The KMA Machines Horizont is a stereo phaser from the German manufacturer KMA Machines, described on its release as a super intuitive next generation phaser. It is built around a digitally controlled LFO and an envelope generator that can hand control of the phasing speed over to your picking dynamics, and it covers everything from traditional phasing sounds to experimental synthetic soundscapes. The panel is dense: 10 toggle switches, 8 knobs and two footswitches1.
Envelope control and the LFO
The Horizont's defining feature is the envelope generator, activated through the SWP switch. It transforms your input signal into a control source to modulate the speed of the digitally controlled LFO, or it allows manual phasing for a resonant touch wah-like sound1.
The SWP (Sweep) switch decides whether the LFO or the envelope of your instrument signal controls the phasing. The ENV switch then sets the envelope to upwards or downwards operation, which makes the LFO either slow down or speed up, or flips the orientation when you are phasing manually1.
The SPURT knob and SPURTCONTROL switch change meaning depending on the mode:
| SPURTCONTROL setting | What SPURT does |
|---|---|
| LFO | Adjusts the internal phasing speed |
| ENV | Dynamically modulates speed based on input loudness, so harder picking means a slower or faster sweep |
| LFO+ENV | Sets the minimum speed, blended with the envelope |
In ENV mode, Fuel (Sensitivity) and Decay controls let you find the right setting for your performance's dynamics1.
The LFO itself is digital, with eight waveforms: Ramp Up/Down, Sine/Triangle/Square wave, a sweeping waveform, Sample & Hold and a random slope waveform, going from 20s down to 40ms1. A TAP TEMPO switch sets the speed to fit the tempo of your music1.
EMPH mode
EMPH (Emphasis) mode is carried over from KMA's previous model, the Astrospurt Phaser, but KMA reworked and refined it extensively for the Horizont. The company also smoothed out the overall sound of EMPH mode for a more pronounced, and crisp, vocal-like tone1.
"We kept the EMPH (Emphasis) mode from our original Astrospurt Phaser, but have reworked and refined it extensively for the Horizont."
Stereo output, expression and tremolo mode
The Horizont is a stereo pedal. You can switch between a standard stereo output or a panning output via the STEREOPAN switch, synchronized with the LFO speed, with the upper cycle going to OUT1 and the bottom cycle to OUT21.
For external control, you can plug in an expression pedal or CV source (0 to 5V) to alter the minimum speed on the fly. The EXP-Mode switch chooses between manual phasing mode controlled by an expression pedal or external CV source, and its middle position disables external expression control1.
One more trick: set the MIX control to fully clean and the Horizont is transformed into a tremolo on the spot, with all the other features still in play1.
Headroom and power
KMA increased the pedal's headroom drastically by boosting the internal circuit voltage to 18V, from the regular 9V input1.
The pedal runs from a regular 9V input but boosts its internal circuit voltage to 18V for extra headroom1.
Videos
The Pedal Zone
Eirik Stordrange
Sofa Jams
Questions
Can the KMA Horizont work as a tremolo?
Yes. According to Delicious Audio, setting the MIX control to fully clean transforms the Horizont into a tremolo on the spot, with all of the pedal's other features still available. Because the phasing effect is blended out entirely, what remains is the volume modulation, driven by the same LFO or envelope control options.
Does the Horizont have tap tempo?
It does. Delicious Audio's product page describes a TAP TEMPO switch that lets you set the speed to fit the tempo of your music, so the phasing sweep can be locked to a song rather than left free-running.
Can I use an expression pedal with the Horizont?
Yes. You can plug in an external expression pedal or CV source (0 to 5V) to alter the minimum speed on the fly. An EXP-Mode switch chooses between manual phasing mode controlled by an expression pedal or external CV source, and its middle position disables external expression control altogether.
What LFO waveforms does the Horizont offer?
The Horizont has a digital LFO with eight waveforms: Ramp Up/Down, Sine, Triangle and Square waves, a sweeping waveform, Sample & Hold, and a random slope waveform. Speeds run from 20 seconds down to 40ms, covering everything from slow drifts to fast, warbling sweeps.
What is EMPH mode on the Horizont?
EMPH stands for Emphasis. KMA kept the mode from its original Astrospurt Phaser but reworked and refined it extensively for the Horizont, and also smoothed out the overall sound of EMPH mode for a more pronounced, crisp, vocal-like tone.
Is the Horizont a stereo pedal?
Yes. The Horizont offers a stereo output with a choice between a standard stereo output or a panning output via the STEREOPAN switch. The panning is synchronized with the LFO speed, with the upper cycle going to OUT1 and the bottom cycle to OUT2.
Sources (1)
- KMA Machines Horizont JFET Stereo Phaser, Delicious Audio, 2018-09-26
