When I was 11 I got a PS2 for Christmas, the Sony kind. I was really stoked, Santa gave me the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King game that year too. Rad gift, I got to run around saving Middle Earth, good times.
A few years later I quite literally stumbled upon another kind of PS-2. This particular one comes from Japan and has a blue label. I can’t accurately date it as the serial number is faded, but the blue label would put it in the late 80s/early 90s. While I don’t have the exact year of its creation this pedal is most likely older than me, production was stopped in 1994.
But who cares how old it is? This thing is cool.
I like simplicity and this thing is simple. It has a Level control, Feedback, Pitch Shift/Delay parameter control (labeled as “Fine/Manual) and Mode. No going through the non-existent manual that came with this used piece, what each mode does is clearly listed on the face. I love that.
Having the ability to blend the signal isn't always critical for me, but in some effects it needs to exist. This has and ultimately needs that blend, leading to some interesting tones and better control of the effect. It tracks really well. It does the glitchy thing, and I love me some glitchy, but it can tighten up nicely. It won’t stack up to some modern options (duh) in terms of pure tracking/tone and that is to be expected. However it is definitely a contender and certainly doesn't suck.
Modern and improved circuits offer much tighter and truer reproduction of sound, I think thats why I like the PS-2. Its different, it has a character that is sometimes hard to find in current gear. Not that anything out there sucks when it comes to pitch shifting, we are living in a golden age for this stuff. But sometimes I’m looking for that little slice of weird, those subtle musical imperfections and pedals like this deliver.
By the way, this thing has a delay, 2 pedals in 1, I dig it.
No comments:
Post a Comment