Ring mods 101

[PeteeBee]

I like the MF-102 as well, but I keep it on my tabletop for drum machine stuff and synth. On my floor board I use the BitQuest ring mod with an expression pedal. Unless you have an 'intelligent' ring mod that tracks and adjusts the frequency to the notes you play, you really want an expression control in order to play anything musical (in the traditional sense of the word) outside of one single key.

Doesn't the expression control something funny on the bitquest ring mod setting? I thought it was like reverb amount or something?

I think so? I'm lazy about expression pedals and haven't really used them. I want to incorporate them in more. Especially with ring mods

I try to use them quite a bit and they seldom function how I want them to. Only notable exception so far was the walrus bellweather. That worked wonderfully. Maybe UC means on the dirty side, in which case you can just be mixing the ring mod in and out. Or there is something I'm missing entirely... that's always an option haha

[rickenbastard]

MF-102!

[lordgalvar]

Balance always produces results.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZNPkyXJ8KA[/youtube]

Two whales in a circular chase can create a greater force than either individually.

[ognoy]

Another vote for the MF-102 here!
I love that box!
Great ring mod, great tremolo, cool preamp, great oscillator/carrier out(I use this for sub bass synth sounds, theremin sounds and general noisemaking) and sending the LFO to other pedals is really fun. Made my Pitchfactor into a super glitch machine.

Sounds good with guitar, keys, drum machines, etc.

[UglyCasanova]

I like the MF-102 as well, but I keep it on my tabletop for drum machine stuff and synth. On my floor board I use the BitQuest ring mod with an expression pedal. Unless you have an 'intelligent' ring mod that tracks and adjusts the frequency to the notes you play, you really want an expression control in order to play anything musical (in the traditional sense of the word) outside of one single key.

Doesn't the expression control something funny on the bitquest ring mod setting? I thought it was like reverb amount or something?

I think so? I'm lazy about expression pedals and haven't really used them. I want to incorporate them in more. Especially with ring mods

I try to use them quite a bit and they seldom function how I want them to. Only notable exception so far was the walrus bellweather. That worked wonderfully. Maybe UC means on the dirty side, in which case you can just be mixing the ring mod in and out. Or there is something I'm missing entirely... that's always an option haha

You control the frequency (CTRL1) of the ring mod with an expression pedal (in both clean and dirty mode), which is why it is useful when playing in more than one key. That was the point I was trying to make. Sorry for creating so much confusion.

[Eivind August]

There's also Copilot's Robotum and Planetoid. There's a new version of the Planetoid coming soon, which seems interesting.

[popvulture]

I try to use them quite a bit and they seldom function how I want them to.

I'm the same with expression pedals. Usually whatever exp I'm using is't the right pot value for the pedal I'm trying to control, so it has like no range of sweep or just sounds like shit. It's super annoying, and I guess it's why I've ultimately kinda left them alone.

[Jwar]

Ahhh ringmods. The single most annoying pedal on the planet next to autowah.

I would recommend turning your amp all the way up, then taking a drill to the electronics to see what noises you can come up with. That would sound better than any ring mod I've heard/tried. Or you could just smash all your pedals and shit on them. That would be more fun.

[drmaxell]

Another vote for the moog MF 102

[echorec]

I imagine having a reverb delay wash drone going and then melting faces with the ugliest ring mod melody over the top of it.

Is there anything under $200 even? Why are they so expensive? What do I look for?

If you want atonal, aggressive sounds, then stuff like the Gonkulator or the Vitruvian might be best. If you want trem/vibe stutters, along with bell-like chime, then you need something like the Fairfield Randy's Revenge or the MF-102.

Of course if you don't want trem and a great deal of versatility, then you could get the Minifooger RM for $149 ($95-120 used).

[lordgalvar]

There's also Copilot's Robotum and Planetoid. There's a new version of the Planetoid coming soon, which seems interesting.

Both are good options.

MF-102: good wide range option with an always on drive control, ton of features, and a cleaner soubd. The biggest problem is that the preamp will get saturated with certain fuzzes/gain pedals and their emphasized frequencies. If you are relying on fuzz, it might not be the best option. It can sound weak with extreme highs, octave fuzz, buffers, or high gain (before and after).

Gonkulator reissue: the distortion smooths things out a bit and it really is pretty good for the price. I think it will play nicer with a larger variety of guitar/bass oriented setups because of the way the preamp is designed. Doesn't have nearly the range of many others (right around a frequency analyzer).

Ehx frequency analyzer big box: carrier is slightly unstable and will kind of ripple...neat, but not always wanted. It will also have some saturation problems, but not nearly as much as the moogerfooger. Range is limited to high tremolo (like barely) to right at the verge of ear piercing. Filter is kinda cool, but it will never get used (seems to get eaten up in a live setting due to lack of highs)

Ehx frequency analyzer ac/vintage: smoother, less ripple version of the big box.

Ehx note: each unit may vary in carrier stability.

Ehx ring thing: for pure ring mod, it is pretty terrible and weak sounding. There is a distinct lack of harmonics. Only needed if tracking is absolutely required (if it is, why ring mod? Seems like the wrong path)...but really people buy this for cheap fs.

Zoom multistomp: really good sounding for a digital...seems modeled after the frequency analyzer in range but much better sounding than the ring thing.

LAL SPKjr: some balancing issues and it won't really bell. It will sound weak/loose volume at extreme blends, but it is fun for blending in a large mix.

Copilot Robotum: really good solid choice. Has a good range and can take a wide range of fuzz/distortion. At extreme highs, the higher side band can engulf the entire signal.

Copilot Planetoid: another extremely solid choice. See Robotum. This has a different carrier waveform and added filter. The filter is pretty good.

Dwarfcraft HAX: pretty good, but there will always be preamp coloration on the instrument signal. Wide range.

Vitruvian mod (v1): small range, but it has options. It has a less interesting sound to me like most other digital (lack of harmonics/character....kinda too clean/perfect I guess). The other tracking option.

There are a ton more under 200, but eh.

My choice: passive. Or Carlin. And a drone synth/oscillator.


Two most important things: balance and preamps.

More sub 200: illumiringer, moody way, parasit corruptor, heavy Saturn, Yamaha MagicStomp, older zoom, korg mfx, frostwave blue ringer (with patience), heavy Saturn, Colorsound (patience), masf swan song (patience), and maybe a few others that I am forgetting.

[UglyCasanova]

Sweet rundown^^^^

Oh yeah. I forgot about Copilot Robotum. I only borrowed Eivind's, which was modded a bit, but it sounded really good. Liked it more with drum machines and synths than guitar/bass, but for me that goes for pretty much all ring mods.

[lordgalvar]

Thanks, UC.

The Robotum that Eivind and I have are a blast with that carrier pass through. I think the square carrier does kinda fit well with drums (slightly grittier than triangle or sine).

Forgot ring worm...it's good too, but has extreme balance issue at the top frequencies. The carrier mod is a blast for wacky stuff but kinda not that useful in a guitar setting. It is a lot of fun though.

[JonnyAngle]

I need to get my expression pedal on with the bitquest first!

I don't really do expression pedals either, but i guess it's time to bite the bullet

[Chankgeez]

Or you could just smash all your pedals and shit on them. That would be more fun.

You should do(o doo) that & post photos.