AFG-1

100% Analog Bucket Brigade Flanger

The AFG-1 is a 100% analog effect, built with over 380 high-quality components to combine vintage audio processing techniques with advanced, high-tech, electronics. At its core is a high headroom, 256 stage, reissue MN3009 Bucket Brigade Device. True sine-wave exponential modulation and a selectable response dynamic envelope detector modulate its VCO based delay clock. It contains tightly tuned, discrete, high-order filters and a compandor with emphasis/de-emphasis to keep the noise floor low while imparting an animated feel. The VCA-based feedback control offers warm regeneration tone and a controlled method of dialing in deeply notched comb filter effects. A JFET input stage and input preamplifier optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio and allows for tone shaping and harmonics enhancing overload at higher settings. The whole ensemble is powered by a protected and highly regulated 15V power supply for carefree operation in any stage or studio environment.

FREQ: The FREQ knob corresponds to the MANUAL knob on a traditional flanger and adjusts the center delay time from ~0.5ms to ~14ms (more using LFO and control
voltages). As you turn the knob CW you decrease the delay time which corresponds to
higher pitch comb filter sound. Between about 7:00 and 10:00 produces chorus sounds, while past that is more flanging territory.


PHASE SWITCH: selects whether the delayed sound mixes and feeds back in phase or out of phase. The up or “JET” position produces traditional flanging sounds with the feedback and delayed sound in phase with the dry signal. The middle “SWIRL” position is the most subtle mode. It sets the peaks of feedback out of phase with the delayed and dry signal similar to the reverse feedback knob on one of Hawker’s previous wood sided effect designs. Finally, the down or “PHASE” position sets both the feedback and delayed signal out of phase with the dry signal. This produces deeper bass and a more vocal sound.
This is similar to the ODD position of the classic A/DA Flanger or the TYPE switch in Hawker’s previous classic black and silver mini-flanger design.


FEEDBACK: The FEEDBACK knob affects how much signal is fed back into the buckets. On traditional flangers this is called “regeneration”. Feedback creates deep time-based peaks and notches in the signal. At extreme settings it will go into self-oscillation, providing drone tones that are tuned by the FREQ knob setting. Try it out, get lost. Come back after and read the next section.

RATE: The RATE (AKA SPEED) knob adjusts the speed or rate of modulation from about 0.01Hz to 8.3Hz (wider range via control voltages). At minimum the sweep is almost imperceptibly slow. Lower settings provide a slow whoosh or a rhythmic pitch shift. Medium speeds provide a chorus effect, and faster rates provide a gargling, bubbly sound.

AMOUNT: The AMOUNT knob controls the depth or range of pitch movement at the speed of the LFO, or the amount of modulation. Set AMOUNT low for a deep jet plane whoosh or subtle shimmers. Set AMOUNT higher for chorus, octave jumps or wild pitch shifts and spaceship warbles. This is slightly different from the WIDTH knob on traditional flangers, which is a pan control between MANUAL control and LFO control. Instead, it adds the modulation on top of the FREQ setting, rather than panning between the two, and thus provides for more total range and wider control beyond just the FREQ panel knob setting. 

DRIVE: The Drive knob is a tweak of the highly regarded preamp and drive circuit of our ADG-1 pedal. This version provides more character, with rich saturation and tone shaping as the drive is increased. This generates extra harmonics to work with when combined with comb filtered flanging tones. At about 9:00 the drive is unity gain, with a transparent and flat response. As gain is increased it becomes increasingly saturated and sculpted,
providing nearly 36dB of total gain with a subtle midrange emphasis. ENVELOPE: The Envelope knob provides a means of articulated “Whooshless” dynamic flanging as made famous by musicians like Frank Zappa, who used the MicMix Dynaflanger 265, or effects like the Eventide Instant Flanger FL201. This flange effect rides your dynamics and gets out
of the way when not playing, eliminating the sometimes unwanted whoosh artifacts of typical flangers. The envelope is situated in the chain post DRIVE and can be thought of as a third hand turning the FREQ knob with your playing dynamics. At noon the effect is disabled. To the right it is the same as manually turning the FREQ knob clockwise, and to the left the same as turning it counterclockwise.

ENV SHAPE SWITCH: Controls the response of the envelope control signal. The top setting is great for dynamic playing with a fast attack and release time but may be jittery with some audio modulation artifacts. The lower setting is a slightly longer attack and much longer release and is great for picking or rhythm strumming with a smoother fade out. The middle setting provides for a long ambient attack and slowly fading release. If not using the envelope control, this setting is suggested to reduce false triggers.