Phil O'Keefe Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Your tastes and opinions may vary, but IMHO, the Prophecysound Systems Pi-Phase Mk2 is definitely in the running. Check out my review for the reasons why I think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members arcadesonfire Posted November 13, 2015 Members Share Posted November 13, 2015 I just read that off the front page. The option to route A into B would probably do the deed I was asking about in my multi-LFO thread. Buuuut, seeing the price tag, and considering my recent addiction to all the Strymon Mobius clips, I think the multi-effect is next on my list. Nevertheless, thanks for the review! Despite seeing the name everywhere, I never knew exactly what the BiPhase was. Gotta go look for pics now. Edit: Ha, you already told me about it. Thanks!... darn Republicans debates, takin up my time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 I just read that off the front page. The option to route A into B would probably do the deed I was asking about in my multi-LFO thread. Buuuut, seeing the price tag, and considering my recent addiction to all the Strymon Mobius clips, I think the multi-effect is next on my list. Nevertheless, thanks for the review! Despite seeing the name everywhere, I never knew exactly what the BiPhase was. Gotta go look for pics now. Edit: Ha, you already told me about it. Thanks!... darn Republicans debates, takin up my time. Hiwatt Bob has (or at least had) one and did a video... [video=youtube;wYUPH69I8wc] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Here's a picture from the Prophecysound Systems website showing a Bi-Phase and a Pi-Phase side by side to give you an idea of the substantial size difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members onelife Posted November 21, 2015 Members Share Posted November 21, 2015 My favourite was the old Roland Phase Five. I was really into the guitar through a Leslie sound and used one of these between an 335 and a SF Pro Reverb. It would accelerate and decelerate between the slow and fast speeds. When I upgraded to rack mount delays with modulation I canabalized the pedal and used the case to build a switch box for changing channels on my amp and controlling effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grueller Posted November 22, 2015 Members Share Posted November 22, 2015 "jorhay1 | November 12, 2015 at 6:35 pm One thing not mentioned in the review is the S/N Ratio. While sounding iconic, the original was really noisy. How does the Pi-Phase compare? Is it relatively quiet?" Ctrl-F brought me to this and I wanna know too, Phil! And thanks as always for your in-depth reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 As far as the noise level of the Pi-Phase, it seemed noticeably lower than what you'll find on most old Bi-Phase units. Is part of that due to the smaller case and different component layout and wire routing? I suspect so, but can't say for certain. It can also be due to old components in those old units, and poor calibration, so without a freshly calibrated and re-capped Bi-Phase to put up next to it for direct comparisons and tests, I really can't say with any certainty. Have a listen to the clips at the bottom of the review. They're a fair and accurate representation of the sound of the pedal. Does the noise seem to be a significant issue to you on any of the clips? It really never struck me as a serious issue, but YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grueller Posted November 27, 2015 Members Share Posted November 27, 2015 I agree, the Pi-Phase Mk2 exhibiting reduced noise compared to its dated counterpart shouldn't be too surprising. It is always my first thought when presented with a new take on a classic design, however oddly specific it may seem to focus on that one attribute. Listening through all samples on my AT headphones, any noise I'm hearing is more noticeable from the recording chain and/or the instrument itself. The guitar samples have noise that goes up and down with the modulation, but that sounds like good old single coil sustain. So no real issues, just an effect that does its job when fed a signal. Pretty cut and dry! Now a shoutout to Mike at Prophecy Sound for being incredibly responsive. He confirmed some suspicions of mine (that the mods would be a PITA) and gave some informative insight. Sorry if my questions seem mundane but hopefully putting this out there is of some use. With his permission to share, here's our exchange: ~~~ "Hey, just curious if you have made any improvements on the S/N ratio, purposefully, for the Pi-Phase Mk2 over the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase, or if there inherently is any improvement for some other reason." "Using modern SMD parts, as compared to the carbon comp resistors etc in the original BiPhase, 'automatically' results in lower noise; these days the construction materials are better in many ways of those from 40 years ago. Also, the smaller size of the parts means less radiated noise and hash; plus our PCB layout guy has lots of experience, and really did a good job routing the layout for minimum noise. So, to answer your query, all we did was what is 'standard' in terms of modern manufacturing with parts selection and layout; we haven't measured noise levels, but I'd be extremely surprised if noise levels weren't lower in the Pi-Phase than the Bi-Phase. A number of customers also use the Pi-Phase for outboard processing, and if there were any issues with noise that would be when it shows up (as compared to the 'busy' noise environment of a live gig, say); we haven't had any negative comments so far in this regard. One point - it's not obvious even if you look inside, but we retained the through-hole photocell / LED coupling of the original design, as this is the 'heart' of the circuit and a critical part of the sound and 'response'." ~~~ "Also, would it be possible to mod the Pi-Phase Mk2 to add a clean blend? Perhaps a different one for each channel?" "Umm ... well, all mods are 'possible' given enough money, time and patience! Sorry to say, though, we haven't developed a clean blend mod for the Pi-Phase and are unlikely to; the compact layout and parts arrangement doesn't really lend itself to this mod, I'm afraid. It wouldn't be time or money-efficient to do this even as a one-off." ~~~ "On the soundcloud samples, particularly the sample titled "Pi-Phase mk2 - guitar, mono, single channel with square modulation", there is a faint pop when engaging the effect. Would you call that a symptom of true bypass, or is there some other cause for it?" "Yeah, there can be some slight variability between units in terms of how quiet the true-bypass switching is. We currently use a 3PDT footswitch, and invariably some are quieter or louder than others. I've never tested a pedal I would judge as being anywhere close to unusable or annoying though, in this aspect; if I did, I'd send it back to have the footswitches replaced. I guess I feel that, on the whole, it's still better to live with perhaps a faint pop sometimes, on some stages, in some circumstances, than have a non-true-bypass pedal like the original. Of course there are trade-offs with all such choices, the hope is most people agree with the approach we've taken." ~~~ "Lastly, any suggestions on softening the midrange without having to dial down the feedback? I wonder if, in addition to clean blends, maybe there's room for an FX loop for inclusion of a corrective EQ." "Sorry, as per my previous answer the compact size of the pedal doesn't readily lend itself to any extra mods. I suppose it might be possible to hack in a relatively simple filter for the mid-range, but then the circuit and sound wouldn't be as close to the original. This could also be solvable with external EQ (live) if you found the sound not to your liking, or you could use of course some extra software processing - say - if utilising the pedal for recording." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 If you wanted to have a clean blend, you could always use it along with a Pigtronix Keymaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members skviggel fhank Posted December 7, 2015 Members Share Posted December 7, 2015 the small stone kills em all, you can add as many knobs as you want but the bi=phase is a lump for a reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 My very first phase shifter was a Small Stone. I liked the basic sound of it, but it was replaced fairly quickly - I don't like the fact it doesn't have any kind of depth or feedback control. For that reason, I always thought the Bad Stone was the better EHX phaser... YMMV, but IMO comparing either with a Bi-Phase or Pi-Phase is really no contest - they can do a ton of things that are impossible with the EHX phasers. A closer comparison would be to something like a Polyphase, but even that's a different kind of beast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members skviggel fhank Posted December 10, 2015 Members Share Posted December 10, 2015 true, it's like comparing harmony central with a fully functioning forum... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 Zing! Yes, we have issues still... and we know it. But please don't give up on us quite yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bobby D Posted February 21, 2016 Members Share Posted February 21, 2016 The vintage A/DA Final Phase gave the Mutron Bi-Phase some serious competition - alas, it was a rare unit to begin with, and I don't see them up for sale often... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 The vintage A/DA Final Phase gave the Mutron Bi-Phase some serious competition - alas' date=' it was a rare unit to begin with, and I don't see them up for sale often...[/quote'] BOBBY D??? How the heck have you been dude? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mbengs1 Posted February 23, 2016 Members Share Posted February 23, 2016 I have two phasers. a boss ph-3 and a mxr script phase 90 with led. i like em both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WRGKMC Posted February 23, 2016 Members Share Posted February 23, 2016 One of my favorite Phasers is the Boss RPH 10. I collected several of these mini rack units over the years. The Phaser has 3 main settings/types of phases. Settings 1&2 are mild and medium types you find with most pedals. You can do a good job copying other pedals with the various parameters. #3 can produce a really deep Mutron like phase effect. Of course its no where near as versatile but it's good enough for most situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 I'm not sure how many phase shifters I have - I have several, and I'd have to go count them or sit and try to remember everything... I do have both a Boss PH-1r and a Lovetone Doppelganger on my board ATM - but that Pi-Phase is definitely on my GAS short list. It's an exceptionally versatile and amazing sounding phase shifter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Verne Andru Posted February 24, 2016 Members Share Posted February 24, 2016 I'm still really happy with Pigtronix's flagship EP-1. Not just because I designed it [i did casing, gfx, etc.] but because I can have a nice slow phaser going and trigger the envelope independently for some really chewy tones. The trigger input allows for so many tones - I particularly like running it to a bass drum mic and using that to trigger when playing bass. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n31699368[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n31699369[/ATTACH] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 I haven't really spent any time with that one Verne - and I didn't realize you had a hand in designing it! Very cool! Sounds like it has a ton of outside the box, yet still interesting and useful features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t_e_l_e Posted February 25, 2016 Members Share Posted February 25, 2016 i have a subdecay quasar dlx...which has for my zaste a bit two much knobs its great sounding but i never used its full potential and i have built a byoc one knob phase90 which has a bit too less options Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StratStevo Posted February 27, 2016 Members Share Posted February 27, 2016 Not the King, I bought it new in the 70's Clip>MU-TRON PHASOR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Verne Andru Posted February 28, 2016 Members Share Posted February 28, 2016 I haven't really spent any time with that one Verne - and I didn't realize you had a hand in designing it! Very cool! Sounds like it has a ton of outside the box' date=' yet still interesting and useful features. [/quote'] It's basically 2 pedals in a single chassis - a Mutron and Univibe. The trigger in allows for some very cool side-chaining. I split my guitar signal to run clean into the trigger and effected through the audio jacks so it's not trying to trigger off a mushy signal. Mine also has the Marv-mod, which lets me run both Mutron and Univibe simultaneously. That way I get a nice, slow phase swirl yet the envelope is still triggering off the dynamics of my playing. I did all the initial Pigtronix packaging/branding from the spelling of the name right down to the launch booth and press release. This was their flagship product and I'm so glad it got them off to a great start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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