
FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
Moderator: Pladask
- Dandolin
- IAMILFFAMOUS
- Posts: 11125
- Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:33 pm
- Location: On the pharm in PA
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback

Last edited by Dandolin on Wed Jan 23, 2019 5:54 pm, edited 3 times in total.
"In a moment of unparalleled genius, Noel Parachute headed off this potential disaster by unplugging the microphone."
- oldangelmidnight
- IAMILFFAMOUS
- Posts: 3725
- Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:17 pm
- Location: Northampton, MA
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
Broken switches are annoying. I really don't like regular pots for selecting discrete options, though. Would you be able to make the LED flash or change colors when moving from one program to the next?
- Pladask
- committed
- Posts: 380
- Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:50 am
- Location: Bergen, Norway
- Contact:
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
A visual aid to replace the lack of tactile response would probably be helpful yes. The numbers would obviously stay whatever I decide to do.oldangelmidnight wrote:Broken switches are annoying. I really don't like regular pots for selecting discrete options, though. Would you be able to make the LED flash or change colors when moving from one program to the next?
- Heraclitus Akimbo
- FAMOUS
- Posts: 1399
- Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:59 pm
- Location: T.O.
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
I had a rotary switch on a different pedal go bad on me recently, so I'm down with anything more durable. With that one, I was certainly used to the tactile "click" while changing patches... without that there really ought to be some kind of additional visual feedback. (even better for playing gigs in especially dark places.) Having an LED blink to a different colour or something would be good to know you've switched.Pladask wrote:I need your opinion on something. I've had feedback about broken rotary switches from two FABRIKAT owners and I'm now feeling fearful about unleashing large quantities of pedals into the world with rotary switches that may eventually break down (repair work, administering shipments and customs documentation, inconvenience for you the buyer). Generally I despise mechanical components as they are prone to break, hence why I use momentary footswitches for my pedals. So because of this I'm considering to swap the rotary switch for a regular, step-lesss potentiometer that decides the program.
Accidentally changing to a different patch isn't such a big deal for the stuff that I tend to do.
solo (mostly ambient): https://heraclitusakimbo.bandcamp.com/
duo (electroacoustic vibration exploration): https://wenderlypark.bandcamp.com/
trio (tapes/voice/clarinet/synth/poems): https://ourwaytofall.bandcamp.com/
band (spontaneous kosmische): https://stargoon.bandcamp.com/
I also help co-ordinate Okta, ILF's collaborative community ambient project: https://okta.bandcamp.com
duo (electroacoustic vibration exploration): https://wenderlypark.bandcamp.com/
trio (tapes/voice/clarinet/synth/poems): https://ourwaytofall.bandcamp.com/
band (spontaneous kosmische): https://stargoon.bandcamp.com/
I also help co-ordinate Okta, ILF's collaborative community ambient project: https://okta.bandcamp.com
- damnableman
- committed
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Sun May 15, 2016 10:08 pm
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
xo
Last edited by damnableman on Sat May 04, 2019 4:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Pladask
- committed
- Posts: 380
- Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:50 am
- Location: Bergen, Norway
- Contact:
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
thanks for the feedback. How do you feel about the selector on the Source Audio Nemesis / Strymon Big Sky? I taking another look at rotary encoders + LEDs.
- oldangelmidnight
- IAMILFFAMOUS
- Posts: 3725
- Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:17 pm
- Location: Northampton, MA
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
I haven't used the Nemesis or Big Sky but I like the idea of separate LEDs for the separate programs.
- whoismarykelly
- FAMOUS
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:25 pm
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
Did the users just report breakage for no reason or did they accidentally break the switch while stepping on the pedal? Fabrikat's rotary switch feels very durable to me and I like the distinct feel of moving through the programs. Especially if Im on one program and I need to change another mid set, I can feel the number of clicks I need. That goes away with an encoder/pot.
- Pladask
- committed
- Posts: 380
- Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:50 am
- Location: Bergen, Norway
- Contact:
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
Some have broken during installation (by me and workshop goers, I use the same switches in FORM2) and some have been reported broken by users. Got a rough prototype of the Nemesis/BlueSky system up and running today and it seems quite promising. Now I need to order some PCBs and encoders. The encoder I'm currently looking at has 12 distinct steps (detents) per 360 degree. Using an encoder would retain the tactile rotary switch feel. If it works I'll be able to rotate directly from program 8 to 1 (clockwise). Pedal will remember the last selected program on startup and indicate it by illuminating the corresponding LED. Also helps that the encoder seems very sturdy (metal shaft) and comes from a reputable manufacturer. work work...whoismarykelly wrote:Did the users just report breakage for no reason or did they accidentally break the switch while stepping on the pedal? Fabrikat's rotary switch feels very durable to me and I like the distinct feel of moving through the programs. Especially if Im on one program and I need to change another mid set, I can feel the number of clicks I need. That goes away with an encoder/pot.
- damnableman
- committed
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Sun May 15, 2016 10:08 pm
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
xo
Last edited by damnableman on Sat May 04, 2019 4:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
- whoismarykelly
- FAMOUS
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:25 pm
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
That sounds legit. The Hexe ReVolver has a similar setup with LEDs corresponding to a program and that works well.Pladask wrote:Some have broken during installation (by me and workshop goers, I use the same switches in FORM2) and some have been reported broken by users. Got a rough prototype of the Nemesis/BlueSky system up and running today and it seems quite promising. Now I need to order some PCBs and encoders. The encoder I'm currently looking at has 12 distinct steps (detents) per 360 degree. Using an encoder would retain the tactile rotary switch feel. If it works I'll be able to rotate directly from program 8 to 1 (clockwise). Pedal will remember the last selected program on startup and indicate it by illuminating the corresponding LED. Also helps that the encoder seems very sturdy (metal shaft) and comes from a reputable manufacturer. work work...whoismarykelly wrote:Did the users just report breakage for no reason or did they accidentally break the switch while stepping on the pedal? Fabrikat's rotary switch feels very durable to me and I like the distinct feel of moving through the programs. Especially if Im on one program and I need to change another mid set, I can feel the number of clicks I need. That goes away with an encoder/pot.
- Teej212
- FAMOUS
- Posts: 1675
- Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:08 pm
- Location: NJ
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
I may be alone in this boat, but I prefer rotary encoders to pots in some cases, this sounds like a clear candidate for an encoder.
-
- interested
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2017 1:23 pm
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
I use a Nemesis and i have to say, the encoder is a big up vote from me! It's brilliant and lovely to use, from a user's standpoint 

- publicfig
- interested
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:46 pm
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback
+1 to rotary encoder.
- Dandolin
- IAMILFFAMOUS
- Posts: 11125
- Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:33 pm
- Location: On the pharm in PA
Re: FABRIKAT - Granular Synthesis / Sample Playback

Last edited by Dandolin on Wed Jan 23, 2019 5:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"In a moment of unparalleled genius, Noel Parachute headed off this potential disaster by unplugging the microphone."