The Sounds: Modulation
Listen to the machines: Click on the picture to play the sound demo.
Schulte Compact Phasing 'A'
Analogue phase shifter (*1973)
In the early 1970s, those who wanted to be extremely hip added a pinch of psychedelia to their sound – Jazz and Rock, Krautrockers and Cosmic Couriers, they all were absorbed in phasing-heavy, swirling clouds of sound and other substances, and many of them were making use of a small metal box, manufactured in West-Berlin, Germany.
Schulte Compact Phasing 'A'
Analogue phase shifter (*1973)
Mu-Tron Bi-Phase
Dual Phase Shifter (*1974)
In the 1970s, effects devices made by Mu-Tron were a standard accessory of every ambitious rock star, just like groupies or psychotropic substances. The Bi-Phase probably is the most complex of Mu-Tron’s range of effects devices. These days, its cult following is almost frightening.
Mu-Tron Bi-Phase
Dual Phase Shifter (*1974)
Eventide FL201 Instant Flanger
Analogue Flanger (*1976)
Eventide Clockworks’ Instant Flanger not only left its mark on many famous recordings, it can also be regarded as the first audio processing device ever made that was entirely based on bucket-brigade devices. Reason enough to have a closer look at one of Eventide’s earliest products.
Eventide FL201 Instant Flanger
Analogue Flanger (*1976)
AMS DM 2-20
Tape Phase Simulator (*1977)
Some forty years ago, the DM 2-20 laid the foundation stone to what was to become a successful British enterprise, manufacturing a series of highly acclaimed recording studio effects devices. These days, the DM 2-20 is one of the secret weapons among studio gear.
AMS DM 2-20
Tape Phase Simulator (*1977)
Dynacord TAM 19
Stereo Flanger/Doubler (*1978)
Time Axis Manipulation System – the marketing executives at Dynacord definitely had a penchant for spectacular-sounding nomenclature for their products. Luckily, the design of the unit was no less inventive.
Dynacord TAM 19
Stereo Flanger/Doubler (*1978)
Roland PH-830
Stereo Phaser (*1978)
Roland's Stereo Phaser with its rather bland PH-830 nomenclature ranks among the most elaborate and technically sophisticated devices of this species. Still to this day, it counts as a reference mark in terms of phasing and, above all, it has become a sought-after collector's item.
Roland PH-830
Stereo Phaser (*1978)
Roland SDD-320 Dimension D
Stereo Chorus (*1979)
Don’t judge a book by its cover, there is more to this rackmount unit than meets the eye. The Roland Dimension D – or “Stereo Dimension Decoder”, as Roland put it – counts as one of the world’s best chorus ensembles of all times.
Roland SDD-320 Dimension D
Stereo Chorus (*1979)
Roland SBF-325
Stereo Flanger (*1979)
It was the legendary SDD-320 Dimension D chorus that really helped to popularise Roland's range of 19” effects devices but there is no need for their less well-known SBF-325 Stereo Flanger to hide behind its contemporaries.
Roland SBF-325
Stereo Flanger (*1979)
Marshall Time Modulator
Analogue Flanger/Delay (*1977/80)
As soon as a newsgroup or forum on the internet is trying to pin down which flanger rules the world or which electronic studio device is the weirdest on the planet, the term Time Modulator crops up as regularly as unavoidably. This, plus a lot of mysticism, based on speculation and half-truth – time to have a closer look at what this device is all about.
Marshall Time Modulator
Analogue Flanger/Delay (*1977/80)
MXR M-126 Flanger/Doubler
Flanger/Doubler (*1980)
Around 1980, flanging was one of the most popular effects you could imagine – every notable manufacturer had at least one flanger in their product catalogue. A pinnacle of this group of effects must be MXR's M-126 Flanger/Doubler which starred on countless album productions.
MXR M-126 Flanger/Doubler
Flanger/Doubler (*1980)
Audio & Design Recording Panscan
Auto-Panner (*1981)
The ADR Panscan from 1981 has for sure become the most well known and famous auto panning effect on the market.
Audio & Design Recording Panscan
Auto-Panner (*1981)
Dyno-My-Piano TSC-618
Tri Stereo Chorus (*1983)
Also known as Dytronics CS-5 or Songbird TSC-1380S, this plain 19” rackmount has been considered to be the Holy Grail of Chorus Effects for more than 35 years. Let‘s have a closer look at the favourite toy of many L. A. guitar heroes of the 1980s.
Dyno-My-Piano TSC-618
Tri Stereo Chorus (*1983)
Electrospace SP2 Spanner
Stereo Panner (*1984)
In the 1980s, you had to have deep pockets and fork out a lot of money if you wanted to add some spatial motion to your stereo image. This is where the Spanner came into play (although its name might be a bit misleading, not only for English native speakers..).