Pladask Elektrisk ReFORM

The Pladask Elektrisk ReFORM is a programmable effect pedal built around the Spin FV-1 digital signal processor, a DSP chip that designers write their own effect algorithms for. Rather than a single-effect stompbox, it is a multi-effect: it ships with 24 factory programs plus 8 empty program slots, 32 programs in 4 banks in total, covering time stretch, freeze, sample playback, granular synthesis, reverb, delay, ring modulator, filter, vibrato and pitch effects¹. Pladask Elektrisk has discontinued the pedal and does not sell it any more².

The Spin FV-1 and how the pedal is built

The FV-1 is a self-contained DSP chip that small builders use as the heart of custom effects. Its instruction set includes LOG and EXP instructions for programming audio expansion and compression routines, and it carries integrated digital LFOs and ramp generators that make chorus, flanger and pitch shift programs possible³. In the ReFORM, Pladask Elektrisk paired that DSP core with what the manual calls a "wrapper": an analog dry/wet mixer with various parameters and two programmable knobs, so the analog knobs sit outside the digital engine¹.

That architecture matters to a player because it shapes what the knobs do. Three of the controls are programmable per program, while the analog layer handles the dry/wet blend and master volume¹.

Programs and what they do

The 32 programs divide into banks with distinct characters:

• Bank 1 and bank 2, algorithms 1 to 5: variable speed sample playback systems, described in the manual as similar to manipulating a tape recorder's playback speed. Combined with the feedback knob, they can produce ascending or descending pitch shifting effects¹.
• The remaining 11 programs (all of bank 1 plus algorithms 6, 7 and 8 of bank 2): granular synthesizers. These can perform time stretching and scrubbing without changing pitch, though the manual notes it affects timbre¹.

Two examples from the manual show how the programmable knobs map to each algorithm. On Bank 1 program 1, a Time Stretch program, knob II sets buffer size from 100 to 1000 ms, similar to a delay time knob, and knob III sets the time stretching speed, with frozen audio at the middle position, forward playback clockwise, reverse counterclockwise and original speed at min and max¹. On the Freeze/Scrub program, which uses a 1000 ms buffer, knob II adjusts grain randomization for the fluidity of the freeze effect, static at minimum, and knob III sets the window position for manual sample scrubbing and time stretching¹.

The LOOP parameter, assigned to knob I for all programs in banks 1 and 2, decides whether new audio is recorded to the buffer, how long it remains there, and whether the DSP outputs audio. At maximum, audio is stored undisturbed indefinitely because the DSP input is muted, which turns the pedal into a hold function¹.

Controls, bypass and expression

The VOLUME knob is the master volume from the pedal, with unity gain around noon and a maximum gain of +16dB¹. The ENGAGE switch is the bypass switch, using relay-based true bypass¹.

The pedal also offers a trail bypass option, which the manual describes as useful for the ambient and reverb algorithms. Trails are activated by pushing the PROGRAM knob. In trail bypass the VOLUME knob remains active, MIX sets the wet signal volume, and the dry signal outputs at the volume equal to MIX minimum¹.

For external control, the EXP/CV socket on the back panel accepts an external expression pedal or a control voltage source from 0 to 3.3V. It automatically overrides one of the three programmable knobs, selected with the EXP/CV toggle. The analog knobs cannot be controlled by EXP/CV or the switch¹.

Power and specifications

The ReFORM runs on 9VDC with center negative polarity, the standard Boss, Ibanez and 1Spot supply format, and draws 90 mA¹. Its input impedance is 1 MΩ and its output impedance is approximately 1kΩ¹. The enclosure measures 250 x 220 x 55 mm and weighs 650 g¹.

Where the ReFORM sat in Pladask Elektrisk's range

Pladask Elektrisk, a Norwegian builder, used the same granular and time-manipulation ideas across several pedals. The Baklengs is a granular synth glitch delay, and the Bakvendt is a reverse granular pedal. The ReFORM gathered related algorithms, including delay and reverb alongside the granular programs, into one programmable unit in the spirit of multi-effects pedals¹.

Questions