basexperience Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Hello, fine low-enders. I’ve got a new project which needs some serious effects. Think Jojo Mayer / Nerve; so far I’ve got the basics down effects-wise, with a Future Impact, poly mod pro source audio filter (I went for the multi-instrument one), a good OC boss octaver, a Markbass super Synth for a little variety, and a FCB1010 with UNO 1.04 to give me totally mappable patch recall and expression across the Future Impact and filter pedals. To give me some lo-fi sounds, I need a bitcrusher. And it really needs to be a bitcrusher, not a slightly disguised mod pedal or ring mod. What’s out there now? Anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 The best sounding bitcrusher (imho) is the IE Frantabit. Better than anything else I've tried. I am gassing for a meris Ottobit though. I'm wondering if it can do that Gameboy chord (arpeggio) thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Bandit Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 The Frantabit is a hell of a lot of bitcrusher, for sure. I also have an Ottobit and the bitcrushing side of that is probably 85% of the way there, the Frantabit does get a bit raunchier though. The Ottobit will definitely do the whole Gameboy arpeggiated sound, it has a 6 step sequencer built in. However I'm not sure how wallet friendly either of those options are you, I believe there is a franta for sale on here though? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 I’d take a look at the Malekko Scrutator if I were you. Very very versatile. I’m gassing for an Ottobit jr. myselfthough ive never had much love for the Franta. Never tried one though so I can’t say why I feel that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 1 hour ago, CameronJ said: I’d take a look at the Malekko Scrutator if I were you. Very very versatile. I’m gassing for an Ottobit jr. myselfthough ive never had much love for the Franta. Never tried one though so I can’t say why I feel that way! Is that a proper digital bitcrusher, or an analogue 'sample rate reducer' like the Malekko Bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 15 minutes ago, elephantgrey said: Is that a proper digital bitcrusher, or an analogue 'sample rate reducer' like the Malekko Bit? It actually has bit crushing AND sample rate reduction onboard. I have no idea if it’s analog or digital though to be honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben4343 Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 I have a Red Panda Bitmap incoming; will try to remember to give some feedback. It has 'fractional bit crushing' in addition to 'sample rate modulation' - does that count as a 'real' bit crusher? How about this? https://fxpedalrental.com/rent-pedals.html?bitcrusher=24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 (edited) I think Juan Alderete & co did a demo of the Bitmap in one of their pedal demos on YouTube. Will see if I can find it... Edit: here it is Edited December 15, 2017 by CameronJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben4343 Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Just now, CameronJ said: I think Juan Alderete & co did a demo of the Bitmap in one of their pedal demos on YouTube. Will see if I can find it... They have definitely done stuff on the Raster, and I'm pretty sure the Particle too. RP have posted Nick messing about with the new one too... The Tensor I think? The Raster is great - in addition to all the pitch shifting stuff it's a solid digital delay, can do a cool chorus and vibrato ish, and great burbling ring mod/bitcrusher noises. I know the OP doesn't want ring mod, but it does sound cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 1 hour ago, elephantgrey said: Is that a proper digital bitcrusher, or an analogue 'sample rate reducer' like the Malekko Bit? Analog bitcrushers? Are they a thing? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totorbass Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 I used to own a Frantabit, it was very good indeed, you can for example manage some nasty velcroish fuzz sounds with it, apart from the ringy weirdo thing. Eventually I found it pretty useless and my woman was about to leave. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 If there is bitcrushing and sample rate reduction chances are that it's digital. There is a way you can approximate ample reduction with analogue. They where everywhere in 2009-10~ when the only actual bitcrushers where the moth a red panda's line6 module, then things like the frantabit came along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 (edited) I don't know if the CoPilot Orbit is actually a bitcrusher, or just a bitcrusher-esque fuzz, but John Davis uses/used one of those too. There are some version out there without the switch that can't do the same 303 laser sounds though, as I was disappointed to find when I bought one second time around. Looks like the latest version on their site has 6 knobs, replacing the switch with a dry volume control, although a google image search did turn up one with 6 knobs AND the switch, so I'd get in touch with them if interested in buying one. Edited December 15, 2017 by dannybuoy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totorbass Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Some analog fuzzes with SAG can degrade sounds pretty well too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Here's an example of an analogue 'sample rate reducer' I believe the frantabits destruction mode is a digital recreation of these... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 1 hour ago, dannybuoy said: I don't know if the CoPilot Orbit is actually a bitcrusher, or just a bitcrusher-esque fuzz, but John Davis uses/used one of those too. It's a ring modulator, which is a completely different beast. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 I have to say that, as a general rule, I actually prefer sample rate reduction to bit crushing. Luckily for me, my Scrutator does both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Just now, CameronJ said: I have to say that, as a general rule, I actually prefer sample rate reduction to bit crushing. Luckily for me, my Scrutator does both! I've historically been the same, but have recently started using my frantabit with the least amount of bitcrushing, and a high gain going in (reduced to unity with its volume) as an always on effect. This just add a tiny bit of texture to sustained notes. Think the end chord of plug in baby. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 1 minute ago, elephantgrey said: I've historically been the same, but have recently started using my frantabit with the least amount of bitcrushing, and a high gain going in (reduced to unity with its volume) as an always on effect. This just add a tiny bit of texture to sustained notes. Think the end chord of plug in baby. Ah, very nice. I really do need to try a Frantabit at some point. The thing I enjoy about sample rate reduction is finding the point at which the degraded harmonics (if that’s technically what they are?) are at a pitch which is unison with the note being played. With the filter knob on the Scrutator I can take a bit of the fizz off the top end and create a nice lush but still audibly “digital” kinda sound. There have been times I’ve used it instead of fuzz and it can work great in that capacity. The assignable expression is fantastic too. I’ve said it before but I still don’t know how they’ve managed to squeeze so much functionality into such a compact enclosure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 23 minutes ago, CameronJ said: Ah, very nice. I really do need to try a Frantabit at some point. The thing I enjoy about sample rate reduction is finding the point at which the degraded harmonics (if that’s technically what they are?) are at a pitch which is unison with the note being played. With the filter knob on the Scrutator I can take a bit of the fizz off the top end and create a nice lush but still audibly “digital” kinda sound. There have been times I’ve used it instead of fuzz and it can work great in that capacity. The assignable expression is fantastic too. I’ve said it before but I still don’t know how they’ve managed to squeeze so much functionality into such a compact enclosure. Yeah, I do something similar with sample rate, I play the highest note I'll play, then start reducing untill just when it starts alliasing (messing with the pitch of the note playing) and then back off the sample rate the smallest amount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basexperience Posted December 15, 2017 Author Share Posted December 15, 2017 9 hours ago, elephantgrey said: Is that a proper digital bitcrusher, or an analogue 'sample rate reducer' like the Malekko Bit? Exactly - digital bitcrusher is what I’m after here. Incidentally, I’m overwhelmed by the response, thanks guys, this is all totally excellent information! Warm Xmas glowy feels to the lot of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basexperience Posted December 15, 2017 Author Share Posted December 15, 2017 9 hours ago, ben4343 said: I know the OP doesn't want ring mod, but it does sound cool. Well now, I’m up for any sounds - this new project could well use all of them. What I meant was I was looking for a proper digital bitcrusher - not a ring mod which could be confused with one. Really good discussions on here, this is ace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee650 Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 As ive just got an instrumental/electronic project together, ive been getting increasingly interested in ring mods/bit crushers (especially as I've been listening to nerve) . I want to put them inthe loop of my cog T65, I, m seriously gassing for the co pilot orbit (they have a ten knob version on their FB page) as it seems a really versatile pedal, but is a ring mod as is the DOD Gonkulator which looks good (anyone any experience? ). Bit crushers seem to be really expensive, for something that isn't going to be used loads. The only cheap one ive seen is the Mooer Lo Fi machine, but I've gone off that ad the you tube demos sound awful!. so as per the OP any bit crushers which Aren't daft money would be great 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Zoom MS-60B has a bitcrusher I think? You'll get plenty of other uses out of it too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Yes, the zoom ms60b and b3 also. Might be a cheap way in and easier to sell if you dont like them? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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