The drolo Moon Rabbit is a six-stage optical phaser with tap tempo and an envelope follower, built by Drolo in Belgium1. It sits in the phaser family, but the envelope follower sets it apart: the pedal can convert your picking dynamics into a control voltage that drives the modulation, so the phasing responds to how hard you play as well as to the LFO2.
Voicing and circuit
The six analog phase stages are voiced halfway between a Uni-Vibe type pedal, which uses staggered phase filter caps, and a more traditional phaser, which uses identical phase filter caps1. In plain terms, Drolo describes the Moon Rabbit as borrowing from both camps: the swirling, slightly uneven character of a Uni-Vibe style circuit and the more even sweep of a conventional phaser2. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio covered it at launch as "the 6 Stage Phaser Moon Rabbit"3.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tap tempo | Taps in the desired tempo for the LFO modulation; the LFO applies twice the rate you tap2 |
| Wave shape | Selects one of 8 modulation wave shapes: ramp up, ramp down, square, triangle, sine, hypertriangle, random steps, random slopes2 |
| Depth | Sets the depth of the modulation, the width of the LFO wave2 |
| Range | Shifts the range of the modulation between its max and minimum points; only effective if depth is less than maximum2 |
| Env | Adjusts the sensitivity of the envelope follower to the level of the input signal; the follower converts the input into a control voltage affecting rate or range2 |
| Bypass switch | A short tap under 0.3 seconds acts in latching mode; pressing over 0.3 seconds enters momentary mode2 |
The pedal uses a relay bypass2. The latching and momentary split on one switch is unusual: a quick stomp leaves the effect on or off as normal, while holding the switch keeps the phaser engaged only as long as you hold it, which suits short swells or accents.
Envelope follower and expression
The envelope follower is the Moon Rabbit's distinguishing feature. It converts the level of your input signal into a control voltage that affects either the rate or the range of the phasing, and the Env knob sets how sensitive that conversion is to your playing dynamics2. Played harder, the modulation moves differently than when played softly.
An expression pedal input can be assigned to control the rate or the range of the phasing1, adding foot control on top of the envelope response. Players using an expression pedal with the Moon Rabbit can find options on the Expression Pedals page.
Availability
Drolo lists the Moon Rabbit at 230.00 EUR, with VAT added at checkout for EU countries1. It weighs 0.5 kg1.
Videos
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Questions
How many phase stages does the drolo Moon Rabbit have?
The Moon Rabbit uses six analog phase stages. Drolo voices them halfway between a Uni-Vibe type pedal, which uses staggered phase filter caps, and a more traditional phaser, which uses identical phase filter caps. That gives it a character that sits between the two approaches rather than squarely in either camp.
What LFO shapes does the Moon Rabbit offer?
The wave shape control selects one of eight modulation shapes for the LFO: ramp up, ramp down, square, triangle, sine, hypertriangle, random steps, and random slopes. Beyond the usual waveforms, the random and ramp options let the phaser move in ways a standard phaser cannot.
Does the drolo Moon Rabbit have tap tempo?
Yes. The tap tempo control sets the tempo for the LFO modulation, and the LFO applies twice the rate you tap, so the phasing runs at double the tapped speed.
Where is the drolo Moon Rabbit made?
Drolo lists the Moon Rabbit as manufactured in Belgium. The pedal is built in small runs, and while preorders are not available, the maker says restocks occur regularly.
What can an expression pedal control on the Moon Rabbit?
The expression pedal input can be assigned to control either the rate or the range of the phasing. That lets a player sweep the modulation speed or its span by foot while playing, on top of what the envelope follower is doing.
Sources (3)
- MOON RABBIT, drolofx.com
- MOON RABBIT, drolofx.com
- Drolo Moon Rabbit 6 Stage Phaser, Delicious Audio, 2018-05-24