1. When do the ultron and ultrem come out?
Unfortunately, there is no set release date on these models due to some major setbacks caused by the long illness and recent death of the chief design engineer, Hideko Shimizu. Basically, we had to completely reverse engineer these products from the existing prototypes, which took much longer than expected. We should be receiving revised prototypes within the next couple of months, and once these are appproved then production units won't be far behind.
2. How much will they cost?
At the present time street prices are estimated at $400 for the Ultrem and $450 for the Ultron, but this could change based on additional R&D costs.....
3. What are their features (ie. stereo, MIDI, true bypass)?
GUYATONE OPTICAL MODEL INFORMATION –
Short take: Guyatone optical models are analog/digital hybrids w/100% analog signal paths using custom-manufactured low-voltage photocouplers w/improved performance over past and current production optical components. The custom CPU controller section features a digital oscillator w/tap tempo speed control and 6 selectable waveform patterns with memory-assignable CV control of a variety of parameters. Note: These are NOT digital modelers, although they can perform many of the functions of modeling units in an analog domain. These units are designed to be professional-grade products and feature many performance options not available from any other products currently on the market.
Features Common to Both:
· Tap Tempo oscillator control displayed in BPM or milliseconds
· Expression Pedal control of various parameters (user-assignable)
· Six oscillator waveform options (user-assignable)
· LED display for tempo and control assignments (user-assignable)
· Heavy duty Hammond Chassis and ultra-high quality components
· True Bypass Switching
· 9-12 volt AC or 9-volt battery power
· Made in Japan
ULTRON – Optical Envelope Controlled Filter
Short take: Designed as an “improved” version of the vintage Musitronics Mu-Tron III, the Ultron takes the basic skeleton of the III and adds a wide variety of new and useful control features that set it apart from any other unit on the market:
l Selectable Manual, Envelope-Controlled or Oscillator-Controlled operation
l HP, BP, LP, and NOTCH Filters (determines what frequency bands are filtered by the unit)
l HI, LO, and MID Frequency operation Ranges (controls the overall range of the filter sweep)
l Threshold Control (determines how hard a note must be played in order to trigger the filter)
l Peak Control (determines overall intensity of effect)
l Frequency Control (Determines the frequency band the filter sweeps in within the selected Range)
l Speed control (controls speed of oscillator)
l CV control of filter sweep (manual mode), Threshold, Peak or Frequency (envelope-control mode), or Oscillator speed (oscillator mode) with 3-selectable pedal tapers (linear, audio, reverse audio). +5V expression pedal not included
l 6 Selectable waveforms in oscillator mode
l Selectable Toggle option between Envelope and Oscillator control using Tap Tempo switch
l Selectable Frequency Peak, Frequency sweep ranges and Input attenuation for multiple instrument use via internal DIP switches
l Price $450
l Availability: TBA
ULTREM – Optical Tremolo
Short Take: The Ultrem is designed to emulate any vintage or current production tremolo unit, as well as to create many all-new sounds custom-tailored to the individual user. Features include:
l Speed Control (determines speed of effect)
l Depth Control (determines degree of effect)
l Saturation Control (Adds mild overdrive to effect for vintage tones)
l Stereo Outputs
l Pan on/off switch allows panning of effect between two amps
l Attack on/off switch adds extra “edge” for more dramatic effect
l Selectable Manual or Oscillator control of effect
l Tap Tempo control of Tremolo effect displayed in BPM or Milliseconds
l CV control of tremolo Rate or Depth with 3-selectable pedal tapers (linear, audio, reverse audio). Can also be used as a volume pedal in Manual mode. +5V expression pedal not included
l 6 Selectable waveforms in oscillator mode
l Selectable Toggle option between Manual and Oscillator control using Tap Tempo switch
l Price $400
l Availability: TBA
4. Will there be any other similar pedals like, for instance, uldelay?
It is too early to tell - we are really just focusing on getting the Ultrem and Ultron units to market - anything after that is gravy....
5. How's that engineer's health these days?
Unfortunately, Mr. Shimizu passed away in July of this year. He was a brilliant man and it was a very sad day for the music products industry. I really enjoyed working with him and the release of these two models will be a legacy to his genius.
thanks for giving me the opportunity to ask these questions! -andy
No problem - sorry for the long delays in getting these pedals to market, but it was beyond our control. Death is the boss of us all.......
Cheers,
Kevin
Questions by Andy Howse from Grand Rapids, MI
Kevin Bolembach heads up Godlyke distributing. Godlyke is the US distributor for Maxon, Hao,Guyatone and other fine effects.
