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Introducing The Dust Collector

The Dust Collector is the first of the Arkive_Effects_ series, aiming to honor and expand upon the history of experimentation in music, shaking some of the dust that has settled on the 1970’s. 

It contains 2 VC LFOs, 2 tape saturations, a spring reverb, a delay and a phaser. However, this is not your average multi-effect box, as each module has been analysed and tweaked to support your creative process. 

And experiment you can: insert an effect in the delay’s feedback loop, add modulation to the phaser (as well as to pretty much every effect), poke the three springy insides hiding behind the removable cover… You can even go further inside with several moddable features directly on the PCB. 

With the Dust Collector, you’ll uncover unique sounds and new uses for effects you thought you knew: gritty, springy, phased magic dust that sticks to the tape and transforms your sound into a living, kicking and breathing organism – not necessarily pretty, but alive & authentic.

FEATURES

2x CV LFOs

The 2 LFO modules have been included to serve as a starting point for modulating any of the effects or even the LFOs themselves. Each module contains:

  • Sine, Triangle and Square waveforms,
  • LFO speed CV input,
  • Speed and CV depth controls,
  • 2 outputs,
  • 1 inverted output

2x Tape Saturations

The two tape saturation emulators were included to help spice or dirty up sounds before or after passing through the other effects. 

  • Saturation Type  switch
  • Volume knob
  • Bypass switch,
  • Moddable diode configuration (for different sounds and behaviours)

Spring reverb

Besides having the classic spring tank sound, the spring reverb was integrated into the Dust Collector design to allow extensive interaction: 

  • A VCA for the input and one for the output with CV input jacks and depth controls for…well, modular sonic experiments
  • a removable plexi cover over the spring tank for direct physical interaction with the springs

Delay

The included delay takes pride in its dirty and raunchy sound, as well as in its modulation potential. It has a temper and you can modulate it!

  • CV controlled time parameter
  • Feedback knob
  • Madness momentary switch for those momentary lapses of reason with infinite feedback.

Phaser

The Dust Collector Phaser is based on a classic model from the 1970s and it can go from subtle to swooshy. It also comes loaded with extensive modulation potential:

  • using either or both of the LFOs, 
  • a knob and/or 
  • a CV input 
  • and even ambient light… 

DO YOU CV?

Modulate the dust


We put  two CV LFOs in the
Dust Collector, and, let’s be honest, they’re only there to open the Pandora’s box of CV modulation for you …

… that is, if you’re not already hooked, in which case you know what this means! The spring reverb, delay and phaser have been opened up by adding CV modulation for relevant parameters, thus bringing these simple effects to a whole new playground.

Check this out: 

  • LFOs. Two CV outputs, one inverted output and a CV input for speed control.
  • Spring Reverb. Input and output CV controllable VCAs 
  • Delay. CV modulated delay time 
  • Phaser. CV modulated Depth
  • Bi-colour LEDs to help you visualize modulations.

BONUS: MORE MAGIC DUST

Removable
Spring tank cover

Remove it to scratch, hit, rub, place various objects on the springs to feed the storm (and your music)!

Removable
Phaser LDR cover

Modulate the phaser with “custom” light sources and/or mechanical means to enhance the “movement” of the phaser.

Delay
Feedback insert

Allows any effect to be inserted in order to alter the echoed sound before reinjecting it in the Delay again.

Delay
Madness switch

Momentary switch. Use it to max out the feedback for immediate delay build-ups.

WAYS TO SHAKE THE DUST

1. STANDALONE FEEDBACK MACHINE

2. ENHANCING BEATS WITH THE PHASER AND DELAY

3. GROOVEBOX SEND/RETURN EFFECT

DOCUMENTATION