosaudio.com/downloads Update Instructions 1. Connect your Stratus to your computer via USB-C. 2. Wait for Stratus to fully boot. 3. Run Stratus Update Tool as described below for your operating system. 4. Click "Check for updates". 5. Click "Connect the Pedal". 6. Click "Update". 7. Stratus will flash red and yellow upon successful update. 8. Do not unplug Stratus until the Stratus Update Tool indicates that the update is 100% complete. Download Instructions Windows: 1. Download the Windows application 2. Follow the prompts in the Microsoft Store for easy installation 3. Launch the update tool from your Microsoft Store Library Mac: 1. Download the Mac application 2. Follow the prompts in the App Store for easy installation 3. Launch the update tool from Launchpad (or how you normally would for any other Mac application) NOTE: Must be running macOS Big Sur 11.0 or higher. **TROUBLESHOOTING ** If you're having problems updating your Stratus, try the following steps: 1. Try using a different USB-C cable to complete the update. 2. Try relaunching Stratus Update Tool, and try unplugging and re-plugging your Stratus pedal. 3. Try restarting your computer. 4. If you're getting a "Failed to connect the pedal" error, please make sure the pedal is fully booted and that you're not simultaneously running a virtual machine (like Parallels for Mac). If you have any other questions please email us at support@chaosaudio.com

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• Do I always need an internet connection to use the app/Stratus?

You’ll need an internet connection to: - download the app. - sign into the app. - download new effects from our store. - update pedal firmware with the Stratus Update Tool. The rest of Stratus' functionality is not dependent on an internet connection. All communication between the pedal and the device is handled without access to the internet. So once you download the app and desired effects, Stratus is ready to rock!

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• Why is it called Stratus?

CEO of Chaos Audio, Landon McCoy, was 18 years old he journeyed abroad with nothing but his electric guitar and a portable amp. While hiking one day he met a wise man playing the guitar at the base of a mountain. This man went by the name "Stratus". He took Landon to his mountain shanty where he had hundreds of handmade unmarked analog guitar pedals. It was in this shack that Landon McCoy learned the ancient secrets of guitar effects from a wise man named Stratus. Thus, he named our multi-fx, app-connected guitar pedal, Stratus, in honor of his mysterious mountain-man sage mentor. Just kidding, he thought of the name in the shower and it sounds cool. If you have any other questions feel free to email us at support@chaosaudio.com.

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• Do you offer returns for Stratus?

Thank you for being a Chaos Audio customer! We're so confident you'll love Stratus®, we're happy to offer 30-Day Hassle-Free Returns. If for some unimaginable reason you don’t like the coolest guitar pedal in the world and want to return your Stratus within 30 days of the date you received it, please email us at support@chaosaudio.com to start the process. More information below: U.S. Standard Return Policy There are a few important things to keep in mind when returning a product you purchased online from Chaos Audio: - You have 30 calendar days to return an item from the date you received it. - Only items that have been purchased directly from Chaos Audio can be returned to Chaos Audio. Chaos Audio products purchased through other retailers must be returned in accordance with their respective returns and refunds policy. - Please ensure that the item you're returning is repackaged with all the cords, adapters and documentation that were included when you received it, otherwise you may be subject to additional fees. There are some items, however, that are ineligible for return, including: - Chaos Audio Gift Cards - Chaos Audio products used for software development International Standard Return Policy There are a few important things to keep in mind when returning a product you purchased online from Chaos Audio, which was shipped to any location outside of the United States: - You have 30 calendar days to return an item from the date you received it. - Only items that have been purchased directly from Chaos Audio can be returned to Chaos Audio. Chaos Audio products purchased through other retailers must be returned in accordance with their respective returns and refunds policy. - Please ensure that the item you're returning is repackaged with all the cords, adapters and documentation that were included when you received it. - Chaos Audio is not responsible for any return shipping charges or associated duties + taxes. There are some items, however, that are ineligible for return, including: - Chaos Audio Gift Cards - Chaos Audio products used for software development If you have any other questions, please email us at support@chaosaudio.com.

Last updated on Mar 26, 2025

• Can I take it apart?

Listen, we've been taking this thing apart and putting it back together since 2019. We know it sounds fun. But taking it apart is not that exciting if we're being honest. DISASSEMBLING STRATUS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY It's a free world, so do what you want... but keep this in mind! If you have any other questions feel free to email us at support@chaosaudio.com.

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• Why is Stratus Update Tool not launching on Mac?

This is likely occurring due to a known but undiagnosed software issue. Please restart your computer and attempt to launch Stratus Update Tool again! If you're still having trouble, please email support@chaosaudio.com.

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• What is Stratus' Warranty?

We want you to be happy with Stratus. So here's our super simple warranty! Stratus has a limited 1-year warranty. If you encounter any critical defects in your Stratus, please submit a warranty claim to support@chaosaudio.com. If your situation falls under warranty we will repair or replace your unit at no additional cost. This warranty does not cover: - Stratus units that are disassembled by the customer - Stratus units purchased on resale marketplaces. (If a resale unit you purchased is defective, please reach out to us anyway to see if we can help.) - Damage from physical abuse. Drops, impacts, damaged components/enclosure due to negligence. - Damage from liquid contamination (water, Baja Blast, Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Juice, etc). - Damage resulting from any use other than what it was intended for. - Any unit that has been repaired or had an attempted repair made to it by unauthorized personnel. (aka anyone that isn't Chaos Audio... there are only 2 of us, we'll know if we repaired it) - Damage due to incorrect connection, connection to faulty equipment, or connection to faulty or incorrect power supplies. More Info If you have any other questions, please email us at support@chaosaudio.com

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• Where is my email verification code?

The email containing your verification code will come from “noreply@chaosaudio.com” and may take up to 30 minutes to arrive in your inbox. Your email service may sort it into your spam/junk folder. If you don't see the code after 30 minutes, please check your spam folder. You can also try searching "noreply@chaosaudio.com" in your email boxes to find and retrieve it that way (so you don't have to confront your collection of 2,000+ old emails). If you're still having trouble, please email us at support@chaosaudio.com

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• Issues connecting to Stratus on Android?

If you're on Android and "Stratus" is not showing up as an available device or you're having other difficulties, please try the following steps: First, please make sure "Location" is enabled via the top pull-down menu of your smartphone. Next, go to "Android Settings" -> "Apps" -> "All Apps" -> "Chaos Audio" -> "Permissions" -> "Location" -> set to "Allow" On Android, "Location" permissions are required for any app that connects to another device over any wireless connection other than Wi-Fi. This is because a scan could potentially be used to gather information about the location of a user. Also, please ensure that permissions are enabled for "Media and storage" if that permission is denied. If you're still running into trouble, hit us up at support@chaosaudio.com!

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• What order do effects go in?

The signal chain on the virtual pedalboard flows from left to right. While there are absolutely NO rules and you should do whatever you think sounds/functions best, a general guideline of effects chain order would look something like this: - Fuzz - Dynamics/Pitch/Filter - Drive/Distortion/Boost - Amp/Cab - Modulation - Delay - Reverb

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

Can I control Stratus without the app?

Yes! There are three ways to control effects and presets: 1. Live Mode. Live Mode is the hands-free way to toggle individual effects or presets. To enter Live Mode, simply hold down the foot switch for 3 seconds, and hold the Multiknob while in Live Mode to alternate between Stompbox Control and Preset Control. 2. MIDI with USB-C. Connect Stratus® to your favorite MIDI controller via USB host, and use MIDI PC messages to instantly call up any of your (up to) 128 presets. Presets can consist of a single effect or multiple effects (all with custom knob and switch settings), and presets can be downloaded from the app onto Stratus wirelessly for use even when the app is not connected to Stratus. You can also use MIDI to toggle individual effects, control the looper, and control the volume. Learn more here. 3. The Chaos Audio mobile app. From the app, you can add effects to your chain, adjust individual parameters, turn individual effects on and off, and load different presets. We have plans for products and software updates to make Stratus even easier to control live, and we're excited to show you what we're working on. If you have any other questions, please email us at support@chaosaudio.com

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• How many effects can I chain together?

While using Stratus you can chain multiple effects together at once. Each effect uses a different amount of processing power, so the total amount varies. Once you reach Stratus' dynamic CPU limit, a dialog box will display on the app letting you know. On average, Stratus can typically run at least 5 effects at once, however the total number may range from 2-10, depending on which effects you're using. You are also able to add multiple instances of a single effect to your digital pedalboard. If you have any other questions, please email us at support@chaosaudio.com

Last updated on Mar 25, 2025

• Whats the Multiknob for?

Multiple things, depending on what control you need at that time! It’s used for master volume of your effects chain, toggling between effects to enable/disable, selecting different presets, and more. Learn more about Stratus' different modes here. More purposes can be added/improved as we develop them. Access to those features can be gained via software updates once those are released.

Last updated on Mar 26, 2025