RTZ AUDIO VIBEZILLA.
Vibezilla is an all new all analog vibe/tremolo based on the
classic Unicord Uni-Vibe design. Vibezilla, like the original vibe,
makes use of a light bulb and photocells housed in a shielded light
reflective enclosure to retain the soulful qualities the original vibe
is known for. However, unlike the lossy discrete filters used in the
original vibe, the high-Q phasing filters in Vibezilla use audio grade
op-amps and caps which give more prominent and deeper vibe sweep
effects. Likewise, great attention was given to the LFO sweep
oscillator, lamp and flasher design. The primary design goal of
Vibezilla was to create a compact unit that truly delivers giant sound
with hypnotic throbbing vibe effects that are musically and audibly
addictive.
Vibezilla was designed and constructed to meet the
needs of electric guitars and guitar players. A super high impedance
FET buffer input stage was added to prevent instrument pickup loading
and signal loss. The gain structure of Vibezilla is completely
adjustable via the input DRIVE control, output level trimmer and
internal gain range select DIP switch settings. The adjustable DRIVE
stage allows players to create driven vibe/phase type sounds full of
rich harmonics and detail. Vibezilla delivers singing vibe tones and
chords packed with more than enough soul to easily obliterate lesser
vibes.
NEW VIBE+TREMOLO EFFECT!
Vibezilla
contains an opto-tremolo (AM modulator) circuit that can be combined
with the phased vibe output or used separately. By combining the vibe
phase swept output with the tremolo modulator output (Vibe+Trem mode),
more realistic rotating speaker effects are achieved. This combination
phased vibe and tremolo action allows the musician to generate huge
throbbing and pulsating type sounds previously unknown to vibe lovers.
The wave SHAPE switch modifies the sweep modulator waveform and adds
even more throb to the Vibe+Trem mode. New and experienced vibe lovers
alike should quickly become addicted to this new and powerful phased
tremolo effect!
PRO AUDIO HERITAGE
Vibezilla
was designed, engineered and built to pro-audio standards. We use
high-quality long life conductive plastic pots, reliable switches and
true bypass relay switching. All SMD components are modern hi-quality
audio grade components combined with meticulous PCB layout for stable
low-noise operation. The signal path of Vibezilla more closely
resembles a high-end piece of studio gear rather than any effect pedal.
All capacitors are long-life low impedance 105(C) audio grade types.
Inside we use the same level of detailed build standards that we use in
our high-end studio gear.
DUAL SPEEDS AND REMOTE CONTROL
Dual
speed controls are selected by the SPEED A/B foot switch. True bypass
and remote effect bypass switching is achieved via a small sealed
telecom style relay. Blinking rate indicator LED's indicate which A or
B SPEED control is active at all times. The external PEDAL jack allows
a remote speed control pedal (simple three wire interface - gnd, pot
& switch) to enhance and simplify vibe usage while playing. The
dual speed controls are available to allow players to quickly switch
between two speed settings (i.e. a fast and a slow rate) at times when
a speed pedal is not used or desired for maximum flexibility. OPTO'S
AND BULB FLASHER Great effort and attention to detail went into the
Vibezilla low frequency oscillator (LFO) and lamp flasher design.
Rather than attempting to determine the original unknown bulb
characteristics and duplicate the quirky original vibe LF design, we
sought a better solution through design. Our lamp flasher LFO design
uses a special function generator IC with a servo mode lamp driver
amplifier that allows critical alignment and tweaking of the bulb and
element glow dynamics that ultimately dictate the final vibe sound. A
number of internal calibration trimmers allow fine adjustment of the
bulb current and glow dynamics.
The Vibezilla LFO design also
closely follows the non-linear amplitude response of the original with
respect to speed (i.e. as speed decreases the amplitude of the LFO
signal decreases). This LFO non-linearity "quirk" is also key to the
vibe sound and is what allows the effect depth to gradually build up as
the speed increases from slow to near stopped rates. You'll also notice
that the DEPTH control has a big effect on the sound unlike the
original vibe; this is because our flasher will drive the bulb
intensity well beyond the range of the original vibe LFO. The DEPTH
control is typically used in the mid position range for a closer match
to the original Uni-Vibe sound. At maximum DEPTH the vibe and tremolo
circuit can really squash the signal due to greater lamp intensity
available with the Vibezilla design.
POWER SUPPLY
Vibezilla
comes with an external 18V 300 mA DC wall wart supply for maximum
signal path, headroom and reliability. Internally, Vibezilla operates
at 15V and contains an onboard low-noise linear regulator with thermal
poly-fuse, protection diodes, noise suppression inductor and plenty of
bypass and filter caps for super low noise operation. No noisy
switching regulators or boost converters are used in the Vibezilla.
AUDIO DEMOS:
OWNERS MANUAL:
HARMONY CENTRAL USER REVIEWS:
Sound Quality: 10
I must admit the sound is just
wonderful. Quite, clean, rich and powerful tones yet very sophisticated
as an effect. This is no toy! It's your big boy once you've graduated
from all the crap out in the market place. I own a Carl Martin Trem/Vib
and used Fender amps all my life. The best way to describe this pedal
is that it is the "Ferrari" of Tremolo and Vibrato. More of everything
with precision and finesse but easy to use. You can change a number of
the parameters which is very useful.
Overall Rating: 10
Expensive,
yes, but I've learnt a long time ago quality does come at a price and
I'm prepared to pay for it. I can see this pedal will be A MUST HAVE
real soon on most guy's boards.