The Subdecay Starlight Quantum is a flanger pedal, hand made in Oregon, that Subdecay described as "The Flanger re-imagined." It is an all analog bucket brigade based flanger built on the MN3209 chip, with digital control added for flexibility. Subdecay says it covers everything from huge jet plane sweeps to swirly pitch vibrato, and from subtle near chorus tones to cold robotic clang1.
The Starlight Quantum is discontinued. Subdecay's page lists it as out of production and out of stock, with the newer Starlight Flanger V2 available in its place1.
The Shape knob: six ways to modulate
The Starlight Quantum's defining control is its Shape knob, which selects six different ways to modulate the flanger. Several of these LFO shapes were carried over from Subdecay's Quasar DLX, which the maker described as going "beyond the norm"1.
| Shape | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sine | The flanger spends more time at the extremes of the sweep; sounds best at higher speeds, but can run slow as well |
| Triangle | The classic flanger sound, smoothly sweeping through the flanger range with sharp turn arounds |
| Triangle/Square mix | Mixes the smooth modulation of the triangle wave with a bit of square "steppy-ness" |
| Random Sample/Hold | Totally random step modulation |
| Step-Triangle | A triangle wave with pronounced steps, a bit like the Random setting without the randomness |
| Manual | Static/fixed flanger effect; the speed knob manually controls the flanger sweep |
The Sine and Triangle settings cover conventional flanger territory, while the Sample/Hold, Step-Triangle and Triangle/Square mix settings push the pedal toward stepped, sequenced-sounding modulation that most flangers do not offer. Manual mode turns the pedal into a fixed filter-like effect, with the speed knob setting where the sweep sits1.
Circuit and sound
The heart of the pedal is the MN3209 bucket brigade delay chip. Subdecay chose it because it offers very short delay times, allowing a higher sweep than a typical MN3207 based design1. Premier Guitar's review made the same point: "the Starlight's 256-stage MN3209 BBD chip can produce very short delay times"2.
Because the audio path is analog while the control side is digital, the Quantum combines a traditional bucket brigade flanger voice with modulation shapes and flexibility that analog-only designs cannot manage. Subdecay's own description of its range runs from "lush dreamy chorus to a cold metallic clang"1. For comparison, other analog flangers on the site include the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress, the MXR Flanger and the Chase Bliss Audio Spectre Analog TZ Flanger, and the wider field is covered on the Flanger Pedals page.
Power, build and practical details
The Quantum runs on a regulated 9VDC to 18VDC adapter with a negative center 2.1mm barrel style plug. The power supply is not included, and daisy chain use requires all other pedals on the chain to be negative ground. Current draw is less than 40mA1.
Because the pedal accepts up to 18VDC but ships without an adapter, check your supply's voltage setting before plugging in, and keep daisy chains negative ground only1.
The enclosure is die-cast metal, which Subdecay specifies for durability. The pedal measures 4.4" long by 2.3" wide by 1.0" high, weighs 12 oz, and carried a three-year limited warranty when sold new1.
Videos
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Questions
What chip does the Subdecay Starlight Quantum use?
The Starlight Quantum is built around the MN3209 bucket brigade delay chip. Subdecay chose it because it offers very short delay times, which allow a higher sweep than a typical MN3207 based design. Premier Guitar's review noted that the Starlight's 256-stage MN3209 BBD chip can produce very short delay times. The pedal is all analog bucket brigade based, with digital control added for flexibility.
Is the Subdecay Starlight Quantum true bypass?
Yes. Subdecay specifies 3PDT switches for true bypass switching on the Starlight Quantum, so the pedal takes itself out of the signal path entirely when off.
What does Manual mode do on the Starlight Quantum?
Manual mode produces a static, fixed flanger effect. Instead of the flanger sweeping on its own, the speed knob is used to manually control the flanger sweep, letting you dial in a set position and leave it there.
Is the Subdecay Starlight Quantum discontinued?
Yes. Subdecay's product page lists the Starlight Quantum as out of production and out of stock, with the newer Starlight Flanger V2 available in its place.
Does the Subdecay Starlight Quantum come with a power adapter?
No. The pedal is powered by a regulated 9VDC to 18VDC adapter with a negative center 2.1mm barrel style plug, but the power supply is not included. Daisy chain use requires all other pedals on the chain to be negative ground.
How much current does the Starlight Quantum draw?
Subdecay specifies a current draw of less than 40mA, which is modest enough for most standard pedalboard power supplies.
Sources (2)
- Starlight Quantum, Subdecay, 2022-07-15
- SubDecay Starlight Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-05
