The Mod Electronics Phase/Off is a four-stage phaser pedal kit built around the Sound Semiconductor SSI2140 voltage-controlled multi-mode filter, configured as an allpass filter. It is the second entry in the Nexus Series from Mod Electronics, and it ships as a kit you solder yourself: an all through-hole build with the SMT SSI2140 pre-soldered. The maker calls it a great pedal for intermediate skill sets, with a build difficulty rating of 31.
Controls and what they do
The Phase/Off keeps its panel simple: three knobs and two mini-switches.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Depth | Sets the intensity of the effect; in Manual mode it controls the fixed phase position1 |
| Rate | Sets the speed of the LFO modulation2 |
| Regen | Sets the amount of feedback2 |
| Mode switch | Set to LFO for classic phasing, or to Manual, which disables the LFO and puts the pedal in fixed phase mode controlled by the Depth knob for alternative filtering effects1 |
| Stages switch | Toggles between four-stage or two-stage phasing2 |
There is no battery connection. The pedal operates on 9VDC and a center negative power supply is required for use, which is not included with the kit1.
Two-stage and four-stage phasing
The Stages switch is the pedal's main voicing control, changing it from a four-stage phaser to a two-stage phaser for a wide variety of sounds1. Guitar World's Paul Riario heard a clear difference between the two settings: the two-stage setting offers warmth and softness to its swirl, while he believes players are more likely to stay with four-stage phasing, which he found richly detailed and lush2.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's review, by Paul Riario, is the published verdict on the Phase/Off, and it is favorable on sound while acknowledging the build-it-yourself commitment. On the classic setting, he wrote2:
"Set to four-stage phasing and with all three knobs set in-and-around noon, the Phase/Off nails the ramped-up swoosh of a" [script-era Phase 90]2
Pushed further, the pedal goes well past that territory:
"Pushing the controls to their outer limits delivers thick and chewy extremes of swoosh reminiscent of a Mu-Tron Phasor."2
He also found other textures hiding in the knobs: if you dial the knobs a particular way, he wrote, you can almost ape the ringing pulse of a Uni-Vibe with a dollop of phase2. His overall verdict:
"You might have to build it yourself, but the sounds are well worth firing up the soldering iron for, with this 2" [taged phaser]2
Build, housing and price
Because the Phase/Off is a kit, assembly is part of the deal. The build is all through-hole apart from the pre-soldered SMT SSI2140, and the maker positions it for intermediate skill sets with a build difficulty rating of 31. The pedal comes in a heavy-duty aluminum housing that can be custom-painted2. Guitar World lists the price at $792.
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Questions
Does the Mod Electronics Phase/Off come as a kit?
Yes. The Phase/Off is a pedal kit, the second entry in the Nexus Series from Mod Electronics. It is an all through-hole build with a pre-soldered SMT SSI2140 chip, and the maker rates it as a great pedal for intermediate skill sets, with a build difficulty rating of 3.
Is the Phase/Off true bypass?
Yes. In his Guitar World review, Paul Riario notes that the Phase/Off is true-bypass, so the pedal passes your signal untouched when it is switched off.
Can the Phase/Off run on a battery?
No. The maker states plainly that there is no battery connection. The pedal operates on 9VDC from a center negative power supply, which is required for use and is not included with the kit.
How many stages does the Phase/Off have?
Four by default. The Stages switch can change the Phase/Off from a four-stage phaser to a two-stage phaser, giving a wide variety of sounds. Guitar World found the two-stage setting offers warmth and softness to its swirl, while four-stage phasing is richly detailed and lush.
What does the Manual setting do on the Phase/Off?
The Mode switch changes the pedal from LFO to Manual. In Manual, the LFO is disabled and the Phase/Off runs in fixed phase mode controlled by the Depth knob, which the maker suggests for alternative filtering effects rather than classic phasing.
How much current does the Phase/Off draw?
The maker states the pedal draws approximately 50mA at 9VDC. That is worth knowing when planning a power supply or a daisy chain with other pedals.
Sources (2)
- Phase / Off, Mod Electronics (modkitsdiy.com), 2026
- Mod Electronics Phase/Off review, Guitar World, 2023-12-11
