Welcome to the “string ringer” replica LOVETONE Ring
stinger
The Ring Stinger is fundamentally
a ring modulator based on the original transformer matrix (and not the
ubiquitous modulator chip) for that distinctive vintage ring mod sound and 60’s
germanium distortion. This is not your average stomp box however and uses
concepts that are more akin to modular synths than effects pedals. To get the
most out of it and appreciate its hidden depths it is absolutely essential to
read and understand the manual, which we have taken, great care to write! The extended
features of the String Ringer give it such numerous sound possibilities that it
would be foolish to attempt to do them all justice here. We are therefore NOT
providing sample settings (so please don‘t bother to ask) but relying instead
on an understanding of the principles involved allied to some pant-curdling
experimentation. There are nevertheless some hints and tips provided at the
end. If you want to busk it that's fine (the pedal is fairly idiot—proof and you'd
be hard pushed not to get a sound) but just don't expect us to explain what‘s
going on.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
A ring modulator is a device
that combines two inputs (A and B) into one output, transforming them into new sounds
not originally heard at the inputs. These are in fact the sum and difference of
the frequencies of the input signals (A+B and A-B). The original input signals
are suppressed, leaving the sum and difference signals to be heard together as
the output. This process yielding very complex waveforms can produce many
harmonies. This results in the atonal and “bell-like” effects that are commonly
associated with ring modulation (unless A and B are harmonically related which
has less atonal results). A special case (which the String Ringer exploits) is
when A and B are the same thus giving an octave above (A+B). Low-pass filtering
(i.e. removing harmonics from) one or both inputs can greatly increase the
purity of the output signal. Most simple ring mod units have only one external
input and produce a tone (or “carrier”) to modulate it with. The carrier remains
static (unless manually tweaked) which greatly limits the effects possible. Modulating
the carrier frequency (i.e. moving it around a bit) hugely increases the
potential. String Ringer allows various ways to do this (by foot pedal, light, external
control voltage and not least the built in LFO- short for Low Frequency
Oscillator). The carrier (or “VCO” –short for Voltage Controlled Oscillator) on
the Ring Stinger also has an insert point allowing the carrier to be overridden
by a second external source as well as access to the carrier itself which can
be used as a sound source in its own right. It is important to understand that
a ring mod will produce a sound only if BOTH inputs have sufficient signal
going into them (the resulting output level being a factor of both input
levels). You can also use the insert point to treat the carrier itself (e.g.
with low-pass filtering as mentioned above, gating, amplitude modulation etc.)
An ring modulator suffer from
carrier breakthrough and distort and degrade the original signal, especially
those using a transformer/diode matrix as in the String Ringer. However, by
good design and time consuming selection and matching of components the carrier
rejection achieved in other designs by using modulator chips has been equaled
and in most cases surpassed but with two distinct advantages: mega sex tone and
no periodical adjustment required. Please note that use of compression or
distortion (after the Ring Stinger) will greatly exacerbate carrier
breakthrough.