The Hochstrasser Electronics Transmogriphaser is a dual channel, OTA (Operational Transconductance Amplifier), 4-stage phaser, built as a two-channel pedal where each channel carries its own full set of controls and you switch between them1. OTA stands for Operational Transconductance Amplifier, the amplifier type used in the phasing circuit itself.
Controls and how they work
Each channel carries the same control layout, so what you set on one side you can mirror or contrast on the other1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Adjusts the frequency of the LFO that sweeps the phase shifting1 |
| Depth | Sets the amount of phase shifting that occurs, from a mild wobble to a deep, rich, swirling phase1 |
| Feedback | Controls the resonance in the circuit1 |
| Range toggle | Changes the minimum and maximum settings of the Rate controls; Down gives slower phasing, Up increases the speed and can get into ring modulation territory when maxed out1 |
The Depth and Feedback controls interact with each other, which Pedal of the Day's reviewer described as making them "fun to explore and experiment with"1. In practice that means the two knobs shape the character of the phase shift together rather than independently, so small adjustments to one change what the other is doing.
Two channels, two footswitches
The Transmogriphaser features two channels, each containing the same control setup, that you can switch between1. The FX footswitch turns the effect on and off, and the Mode footswitch flip flops between the two sides1. For a player, that means one setting can be a slow sweep and the other a fast, resonant shift, with both available without bending down to turn knobs.
Power
The pedal requires a 9V power supply, and uses an internal charge pump which boosts that 9V up to about 16V, for more headroom and a clean sound1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's review described the pedal's character in warm terms: "this thing is gooey, phasing in and out with ease and adding a warm blanket of tone to your rig"1. The same review said it "conjures up Pink Floyd, Chili Peppers, Van Halen, Queen and more of those classic sounds you love and seek to emulate"1.
There is even a Phat version you can order, which gives you slightly bigger control knobs, depending on what you need1.
If you are comparing phasers, the Phaser Pedals page covers the type as a whole, and Hochstrasser Electronics also makes the Centrifuge.
Videos
Hochstrasser Electronics
Hochstrasser Electronics
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What does the Range switch do on the Transmogriphaser?
The Range toggle changes the minimum and maximum settings of the Rate controls. In the Down position the phasing is slower, while the Up position increases the speed and, when maxed out, can get into ring modulation territory. It effectively widens what the Rate knobs can cover, from slow sweeps to very fast effects.
How do the two channels on the Transmogriphaser work?
The pedal has two channels, each containing the same control setup, and you can switch between them. The FX footswitch turns the effect on and off, while the Mode footswitch flip flops between the two sides, so you can keep two different phaser settings ready and jump between them mid-song.
What voltage does the Transmogriphaser need?
The Transmogriphaser requires a 9V power supply. An internal charge pump boosts that 9V up to about 16V inside the pedal, which the maker's reviewer notes gives more headroom and a clean sound.
Do the Depth and Feedback controls interact on the Transmogriphaser?
Yes. The Depth and Feedback controls interact with each other, which Pedal of the Day's reviewer found made them fun to explore and experiment with. Feedback controls the resonance in the circuit, while Depth sets how much phase shifting occurs.
What is the Phat version of the Transmogriphaser?
The Phat version is an ordering option that gives you slightly bigger control knobs on the same pedal, depending on what you need. The circuit and features are otherwise the same.
What does OTA mean in a phaser?
OTA stands for Operational Transconductance Amplifier, the type of building block used in the pedal's four-stage phasing circuit. OTA-based designs are a common approach in phasers, and the Transmogriphaser is described as a dual channel, OTA, 4-stage phaser.
Sources (1)
- Hochstrasser Electronics Transmogriphaser OTA 4-Stage Phaser, Pedal of the Day, 2019-07-13
