Catalinbread Heliotrope

The Heliotrope is a fact difficult to define as it is unique ... It is halfway between a bit crusher responsible for the destruction of her and a ring modulator. It is halfway between a distortion and a synth.
In the end, it gives a completely new effect that provides the sounds of robots style Game Boy, sounds vocalized Robot style and pixilated sounds of unknown type ...
A good trick geek anyway, especially in settings. It will have the feel knob to find her! And indeed, there are 4: Gain and Volume, Sample Rate and Resolution and a switch Hi / Lo, which allows the effect of sound "serious" or "acute" ...
Heliotrope supplies 9V center negative, like any classic pedal effect.

UTILIZATION

The use is relatively easy and should turn the knobs in all directions to find what fits you best.
I did not have a manual but with the configuration is simple and it is easy to understand the operation.

SOUND QUALITY

From the outset, the effect is very invasive and some settings, we did not feel like playing the guitar but a synth! Distortion is detachable and can really get simple ring modulator. It therefore remains manageable and really was not a sound from completely spin a beat but it is still oriented "noise".
It is very difficult to describe his writing ... I suggest you go watch videos on the internet.
I use only Heliotrope with an electric guitar but it is used with a bass or a synth. One can also imagine the voice, it must be quite surprising!
Use with due anyway ... It Gave fast enough.

OVERALL OPINION

I wanted a pedal original effect that would allow me to build layers of sound for introductions or fine pieces or passages a bit "chaotic" ... I found and I am delighted with my purchase.
The Heliotrope can quickly become indigestible and I think it should be used sparingly.
If you take the time to adjust, it gets really surprising and hitherto rarely heard sounds ... In short, a good thing geek anyway! I knew what I was buying so I'm not really surprised, but it's the kind of effect you really need to try before purchase.
At first, I saw the Death By Audio Robot but considering the price and the fact that the distortion is still present in the sound, I had abandoned the idea of ​​such an effect until I Heliotrope is this used what seems like a good plan! So, the price / quality ratio is excellent for me.

Thus speaks a bitcrusher: halfway between the fuzz and ring modulator. This time it's for the digital modulator part in all cases and can be analog for the distortion side. powered by 9v, I put a flat for access to the battery that requires the removal of four screws, which can be unbearable live (although in general when you have pedals that price it is possible to have proper nutrition). The hull is solid metal and it is noted that there are several arranged graphics, as often with Catalinbread. Jack in, jack out, and roll youth!

UTILIZATION

four button with volume and gain, which I will not go over a sample rate which allows to influence the modulation ring modulator, and a knob resolution which affects differently (the next bit crush of the case). It adds a hi lo switch which will affect the overall tone of the effect.

SOUND QUALITY

The effect can be used for both a noisy sound slurry (the switch in position using lo), and as a thick fuzz or snarling distortion. All positions will find a musically interest. So far I've tried with a guitar, but I think that works too low, and some keyboards it must be excellent! An effect with a specific color, but usable!

OVERALL OPINION

I have not even two months ago, I love his musicality, you can not possibly miss the opportunity to edit the sounds via computer. THE value for money is one of great pedal expensive but very effective.

Note that with a dead battery it gets very interesting saturation!

I would do without this choice problem!