On Top are four large knobs Resonance , Speed , Range and Shape . The Shape knob has 6 possible wave shapes : Sine , Saw-Up , Saw-Down , Triangle , Square , and Manual mode controlled via expression pedal . There are also two mini knobs for level and mix . In the middle are those cool jewel light indicators like on a guitar amp . And below that a heavy duty TPDT true bypass footswitch .
Inside the pedal you will find a trim pot for use with a higher output signal like a synth , also a switch to turn the speed / rate indicator LED off in Bypass mode .
The Speed control has a wide range from super slow to blazing fast . The Resonance knob adjusts the amount of frequency focused resonant feedback . This gets you to those classic vintage Phase tones .
Explorer with the Copper Body
The Range knob uniquely affects the lowfrequency phasing extension . At lower settings to the left , the focus is high frequency phase . As you turn it to the right you go to low frequencies for deep sounding phasing .
The Explorer Deluxe uses a custom analog optical circuit that lives right underneath the jewel indicator . This allows you to see the interplay between the light & receiver and how the wave shape is affecting the sound .
IN USE : The first thing I usually do is open a pedal up & peek inside . The Spaceman is impressive . It ’ s completely packed with two PCB boards loaded and stacked on top of each other , with picture perfect wiring . They even have added wire relief in case you have to ever replace a jack .
I find the Explorer Deluxe to be very musical . The Optical circuit has a rich , smooth and organic sense about it . The pedal is user friendly in general , and it ’ s very quick to get the vibe you ’ re looking for .
The Sine wave mode gives you that classic deep , lush even phase especially at slower speeds . If you bring the Resonance down with the Speed and Range at 12 & 1:00 , its suddenly transforms into a sweet vibrato . Flipping through the different wave patterns you can get some unique outside the box approaches to vibrato . The Saw-Up , Saw-Down and Triangle are recognizable and perfect for funk guitar . The Square setting is very rhythmic and at faster speeds has a choppy synth-like arp vibe , especially if you play arpeggio patterns . As far as the Expression pedal input goes , it ’ s fantastic in the studio . In Manual mode it ’ s kind of a wah thing , or in the five other wave modes it ’ s a LFO speed control . I like the ability to control the intensity going from a slow wobble to strawberry fields speed with the pedal . I ’ ve always loved the sound of distortion going into a phaser . I ran my guitar into the Spaceman Titan Il Fuzz , ( we ’ ll review that next month ), before the Explorer . It sounded super throaty and psychedelic . Instant inspiration !
On bass it is equally delicious . It ’ s got the clarity of high-end studio gear , and gives you that 70 ’ s funk with a modern twist . The low end is tremendous when you crank the range knob up . I tried it with a Roland System 8 in Mono and it was killing on both staccato rhythmic stuff and for leads .
CONCLUSION : I am a fan of Phase pedals . You can do a lot with them . I ’ ve had engineers complimenting the sound even subtly in the background . Subtle is easy to do on this pedal with the mix knob . Phasers are also fantastic at adding movement to swells and ambient stuff . To my ears the Explorer Deluxe is one of the best phase pedals out there . It sounds super fat , and has a quality about it that separates it from any digital competition . You can ’ t deny the rich analog tones and ease of dialing in the classic patterns that phaser fans love . It ’ s fantastic on bass and synths . I would pick it over any vintage Phaser that I ’ ve ever heard . It ’ s quiet , has a rich bottom end , and can do so many things . You can get a lot of mileage with the Explorer Deluxe . I hope you get a chance to hear one before they run out .
SpacemanEffects . com $ 399.00
Michael Hodge Record Producer , Writer , Studio musician , Staff Guitarist at Lakewood Church Houston TX . Owner of Gman Productions film music
MichaelHodge . com
August 2018 WorshipMusician . com
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