Toadworks Phantasm Phaser?

[grygrx]

Anyone, anyone?

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ToadWorks Phantasm is the world's first 9V battery operated, opto-analog dynamic phaser with a Center-Axis control pedal (whew!). With three basic modes of operation, stunning clarity and an uparalleled feature set, ToadWorks Phantasm is truly in a class of it's own.

The end product of three years of development, Phantasm offers studio-quality phasing at a fraction of the cost. In fact, no other battery-powered phaser comes close to the range of features available on the Phantasm.

Simple to use, ToadWorks Phantasm is a sophisticated phase shift effect, with a smooth operation and low noise floor that will amaze the most die-hard digital fans. Trust us - this phaser's set to stun​

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[nad]

Killer. If I ever find myself wanting biggerstrongerfaster out of my Psilocybe, I'll probably get one of those.

Also, looks like a Domokun on the bottom left there.

 

[SpankyPants]

 

[nad]

Right, what's it been now, 5 minutes? I want one.

 

[bongomania]

Drooollll....

 

[SpankyPants]

It's the power of the domokun.

 

[grygrx]

If you havn't listened to the sound samples, do so. There are even a couple of bass ones at the bottom (though the tone isn't really to my liking).

 

[Toasted]

I'd rather have a Toneczar Halophaze....

 

[SpankyPants]

There's a Pbass clip in the middle somewhere, too.

 

[bass-shy]

I'd really like to sit down with one of those for a while. Looks cool.

 

[The BurgerMeister]

i would like to have one of those.

 

[toadworksusa]

I'd really like to sit down with one of those for a while. Looks cool.

It is cool. This clip might give a better example of how it sounds in context....

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[bongomania]

OK, I'll bite. How many stages are possible with this phaser? In that clip, is the phaser only "on" during the bass breaks, or is it on at a different setting elsewhere in the track? I notice the bass gets a bit "sucked away" during those breaks- would a clean blend mix have helped that? In other words, how well does this phaser "work" when blended with the clean signal?

 

[toadworksusa]

OK, I'll bite. How many stages are possible with this phaser? In that clip, is the phaser only "on" during the bass breaks, or is it on at a different setting elsewhere in the track? I notice the bass gets a bit "sucked away" during those breaks- would a clean blend mix have helped that? In other words, how well does this phaser "work" when blended with the clean signal?

First, this needs to be said - don't get hung up on stages. The number of stages in a phaser is absolutely meaningless - what people are really asking is "how far does it sweep?" Not all phasers are created equally, and not all phaser stages are capable of the same degree of offset. In fact, they don't all sweep the same number of degrees at the same frequencies - the degree of offset decreases at higher frequencies.

Phantasm has 4 optically driven stages, and sweeps over 500 degrees at 1KHz - that's closer to the amount of shift you get from 6-stage phasers... and that's why the # of stages is meaningless.

On the clip above, I'm only kicking the Phantasm on the bass for the "funkified" parts - otherwise the bass just has Mr. Squishy on. For the bass, I set it to use the ACD and ACS controls.

In contrast, the rhythm guitar has Phantasm on during the non-funky parts (you know, the Jimmy Buffet meets Larry Carlton parts )

Here's the same clip without that annoying lead guitar part:
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BTW, Phantasm has a output level trim pot, so you can adjust for the standard phaser drop out...

 

[Zeemno]

I am always happy when a creator of a particular stombox or the PR Manager from the company chimes into the discusion, welcome onboard! Now let's see...

First, this needs to be said - don't get hung up on stages. The number of stages in a phaser is absolutely meaningless

I'am shocked!! Does this mean a 12+ stage phaser won't sound any different than a well-constructed 4-stage one? I really don't need a 8 stages minimum phaser to get a good Jet Phaser tone??

I am sceptical about this and have to disagree, the # of stages determines the # of notches introduced in the signal, thus different amount will sound different. It would be a lot easier if it was otherwise...

what people are really asking is "how far does it sweep?"

I am usualy asking that about flangers. What I am asking first about a phaser is... "how much stages?" Although the sweep width for phasers is also an important and valid concern!

Not all phasers are created equally, and not all phaser stages are capable of the same degree of offset. In fact, they don't all sweep the same number of degrees at the same frequencies - the degree of offset decreases at higher frequencies.

Phantasm has 4 optically driven stages, and sweeps over 500 degrees at 1KHz - that's closer to the amount of shift you get from 6-stage phasers... and that's why the # of stages is meaningless.

Hmm... I am not an engeneer nor am I skilled in electronics in any ways, but I don't see any reasons, why a properly build all-pass filter (with quality parts) could work differently than another one. The phase shift of one all-pass filter (one phaser stage) is a function of frequency and it raises towards 180 degrees when frequency goes towards infinity. It's obvious that at 20khz the phase-shift has to be lower, like 170 deg or whatever. Then at 1khz it will be even lower.

The exact value's depend on the center frequency. The Phantasm is very unique - it's center freq is sweepable. If you set it well below 1khz, like 500hz for example, the sum of phase shift at 1khz can total 500deg or so. But if you set it at one 1khz, then you will be always near 360deg, no matter how well it is constructed! So comparing a 4stage to 6stage that way to show the number of phase stages is meaningless, isnt a valid point for me. Sorry!

Alright, I sounded a bit harsh, but this is by no means an offence here. I might be talking garbage here, if I do, please clarify! I just would like to be clear what to expect form the Phantasm, since it's one of the 4 phasers I am seriously considering. I am also very interested in guitar electronics, how it works etc. , hence my geekiness showing in this thread and some others. Hope you'll understand!

Oh, and the ACD function is pure genius! Two thumbs up to the guy who decided to include it! I'll be trying to do that on a Moog Phaser sometime!

 

[toadworksusa]

I am always happy when a creator of a particular stombox or the PR Manager from the company chimes into the discusion, welcome onboard!

You don't sound happy, you sound combative. This is why I don't post on Harmony Central anymore. Too much sarcasm. For the record, I started ToadWorks in my garage 7 years ago, and this isn't about PR - I genuinely though the clip might give some insight into what it can do.

I'am shocked!! Does this mean a 12+ stage phaser won't sound any different than a well-constructed 4-stage one?

That's not what I said, and you know it.

I am sceptical about this and have to disagree, the # of stages determines the # of notches introduced in the signal, thus different amount will sound different. It would be a lot easier if it was otherwise...

Disagree all you like, but opinion doesn't carry alot of weight when discussing facts. The # of stages does not determine the # of notches, it determines the degree of offset.

Hmm... I am not an engeneer nor am I skilled in electronics in any ways, but I don't see any reasons, why a properly build all-pass filter (with quality parts) could work differently than another one.

Who said it couldn't? My point is that the thing that makes a phaser sound "deep" and robust is, by and large, the degree of offset it is capable of. Obviously there are alot of factors involved, but when discussing our product, 29 out of 30 questions is "how many stages does it have" - it's arbitrary. They should be asking about the degree of offset.

The exact value's depend on the center frequency. The Phantasm is very unique - it's center freq is sweepable.

Not exactly. The Axis control sets the center point for the Offset - it's not the same thing. BTW, the copy on our website is actually wrong on that - it was written before the product was completed. Check out the manual for the correct info. And yes, I need to update the website - I'll do that today

Oh, and the ACD function is pure genius! Two thumbs up to the guy who decided to include it! I'll be trying to do that on a Moog Phaser sometime!

That would be me.

 

[bongomania]

Ah, Toadworks man,
Please note that we try to keep a MUCH higher level of goodwill here than on Harmony Central, which is perhaps why Zeemno felt at liberty to express himself that way. Those of us that "know each other" don't take much offense when a point is challenged. (Although we clearly have our share of hotheads. )

Also, FWIW, the points you are describing about phase stages versus sweep depth are not in keeping with "common knowledge", even if common knowledge turns out to be incorrect. So please understand that when you say something like "stages are meaningless", pretty much everyone is going to raise their eyebrows and want you to back that statement up -again, even if you are stating something technically correct, it "sounds wrong" to the layman.

 

[grygrx]

Ah, Toadworks man,
Please note that we try to keep a MUCH higher level of goodwill here than on Harmony Central, which is perhaps why Zeemno felt at liberty to express himself that way. Those of us that "know each other" don't take much offense when a point is challenged. (Although we clearly have our share of hotheads. )

Also, FWIW, the points you are describing about phase stages versus sweep depth are not in keeping with "common knowledge", even if common knowledge turns out to be incorrect. So please understand that when you say something like "stages are meaningless", pretty much everyone is going to raise their eyebrows and want you to back that statement up -again, even if you are stating something technically correct, it "sounds wrong" to the layman.

+1

I don't think Zeemno was attacking at all. He was asking about things that confused him and addressing the points of interest. If anything he used his emoticons to try and "keep it light". It's hard to convey "tone" via text but curious and inquistive is about where I'd read his post.

anyway....

Thanks for in input, always glad to have a technical mind on hand!

 

[Toasted]

the points you are describing about phase stages versus sweep depth are not in keeping with "common knowledge", even if common knowledge turns out to be incorrect.

I believe that the phrase "recieved wisdom" applies here. It is endemic to message boards.

 

[Joe P]

...The # of stages does not determine the # of notches, it determines the degree of offset...

There ya-go. Yes: there were some other Electronically bogus-ish kind of statements in that challenge, too.

Well, anyway - The phaser sounds great, for sure, but I'm impressed by the Mr. Squishy! I really dig the... Squishy-osity!

Killer Bass playing, too! ..Now, the Squish was AFTER the Envelope, right?

I'm pretty-much deciding that when I go envelope, I'll choose an envelope-controlled PHASER, rather than an envelope-controlled low pass filter.

Thanks, Mr. Toadworks -

Joe