Z. Vex - Vibrophase ZVEX

Some years ago ZVEX Effects released the Candela Vibrophase™, a candle-powered vibrato/phaser machined from solid brass and glass that used a mix of 1800s technology (a Sterling heat engine) and 60s/70s audio circuitry to create a lovely swirling effect. We received numerous requests to put that sound into a guitar pedal and after a bunch of research we came up with a way of dramatically broadening the spectrum of textures available using the original circuitry from the Candela. It's presented to you here as the Vibrophase™, a five-knob four-stage phaser that creates phase and vibrato nuances never heard before. Five knobs! Count 'em! Speed sweeps from maddeningly slow to puppy dog flippy, vibrato/phase sweeps from, erm, you'll figure that out, feedback sends the output back through the phaser again to raise intensity, and there are controls for the top end and bottom end of the sweep so you can completely tailor the sound to your song. I think you're really going to enjoy this. It's just really pretty. -ZV

How to use the Vibrophase: It runs on a 9V battery or a typical 9VDC power supply, center negative on a standard barrel connector. It draws less than 50mA, in fact, most settings are less than 20mA. Just plug it in and turn the knobs until you’re happy. Powersupply not included

Speed: This control feeds an input on a micro controller that’s pro- grammed to generate a sine wave output to drive an LED over a very wide range of frequencies. It can completely crawl or zip off like a hummingbird. This is the only digital part of the effect. All of the audio path is entirely ana- log. All audio components are devices which existed in the 70s or earlier. 

Vibrato/Phase: This control adjusts the mix from Vibrato (counter-clockwise) to Phase (clockwise). Phasing occurs when the Vibrato signal coming from the sweeping phase shift networks is blended with some original dry guitar. 

Feedback: This control takes the output signal and leaks some of it back into the input of the four phase shifters. In a way it’s like adding more stages, but not really, because feedback of this nature also can cause some whistling, which can add a bit of drama to the sound. Always use this knob tastefully, except when the power of rock compels you. This control can make the VibrophaseTM think it’s more important than your guitar. 

High Bias: This control interacts with the Low Limit control so if you
set it and then adjust the Low Limit you may have to come back and set it again. It essentially sets the highest voltage that can be sent to the LED so it determines the high point of the sweep. It’s completely analog so if you’re running off a battery and it’s going at, your sweep may drop off. 

Low Limit: This control interacts with High Bias so if you set it and then adjust the High Bias you may have to come back and set it again.
It essentially sets the lowest voltage that is sent to the LED. It can be used in conjunction with the High Bias to keep the sweep range con ned to a very vocal (or wah-like) zone that can be very musical. 

Or you can set these two controls for the widest possible sweep, or for a sweep in the bass range, or a sweep only up in the wispy treble zone. 

Battery life: This pedal has average battery life. We also recommend a high-quality isolated power supply. 

Warranty:Your VibrophaseTM is warranted for 1 year from date of purchase, or 2 years if you register your pedal on ZVEX.com. Please visit www.zvex.com/repairs for any repair questions or more information. 

Recommendation: Enjoy!

Suggested settings in o’clock (these are approximate and may vary from pedal to pedal): 

Bread “if”: 

Speed: Noon | Mix: Counter-clockwise | Feedback: 2 o’clock | High Bias: 1:30 | Low Limit: 1:30 

Slow Phase: 

Speed: Counter-clockwise | Mix: Clockwise | Feedback: 2 to 3 o’clock High Bias: Noon | Low Limit: Noon 

Midrange Phase: 

Speed: 8:30 o’clock | Mix: Clockwise | Feedback: 2 to 3 o’clock, higher for more vocal tone | High Bias: Noon | Low Limit: 4 o’clock to remove low end 

Vibrato:

Speed: 10:30 o’clock | Mix: Counter-clockwise | Feedback: Counter-clock- wise | High Bias: One o’clock | Low Limit: 2:30 

Spacey:

Speed: 2 o’clock | Mix: Counter-clockwise | Feedback: Clockwise | High Bias: Start fully-clockwise and lower all the way } Low Limit: Start high and lower as High Bias reaches the bottom, then turn both Low Limit and High Bias back up