Data Corrupter

The pedal is built around a CMOS phase-locked loop that locks an oscillator to the incoming signal. The input is squared up into a fuzz tone, then multiplied, divided and modulated to make up to three voices: a Master Oscillator, a Subharmonic voice and a square-wave fuzz. A Root switch sets the input octave to unison, one octave down or two octaves down, so tracking can be matched to the instrument and register.

The Master Oscillator has an eight-position rotary switch for choosing its interval or octave. A Frequency Modulator bends its pitch, with a Glide mode for portamento and a Vibrato mode for a sci-fi laser effect. The Subharmonic voice offers eight programs from one to three octaves below the input. Its Root switch can divide the square-wave signal for a steadier low octave, or work with the Master Oscillator to produce sum and difference tones. A Voice Mixer sets the level of each of the three voices.

Bypass switching is relay-based Flexi-Switch, which allows latching or momentary use, and the pedal needs power to pass signal. It runs from a 9 V DC supply with a 2.1 mm negative-center barrel. The design draws on the Electrax Synthax and Ray Marston's Basic Frequency Synthesizer.