Description
The Effectron was part of the first wave of digital gear to hit studios in the early 1980s. RAM was super-expensive so many units had short delay times and were designed for chorus, flanging, phasing and doubling. The Effectron II ADM 64 is a prime example of this
Deltalab was part of the booming Massachussetts hi-tech audio industry of the 1970s and 80s along with the likes of Lexicon & Bose. In 2016, Akamai, Analog Devices, B&W and THAT Corporation are prominent Mass manufacturers
Founder of Deltalab, Richie DeFreitas, holds a number of patents for “An electrical system of the type in which a digitally encoded signal is determined at least in part by the difference between a present value of an input signal and a reference signal representative of a past value of the input signal”. Otherwise known as Delta-encoding, this was one of the key technologies enabling digital audio
In use, Effectrons are quirky, entertaining devices with lots of character. By varying the modulation depth & speed it can produce effecst from a slow phase, via a deep flange and a warbling chorus right through to a pitch-bending, gargling, modulated delay. They have a unique sound and definite mojo
The 256 model has 256 mS of delay time enabling longer delays and more complex effects than the ADM 64 in another of my auctions. But either will do the killer flanging & phasing effects that Effectrons are famous for. It’s hard to describe the difference between an Effectron and, say, a Lexicon PCM42 but if you had both in your effects rack you’d head off in a different direction sonically with each one. The result with the Effectron would be madder than that with the Lexicon – which explains why I like them so much
Hail the Effectron!
“OH man , I have stumbled upon this wicked awesome unit… i think this piece is amazing”
“Great thing about effectrons is playing the knobs as your track is printing… especially for weird modulation stuff… think bauhaus’ “bela lugosi’s dead” or reverend horton heat’s “gin and tonic blues” and you’ll get it… LIQUID, baby = effectron”
“Good sounds, it’s digital, but in an analog way! The modulation is off the hook crazy”
“I don’t know about the differences, but those old DeltaLab delays sound GREAT, at least if your idea of “great” is “warm and funky” rather than “completely accurate”. I’ve used one for years. Lots of aliasing noise and bandwidth limitations, but it’s in no way cold or uninvolving”
“Deltalabs units use delta modulation istead of the usual PCM method of encoding/decoding. They definitely sound different!”
“If you cannot come up with an interesting effect on this box then just get out of the business”
“Good clean sound? Hell NO…. good clean fun?… HELL YES!! Every studio should have at least one. Imparts a vibe that a plug-in certainly can’t”
“The unit makes a great flanger, excellent chorus and a great freakout anti-music device”
“The EFFECTRONS Rule ! I have all 3 and the amount of creative sound you can derive from them is intense. HAIL THE EFFECTRON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Effectrons are just plain cool”
