Make Noise soundhack ECHOPHON, Manual

Getting Started:  

Patch the signal to be processed into the SIGNAL IN (1A). The associated Level Control (2A) accommodates 

modular synthesizer signals of 10Vpp for the first 70% of its rotation. Beyond 70% on the Level Control, 

there will be clipping followed by digital overloading. Take your output from the MIX OUT (6A) and patch to 

your final mixer/ monitoring system. Set the MIX Panel Control (5A) to about 50% for the typical patch.  

The DEPTH control (4C) acts to set the index or range of the PITCH Shifting. It could be thought of as a 

Digital VCA for the control voltages patched to PITCH 1 (8C) and PITCH 2 (9C) as well as the PITCH Panel 

Control (2C). At DEPTH 0% there is no Pitch Shifting. Up to around 50% the Pitch Shifting is subtle, introduc-

ing chorusing effects. Increasing the DEPTH beyond 50% will create increasingly deeper pitch shifting until 

finally at 100% the full 4 octave range of harmonizing is possible. The DEPTH parameter is best modulated 

with linear functions such as an envelope generated by the MATHS.  

The PITCH controls alter the perceived pitch of the sound. PITCH 1 (8C) has an associated bi-polar attenua-

tor (5C) allowing you to add or subtract the control signal patched from the setting of the PITCH Panel 

Control (2C) and PITCH 2 (9C). PITCH 1 is perfect for patching an LFO for Vibrato effects. By adjusting the 

associated attenuator (5C) the depth of the Vibrato is programmable. PITCH 2 (9C) is well suited for patch-

ing a sequencer CV or Keyboard CV. Since most analog sequencers generate uni-polar CV in the range of 0V 

to 5V, you will need to set the PITCH Panel Control (2C) to Full CCW (0%) in order to control the entire range 

of PITCH.  

The ECHO Time panel control (3D) sets the length of the Delay line, ranging from 7ms at Full CCW to 1.7sec 

at Full CW. Patch into ECHO CV IN (5D) and adjust the associated uni-polar attenuator (4D) to modulate 

ECHO Time. Just about any source will work wonderfully as this parameter has a smooth exponential 

response tailored for great modulations.  

If you patch an external Clock signal to the TEMPO INput (6D), the ECHOPHON will follow that Clock, and the 

ECHO Time controls act to set a Divisor or Multiplier of that Master Tempo. The slowest clock (input or 

output) is limited to the delay time, so to get a 12/1 out, you need a fairly fast clock in (1.7s/12 or .15s).  

The FEEDBACK Panel Control (3E) is bi-polar with 0 to 49% sending FEEDBACK through LOOP1, 50% sending 

no feedback and 51% to 100% sending Feedback to LOOP 2. Loop 1 goes around the PITCH Shifter, and so 

each regeneration will be pitch shifting again, resulting in spiraling echoes that rise out of audibility or fall 

into sub sonic obscurity. LOOP 2 will create traditional ECHO Repeats. Bi-polar modulation of FEEDBACK is a 

unique element of the ECHOPHON allowing the two feedback loops to be continuously cross-faded. When 

FEEDBACK goes to ZERO (at 50%, 0V), the delay line empties out after one echo, so the ratio between ECHO 

Time and the rate of the signal modulating FEEDBACK will be an important factor in bi-polar modulation. A 

pronounced bi-polar modulation of FEEDBACK is achieved with a mid-range LFO (around 4hz). Audio Rate 

bi-polar modulation is subtle and gorgeously resonant. Signals such as an ASR envelope with a long Fall 

Time or a sequenced program change from Pressure Points are useful for animating a sound within a com-

position. For example, a cluster of notes is emphasized by increasing feedback resulting multiple repeats.  

Using FREEZE:  

Once your signal is passing through the ECHOPHON, pushing the FREEZE button (1F) or sending a Gate 

HIGH to the FREEZE Gate IN (2F), will cause the ECHOPHON close the ECHO chamber and hold the sound 

inside. The FREEZE LED (3F) will light to indicate this state. While the ECHOPHON is FREEZEd the PITCH may 

be controlled using the PITCH parameters. The ECHO Time parameters will change the sound destructively. 

Feedback controls will do nothing while the ECHOPHON is FREEZEd. Note is that the REEZE Button is Top 

Priority, meaning that the FREEZE Gate in will have no effect when FREEZE has already been toggled ON 

using the FREEZE Button.