SHALLOW WATER PSEUDO RANDOM GENERATOR PHYSICALS

The random quality of the modulation begins in a simple pro-

K-Field Modulator gram residing on a microcontroller. Its output resembles steps - 1/4” mono input/output jacks
of random voltages, seperated by random time intervals. The - 2.1mm DC connector
RATE control effectively sets the overall range of these time - 4.7” x 3.8” enclosure dimensions
ABSTRACT intervals.

Shallow Water’s essence could be INTEGRATOR AND DEPTH TECHNICALS

characterized as uncertain, subtle
and nostalgic. These random stepped voltages are processed through a filter/ - true bypass
integrator, giving control over the slope at which the steps - input impedance 1MΩ
Practically, this describes an will reach their new values. As DAMP is increased, the random - output impedance 2kΩ
effect built around your typical steps become slow and sluggish, instead of sharp and abrubt. - power supply 9 to 9.6 VDC
analogue chorus/vibrato circuit DEPTH defines the amount of modulation that will be used to - current draw 40 mA max.
wherein the signal is delayed by modulate the time delay of our input signal. There is a strong
a few dozen milliseconds using interaction between all three controls affecting modulation; that
a bucket brigade device. Another is, RATE, DAMP and DEPTH.
NOTES ON POWERING
signal then modulates this delay
time to create changes in pitch, ENVELOPE FOLLOWER AND RECOVERY FILTER
Shallow Water was designed to operate using
called vibrato. Chorus is achieved your typical centre negative, regulated 9-9.6
by mixing the original signal with Once the input signal has passed through the delay line, a
VDC power supply. The pedal is protected
the delayed signal, creating the recovery filter and some kind of gate is necessary to remove
against reversed polarity and overvoltage
moving comb filters that tickle unwanted noise generated by the bucket brigade device. To
conditions. Always check your power supply
our ears and feather our bangs. achieve this, the input’s envelope is followed and used to mod-
for proper voltage and polarity before con-
ulate the frequency of a low pass filter. The amount of envelope
necting. There is no battery connection inside
Still, major differences can be is set by the LPG control, yielding bouncy, lo-fi responses to
the pedal.
noticed when studying the k-field quick and snappy gate-like behaviours.
modulator’s architecture. The most
striking are how the delay time EXTENDED WARRANTY
is modulated in a random fashion IN MIX
and how the recovery filter moves Fairfield Circuitry will repair or replace any
ENVELOPE VOLUME
in relation to the input signal. FOLLOWER
LPF malfunctioning product for a period of 2
OUT years after purchase date. Problems resulting
ANTI-ALIASING
Both these differences place FILTER from modifications or misuse may cancel this
Shallow Water in a category of its VOLTAGE
warranty. The owner will cover all shipping
DELAY
own, appropriately called k-field LINE
CONTROLLED
LOW PASS DAMP RATE
expenses. This warranty applies only to origi-
FILTER
modulators. nal owner of the product. Proof of purchase
might be required.
NOISE FILTER PSEUDO
DEPTH
As the present gets lost, the VOLTAGE
CONTROLLED
+
INTEGRATOR
RANDOM
GENERATOR
future becomes the past. CLOCK
DRIVER
In short, the best thing to do is to contact us
as soon as possible with a description of the
symptoms, even if the warranty is expired.
CONTROLS MORE CONTROL INSIDE
envelope amount output
RATE 9 VDC input BOOST AND PAD

The RATE control adjusts the time FAIRFIELD CIRCUITRY There are 2 jumpers at the input stage to match
rate of
intervals at which the random pitch your input signal’s level and impedance. By
change
fluctuations occur. From rare to default, BOOST is on, PAD is off; a typical set-
RATE LPG
nervous, the range is quite wide. At ting for high impedance, low output signals like a
high RATE and DAMP settings, the modulation guitar’s single coil pickups. If the user finds there
quick variations have trouble pass- slope is too much distortion at the input stage, moving
ing through the swampy filter and DAMP MIX
the BOOST jumper to its off position will reduce
integrator, effectively reducing per- overall gain by 6 dB. If the signal source is line-
ceived modulation. This is normal. The modulation level, the PAD can be set to its on position, giving
interaction between these two knobs depth another 6 dB of gain reduction while also reducing
is particular and needs to be tamed DEPTH VOLUME KFM000 the input impedance by a factor of 10.
through experimentation. dry/wet mix
plenty of output volume LPG ADJUST
DAMP
The recovery filter’s lowest frequency can be ad-
The DAMP control affects the slope of LPG justed, to fine tune the way it will react to incom-
the modulating signal. At its minimum, ing signals. Lowering this frequency emphasises
the pitch modulations are quick and The LPG control adjusts the level of the envelope go- the action of the low pass filter, effectively raising
sudden; the random changes in modu- ing to the low pass filter and gate circuit. At lower the threshold of sensitivity. Adjustment should be
lation voltage are almost instantane- levels the signal will be darker, choke subtle notes made with the following settings: MIX full wet,
ous. Increasing DAMP will elongate and reduce sustain. At higher settings, the sound will LPG minimum, DEPTH minimum. While listening to
and soften the modulation. At high be brighter, have more sustain and might reveal some a signal going through the pedal, you’ll hear the
DAMP settings, the changes become so noise produced by the bucket brigade device. effect of the recovery filter at its resting state.
slow that they are not heard as pitch Carefully turn the trimpot labelled LPG adjust,
modulations. To hear the changes, MIX clockwise to raise the filter’s frequency, counter-
some dry mix needs to be applied. clockwise to lower. Be very careful, adjustments
Then, the slow movement of the delay The MIX control balances between the dry and wet should be minimal as the trimpot is very sensitive.
time can be heard as chorus. signal. When it’s full wet (clockwise) the effect is like After each adjustment, LPG should be turned up
a vibrato. Chorus-type sounds are achieved by adding momentarily to listen at the envelope’s response
DEPTH some of the dry signal (counter clockwise). to the incoming signal.

The DEPTH knob adjusts the intensity VOLUME

of the modulation. The interaction
between all three modulation controls The VOLUME knob controls the output volume. Unity is
is noticeable. The range of modulation around noon and beers around 5 at my place. UNIQUE & ROBUST
is focused towards subtle variations.
Adjust to taste, though less is more. MADE IN HULL, QUÉBEC

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