Sirkut Electronics Ring Modulator

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Ring Modulator features: 1. Bypass switch so you can turn the effect on or off 2. Frequency knob, so you can dial in the desired effect. 3. Overdrive switch, allows you to affect the signal in a 'clean' fashion or heavily distort it(and boost it might I add). 4. Range switch, allows you to switch from the low range to the high range 5. On/Off switch, turns the pedal on or off, when its in the off position you will still be able to hear the original signal. Runs on a 9v battery.

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User Reviews of the Sirkut Electronics Ring Modulator

Submitted by Ferox from Los Altos, CA (432 points) on May 16, 2007
I just got one of these puppies in the mail today. Holy shit. It rips sound apart. Inside of a loop it does alright (interesting tone control) but outside is where it really shines. It goes beyond what a normal ring mod does to a tone. It could describe it as screeching or moaning depending on where the knob is placed.
Good Points: Pretty simple design and great sound.
Bad Points: Can't put a battery inside of it, kind of expensive.
Price Paid: US$140.00
Purchased At: noisefx
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Submitted by dallas from Harrison Township, MI (48 points) on Feb 18, 2007
good way to shift your tone in a not so sutle manner. on some levels it almost destroys it like a distortion. hard to explain the exact effect but its bad arse!
Good Points: small sturdy rocks like rick james
Bad Points: com'n now dont be hatin
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by Ed from Malverne, NY (104 points) on Aug 22, 2006
Just amazing, ever since getting this it's been a key component of my sound, never leaves my setup. Mixes a nasty oscillator tone with whatever dirtied-up signal you feed it (or don't feed it anything to get a ghetto oscillator box). It manages to have a distinctive sound all its own while at the same time responding very differently to different input signals and really taking on the character of the inputs -- which is good news, since it means the pedal is only as limited as the sounds you give it. I've used mine with practically everything else I own, and it always surprises by eking out new sounds. The range switch throws the oscillator from a super-high screech to more of a meaty mid-range tone, and the overdrive switch really kicks this thing up a few notches in terms of sonic destruction -- both great for effecting fast, drastic changes in dynamics and sound. And the frequency knob gives everything from filter-sweep-type sounds to dialing in fuzzy mayhem or even cutting out the source sounds entirely and leaving only a faint high-pitched sizzle. The build quality is excellent; you couldn't break this if you wanted to.
Good Points: - everything! - sturdy construction - amazing range of sounds and intuitive, useful controls
Bad Points: - not a damn thing
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: Sirkut Electronics
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Submitted by Michael from Audubon, NJ (10 points) on Dec 15, 2004
No false advertising here, this thing sucks tone and who knows what else from whatever is plugged into it, only to blow it back out dead and buried. Fun to switch between extreme highs and growling lows with the flick or a switch or the sweep of a knob. Not a "typical" ring modulator sound, creates it's own kind of mess. As you've heard, this thing oscillates wildly, all the time. Another piece of Sirkut Electronics evil to offend and annoy. Always a good thing.
Good Points: Sturdy, quality build, doesn't really sound like a typical ring modulator, annoying to everyone (even the owner/operator), extremely afforable, noisy, did I mention this thing is annoying?
Bad Points: Only bad if you're expecting to hear a "proper" ring modulator effect.
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: Sirkut Electronics website
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Submitted by Brandon from Collinsville, IL (100 points) on Dec 13, 2004
Got mine for hooking Shawn up with business a while back. It's become quite the staple of my rig ever sine it arrived.
Good Points: Rips into sound like Roseanne through a box of Waffle Crisp. Can be used to inflict traumatic head wounds thanks to solid construction. The boost switch is a choice touch.
Bad Points: Merely nitpicks: The carrier signal can sometimes become overwhelming to everything else. For some reason, feeding my funk-a-duck into it can cause it to not mangle at all, and that makes the baby jesus cry.
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At:
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Submitted by ck3 from Portland, ME (402 points) on Oct 15, 2004
Mine is a modified, 2nd hand desktop model. Someone added a volume knob and bypass switch for me. I ended up paying a bit of a markup for the modifications and because Sirkut Electronics is on hiatus right now, but this has to be the most wily noise pedal in my current arsenal. It definitely does not behave like other ring mods I have tried and self-oscillates madly on all settings.
Good Points: Can produce ferocious groans, screams, and crackles. Reacts incredibly well to a feedback loop in a couple of its settings. Has onboard distortion that can be thick and fuzzy sounding. Because it is an oscillator, the R-MOD can create drony, feedback loop-ish sounds without any extra gear.
Bad Points: Mine is difficult to bypass when it is placed in front of a distorted signal, even with the onboard switch and another true bypass looper engaged. The person who did the mods attributed this to the design of the original builder and the inherent "carrier wave bleedthrough". It can still be bypassed by cranking the frequency knob, but, if the suggestions of the fellow who did the mods are correct, extra siwtch buffers would have been a nice complement to the original design. Also, it can easily drown out self-oscillating delay textures in a feedback loop.
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: Harmony Central Effects Forum
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Submitted by rougeux from Middlebury, VT (18 points) on Oct 7, 2004
I have had this thing for some time and put it through the paces---it's solid in construction and solid in its output---very powerful--a physical effect--loud--gritty--and also available for subtle dynamic movements (yes, "the noise movement" could use alot more of this dynamic.)Any SIRKUT effects combined with any other simple effect create fantastic new soundscapes. I recommend any SIRKUT equipment over the overpriced commercial gadgets of similar name without hesitation. Solid.
Good Points: Carry it around in the morning--it will break other bad habits.
Bad Points: I was going to say: no logo, but then I refered back to my initial thought when first seeing this stuff: simple. Black. Beautiful.
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: Sirkut
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Submitted by Benjamin from Boston, MA (38 points) on Aug 30, 2004
just got mine a few days ago. already done some sick recording with it. this thing is the most insane ring mod ever. nice and easy to use, and has awesome range for crucial lows, screaming highs, and bad ass sweeps
Good Points: totally out of control, nice and small, total quality
Bad Points: if you need one in a hurry, don't wait to order. sirkut is a one man operation, so sometimes things take some time. it is all worth it though
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: direct
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Submitted by tapesss from Brooksville, FL (344 points) on Aug 10, 2004
The gnarliest ring mod of them all. In normal mode(without overdrive) its still really nasty, you can get musical tones out of it but thats not what this thing is for, It's for utterly ravaging your signal, and thats pretty much what it does. The frequency switch is extremely useful, and it is possible to get tons of different sounds out of this thing. I use 2 of them in unison, and tuning the oscillation to different notes creates some very interesting and unique sounds. It's loud too, definitely not a pedal to be underestimated. Everything feels sturdy as well, you could throw these around and not do too much damage to them. all in all, great ring mod. Oh yeah, Shawn is a really nice guy too, excellent customer service/
Good Points: very wide range of sounds, frequency switch is very useful, loud, abrasive, inexpensive, very well made, shawn is a really helpful guy
Bad Points: nothing
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: direct
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Submitted by Steve from London (44 points) on Jun 5, 2004
Very simple design, just a few switches and 1 knob (non-stomp version). Superbly well constructed, feels like you could frenzy on the controls in a big way and not break it. Like others have said, outstanding in a loop. You can change the sound in a BIG way with just a spin of the dial. The overdrive switch sends it into mentalist mode, great snarling to be had. Sounds awesome with guitar played through it on full blast, completely non-musical and very effective. Physical noise workout. Shawn's a great guy too, very helpful with my stupid questions. Sent it over to the UK in bomb-proof packaging. Cheers mate!
Good Points: It's mini, it's built to last, and it sounds great. Bargain!
Bad Points:
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: sirkut via noiseboard433
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Submitted by D/A A/D from Halifax (410 points) on May 14, 2004
Bah!.. Thats all I can say, man this is one wild little puppy... First off, I reall don't know what people are talking about when they say this is not "a real ring mod"... Oh is it ever, I think the diference is that it sounds like the carrier signal is actualy a sawtooth/squarewave insted of the regular sine wave... Ok enough of that... I have 2 models a tabletop, and a stompbox... Both handle quite diferently, which is a good thing... I use the tabletop for my harshnoise and the stompbox for my electro-acoustic warfare... With a bass this sounds amazing, it actualy almost has a vocal quality, metaly chalanged alien voices but non the less. WIDE range of sounds, even wider range of total sonic distruction... And that is sualy the name of my game... And you can use it as a crazy ass fuzz on some settings... I could go on for ever, but I just got them in the mail, and I just took a break to write this out... Gota go back to distroying the world...
Good Points: Built Solid! Wide range, nice looks, interesting interaction with other pedals... One of the wildest ringmods I have ever heard, sawtooth/squarewave carrier = nice fuzz tones on some settings... Kills everything you put into it... And Shawn is a hellova nice guy, he put of with all my questions and endless crap!..
Bad Points: constant sawtooth/squarewave carrier (but its also a good thing, and he warns you about this till the end of the world...), LOUD - I kinda wish it had a volume control... And there is some bleedthrough of the carrier signal on my tabletop model in bypass mode, but whenI turn the knob to ether the extream right of left its takes the ringmod out of the circut anyway - which even if it is not suposed to do that it is a good thing...
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: Sirkut Electronics
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Submitted by Paul from Branford, CT (8 points) on May 12, 2004
This is a very unique product. It is a very loud ring mod that really is better used as a frequncy ocilator in an effects loop rather than have something plugged into it. those looking for a cheap version of a moogerfooger ring mod will NOT find it here. this thing is meant for noise. All i can say is Sircut electronics products are priced well and do things no other products can do. This is a piece of equiptment you will not be sorry you bought if you are a noisemaker. if your goal is to pug something into it and get typical ring mod sounds you will probably be dissapointed.
Good Points: Unique, great ocilator, superb price and customer service.
Bad Points: Way too loud. needs volume control desperately. Would be nice if you could make it stop sel-ocilating but Shawn warns you right from the get-go about this.
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: Sirkut electronics website
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Submitted by nkondi from Portland, OR (610 points) on Mar 15, 2004
a very loud and blistering ring mod. in a loop with just four distortions and an envelope filter and the rmod, i was able to coax some great sounds, and get a good bit of diversity as well. this was never meant to be suttle...and it does great at what its supposed to. probably my favorite thus far...
Good Points: well put together with great sound, nice and compact so it doesnt take up too much room (the new model varies from the pic shown), probably the best bang for your buck as far as ring mods go...
Bad Points: takes him a bit of time to build since he is a one man operation, but its worth waiting for...
Price Paid: US$68.00
Purchased At: lack there of
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Submitted by Mr. Hep from Rochester, NY (6 points) on Jan 30, 2004
For the money I paid, this is one valuable ring modulator. Nice, clangy tones can be created using this simple device. intresting effects can also be achieved when put in a feedback loop.
Good Points: small boss type power input simple to use overdrive switch
Bad Points: bypass switch doesn't seem to work, maybe its just mine....
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: direct
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Submitted by Jason from Chapel Hill, NC (44 points) on Jan 22, 2004
I have a much smaller model. This is a cool ring modulator, that works as an oscillator when there's nothing plugged into it. For the price it does everything that you'd expect it to. It took me a while to figure out how it actually interacted with the signal, and for some time it was a little annoying because it just created the single oscillator tone that sounded and felt kind of like sitting under florescent lights. Mainly that is due to the distortion, when that's on it just takes over and early in a long chain it is the only thing that can be heard (louder than your source, if you're 'playing' something). But by just turning the distortion off on here you can make more colorful sounds from blocky sources (metal, wood etc) and the oscillator hum can be pleasantly buried. In a feedback loop it's great, you can really move the sound around a lot using this thing. For purely electronic sounds this is an amazing pedal, especially considering the price. I have still yet to have much luck with more physical sound sources through this thing, mainly because the oscillator tone is hard to mask and after a while it becomes much too obvious what it is. I like also like how reliable and predictable it is, in that it pretty much does what you think it's going to do every time you use it. The service was great, mine broke due to some heavy drinking before playing and he fixed it and sent it back free of charge. Recommended.
Good Points: reliable, affordable, good customer service
Bad Points: too "samey"
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: sinkhole.net/sirkut
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Submitted by Doug from Austin, TX (40 points) on Dec 5, 2003
I have the new version of this pedal. It is in a zvex style box. Very well made and tough. I sorta dig how there is no stomp switch. As I use this alot when playing with other pedals or knob twidling, so it is handy to have all rocker switches. The is prolly the gnarliest ring mod I own. I really like the overdrive
Good Points: Good pedal
Bad Points: No problems here.
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: DIRECT
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Submitted by d. l. from Wakefield, MA (204 points) on Oct 16, 2003
I also have the smaller version, but I'll bet the same nastyness. It's kinda funny how there's no volume knob, just that powerful distortion on switch. I can pickup some trebbly static and fuzzy radio stations with mine! Killer! I like just dangling a cable out and letting it pick up the mayhem. There isn't a second input to modulate one signal with another, but it was only ! The head honcho there, Shawn, is also a real cool helpful guy.
Good Points: ring mod freq knob has a wide range, additional range switch, small size, true bypass, distortion switch makes the signal real harsh and nasty!
Bad Points: I'd prefer a second knob instead of a switch... sort of limits the flexibility but oh what the hell...
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: sinkhole.net
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Submitted by Thomas from Santa Cruz, CA (2 points) on Aug 31, 2003
The one I have is in a smaller junction box but it has all of the same controls. With nothing plugged into it, it works as an oscillator. The controls are very close together so you can manipulate sounds fast on the fly. The overdrive switch heavily distorts the incoming signal and becomes mean and dirty. The frequency knob is great fior sweeping sounds and has a large range in the mid to lower frequencies. When you sweep it all the way up it makes a great high pitched squeal. The range switch allows you to switch between high and low ranges. This pedal also has some amazing low end to it. On my pedal if you turn the frequency knob all the way it does a tremelo effect.
Good Points: This pedal is awesome. It does a lot for such a simple and small contructed box. Great sound if you need high or low frequencies or anything in between and a great price.
Bad Points: None
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: sinkhole.net/lackthereof
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Submitted by gr-eh? from Detroit, MI (398 points) on Aug 19, 2003
What can I say about this thing.. Damn rugged pedal, for sure. Simple operation, mine is built different than the one pictured (smaller enclosure at my request), but the same controls. The overdrive and range switches make for fast, easy changes in the sound and the freq knob has a wide sweep (especially nice in the lower range). The overdrive switch really dirties up the signal making it sound even more mean and agressive. Super-sturdy pedal built into a junction box, I knocked the hell out of mine the first show I used it, resulting it in slamming into the concrete floor quite a bit. Aside from some surface wear, it operates like new. With the OD on, it operates as a tone generator until you push some sound through it, when it goes into full mod mode. Great for punctuating walls of sound with a freaked out bass snarl.
Good Points: Everything. Killer sound for the price. Sturdy/well-built.
Bad Points: Nada.
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: sinkhole.net/lackthereof
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