The eight modes
The sequencer operates in eight modes, which Bananana says are "capable of create everything from practical to experimental sounds."1
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| NORMAL | The basic arpeggiator mode for sequencing pitch shifts, with a filter control to set the tone |
| ORGAN | Mixes the pitch shift with 5th harmony, creating a resonant tone reminiscent of an organ |
| SQUARE | Converts the input into a square wave and shifts its pitch, for retro-game and fuzz-like sounds |
| SINE HOLD | Temporarily holds the input, converts it to a sine wave, and shifts the pitch of the softer tone (monophonic) |
| GLITCH | Samples the input at short intervals and sequences the samples across 8 playback speeds |
| TOYBOX | Applies 8 different effects to the input and outputs them in turn through the sequencer |
Bananana Effects describes the eight modes as capable of creating everything from practical to experimental sounds1. Among them, ORGAN mixes the pitch shift with 5th harmony to create a resonant tone reminiscent of an organ, GLITCH samples the input signal at short intervals and sequences the resulting samples by assigning them to various steps at one of the 8 different playback speeds, and TOYBOX applies 8 different effects to the input sound and lets the sequencer output them in turn1.
Scales, steps and sequence effects
Each step of the sequence can be shaped in several ways:
- A single note can be transposed to up to three notes per step
- Each step can be assigned a different scale or chord
- Four envelope shapes per step: Sustain, Staccato, Fade Oot and Fade In
- 27 scales, including 3 editable scales you configure yourself
- 9 sequence effects, which De Gregorio calls "useful for tricky performances"1
Speed is handled with tap tempo: "the speed of the sequence can be change via Tap Tempo with Subdivision."1
Who makes it, and finding one
Bananana is described by Delicious Audio as "a quirky Japanese builder that focuses on designing original effects that spark inspiration."1 The pedal is not easy to pick up: De Gregorio advised adding your name to the queue "because this pedal is constantly out of stock."1
For more on where a pedal like this fits, see Octave & Pitch Pedals and Synth Pedals.
Questions
Does the TARARIRA have tap tempo?
Yes. The speed of the sequence can be changed via Tap Tempo with Subdivision, so you can lock the arpeggiated pitch shifts to the feel of a song rather than a fixed internal rate.
How many presets can the TARARIRA store?
The TARARIRA can save up to 9 favorite presets, and you can switch between them seamlessly during a performance.
Can you plug a microphone into the TARARIRA?
Yes. Because the pedal is basically a pitch-shifter, Bananana describes it as fitting all kinds of musical instruments and microphone inputs, so vocalists and other players can use it as well as guitarists.
Why is the TARARIRA so hard to find?
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio noted in March 2021 that the pedal is constantly out of stock, and advised adding your name to the queue. The first batch had also largely sold out when the pedal was released in February 2021.
Sources (1)
- Bananana Effects TARARIRA Pitch Shift Sequencer V2, Delicious Audio, 2021-03-18
