The sound of ring modulation pedals is unusual, and their uses aren’t precisely “pop-oriented.” The oddity of a fantastic ring mod pedal, on the other hand, may offer a lot of interest to your tone as a guitarist (or any other instrumentalist). We’ll talk about the best ring modulation pedals in the globe in this article. The choices on this list are, of course, subjective. Regardless, each pedal is a top performer and should help you narrow down your options if you’re looking for ring modulators for your rig.
Table of Contents
Electro-Harmonix Ring Thing Modulator Guitar Effects Pedal
- Low pass Filter for Ring Mod and single side band modes
- Fine and depth control for frequency select and amount
- Tune switch to adjust frequency to your pitch
Pitch shifting, preset tuning, customizable waveforms, and expression pedal control are all included in the Electro-Harmonix Ring Thing Single Sideband Modulator Pedal. Ring Modulation, Single Sideband – Upper Band, Single Sideband – Lower Band, and Pitch Shift are the four modes available on the ring mod circuit, which use either frequency or pitch shift modulation. Single-sideband modulation is a ring modulation effect with only one band present, resulting in a more harmonic sound. When using an external expression pedal, the modulable pitch detection may do detune effects, vibrato, chorus, pitch shifter, transpose, and even whammy.
The EHX Ring Thing is a fantastic ring mod (RM) pedal with upper band modulation (UB), lower band modulation (LB), and pitch-shifting (PS) features. It’s a sophisticated and inventive pedal that can be scary at first, but it’s undeniably manageable once you get the hang of it. Despite the fact that this essay is on ring modulation, let’s go over each of the four effects kinds in the Ring Thing. To cycle through, press and release the white Mode knob. Ring Thing from EHX has 9 user-definable presets, external expression pedal control of carrier/modulation frequency or pitch-shift (mode-dependent), external oscillator/modulator input, stereo outputs, automatic tuning, and more.
In Ring Modulation Mode, turn the Blend knob all the way up and the Coarse knob below 9 o’clock to utilise the Ring Thing as a tremolo.This “short” description hardly touches the surface of what the EHX Ring Thing has to offer. If you’re searching for a great ring modulator pedal with a lot of extra features, the Electro-Harmonix Ring Thing is the one to get. Electro-Harmonix Ring Thing Modulator Guitar Effects Pedal is the Best Ring Modulation Pedal in 2023.
Moog MF-102 Moogerfooger Ring Modulator Pedal
- Frequency rotary control, which varies the carrier frequency over a...
- RATE rotary control, which varies the LFO's frequency from 0.1 Hz to 25 Hz
- LFO amount rotary control, which adjusts the amount that the LFO output...
The Moog Moogerfooger MF-102 Ring Modulator splits your sound into two tones and then spreads them out in the frequency range using an internal carrier oscillator. The new ring mods tones are separated more as the carrier frequency rises. From a languid, velvet-smooth tremelo to chains jangling like a Chinese gong to classic “outer space” sounds, the MF-102 offers an incredible variety of effects input frequencies. Trills, vibratos, and siren effects are all created using the LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator). You desire an endless supply of new sounds? The Moog Moogerfooger MF-102 Ring Modulator provided them to you.
A ring modulator, a voltage-controlled carrier oscillator, and a voltage-controlled dual-waveform LFO are all included in the Moog Moogerfooger MF-102 Ring Modulator chassis. Okay, but how does this miraculous pedal work? It’s difficult, including a lot of arithmetic, equations, and other such things. You assumed there’d be no math, but genius is in the details, and the specifics in this case are the sum and difference. For most of us, how you acquire the sound is significantly less essential than how the sound influences your signal. Just trust us when we say the MF-102 Ring Modulator will be fun to use.
The Ring Mod effect is an all-analog Moogerfooger that can be controlled using a Moog EP-2 expression pedal, just like the rest of the Moogerfoogers. When you plug in an expression pedal or two and start ring modulating in real time, fantastic things happen, according to past experience. The Amount and Rate knobs in the LFO section adjust the amplitude and frequency of the LFO, respectively. The LFO’s waveform can be switched between a sine and a square wave. The LFO modulates the carrier oscillator’s frequency, resulting in pitch fluctuations in the ring modulator circuit output.
The MF-102 from Moog also boasts a sizable I/O section. The pedal contains an individual 1/4-inch CV jack for manipulating the Rate, Amount, Mix, and Freq settings in addition to the audio input and output. The Carrier has an input and output, allowing us to input our own carrier and, if necessary, emit the carrier signal. On top of that, there’s another 1/4-inch jack for the LFO output.
For a long time, the Moog Moogerfooger MF-102 is one of the best ring modulator pedals for guitar, and I believe it will continue to be such for a long time!
Electro-Harmonix Frequency Analyzer XO Ring Modulator Guitar Effects Pedal
- Tough and compact die-cast chassis
- Power adapter included
Perhaps the most basic pedal on our list is the EHX Frequency Analyzer. Its reputation, quality, and longevity, on the other hand, have made it a go-to ring modulator and one of the greatest units available for years. The Frequency Analyzer, unlike other ring modulators, includes programmable high order filters that eliminate cross distortions and improve variations.
The pedal has a single mono input and two outputs: a Dry and an Effect. The direct signal is output on the Dry output, while the Blend knob controls the blend of wet and dry signals on the Effect output. To exclusively output the ring-modulated signal, turn the Blend knob all the way clockwise. Some of the original signal will be brought in by turning the knob counterclockwise.
The Fine knob fine-tunes the carrier signal within a single octave, while the Shift knob modulates the carrier signal frequency over a 5-octave range. The sine wave carrier’s frequency can be adjusted using these two knobs. Finally, there is a Filter toggle switch on the Frequency Analyzer. When set to the on position, the top note is filtered away, leaving the original sound plus one bottom note.
Overall, the EHX Frequency Analyzer is a straightforward and powerful ring modulation pedal. It’s undoubtedly one of the best in the world, earning a place on this list!
Fairfield Circuitry Randy’s Revenge
- Gray, Black
- 9 Volts
- input impedance 1 MΩ
At its Best Ring Modulation Pedal, all analogue, hand stamped, pure sine wave oscillator, low-pass filtered with a touch of class, and presumably musical, in a relatively tiny size gain knob, driven by your normal 9V power supply. These are the requirements for warp-speed space travel, which Randy’s hardware requires on a regular basis.
Lower oscillator frequencies produce lush trem/vibe effects, as well as excruciatingly sluggish or chopped-up rhythmic flavours. Thick bells, tuned intervals, and low-fidelity synth-like effects are just the beginning as the frequency rises. Experimenting with the low-pass filter cutoff frequency and dry/wet mix will generate weird or subtle tones.
Randy can control and be controlled by other CV capable devices thanks to its advanced control voltage (CV) capabilities, which allow for interactions beyond basic stacking of effects. The stereo CV can be switched between being used with an expression pedal and being used as a 2-channel CV port. The oscillator and low-pass filter frequencies can both be controlled by voltage.
Randy can also be used as a stand-alone voltage-controlled oscillator by using the internal oscillator as an output (VCO). The adjustable control voltage jack is where this Fairfield Circuitry pedal really shines. This 1/4-inch TRS connector serves as a two-channel connection for controlling circuit elements.
Remove the bottom of the pedal shell to gain access to six microswitches. You may customise the CV jack by turning different combinations on and off. The first three switches on the TRS connection are on the tip; the last three switches are on the ring; and the sleeve serves as ground.
Fairfield Circuitry is a company based in Fairfield, Connecticut The Randy’s Revenge ring modulator pedal appears to be straightforward. This 100% analogue true bypass pedal, on the other hand, is extremely programmable and is one of the best ring mod pedals available in terms of performance, versatility, and sonic quality.
Alexander Pedals Syntax Error
- The Syntax Error features a buffered bypass using a soft-touch footswitch....
- The Syntax Error takes your tones back to the dialup era, when video games...
- It's time to blow the dust out of your cartridges and plug in your...
The Error in Syntax returns your tones to the dialup era, when video games were measured in bits and phones were plugged into the wall. The primal noises of microchips greet you inside. It’s time to clean out your cartridges and connect your controllers. Set your modem to 14,400 baud and start playing.
Even when we’re not in ring mod mode, things become strange soon with this pedal. The Alexander Syntax Error is referred to as a “audio computer system,” and it transports us back to the days of 8-bit video games and crude microchips. The Code knob regulates the sample and hold carrier’s speed control in Ring mode, while the Tweak knob controls its depth. The EQ will be affected by the Bonus knob, and the Mix knob will combine the wet and direct signals at the output.
Set the Code knob to 100 percent counterclockwise to disable the LFO and crank the Mix knob to eliminate the modulator/input signal for a “normal” ring modulation circuit. Adjust the parameters to make your own personal amplitude modulation. Alexander Pedals’ Neo Line has the Syntax Error. Full MIDI functionality is available on all Neo Pedals (through the 1/4-inch MultiJack). We can connect an external footswitch or expression pedal in addition to MIDI. In Configuration mode, you can customise the pedal controls to your liking (power the pedal up while holding the Select button).
Eventide ModFactor Modulation Pedal
- 25 of Eventide's best Modulation effects
- Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, TremoloPan, Vibrato, Q-Wah, Rotary, ModFilter,...
- Instrument or line level inputs and outputs
Eventide is regarded as one of the foremost authorities in the field of professional effects processing. Since the 1970s, their Harmonizers have been a mainstay in studios and guitarists’ effects racks. The ModFactor stompbox provides Eventide-quality guitar effects to guitarists everywhere in a budget-friendly compact.
ModFactor compiles Eventide’s top ten modulation effects over the previous 35 years into a compact unit that’s easy to take to concerts. The ModFactor combines 10 knobs, MIDI, or an expression pedal input, as well as tap tempo and MIDI clock sync, to make a tweaker’s fantasy come true in a traditional pedal shape.
Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, as well as Rotary, Tremolo, and Vibrato are all included. The H8000’s unique Undulator effect is also featured, as well as a RingMod that falls somewhere between ring modulation and synthesis. It’s useful to have a dedicated SLOW/FAST footswitch for scaling up the LFO rate. LFO rates can also be synced to MIDI clock and Tap Tempo sync.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Ring Modulator Pedals?
These are the pedal world’s unsung heroes. Ring mod pedals are employed by many modern guitarists who want to expand their sound frontiers. They are often disregarded since they are too diversified for the average rock guitarist.
Randomly detuned chaos is spat forth by ring modulator pedals. They’re ideal for injecting some unpredictability into riffs, catching your audience off guard. Ring modulators are commonly utilised in experimental electronic music, despite the fact that they are rarely used in popular music due to their tonal instability.
What Does A Ring Mod Pedal Sound Like?
Let’s be clear: ring mod pedals aren’t for the faint of heart. It’s a strange-sounding effect that isn’t usually employed to make things sound more melodic. This effect, which produces a loud, metallic sound, is rarely heard in mainstream pop or rock music, but it is more common in soundtrack work.
Ring modulation is a form of modulation effect on a base level that affects amplitude, as the name suggests. When your initial signal is combined with an oscillator to form a ‘carrier wave,’ the waves are either cancelled out or increased when the signals collide. Most ring mod pedals have a control that lets you change the carrier wave’s pitch tracking, which makes the sound more broken up and stuttering the lower it is set.
Where Does A Ring Mod Pedal Go In My Signal Chain?
Because ring modulation is such a strange effect, where you put a ring modulation pedal in your signal chain is entirely up to you. For the best possible tracking, I’d put it in front of my amp and rather early in the chain, but there’s no right or wrong answer. Lovetone ring stinger, Zvex Super Ringtone and SubDecay Vitruvian Mod Ring Modulator are examples.
A cool method to use it is in your amplifier’s effects loop, where it can respond directly with your reverb or delay pedals. If you set it directly before those aforementioned pedals, for example, the reverb/delay trails will have a super-exaggerated bit-crushed sound, which may be fantastic if you like to create strange and lovely soundscapes.