Catalinbread Debuts the Many Worlds Phaser

March 10, 2022 · 6 sources

Catalinbread announced the Many Worlds, an eight-stage phaser pedal with eight selectable phase control parameters, six LFOs and two envelope-dependent phase shift modes¹. The pedal is available for order now, with launch coverage listing it at $199.99² and $199³.

The circuit began, in Catalinbread's words, "initially starting with the core of the classic 'orange box' phaser but with a number of extra features"³. The maker describes its range this way:

The name comes from the "Many Worlds" interpretation of quantum mechanics, a theory by Hugh Everette about parallel universes, and Catalinbread's builder's notes say the idea "began when we were experimenting with different LFO shapes for a phaser project"⁴.

The eight selectable phase control parameters break down as five LFO waveforms, two envelope-dependent phase shift modes, and one "special" mode called Battle, where the double LFO action happens: one LFO modulated by another⁴. The LFO selector offers eight waveforms in total, including classics like sine and square alongside reverse sawtooth and two independently controlled, intermodulating sine waves⁵. Other LFO shapes include saw and triangle³. The envelope modes shift phase both up and down, controlled by pick attack rather than an LFO⁵.

The enclosure features controls for Freq/Attack, Mix, Depth/Freq2/Sens, Feedback and an eight-way LFO selector³:

• Freq/Attack: sets the LFO frequency; in the envelope modes it controls the low pass filter frequency in the envelope detector algorithm¹
• Mix: wet/dry mix¹
• Depth/Freq2/Sens: LFO amplitude; in Battle mode it sets the second LFO's frequency, and in the envelope modes it sets input gain into the envelope detection¹
• LFO: selects the LFO waveform¹
• Feedback: regeneration³

In the envelope modes, the Frequency and Depth knobs effectively become Attack and Sensitivity, setting how the phaser reacts to playing dynamics⁴.

The Many Worlds runs from 9 to 18 volts on a standard DC center-negative power supply, draws at least 100mA, and does not run on batteries¹. It is true bypass⁶, made in the USA⁶, and measures 112 x 67 x 51mm⁶.