Need some info and suggestions (Ringmod, Bitcrusher)

[Gashaponcito]

Alright here is the deal... I fell in love with Ringmod... I used to think they were awful sounding but today I used a VST of one (in the Tracktion app) and it was amazing now I want one! recently I've read about Bitcrushers to my ears they sound very alike(bits & rings), am I right? if not what are the differences between them? now to the hardest part... which one to buy.. to my mind come 3 options: Frequency Analyzer, Bugcrusher, Heliotrope,Ringtone of them one is very very hard to find (Bug) so that leaves me just 3 are there more? suggestions? any input will be welcomed =D

edit: oh yeah I recorded something.. I cannot hear it since I left my headphones at home but I hope it sounds as I remember...

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7367415

[JohnDavisNYC]

ring mod and those analog sample rate reduction sounds are similar at certain settings.... but sample rate reduction (bitcrushing) doesn't obliterate the pitch information of the notes the same way that ring mod does...

if i understand it correctly, the bitcrusher pedals somehow use a sample and hold type circuit with a carrier frequency in the audible range...

the manner in which the two work is the same, but the specific implementation and sonic results are different.

john

[Gashaponcito]

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

ring mod and those analog sample rate reduction sounds are similar at certain settings.... but sample rate reduction (bitcrushing) doesn't obliterate the pitch information of the notes the same way that ring mod does...

if i understand it correctly, the bitcrusher pedals somehow use a sample and hold type circuit with a carrier frequency in the audible range...

the manner in which the two work is the same, but the specific implementation and sonic results are different.

john

if I understood correctly, a sample reduction sounds more musical? if you didn't have the bugcrusher which one would you use? thanks John!

cheers!

[JohnDavisNYC]

i dunno... i have a frequency analyzer, the old big one (did they make an XO version yet? ) and it is pretty cool... it seems like the heliotrope is kinda the best other option... also, the WMD GeigerCounter can get into that realm, but it is pricey and looks really complicated.

the nice thing about sample rate reduction is that it only effects the upper harmonics of the sound until you are getting to really super low sample rates... so you get a nice aliased top end, but you maintain the note information.

that was the thing that always bugged me about ring mods in a strict sense was that they get rid of all the actual 'note' information....

john

[jetofuj]

Some time ago I've found this:

http://www.seppukufx.com/digitalpitchmodulator.htm

I don't know if it is the thing you are looking for, but still it is worth seeing

[Mr. Pickles]

I currently have a Heliotrope and used to own the Copilot FX Android (4 knob w/ expression input). The Android was really cool and had a ton of interesting and useable sounds, but like john says, it obliterates the note information. Freaky sounds galore, but not so useful for melodic playing.

The Helio seems to be more musical, in that I can still hear the note fundamental and related overtones. Not as weird or wacky as the Android, but more useful for melodies/harmonies.

I have one question for the OP - what functions did the plugin have that you liked? What types of sounds were you getting?

I don't have any experience with bit crushers, other than the fact that I played alot of Atari back in the day and the sound effects haunt me still...

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by jetofuj

Some time ago I've found this:

http://www.seppukufx.com/digitalpitchmodulator.htm

I don't know if it is the thing you are looking for, but still it is worth seeing

I've been GASsing for one of those recently. Some great sounds in there.

[Gashaponcito]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I have one question for the OP - what functions did the plugin have that you liked? What types of sounds were you getting?

Well I investigated a little and I found this:
"RingMod - Ring Modulator
Simple ring modulator with sine-wave oscillator"
that is the information of the VST I used also it only has 2 parameters Freq (0-16000) and Fine (0-100) both in Hz I liked the way it sounded because it was very musical also I added a little bit of chorus and sounded really great also I could hear some of my bass in the sound I was getting it was pretty cool

[bigchiefbc]

The Copilot Antenna can do sounds that are similar to both Ring Mod and Bit Crushing. The best Bit Crusher I have ever used is the Alesis Bitrman. The downside to this one is that it is really meant to be a table-top device more than a pedal, so its bypass is a plastic button, rather than a stomp switch. And the holy grail of bit crushers (IMHO, of course) is the Frostwave Sonic Alienator, which I have always wanted to try, and will some day, goddamn it. If Frostwave ever starts making stuff again, that is.

[Lokkenjawnz]

One thing to keep in mind, is that ring mods create their sound by multiplying your sound with a carrier signal, usually generated by the pedal itself. The pitch of this carrier is usually steady, which is what causes a lot of the notes' sounds to run together. Try to find a ring mod that has a carrier input, then you can supply your own signal, whether it be from some sort of synthesizer, or your own bass signal pitch shifted, so that the final ring modded sound stays relative to the note you're playing.

Frostwave Blue Ringer, and of course the Moog ring mod are the two that I know of that have carrier input. Another option is a passive ring mod, which I believe you can get at The Squarewave Parade, fairly cheap too.

Just the .02. I love weird noises so ring mods have a special place in my heart, and yet I've never owned a proper ring mod pedal. Need to get on that once funds come my way.