While multi-modulation pedals delivering different types of modulation are an established niche in the effect world, it’s rare to stumble upon a pedal that delivers several kinds of the same type of modulation (we are not talking simply about LFO shapes here, but tonal character).
Enter Aurora, the new Flanger by Portland’s Spaceman Effects which delivers a 5-mode including 2 LFO types, 2 tape emulations, and a static comb filter, for a wide range of (fully analog) flange flavors that often border into chorusing and phasing.
Here’s a brief description of each mode:
- LFO 1 mode: triangle waveshape, great for classic flanger at lower speeds and lush chorus and phasing sounds at moderate speeds. At fully wet it produces the infamous seasick pitch-shifting vibrato.
- LFO 2 mode allows to control the rise and fall times, allowing you to craft ramp up, triangle, and ramp down waveforms, allowing for asymmetrical modulation especially useful for flange and pitch-shifting settings. Tapping the TRIG footswitch resets the LFO to the bottom, and holding the TRIG switch holds the LFO low.
- TAPE modes: mimic the tape deck manipulation of early flange effects. Just like placing your finger on the flange of a tape deck, holding the TRIG footswitch down begins the upward sweep, and releasing the TRIG footswitch begins the downward sweep. The REGEN, WIDTH and MIX controls can tame or exaggerate the effect.
- COMB mode freezes the modulation, and uses the RATE & RANGE controls to set two different static delay times that can be switched between by using the TRIG footswitch. The comb filtering effect can be used in a variety of ways, from simple thickening, to exotic, chaotic, robotic clang.
While the top four knobs are standard, the bottom two allow to access settings normally not found on your average flanger:
Regen controls the intensity of the classic “jet sound” produced by this effect, obtained by feeding a portion of the output signal back into the input.
The Range knob has a different role depending on the mode.
– In LFO 1 & TAPE 1 modes it controls which portion of the delay time is modulated.
– In LFO 2 & TAPE 2 modes it controls the FALL time of the modulation.
– In COMB filter mode it sets a secondary static delay time.
Needless to say, the Trig Footswitch is a multi-function momentary trigger for mode-specific special effects.
Check out the videos of the Spaceman Effects Aurora!
Spaceman Effects Aurora
The Aurora is an analog bucket-brigade flanger that gives you a powerful 5-mode modulation bus with 2 LFOs, 2 tape emulations, and a static comb filter. This provides several shades of flange, vibatro, chorus, phase, and filtery spatial effects with the lush sound of an analog signal path. The inclusion of a dedicated wet/dry MIX control gives you acute tonal control, while manually actuated TAPE modulation, and interruptible LFOs open up new avenues of in-the-moment expressiveness. Let your imagination coast across the neon sky.
THE MODULATION STATION
The modulation bus of the Aurora consists of three types of modulation: Two LFO modes, two tape modes, and one unswept comb filtering mode. Add shimmer and movement with shallower WIDTH and MIX settings. Crank up the REGEN, WIDTH, and RANGE and careen into deep rhythmic sweeps.
The LFO 1 mode produces a triangle waveshape ideal for a traditional flanger effect at lower speeds and lush chorus and phasing sounds at moderate speeds. At higher LFO speeds, set your MIX to fully wet and spin up bizarre seasick pitch-shifting vibrato. The LFO 2 mode offers discrete control over the rise and fall times, allowing you to craft ramp up, triangle, and ramp down waveforms. The ability to control the LFO slopes independently makes for very interesting asymmetrical modulation especially useful for flange and pitch-shifting settings. A quick tap of the TRIG footswitch resets the LFO to the bottom, and holding the TRIG switch holds the LFO low.
The TAPE modes of the Aurora give you the ability to mimic the tape deck manipulation of early flange effects. Just like placing your finger on the flange of a tape deck, holding the TRIG footswitch down begins the upward sweep, and releasing the TRIG footswitch begins the downward sweep. Careful use of the REGEN, WIDTH and MIX controls can tame or exaggerate the effect to suit any application.
Lastly, the COMB mode freezes the modulation, and uses the RATE & RANGE controls to set two different static delay times that can be switched between by using the TRIG footswitch. The comb filtering effect can be used in a variety of ways, from simple thickening, to exotic, chaotic, robotic clang.
THE AURORA PROVIDES YOU WITH:
- Brilliant clarity through a noise-reducing compander, and filters with a carefully tuned frequency response.
- A dedicated 100% wet / dry MIX control.
- Traditional AND unique multi-slope controls via two LFO modes.
- Emulation of your finger on the flange of a tape deck via 2 TAPE modes.
- Create subtle to not-so subtle Haas spatial effects with the static COMB filter.
- Maximum delay path headroom via a 256-stage MN3009 delay chip.
- Slowest sweep: > 60s
- Wide sweep ratio: > 20:1
- Delay time: 0.35ms-8ms
CONTROL DETAILS
VOLUME – Unity gain is roughly at noon, and a moderate boost of 6dB is possible at maximum.
MIX – Full control over wet/dry blend. This dramatically increases the utility of the Aurora by opening up subtler and more extreme tones.
REGEN – The staple jet sound maker. This control feeds a portion of the output signal back into the input for exaggerated resonant, robotic, or swooshy effects.
MODE – Five modulation modes are available: LFO 1, TAPE 1, LFO 2, TAPE 2, and COMB; each with their own unique attributes. See the tables for a more in depth coverage of each mode.
WIDTH – This is the main depth control of the modulation. It sets how wide the sweep is by controlling how much of the total delay time is modulated.
RATE • ? – Controls the speed of the modulation in LFO 1 & TAPE 1 modes. In LFO 2 & TAPE 2 modes it controls the RISE time. Sets the static delay time in COMB filter mode.
RANGE • ? – Controls which portion of the delay time is modulated in LFO 1 & TAPE 1 modes. In LFO 2 & TAPE 2 modes it controls the FALL time of the modulation. Sets a secondary static delay time in COMB filter mode.
TRIG Footswitch – Multi-function footswitch for use with the modulation bus. See the tables for a more in depth coverage of its usage in each mode.
BYPASS Footswitch – True-bypass soft-touch relay switching to engage and disengage the effect.
TRULY HAND CRAFTED
Hand-wired and built in Portland, Oregon, the Aurora features true-bypass relay switching with soft-touch footswitches. On top of the cast-aluminum enclosure sits a durable, engraved vinyl faceplate and jewel indicator light. This pedal is built to last a lifetime, both on Earth or in the vacuum of space.
