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Ring Modulators: Which Is The One For Me?

andvari7

andvari7

Aug 28, 2004
1,668
228
Ennui
#1
Because the only pedal I don't have, apart from a compressor (which I have no intention of buying), is a ring modulator, I think that will be my next purchase (unless, of course, I cave in, go to the Chicago Music Exchange tomorrow, and get a Polyphase). But, I'm not very well versed in the lost art of ring modulation. The sum of my experiences is as follows: ten minutes with a Moog MF-102, listening to the guitar solo on the title track to Black Sabbath's "Paranoid," and loads of Daleks. Based on some of the weak research I've done, I have a list of some of the plausible contenders:

EHX Frequency Analyzer
Copilot Android
Moog MF-102

So, until MXR makes a ring modulator (which, with their current crop of Phase 90 models, and an unhealthy obsession with two metal guitarists who aren't especially talented, is highly unlikely), I'm sort of stuck.

Or am I? Help me, if you can.
 
#2
I, too, would like some help with ring mods because I'm in a similar position, although I have little to no experience with any, aside from the ones I've tried on Line 6 products. I've convince myself that a ring mod would definitely be a cool sound to have available.

My only problem is that it seems like most ring mods have to be "tuned" to whatever song you're playing, so if I wanted to use it for more than one song, I'd have to bend over and turn a knob.
 
#3
i'm checking out the android next week ( a shop is keeping it aside for me), i'll report back then, but I don't have any experience with the other ring modulators mentioned

(the moog is too expensive, and I tried a freqanalyser for a couple of minutes in a shop and was not enough impressed to meddle with it a little further. But i have to admit I didn't pay a lot of attention to the pedal, cause I was on the lookout for an octaver back then).
 
#5
wdinc01 said:
it seems like most ring mods have to be "tuned" to whatever song you're playing, so if I wanted to use it for more than one song, I'd have to bend over and turn a knob.
Click to expand...
The fixed (or knob-adjustable) modulator frequency of most ring mods renders them useless IMO for anything other than DEVO or noise-muzik. So the only ring mods I consider worth considering are ones that allow for some more advanced control over the mod frequency: an expression pedal, an LFO, an envelope follower, etc. So that includes Moog, Frostwave, Zvex, and Studio Electronics off the top of my head. There may be others.
 
#6
bongomania said:
The fixed (or knob-adjustable) modulator frequency of most ring mods renders them useless IMO for anything other than DEVO or noise-muzik. So the only ring mods I consider worth considering are ones that allow for some more advanced control over the mod frequency: an expression pedal, an LFO, an envelope follower, etc. So that includes Moog, Frostwave, Zvex, and Studio Electronics off the top of my head. There may be others.
Click to expand...

+1

And a good list. I'd also point out that the Pigtronix Mothership has a ring mod that tracks the note you play and tunes to it. But I've never tried it.
 
#7
I've read about uselessness of some ring modulators already, but I must addmit that I don't understand the whole thing. Is it something connected with tuning frequency to particular notes?

What do you think about 4-knob Android in terms of use?
 
#8
I used to have an original Maestro Ring Modulator (from ~1973...turns out these were designed & built by Tom Oberheim!) and that had a wonderful set of interface options: in addition to a control voltage input -- so that an external pedal (or LFO, or any analog synth module) could be used to sweep the Carrier frequency, it had an external Carrier audio input, so that you could replace the internal oscillator with any source! I did a number of wonderful scenarios where the output from another musician's rig would get routed to this input, so that my playing & his playing would heterodyne together and yield 100% unpredictable sum & difference tones. Fabulous stuff.

*That* is definitely the one piece of gear I kick myself for getting rid of...
 
#9
jetofuj said:
I've read about uselessness of some ring modulators already, but I must addmit that I don't understand the whole thing. Is it something connected with tuning frequency to particular notes?
Click to expand...
A ring mod typically generates a waveform at a given frequency with an oscillator, and this is essentially one note droning on constantly, though that one note is usually not be audible in between notes you play. The waveform of your instrument's signal is modulated (altered in shape and frequency) by that generated waveform, and the resulting sound is the crazy gonky tone of a ring mod. Because the generated waveform never changes, but the notes you play change constantly, the "quality" of the crazy gonky tone varies drastically from note to note, sucking more often than not, and sounding dead boring after only a few notes. For this reason, having a dynamically-controlled or frequently-changing modulation frequency can increase the instances of cool tones versus sucky ones, and eliminate listener boredom.
jetofuj said:
What do you think about 4-knob Android in terms of use?
Click to expand...
With expression pedal option: probably great.
Without: probably garbage unless you are in a DEVO/noise band.
 
#13
bongomania said:
A ring mod typically generates a waveform at a given frequency with an oscillator, and this is essentially one note droning on constantly, though that one note is usually not be audible in between notes you play. The waveform of your instrument's signal is modulated (altered in shape and frequency) by that generated waveform, and the resulting sound is the crazy gonky tone of a ring mod. Because the generated waveform never changes, but the notes you play change constantly, the "quality" of the crazy gonky tone varies drastically from note to note, sucking more often than not, and sounding dead boring after only a few notes. For this reason, having a dynamically-controlled or frequently-changing modulation frequency can increase the instances of cool tones versus sucky ones, and eliminate listener boredom.

With expression pedal option: probably great.
Without: probably garbage unless you are in a DEVO/noise band.
Click to expand...

I got to try the Android about a year ago, and it is a very good ring mod. Definitely get the exp input option controlling carrier freq. Without it, you can do cool drone-y stuff, but it's MUCH more useful being able to retune the carrier while you're playing.

I although I have never played one, I have been told that the Moog is an AMAZING ring mod with a million options, but a lot of people seem to be turned off by the bypass of the Moogers.
 
#16
I've used the 4-knob android - it sounds good but even with the expression pedal, its knobs are really sensitive - i'm afraid it is best suited to experimental music but hey- I love Devo

Frequency analyzer was just kinda meh to me. Snarling Dogs Mold Spore sounds great and IS an expression pedal (and a cool wah) but its knobs are sensitive and easy to bump. Build quality was never a problem for me.

I've also used the Moogerfooger. If you have enough space on your pedalboard and a spare spot on a looper, you should absolutely get it. It is more practical, more flexible, WAY better sounding and better built and easier to use than any of the others I mentioned.
 
#17
As noise machines the Gonkulator and Mold Spore are cool but very limited.

I love Frantone stuff, but the Glacier is basically just a somewhat improved EHX Frequency Analyzer and not worth the price tag IMO.

The Heliotrope lacks an expression input so it isn't for you, but I think it sounds better than the Android. Then again it isn't a true ring mod as it only subtracts and doesn't sum.

The Moog is the best ring mod I've tried. Lots of weird/cool sounds and does a great analog trem as well. That said, with my elecronica project falling apart, I'm probably selling mine soon.

I haven't tried the Frostwave but have only heard good things.
 
#19
Just one thought, I got the Boss GT-10B last week and am having a blast learning it. The ring mod there allows the frequency setting to be programed to the effects pedal. I know this is an expensive option, but if you're looking for lots of effects and the ability to chain them in may ways, it's a great option.

That said, ring mod for me is more of a fun thing to play with than useful in any music I'm playing (at least for now).
 

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