Custom & limited edition of the micro sampler / granular texture generator pedal.
Based on the original reVOLVER II, this version of the pedal features a longer 4 seconds sample buffer and a new set of working modes aimed at generating many types of repeated or randomized drone sounds.
Controls:
- SPEED: depending on the working mode, this knob controls the play speed of the sample (=pitch), self retriggering rate or it's range in the randomized mode. More detailed description is shown in the table below.
- TIME: sample buffer maximum size, range from 20ms to 4 sec.
- MODE: working mode selector, there are 8 different modes available. See the table below for details of operation.
- TONE: filter control for the wet (sampled) signal. Range from lowpass, through flat to highpass.
- EF. LEVEL: wet signal volume control.
- DRY: (toggle switch) adds or mutes the original (dry) signal.
- CAPTURE: (footswitch) used to capture a new sample or to start the automatic retriggering.
- ON-OFF/MODE: (footswitch) sets the pedal into bypass mode or plays the last recorded sample.
- INPUT GAIN: (internal switch) allows to adjust the input gain of the pedal to match the incoming signal level, settings: Line or Instrument.
Capturing the sample:
- Set the desired maximum size of the sample buffer with the TIME knob.
- Press the CAPTURE footswitch and hold it down, the new sample will be recorded.
- Release the CAPTURE footswitch to stop the recording. Pedal immediately starts to play the sample. This option allows to record a shorter sample than the maximum buffer length setting (TIME knob).
- If the CAPTURE footswitch is held down and the available sample time is up, pedal automatically stops the recording and goes into play mode.
Working modes table:
| Mode | Speed setting | Speed dead zones (semitones) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glitch - momentary "Capture" footswitch action | 0-50% Forward play 50-100% Reverse play |
None |
| 2 | Speed Up - Slow Down | 0-50% Slow down rate 50% Full stop 50-100% Speed up rate |
None |
| 3 | Ping-Pong: play direction is flipped at the end of the sample | 0-50% Stop - Normal 50-100% Normal - 2x |
-12, -9, -5, 0, +3, +7, +9, +12 |
| 4 | Random Direction: play direction is flipped at random points | 0-50% Stop - Normal 50-100% Normal - 2x |
-12, -9, -5, 0, +3, +7, +9, +12 |
| 5 | Random Auto*: pedal retriggers itself at randomized rate | Retrigger time randomness | None |
| 6 | Auto*: automatic self retrigger at a constant rate | Retrigger time | None |
| 7 | Stop - 2x | 0-50% Stop - Normal 50-100% Normal - 2x |
-12, -9, -5, 0, +3, +7, +9, +12 |
| 8 | 1x - Reverse | 0-50% Normal - Stop 50.100% Stop - Reverse |
None |
*NOTE
Pedal goes automatically into BYPASS when the mode is changed to Random Auto or Auto during the play of the recorded sample. This action is taken to avoid overwriting the existing sample due to automatic retriggering of the pedal. Press Capture again to start the recording.
SPEED control range:
A number of little dead zones ensure easier dialing into a musical pitch intervals.
Sample buffer time limit:
Maximum length of the sample the pedal is capable recording of is 4 seconds. However, in some situations it might be useful to set the maximum time to 1 second and achieve a much better Time knob resolution for short pulse samples. It might be especially useful in typical glitch/stuttering applications. Sample buffer time limit can be changed by holding down one or two footswitches while powering up the pedal.
To switch the pedal into 1 second mode do the following:
- Power off the pedal.
- Hold down both, ON-OFF + CAPTURE footswitches and while doing that power up the pedal.
- 1st mode led will blink a few times at startup to show the buffer size is set to 1 second.
To switch the pedal into 4 seconds mode do the following:
- Power off the pedal.
- Hold down the ON-OFF footswitch and while doing that power up the pedal.
- 4th mode led will blink a few times at startup to show the buffer size is set to 4 seconds.
Expression pedal input:
Expression pedal, if plugged into the EXP IN input, takes control over the SPEED parameter. Alternatively a dedicated external VARIO controller can be used to generate automated modulation signal.
EXP IN is compatible with expression pedals having the following attributes (look for the specs in the manual):
- TRS stereo jack cable.
- 10k-47k linear potentiometer.
- Plug polarity:
Setting the input gain:
in order to get the best possible signal to noise ratio it may be necessary to adjust the input gain of the pedal.The gain switch is internal and accessible after unscrewing the bottom plate
(4 screws). There are two positions available:
- INSTR, use it when the pedal is placed in front of the amp, especially when your instrument is equipped with low output single coil pickups. Default setting.
- LINE, use it when the pedal is placed in the effects loop of your amp. This position is also useful in case of strong output pickups, like active humbuckers. Use it to lower the input gain and to avoid the clipping of the signal peaks.
Technical info:
- sample time: 20ms - 4s,
- 470k input impedance,
- below 1k output impedance,
- "old school" digital audio system,
12bit @ 32kHz, analog antialiasing filtering
and companding for low noise, - 9V DC, 90mA power, regulated adapter only. 5.5/2.1mm center negative plug.
