Mainframe
Mainframe
Mainframe
Mainframe
Mainframe
Mainframe
Mainframe

Mainframe

Bit Crusher
Buzz. Beep and bloop. Get high on the lo-fi sounds of “old-school” games, toys and terminals!

$203.20

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Sample Rate Tuning Mode
Clean Sample Rate Reduction
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Mainframe

DESCRIPTION

The Mainframe provides sample rate reduction ranging from 48kHz to 110Hz. A little background… the sample rate is the number of times per second that a sample or snapshot of an analog signal is taken. For example, CDs (remember them?) had a sample rate of 44.1kHz which means that the original analog signal is sampled 44,100 times per second.

The sample rate defines the frequency range that can be reproduced while maintaining good fidelity. When the sample rate is reduced the quality of the audio is degraded and aliasing occurs. Aliasing means audible artifacts created when higher frequencies are sampled at an inadequate rate and the result is distortion. The Mainframe’s sample rate range is wide enough to take you from sounds that are quite pristine to sounds that are unrecognizable when compared to the input signal.

It also provides bit crushing ranging from 24-bit to 1-bit. What does that mean? Bit crushing is bit depth reduction. Back to our CD example… CDs used a 16-bit bit depth meaning that each of its samples was represented by 16-bits of information. Higher bit depths can accurately represent a greater dynamic range while bit crushing increases the number of sampling errors and creatively degrades the sound to bring us back to those nasty “old school” sounds we love.

The Mainframe’s selectable High/Low/Band-Pass filter lets the user shape the artifacts of the bit crushing and sample rate. Another very cool feature is its Sample Rate Tuning Mode where the pedal analyzes your input signal in real-time and sets the sample rate to match the pitch of your signal, or a set interval above your signal. This allows you to set the sample rate to match the key of a song, or it will continually adjust the sample rate based on what you play!”

  • Sample Rate Reduction ranging from 48kHz to 110Hz
  • Bit Depth Reduction ranging from 24-bit to 1-bit
  • Selectable High/Low/Band-Pass filter to shape the artifacts of the bit crushing and sample rate reduction
  • Sample Rate Tuning Mode allows you to set the sample rate to match the key of a song, or continually adjust the sample rate based on what you play on your instrument
  • Programmable preset or expression pedal setting allows you to save your sound or control any combination of the Mainframe’s knobs with an external expression pedal
  • Secondary knob parameters allow you to fine-tune the Mainframe’s effect
  • High quality buffered bypass and silent switching
  • Power supply included

SPECIFICATIONS

Circuit
Digital
Bypass
Buffered Bypass
Audio
Mono
Power Supply
9.6VDC-200mA power adapter included
Dimensions (in)
4.5 x 2.75 x 2.1
Current Draw
90mA
Year Released
2020
UPC
683274012315
Owner's Manual
VOL KNOB
This knob sets the master output level.
FILTER PEAK
Controls the resonance of the Mainframe’s filter.
FILTER FREQ
This knob controls the frequency of the filter.
BLEND KNOB
This knob blends between the dry guitar signal and the effect signal.
BIT DEPTH KNOB
As this knob is turned clockwise, the bit depth of the signal is reduced, producing a distorted, noisy tone.
SAMPLE RATE KNOB
As this knob is turned clockwise, the sample rate of the signal is reduced, producing a ringing or glitchy tone.
EXP / PRESET BUTTON AND GREEN LED
Turns expression mode or a saved preset on and off. When the Green LED is lit, expression control is enabled, or the preset is enabled.
FILTER HPF/BPF/LPF SWITCH
Toggles the the filter: HPF: High-Pass Filter, BPF: Band-Pass Filter, and LPF: Low-Pass Filter.
FOOTSWITCH AND RED LED
Toggles between bypass and effect modes.
INPUT JACK
This 1/4" phone jack is the audio input.
EXP JACK CONNECT
An expression pedal or control voltage jack to allow for external control over every knob on the Mainframe.
OUTPUT JACK
This 1/4" phone jack is the main audio output.

“Sample rate reducer also functions as gnarly fuzz pedal.”

–Guitar World

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