Playing with a ring mod.

[dubiousss]

So i finally got my maestro ring mod working! (the j177 pined wrong) But how the hell do you play a song with this thing? Its a total different tuning etc...

[Top Top]

it's ether somethng you ue for the all-out electronic klag, or you have tto mix some straight signal in

[alex frias]

Creatively, I suppose...

[DougH]

Maybe this will give you some ideas. I think this is a great demo of this kind of effect. Most of the ring mod demo vids I've seen are pretty lousy IMO, but this one kind of opened my eyes to some possibilities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb5i_IqfzXM

[Mark Hammer]

The lower the pitch of the note, the more atonal the sidebands (sum and difference) will be relative to the note.  However, the lower the modulating frequency, the more "pitched" the played note will appear to be.

So, if I am modulating with a 200hz signal, a note at 400hz will have a sum of 600hz and difference of 200hz, both quite far off the original note.  If the note played is 1000hz, the sum and difference are 1200hz and 800hz respectively, not quite as far off in octave/musical-interval terms.

If the modulating frequency is 50hz then a 1khz input generates sidebands of 950hz and 1050hz, which isn't all that far off from the original note.

So, if you want utter chaos, play low notes with a higher modulating frequency.  If you want something that sounds relatively "pitched", but just a little rubbery-sounding, play higher notes with a lower modulating frequency.

IN general, RM is one of those effects that is not set-and-forget like a phaser, chorus, or even overdrive.  For me, a RM works best when operated via a momentary non-latching switch that lets you punch in and out on a riff-wise basis.

[rousejeremy]

Check out Wayne Krantz using a Ring Mod. He uses it more as a percussion instrument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJoV_JyXBr0&feature=related

[Strategy]

Also listen to "Black Beauty" by Miles Davis, a live album I think one of the Fillmore ones. Chick Corea (I think) using Ring Mod and echoplex on his Fender Rhodes solos. It is totally zonked. Its unfortunate that his more "outside" rhodes plus pedals riffing never made it onto as many of the Miles Davis electric band studio albums.

If you watch the Miles Davis biography movie Chick Corea plays rhodes with a Moogerfooger ring modulator during one of his interviews.

- Strategy

[alex frias]

I must agree with this new demo of the pedal brings it to a more down to earth conception. And it's an excelent thing. The stuff I liked more was the use of different guitar techniques, dynamics and articulations. It makes all the diference to me. And I think lots of people forgets it when using some not so common device, including myself. I think the majority is looking for the dead guy sound.

On the other hand, I think it's fascinating how new instruments, gadgets or aproaches may lead to new ways we can create fresh music.
But always a sound is just a sound, but what you do with it may be music... even if your neighbour doesn't completely agree with your creative conception...

Anybody knows if EHX still keeps the Frequency Analyser circuit as the same it used to be?

I built a Craig Anderton's RM a long time ago and used it since then.. But I thought the EHX FA seems a more interesting sounding device...

One more note: using a Ring Modulator with other gadgets may accentuate or lessen the "weirdness" and "atonal-feeling" in it, depending on what kind of devices are used and the setings choosen.
A thing I like to do is puting it on the loop of my McMeat autofilter. It's a cool combination.

[DougH]

Check out Wayne Krantz using a Ring Mod. He uses it more as a percussion instrument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJoV_JyXBr0&feature=related

I love that! That's great! Thanks for the link.

[frank_p]

Check out Wayne Krantz using a Ring Mod. He uses it more as a percussion instrument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJoV_JyXBr0&feature=related

I like how the drummer is putting emphasis on the guitarist's percussive playing.  It gives a down to earth feeling to ring modulators. 

[rousejeremy]

I think Wayne Krantz is using a Moog here.
It still cuts through the mix well. I have a EHX Frequency Analyzer that doesn't cut well at all with the mix turned all the way to the wet signal, so I blend some of the clean guitar with the effect. It doesn't sound quite as bright as the Moog either.

[frank_p]

I think Wayne Krantz is using a Moog here.

Yes Jeremy.
http://www.waynekrantz.com/newWebsite/gear.html

Thanks, really love that band.
http://www.myspace.com/waynekrantzms