Modulated Fuzz

[Seten]

I think that's what it would be called. Are there any fuzz pedals with a function that (preferably with tap tempo) modulates, say, the gain control, so its got a sort of tremolo like effect, but not volume going in and out, its the gain on the fuzz going up and down.

I'm sure these exist, but I'm new and don't know where to look.

[BoatRich]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a pedal that does this actually. You could do it with like one of those third hand things? Or build cv/expression in to the fuzz control and send it an external lfo. Or build a fuzz with lfo control over the gain knob?

[tuj]

Well you can always put a tap-tempo trem pedal in front of a fuzz.

But of the ones I know of:
-Copilot makes a *frequency* modulated fuzz, which is basically a self-osc fuzz and not what you want.
-Spaceman WoW signal fuzz has an LFO that modulates a filter. Again, not what you are looking for.
-The F**K OD basically is a envelope-following 'crackle' gain stage fuzz.
-Walrus Audio Janus is pretty close to what you want...
-Cusack Tap-A-Fuzz is probably EXACTLY what you want.

[D.o.S.]

The volume knob on your guitar will also work for this.

[goroth]

Cusack tap a fuzz is correct!

I wouldn't however call any of copilot's fuzzes oscillating fuzzes. Played both the terra and the trek on the tour box and they are awesome. Pretty sure Adam would do a custom combining it with a broadcast controlling one or more parameters. If nothing else I'd chat with Adam to see what he can do as he is in act a wizard.

[lordgalvar]

PWM fuzzes -> Copilot Trek, Synthmonger Pulsemonger
Oscillating fuzzes -> guitar signal modulates the oscillation
Any fuzz with CV control over fuzz/other parameter -> LAL 88, 87, 86, Toxic Plant
Ring Mod + Fuzz -> Toxic Plant, Copilot Caracol, use a ringmod with blend, HAX, SPKJr (it is fuzzy and muddy enough to be thrown in here).
Envelope fuzzes -> Subdecay HA, LAL Gomorrah, etc

But what you should be looking for is the Vorg Envelope Filter Distortion fuzz thing...clones made by Fredric and Jimmy Behan (Super Electric), or an Ugly Face. (something different I guess).

Special mention to things like the 87 (modulated osc fuzz), MASF Epilepsy/osc fuzzes that modulate themselves, etc

But none have tap tempo (unless your cv source does...like broadcast), but I don't really see it as a need

[Seten]

I found the cusack just shortly after I posted it, (probably shouldve done the research before I posted the thread), but I'm sad because it doesnt have a cool graphic

Some questions, what's the "Pulse modulating" in PWM? I never understood what it was, watching demos of the Trek it doesn't seem like theres any modulation going on there.

I'd see if i could get a copilot custom, but thats probably gonna be a good amount of money, which I currently don't have.

[goroth]

You don't really hear it like... Modulating. It's more to do with how the signal is generated. But just for the sake of argument, pm Adam and tell him want you want and see what he can do. His prices are good.

[lordgalvar]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-width_modulation -> it's like a squarewave but the distance between the peak and valley can be changed (i.e. not constant). Think of it like morse code, but faster. If you put an LFO or another cv source to control that distance, you get modulation. The broadcast is fairly reasonably priced, but you could build a cheap LFO too (just wont have the tap tempo like the broadcast or all the cool waveforms).

From above article:

PWM is sometimes used in sound (music) synthesis, in particular subtractive synthesis, as it gives a sound effect similar to chorus or slightly detuned oscillators played together. (In fact, PWM is equivalent to the difference of two sawtooth waves with one of them inverted.[1]) The ratio between the high and low level is typically modulated with a low frequency oscillator. In addition, varying the duty cycle of a pulse waveform in a subtractive-synthesis instrument creates useful timbral variations. Some synthesizers have a duty-cycle trimmer for their square-wave outputs, and that trimmer can be set by ear; the 50% point (true square wave) was distinctive, because even-numbered harmonics essentially disappear at 50%. Pulse waves, usually 50%, 25%, and 12.5%, make up the soundtracks of classic video games.

Just find something with CV control of its fuzz and get an LFO or something with an LFO out (like a synth or a moog pedal or something). If you have a korg volca or something you could use that for your tap (use the tempo and trig/sync out to your mod source)

Or get a photoeye and solder that to a jack. Tape it to any flashing LED and you have a modulation source for anything. Like if your trem or phaser has a flashing LFO light, you have something there. if it has tap tempo, even better.

[lordgalvar]

You don't really hear it like... Modulating. It's more to do with how the signal is generated. But just for the sake of argument, pm Adam and tell him want you want and see what he can do. His prices are good.

Adam is awesome. And yes, his prices are very good.

[tuj]

width. PWM = puse-width modulation. Basically imagine a square wave where the rising portion gets shorter and shorter in duration.



PS Adam is an awesome guy.

[Seten]

okay, thanks guys. I'll pm adam.

[Seten]

Okay, here's a copy of what I pm'd him.

Okay, so I just wanted to hear your thoughts on it/some sort of $ quote if you can do it. Basically, I want to be able to control the tone control (in addition to the width) on the Trek with a Broadcast. I'd like it to be able to switch between the broadcast only controlling the tone, or only controlling the width, or controlling both. Also, while we're at it, it would also be cool to be able to control the vol and dry controls, and so be able to switch between tone only, width only, vol only, dry only, tone + width, tone + vol, vol + dry, dry + tone, etc. So maybe layout-wise something like 4 different switches, one for each control to decide whether each individual control is being controlled by the cv/expression input.

Or, even better, I would like to buy a gyroscope and have that modded to have the tap tempo/ratio knob able to send cv/expression out through a cv/expression out jack so I can connect that to the Trek to control the tone/width controls on the Trek.

I think what I said made sense, let me know if it didnt.

Side note - I'd like the Trek and Gyroscope that are to be modded to be the ones you have for sale on here, because I'm guessing that that would make the overall build cheaper.

[Seten]

Did that make sense to you guys?

[Gone Fission]

A word of caution on the LAL stuff: I know the jack is labeled for cv, but I gather all advise use of passive expression pedals. I've seen a schematic of one of the fuzzes that makes me doubt that it'd be happy with a real 5v input. I'd advise contacting LAL before hooking up anything but an expression pedal for fear of breaking something.