The Subdecay Quasar DLX is a full-featured analog phaser pedal, hand made in Oregon by Subdecay. It is built around tap tempo with 8 ratio settings for setting speed live, eleven LFO shapes, and an expression pedal input with multiple functions. Subdecay describes its range as running "from classic 'on the slow parts' to thick watery vibrato to all out mad science craziness"1.
The original Quasar DLX is no longer in production1. A redesigned version, the Quasar DLX mkII, was later offered, and Subdecay's B-stock listings for the pedal have shown as out of stock23.
The controls
The Quasar DLX puts its speed control in two places: a tap switch and a speed/ratio knob. Tapping sets the tempo, with 8 ratio settings for matching a song's tempo live. Holding down the tap switch switches to manual control and engages the dual action speed knob, which Subdecay calls the DUAL ACTION SPEED KNOB on the mkII12.
In manual mode the speed/ratio knob has two ranges: a normal range, and a high speed range reached by turning the knob all the way to the right. On the mkII, the dual action speed control works by turning the speed knob all the way up and then back for faster speeds into the audio range12.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tap switch | Sets tap tempo with 8 ratio settings; hold down for manual control and the dual action speed knob12 |
| Speed/ratio knob | Manual speed, with a normal range and a high speed range at the far right1 |
| Voice | Allows both positive and negative regeneration1 |
| Mix | Blends dry and effected signal; goes to 100% for pitch vibrato tones1 |
| Volume (mkII) | External volume control to balance level when the effect is on2 |
| Expression input | Expression pedal control with multiple functions1 |
The mix control is the control that sets the Quasar DLX apart from most phasers on paper: because it reaches 100% wet, it can produce pitch vibrato tones that, as Subdecay puts it, "most phasers simply don't allow"1. The Voice control's positive and negative regeneration settings shape the character of the phase sweep in opposite directions1.
The speed range is wide. Subdecay specifies a sweep as slow as 45 seconds, running up into ring modulation territory at nearly 300 Hz2. Eleven LFO shapes, controllable by tap tempo or manually, set the contour of the sweep1.
A red/green LED shows what the pedal is doing: red indicates LFO speed, green indicates bypass1.
Power: 9V to 18V DC, under 100mA
The Quasar DLX is powered by an external regulated 9VDC to 18VDC adaptor with a negative center 2.1mm barrel style plug. Current draw is less than 100mA, and the power supply is not included1.
If using a daisy chain power supply, Subdecay states that all other pedals on the chain MUST be negative ground1.
The pedal sits in a die cast metal enclosure, with an input impedance of 1M and an output impedance of less than 1K1.
Where it came from
The Quasar DLX traces back to 2008, when Subdecay began what it calls "Project Quasar." After the original Quasar was gone, the company started from scratch, testing nearly every known existing phaser design that did not involve tubes, and eventually arrived at a VCA based phaser for the original Quasar DLX1. The mkII takes a different route: its heart is an analog 4-stage OTA based phaser2.
The project had a long gestation. Subdecay's history of the company's early years notes that the Quasar DLX was the first project worked on after 2009, and that work on it was paused when the company ran into a problem4. The redesigned Quasar DLX was later described by Subdecay as "designed from the ground up"3, and the mkII was announced as "back in black"2.
Subdecay's phaser line has since included other models, among them the Quasar Phaser, the Quasar Quantum, the Quasar DLX Deluxe Phaser and the Quasar Phase Modulator V.4.
B-stock versions
Subdecay has sold the Quasar DLX as a B-stock, or blemished, item. B-stock pedals are fully functional and include the standard three-year warranty, but may have cosmetic blemishes: paint scratches, silk screen errors, older style graphics or superficial damage. The pedal in the listing picture may not be the actual pedal received23.
The B-stock listing for the Quasar DLX was priced at $295.00 USD in 2016 and showed as out of stock3; the mkII B-stock listing has also shown as out of stock2.
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Questions
Is the Subdecay Quasar DLX still made?
No. Subdecay states that the original Quasar DLX is no longer in production. A redesigned version, the Quasar DLX mkII, was later offered, and B-stock listings for both versions have shown as out of stock on the maker's site. B-stock units carry the standard three-year warranty.
Does the Subdecay Quasar DLX have tap tempo?
Yes. The Quasar DLX is a tap tempo phaser with 8 ratio settings for setting speed live. Holding down the tap switch switches to manual control and engages the dual action speed knob. Eleven LFO shapes can be controlled by tap tempo or manually.
Is the Quasar DLX true bypass?
Yes. Subdecay specifies 3PDT switches for true bypass switching. A red/green LED shows status: red indicates LFO speed and green indicates bypass.
What is a Subdecay B-stock pedal?
A B-stock, or blemished, pedal is fully functional but has cosmetic flaws such as paint scratches, silk screen errors, older style graphics or superficial damage. The pedal pictured may not be the one you receive. All B-stock sales are final, and these pedals include the standard three-year warranty.
Sources (4)
- Quasar DLX, Subdecay, 2017-01-14
- Quasar DLX Deluxe Phaser (b-stock), Subdecay, 2019-04-12
- Quasar DLX, Subdecay, 2016-12-27
- A little about us..., Subdecay, 2012-11-26
