The Electro-Harmonix Mainframe is an original pedal effect that opens the door to the lo-fi sounds of old computer games, where games like Pac Man and Donkey Kong were the latest innovations on the market and the Commodore 64 was hi-tech. There are already several guitar boxes on the market that emulate 8-bit lo-fi sounds, but none of them offer as many features and dry signal editing options - whether you use the Mainframe with guitar, bass or keys/synths.
In short, it's a sample reducer/bit crusher that lets you reduce the sample rate from 48kHz down to 110Hz and the number of bits from 24-bit to 1-bit. As part of degrading a dry signal to a properly lo-fi one, in addition to reducing Hz and bits, you can choose between applying a High/Low/Band-Pass filter and using the two Filter Freq and Filter Peak controls to specify the operating bandwidth and resonance of the selected filter.
In the optional Rate Tuning Mode, the Mainframe analyzes the input signal in real time and assigns to it the sample rate appropriate to the tuning, i.e. the played tone/chord (or interval above the tone - can be set in unison up to +4 octaves). In this mode you can "lock" the sample rate, or leave continuous tracking of played tones.
Mainframe can save one of your settings in memory, either as a preset that you press a button to recall, or as a save of the control settings for the heel/toe positions of an external expression pedal. For sound researchers and tweakers, secondary controller functions are available for more detailed editing of settings.
Of course, the electronics are housed in a durable metal chassis. The pedal is wired as a buffered bypass. Power is supplied by the included 9V adapter.
In short, it's a sample reducer/bit crusher that lets you reduce the sample rate from 48kHz down to 110Hz and the number of bits from 24-bit to 1-bit. As part of degrading a dry signal to a properly lo-fi one, in addition to reducing Hz and bits, you can choose between applying a High/Low/Band-Pass filter and using the two Filter Freq and Filter Peak controls to specify the operating bandwidth and resonance of the selected filter.
In the optional Rate Tuning Mode, the Mainframe analyzes the input signal in real time and assigns to it the sample rate appropriate to the tuning, i.e. the played tone/chord (or interval above the tone - can be set in unison up to +4 octaves). In this mode you can "lock" the sample rate, or leave continuous tracking of played tones.
Mainframe can save one of your settings in memory, either as a preset that you press a button to recall, or as a save of the control settings for the heel/toe positions of an external expression pedal. For sound researchers and tweakers, secondary controller functions are available for more detailed editing of settings.
Of course, the electronics are housed in a durable metal chassis. The pedal is wired as a buffered bypass. Power is supplied by the included 9V adapter.
Specifications
- Type: Sample Reducer/Bit Crusher
- Controls: Volume, Bit Depth, Sample Rate, Blend, Filter Peak, Filter Freq, 3-way HPF/BPF/LPF switch, Exp/Preset button
- True Bypass: No
- Input Ports: 1x Mono, 1x Expression
- Output Ports: 1x Mono
- Power: 9V Adapter
- Adapter included: Yes
- Dimensions: 114 x 70 x 54 mm
- Country of Production: USA
Send us your inquiry, our customer support specialists will respond soon. If we find the inquiry useful for other customers, it will be published here.