Spaceman Effects Releases the Smart Multi-Mode Aurora Analog Flanger
For sure another exciting release from Zak Martin - the Aurora is a really modern and smart take on the BBD Analog Flanger. I’ve long been claiming the Thorpy FX Camoflange the King of the Flangers - certainly as regards its high fidelity sparkling top notes - still probably the best example of a Vintage EHX style flanger available nowadays.
The Aurora is a different beast really, it’s lack of Tone Control indicates it’s not really primed for those pristine Vintage tones, rather this is a very modern take on the Genre - more for experimental playback - and particularly in conjunction with the smart left-hand Trigger footswitch which engages different functions based on the mode you’re in - as detailed below.
This unit is only available in Standard Edition, but in three colourways - Red, Silver and Blue - all priced at $319/£319. For UK customers Andertons states arrival on 7th April - they only stock the standard Silver edition which is fine with me - I like the Silver and Blue. This should be the perfect flanger for that EVH thing, Paul Gilbert style Jet Flanging, and all kinds of cool warbled textures - I’m certainly captivated by its potential.
Readers will know I’m a keen Flanger enthusiast so this goes straight in on my wishlist and will eventually be used alongside the Thorpy Camoflange - depending on exactly what kind of Flange tones I need to achieve. My current Flanger selection consists of the Thorpy Camoflange, CBA Spectre BKM, A/DA PBF Flanger, and a modified Boss BF-2. I had paid for a Buffalo FX Reticon Flanger which famously failed to materialise, while I also have the Retro-Sonic Flanger and Subdecay Starlight on my wishlist. I think I will in the main continue to use the Camoflange, and bring the Aurora in on special duties every now and again - or at least that’s the plan! I just need to figure out the priority list for the next few months - there is a lot happening, and I’ve already made commitments - so this may not be an immediate acquisition, but we shall see.
You Americans can already order one from the Spaceman Effects Webstore.
Key Controls
VOLUME - Unity gain is roughly at noon, and a moderate boost of 6dB is possible at maximum
MIX - Full control over wet/dry blend. This dramatically increases the utility of the Aurora by opening up subtler and more extreme tones
REGEN - The staple jet sound maker. This control feeds a portion of the output signal back into the input for exaggerated resonant, robotic, or swooshy effects
MODE - Five modulation modes are available: LFO 1, TAPE 1, LFO 2, TAPE 2, and COMB; each with their own unique attributes - see below
WIDTH - This is the main depth control of the modulation. It sets how wide the sweep is by controlling how much of the total delay time is modulated
RATE • ↑ - Controls the speed of the modulation in LFO 1 & TAPE 1 modes. In LFO 2 & TAPE 2 modes it controls the RISE time. Sets the static delay time in COMB filter mode
RANGE • ↓ - Controls which portion of the delay time is modulated in LFO 1 & TAPE 1 modes. In LFO 2 & TAPE 2 modes it controls the FALL time of the modulation. Sets a secondary static delay time in COMB filter mode
TRIG Footswitch - Multi-function footswitch for use with the modulation bus - see below
BYPASS Footswitch - True-bypass soft-touch relay switching to engage and disengage the effect
Modes, Triggers and Variable Controls
LFO 1 - Classic Flanger/Chorus/Vibrato
- TRIG Footswitch - Tap = Reset LFO to Bottom of Sweep | Hold = Reset and Hold LFO Off at Bottom of Sweep
- RATE • ↑ - Speed of LFO Modulation
- RANGE • ↓ - How High the Modulation Sweeps
- Width - How Wider the Sweep is (how Low it goes)
TAPE 1 - Tape mode using the control layout of LFO 1 (triangle waveshape)
- TRIG Footswitch - Hold = Sweep rises at the speed set by the Speed knob | Release = Sweep falls at the speed set by the Speed knob
- RATE • ↑ - Rise and Fall speed of the modulation
- RANGE • ↓ - How high the modulation sweeps
- WIDTH - How wide the sweep is (how Low it goes)
COMB - Comb filter mode (static filtering/no sweep)
- TRIG Footswitch - Tap = Toggles between the RATE & RANGE filter settings
- RATE • ↑ - Sets the Frequency of the filter effect (fixed delay time # 1)
- RANGE • ↓ - Sets the Frequency of the filter effect (fixed delay time # 2)
- WIDTH - Fine control of the filter frequency
LFO 2 - Flange/Chorus/Vibrato - variable rise & fall times (triangle/ramp up/ramp down waveshape)
- TRIG Footswitch - Tap = Reset LFO to bottom of sweep | Hold = Reset and hold LFO off at bottom of sweep
- RATE • ↑ - Rise speed of the modulation
- RANGE • ↓ - Fall speed of the modulation
- WIDTH - How wide the sweep is (how Low it goes)
TAPE 2 - Tape mode using the control layout of LFO 2 (triangle/ramp up/ramp down waveshape)
- TRIG Footswitch - Hold = Sweep rises at the speed set by the Speed knob | Release = Sweep falls at the speed set by the Range knob
- RATE • ↑ - Rise speed of the modulation
- RANGE • ↓ - Fall speed of the modulation
- WIDTH - How wide the sweep is (how low it goes)
Demos and Sound Samples
12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition
