Very cool - a reverb that uses optical sensors to gather far more of the interaction of your input and the spring, opening up a vast array of new sounds and effects.
Very cool – a reverb that uses optical sensors to gather far more of the interaction of your input and the spring, opening up a vast array of new sounds and effects.
Also: it’s not yet another DSP reverb, thank the Gear Gods.
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Brand new product for sale. We like Gamechanger’s approach and their products. The Light Pedal is interesting because rather than trying to emulate a spring reverb (yawn), they have used a clever application of technology (light sensors along the spring it this case) to open up a wealth of new dimensions of sound from an old idea.
Gamechanger say:
Light pedal is the world’s first analog optical spring reverb system that uses infra-red optical sensors to harvest the full timbral and harmonic range of a spring reverb tank.
It takes a lot of energy to transfer an audio signal across the length of a vibrating spring. By the time the source audio signal reaches the spring tank’s output transducer, most of its nuanced harmonic content will be lost converted into mechanical energy.
This is why spring reverbs have such a particular sound, since what you end up hearing is largely the spring’s own resonant frequencies. The light pedal uses extremely sensitive optical pairs, placed at specific regions of the spring to detect very nuanced movements on the spring’s surface, as sound-waves travel through it.
This method opens up a much wider range of frequencies, harmonics, overtones and textures that are otherwise lost in the mechanical reverberation process. Using optical sensors also opens doors to some new effects types, such as optical reverb tremolo, optical reverb modulation and optical harmonic shimmer.
The result is a wide variety of analog reverb sounds ranging from classic to experimental to pure magic.
This unit therefore combines the best features of a traditional spring reverb, capturing classic “boing-y” ambient tones, while opening up countless new types of reverbs and colours thanks to its innovate optical tech and powerful effects section. It’s simply a dream for experimental players seeking ethereal sounds!
Key Features
6 Inspiring Effects:
Optics – Lets you choose a specific combination of optical sensors, each with a slightly different textural and timbral quality.
Sweep – A modulation mode that rhythmically scrolls back and forth through the different optical sensor pairs. The different frequency response properties of each sensor results in a modulation-style effect.
Trem – A tremolo effect is produced by rhythmically switching the optical sensors on and off. The tremolo effect can also be applied to the spring output together with the optical signal, or separately.
Reflect – This setting is a lo-fi delay that will send the instrument’s signal back into the reverb tank several times. Long delay times can create powerful, lengthy reverb decays.
Feedback – This mode sets the spring tank into self-oscillation, which lets you produce various drones and wall-of-sound-type pads. Lots of potential uses when paired with an expression pedal or when in momentary mode.
Harmonic – In this setting, the spring tank is driven by a special circuit designed to produce added overtones and harmonics. Think of it as a shimmer reverb effect, but only produced naturally within the spring tank.
All of the above effects are controlled with the dedicated ‘Ctrl’ knob, which can be responsive to your playing dynamics. The first three effects (Optical, Sweep, Trem) can be stacked with one of the remaining three modes, letting you form immersive and layered ambient textures!
Versatile Control Panel:
3 Mix Controls – Dry, Spring (classic spring sound) and Optical (optical spring reverb sound).
Tone – Shared between the spring/optical sounds, and does not apply to the instrument’s dry signal. Ranges from rumbling lows to piercing highs.
6-Way Effect Selector Knob – Allows you to switch between Light’s six effects modes.
Ctrl – Effect parameter control knob.
Drive – For adjusting the signal level sent to the reverb tank, thus affecting its response and behaviour.
Gate – Primary function: Gated and ducking reverb control. Secondary function: Ctrl knob envelope response control.
Tails – Turns reverb tails on or off.
Latch – Sets the pedal into latching mode (on) or into momentary mode (off).
Shock Sensor – Shuts off the wet signal output when mechanical impact or a shaking motion is detected. Three levels of shock protection: off, soft and hard.
Soft Footswitch – Primary function: Toggling bypass. Secondary functions: Effects stacking, adjusting the envelope control over the effects and entering the footswitch assignment mode.
Expression Pedal Input:
Light also features an ‘Exp’ input for 1/4″ TS and TRS jacks and is compatible with all expression pedal types, as well as CV signal (active range to +3.3 V). The expression pedal can be assigned to the Ctrl, Spring, Optical, Drive or the Gate knobs — allowing you to manipulate a raft of parameters for tone-warping sounds!
Brand new product.
Takes a standard 9v power supply (not included).
For sales in UK the price will include 20% VAT. Buyers elsewhere may incur VAT or other local taxes on import.
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