Dr Scientist releases Phreak multi-mode ring modulator pedal
November 29, 2023 · 2 sources
Dr Scientist has released the Phreak, a ring modulator pedal with three operating modes and eight LFO waveforms, listed at an MSRP of $219 USD1. Guitar Pedal X reported the pedal on November 29, 2023, noting that it shares the format of the company's Dusk Analog Filter2.
The Phreak has three knobs: Phreak, which controls ring mod frequency or frequency range depending on mode; Mix, which sets the balance of dry and wet signal; and Volume, an analog volume control1. A Mode button selects Set, Envelope or LFO operation, and a Waveform button selects one of eight LFO shapes: Sine, Ramp, Saw, Square, Step1, Step2, Sample & Hold and Random12. The Multi footswitch is mode dependent, handling automated frequency sweep, envelope freeze or LFO speed ramping, and holding it in Set mode while bypassed produces a momentary frequency sweep1. Holding the bypass stomp in Set mode tunes the ring mod frequency to the note being played1.
Dr Scientist lists custom programmed DSP effects with an all analog dry signal path, seven additional DSP sub-modes including reverbs and bitcrushers, MIDI implementation of all digital controls, expression pedal or CV control over ring mod frequency, true bypass with soft touch relay switching, USB firmware updating (PC required), top mounted audio and power jacks, and an updated power input circuit1. The operation section lists an input impedance of 500kΩ/1kΩ and a draw of 150mA at 9VDC via a 2.1mm center negative plug1. The pedal is designed and handmade in B.C., Canada1.
"The scare around ring modulation is real, because the atonal chaos is difficult to tame."
Guitar Pedal X described the Multi Stomp as handling Sweep, Freeze, Tap Tempo or Ramp Rate Down depending on mode, and wrote that "the interplay between Phreak and Mix is all important in getting properly usable and musical output"2. The report also noted that Henry Kaiser received an advance edition of the pedal alongside the forthcoming Radius Ring Modulator from Red Panda Lab2.