Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Asheville Music Tools' AFG-1 Analog BBD Flanger squeezes every ounce of tone out of its 256-Stage MN3009 chip for one of the most versatile and wide-ranging flangers currently on the market
I was hugely impressed with my Analoger APH-12 Phaser - which is a rather unusual phaser in its enormous scope - particularly in how it ramps up from a single Stage - all the way up to 12! So where that extensive Multi-Stage approach singled out the Phaser as sonewhat unique and different. For the Flanger it is the Envelope / ’Whoosh’ Filter / Attenuator which makes it so unique. That allows you to temper the typical excesses possible with a flanger - and smooth out and dampen the output to a significant degrees.
The added granularity of the AFG-1 lets you take it into all sorts of interesting territories that other flangers just can’t reach. The Phase Options and Envelope Waveforms give you further refinements and variations to the output which just aren’t available on other devices. Yes there is more of a learning curve here - especially as you explore those outer reaches by yourself - while you have ample tools at your disposal to shape the output exactly to your liking. Overall the AFG-1 scores very highly in pretty much every category.
The only tiny obstacle here is in the areas of immediacy and ultimate ease of use - it’s the kind of pedal where you really must read the manual first. Andertons would surely have a disaster with the AFG-1 if they tried to go in fully blind on this one!
Controls - Expression Focus : Frequency / Feedback / Rate / Amount, Frequency / Delay Time : 0.5 > 13.5ms, Feedback / Regen, Amount : Exponential Bipolar Modulation Depth, Phase Options : Airplane (Jet!) / Swirl / Phase, Drive / Saturation, Envelope / Whoosh Attenuation / Damping, Envelope Waveform : Fast Attack / Slow Attack / Moderate Attack.
Ports : 1/4" TS In, 1/4" TRS EXP, 1/4" RS Out, 9V DC [-]
Favourite Presets
I've picked out 4 of my favourite Presets from the recommended ones - with the first one something of a double-hitter. Generally it's been a really easy pedal to dial in. While all the sample presets have been essential for gaining a full understanding of what the pedal is capable of. I've tried to be as varied as possibly - but also to hit all the best textures the pedal is capable of.
I also tend to have the Drive knob up a little higher than is recommended - while generally I follow the presets pretty closely - to wonderful effect!
The AFG-1 is not as immediate as my Krozz Airborn, while it is capable of quite a lot more, and has areas that the Airborn cannot reach. The Airborn's advantage is in how quickly you can dial in a killer full-fat sound. That one is really phat and juicy. Where the AFG-1 is capable of similar textures - but makes you work for it a little more.
Much like with the APH-12 Phaser, I've been hugely impressed by the AFG-1. Asheville definitely make some of the very best analog modulations out there. I'm just waiting for the next batch of the ACV-NOS Chorus to complete the set - that should be available in the Autumn. I had other priorities alas when the last / most recent batch came through!
1 : CLASSIC FLANGER
"Starting with the knobs and switches as shown to the right creates a classic flanger sound. Adjust LFO rate and AMOUNT to taste. Tweak FREQ for the desired tone or crank Feedback some more for seriously deep jet whooshing sweeps."
"Next - try the three Phase switch positions. The middle gives smooth swirls, while the lower setting produces accentuated deep bass or vocal sounds. This effect is more pronounced as you move the FREQ knob CW or increase the Feedback."
2 : TALK BOX / FORMANT
"Adding Envelope control, adjust the FREQ slightly CCW and increase the ENVELOPE knob to the right to compensate. Using a fast envelope, add a little shimmer with the LFO. Place the phase switch down and increase the Drive bite to get whooshless dynamic flanging that sounds almost like a talk box. Eat your heart out Peter Frampton!"
3 : BARRACUDA
"Need we say more? Let’s get to the Heart of the matter with this classic flanger defining sound. Bump Bitty Bu"
4 : RES-O-FLANGE
"An echo-like resonance with a subtle, leslie-like warble. Tune the FREQ knob to the key you are playing in and enjoy the otherworldly, sitar-like drone. Try setting the phase to the down position to swap your sitar for a “tubular bells” resonator."
Specifications
- Type : 100% Analog signal and control path
- Delay Time : 0.52ms – 13.5ms typical. 0.33ms - 85ms with use of LFO, Envelope and/or external Control Voltages
- Feedback : Off to self-oscillation and beyond using EXP input coupled with knob position
- Rate : LFO RATE, Sine Wave from <0.01Hz to 8.3Hz (~16Hz with CV control)
- Amount : LFO depth control from OFF to ~85% of TIME sweep
- Drive : Up to 36dB of boost with increasing saturation and band pass characteristic as gain is increased.
- ENV control : Positive and Negative FREQ control modulation attenuator, center off. Greater than 100% modulation possible.
- Envelope : Attack and Release selectable Fast/Fast (~40ms / ~60ms), Slow / Slow (600ms / 800ms), Medium / Slow (60ms / 700ms).
- Phase Switch : 3 Position; Positive Wet and Feedback, Out of phase Feedback, or Out of phase feedback and wet signal. 4th 'secret' mode, in phase feedback, out of phase wet on PCB with modification.
- Expression Switch : 4 position rotary selects Freq, Feedback, Rate or Amount external control. All controls are additive to the front panel knob adding extended range. TRS jack usable with CV or Expression pedal, (CV range is 0-5V). Ring supplied current limited ~5V output. Control input on Tip.
- Bypass Footswitch : effect on/off. User selectable True Bypass or JFET Buffered (Accessible by removing AFG-1 Cover)
- Power : 9VDC @ <150mA. Internal +15V. 75ma-120mA typical. Up to 300mA start up. Standard pedal center negative 2.1mm x 5.5mm barrel.
- Input impedance : >1MΩ
- Output impedance : 1KΩ Max (5k max when in buffered bypass)
- Noise Reduction : 2:1 broadband with 10dB HF emphasis
- Genuine Hammond™ die-cast aluminium 1590BB enclosure
- Dimensions : D=4.95” (12.5 cm), W=3.75” (9.4 cm), H=2.25” (5.8 cm)
- Weight : 14oz (425g)
- MAP / RRP : $397 / £379
*Note : All specifications subject to change at the whim of the overlords.
I acquired my AFG-1 from Joe's Pedals in the UK, same place I got my APH-12 Phaser. I'm really delighted with both of them - while there is something of a learning curve here - in checking out and testing the outer reaches of those pedals' capabilities. Americans can obviously go direct to the Asheville Music Tools Webstore.
Demos
