Blue Ringer Ring Modulator

This is without doubt the BEST ring modulator available. The clarity of the sound is fantastic, all nuances and details are perfectly audible. The audio signal is very clean. The Blue Ringer has in fact three effects in one: at very low frequencies it acts as a quasi-envelope, with a long attack and long decay/release stages. To use this properly it requires hitting the notes at the proper timing, but once mastered and used with delays, it sounds just great for atmospheres. Turning the Frequency knob further converts it into a tremolo; it can work as soft "vintage" type like a Tremolux amp. After passing 12 o'clock position, the tremolo speeds up tremendously, and heavy-wavering sounds can be created (think "Elephant Talk", from King Crimson, as an example). Used with distortion is amazing and aggressive, a great sonic weapon. After the above stage, turning the frequency even more the ring modulation effect steps in. And it is absolutely rich and clear. The oscillator is much more powerful than the Electro Harmonix Frequency Analyzer - it can go full above sonic frequency like a synthesizer. It easily destroys the Frequency Analyzer down to the ground. I must clarify that I use the Blue Ringer in an effects rack for guitar synthesizer soundscapes. I use a Roland G-303 controlling 2 GR-300s and 1 GR-30; this signal goes through a Rocktron Patch Mate with mono fx (Blue Ringer is installed in loop #6, after compression and pre-amp fx, before mono modulation fx). This signal hits a 1971 Vibrolux amp, which is then miked and returns to the rack via a Midiman Fineline mixer and on to a second Roctron Patch Mate which adds the stereo fx, final output to a PA in stereo. So there is quite a travel of the signal, and the Blue Ringer does not add any degradation when active.

The Blue Ringer is of excellent quality. Very strong, one of the strongest built pedals I've ever used. The housing is of solid steel, and the pedal is heavy and surefooted. The knobs are solid and of excellent quality, which allows to precisely set up parameters on position. I do not use the pedal as a stompbox, but it can be used as such easily and safely. Definitely gigging without a backup - it's totally reliable.

The Frostwave Blue Ringer v2 is relatively easy to use. There are 5 knobs: 2 for input levels, 1 for the modulation mixing, 1 for the balance, and 1 for the frequency of the oscillator (LFO). Due to the variety of input options, care must be taken to turn up the corresponding volume levels. Setting up the balance to "wet" will have the effect's sound constant. I personally like the variety of capabilities, even while it may take some minutes to familiarize with the unit. The manual is a single sheet, summarizing what the effect is, how to use it, description of the controls and sockets, and a brief history of ring modulators. The Blue Ringer is capable of accepting external inputs that can be summed up or mixed, as well as controlled via an external CV pedal.

Paul Perry is a fantastic and clever person. His customer service is second to none. I've had disappointments with american customer service of several units, as I have certain specs on the units for my rig that must be met. Paul installed a mod in my Blue Ringer which outperformed the application of the ring modulator - a finetune knob. His immediate responses to my crazy requests and questions were invaluable. Paul takes time to review units properly, and ships them immediately after they are done providing all info. Given the excellent performance and support, I can say that I've turned into a strong supporter of Frostwave products.

I play progressive/ambient fusion material. Been playing for the past 30 years; guitar is my main instrument. The Blue Ringer v2 is an excellent addition to my rig, and currently one of the main sonic tools. Frostwave units are singular in which they have a "hybrid" character - the division between "audio effect" and "synthesizer module" is blurred in them. This property makes them extremely interesting. The Blue Ringer is no exception. It can be used as an external module for synths, and for moments I even feel it like a "mini-synthesizer" on its own. Another Frostwave unit, the Resonator, falls into this same category. Which, for guitar players, I find they open access to a section belonging to the realm of synthesizers, without tracking headaches or special hex pickups. And the sound and product qualities are fantastic. Highly recommended!

The pedal has excellent raw, phat, analog sound.  It can make everything from a smooth tremolo or chorus to crunchy robotic noises and even something akin to a telephone.  For a subtle effect that won't make your listeners forget what instrument you are playing, I recommend keeping the mix fairly low.  I've managed to replicate Elliot Randall's guitar tone for the final crazy solo on Steely Dan's "Green Earrings". I'm playing an Epiphone "Dot" through a Fender Blues Junior amp.  This pedal is best complimented by a bit of distortion. The Blue Ringer has just a tiny bit of noise, but it is completely manageable.  I find the distortion should be placed before the ring mod in the effects chain, otherwise the noise gets boosted by the distortion.

It is a very solidly built pedal.  I trust it more than any other pedal I have.  I wouldn't bother having a backup for this odd of an effect.

I plugged it in and within 5 minutes had figured out to get whatever sound I wanted out of it.  The controls are fairly self explanatory.  The frequency knob covers a very large range... I find it is only useful between about 45% and 75%.  The one page "manual" doesn't offer any great insights, but it has all of the basic info needed.  It takes a little experimenting, but it's fairly easy to get the sound you want.  My only complaint is that the "frequency" dial is extremely sensitive.  I haven't tried the CV input with a control pedal yet -- which would allow adjusting the "frequency" control in real time.  I think that using a pedal that limits the range would enable more precise and smooth adjusting of this function.

I purchased it from a second hand source, and thus haven't talked directly to the company.  It does have a warranty, so I have no concerns.

I play jazz funk and rock, and with this versatile of an effect, there are many ways to incorporate it into different songs.  Most of the sounds this thing makes are fairly avant-garde, so it is definitely best used in moderation.  If lost or stolen, I would replace it, if I had the money to do so. I haven't tried any other ring modulators, but this one makes all the sounds I want and more.  It's a blast to experiment with, but it takes some discretion in its application toward actual music.  If you want to thicken your sound a bit and make it a bit synth-like, this is an excellent tool to do it.  If you like far-out sounds, this pedal has plenty of them, too. It is expensive, but well worth it.  However, it is probably the least important component of my sound -- just the icing on the cake.

The setup runs  SG wth single coils -> boss od-2 -> Ring Mod -> small stone -> boss dd-3 into a very heavily modified electar tube 10. The idea behind a ring mod is pretty simple, add and subtract two audio sources, the tricky part is implementing it, and here the blue ringer excells. The carrier bleed through is non-existant when bypassed and only the faintest whirings can be heard when activated with a cranked amp. The CV input is possibly the best thing about this box, even with a 9v battery strapped to a volume pedal as a quick and dirty CV generator, you can sweep effortlessly through etheral tremolo, rubber band twangs, metalic clangs and finally buzzing insect drones. There is an imput for an external occilator source which sound neat with a drum machine  adding a nice rythmic splatt to the guitar. It seems to play nice with other effects, the lack of a noise gate goes lets your notes ring out and not be cut off as done with a certain popular modular ring mod... As for negative issues with the device. It requires a 15-18v AC power supply and does not run on batteries, so grab your power boards. Unlike it's major competitor the CV option is only available for the frequency, if you want to change any other parameter in real time you'll have to bend down or use your feet, fortunatly the knobs are made of rubber and spin easliy on the sides of your shoes, but that's not as fun a playing with CV pedals now is it.

I've had it a week, and it looks solid. I feel confident that it will last. Gigging without a back up for anything isn't a great idea but I'm confident it'll take most any punishment a gig could offer, the way it's angled and the rubber knobs cause beer to simply run of the sides rather than seep through and take out the PCB.

Simple to use with a basic understanding of ring modulators, the instruction sheet supplied fills in all the rest, including a brief history of the effect. It's worth noting that the box is angled (think small stone/clone) rather than flat as it appears in a lot of images, making it far easier to stop with the edge of your foot.

Ten, Frostwave deserve nothing less. I picked it up from the designer himself, who was kind enough to provide me with a run down on the inticacies of the device, sending the sonic possibilities through the roof. Not forgetting the three year warranty and bundled adapter, You simply cannot get better customer service than that.

I play a broad mix of styles, but this certainly suits the more avant-garde. I've been playing five years or so and dabble in other instruments as well, piano, violin, clarinet. The external occilater input and the CV input is what really won me over, all your favourite ring mod tones are in here, from DEVO to Black Sabbath. The lack of carrier bleed through, and deathly silence is almost a marvel of engineering, the a particular synth guru couldn't replicate, his is packing a noise-gate. If it for some reason disappeard I wouldn't hesitate to get another one, this is certainly the king of current-day balenced modulators.