Free The Tone FF-1Y RF Phase Modulation Delay Future Factory

The Free The Tone Future Factory FF-1Y, subtitled "RF Phase Modulation Delay," is a delay pedal built around two independent digital delay lines, A and B, with various options to combine them, and both with optional modulation¹. Free The Tone describes it as a "RANDOM FLUCTUATING PHASE MODULATION DELAY"². The idea behind the RF in the name is that as the phase of an LFO (low-frequency oscillator) changes regularly, it modulates the circuit at a preset frequency and gives the delay effect movement³. gearnews.com's Jef, reporting from NAMM 2019, described the result as delays "with modulations and subtle phase shifts" that are "super pleasing to the ear and very musical sounding"³.

Two delay lines and how they move

The heart of the FF-1Y is its pair of delay lines. Each of the two independent digital delay lines can be modulated, and the pedal offers various options for combining them, which is also what makes stereo operation possible¹. You can use it as a stereo delay if you wish, and there is also a monaural mode, with a soft clipping circuit applied to one channel of the delay³.

The modulation is the pedal's signature. Because the LFO's phase changes regularly, it modulates the circuit at a preset frequency, giving the delay effect movement rather than a static repeat³. For a player, that points at ambient and textured delay sounds where the repeats shift and breathe instead of sitting still.

Controls and features

The FF-1Y carries a dedicated three-band equalizer for the delay sound, so the tone of the repeats can be shaped independently of the dry signal³. Its performance features cover the usual needs of a preset-based delay:

• Tap Tempo footswitch, giving instant access to quick delay-time changes, applicable to delay A, B or both together¹
• Presets, with MIDI support covering 128 presets³⁴
• Trails function⁵
• Delay phase invert function, named on Free The Tone's product page²
• Tap input and MIDI connectivity⁵

MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen found the Tap Tempo footswitch really practical, noting that "you can choose whether to" apply the tapped time to delay A, B or both¹. Pedal of the Day's review lists "Delay phase invert, a trails function, tap input and MIDI connectivity" among the pedal's features⁵.

Price and where it is made

The FF-1Y was announced at NAMM in January 2019³. Premier Guitar's press release gave it a suggested retail price of $420.00⁴, the same figure gearnews.com listed as an RRP of USD 420³. MusicRadar later included it among its best new guitar effects of 2019, noting "This is a fancy one, and at £399 it should be" in UK pricing⁶. The pedal is designed and built in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan³.

How it sits in the Free The Tone range

Free The Tone's delay line is best known for the Flight Time series: MusicRadar's review of the FF-1Y opens by noting that "Free The Tone's Flight Time digital delay has had its fair share of admirers since its release"¹. The Future Factory sits alongside it as the maker's phase-modulation take on delay, with the two-delay-line stereo design as its distinguishing feature. For more on the wider category, see Delay Pedals, and for the maker's other pedals see the Free The Tone brand page.

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