dansouth Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 Man, that phase shifted Rhodes sound on old Weather Report records is amazing. Is there a device that can create that sound today? Digital effects just don't have that same thickness and character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fortner Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 I think Zawinul used a Mutron Bi-Phase, which was a dual phaser with a lot of controls, and was about the size of a 4-track cassette recorder. These are collector's items and not always easy to find. There's been a reissue from Jim Dunlop of the MXR Phase 90, and it sounds great. This is the phase-Rhodes sound associated with Steely Dan, Richard Tee, etc. I'm working on a custom output stage for my venerable Stage Mk II, BTW. It's going to include a tube preamp, compression, EQ, and the guts of a phase 90 and TC chorus pedal, then stereo outs. It's all gonna mount in the body of the Rhodes, where the current volume and tone rail is. There's a fair amount of room behind there. So I do think Zawinul used the Bi-Phase, but somebody correct me if I'm fulla frijoles. Stephen Fortner Principal, Fortner Media Former Editor in Chief, Keyboard Magazine Digital Piano Consultant, Piano Buyer Magazine Industry affiliations: Antares, Arturia, Giles Communications, MS Media, Polyverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 Originally posted by SteveFortner: I think Zawinul used a Mutron Bi-Phase, which was a dual phaser with a lot of controls, and was about the size of a 4-track cassette recorder. These are collector's items and not always easy to find. I think you're right about the Zawinul and the Bi-Phase. That and a Roland Space Echo were standard peripherals for many Rhodes rigs. Actually, I saw several Bi-Phases on E-Bay recently, but the prices are ridiculous ($500+) though the unit was expensive back in the '70s. I can't imagine that it has an acceptable noise floor for today's recording standards. I'd guess a TC or Lexicon effects processor could duplicate that sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 I have a MoogerFooger 12 stage phaser. It's excellent - sounds as good as the Bi-phase, if not better... dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougP Posted November 8, 2001 Share Posted November 8, 2001 I've had great success running my RMI 368 through either a Phase 90 or a Mutron II. The Mutron II, BTW, is supposed to be the same phaser circuit as half a BiPhase, and costs considerably less than half of one (about $150 vs. $500). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siedler1050 Posted November 10, 2001 Share Posted November 10, 2001 I own a vermona phaser, the ph16. It's a very nice unit which has some similarities with the mutron Bi-Phase. You have two separate phaser-modules that can be used parallel, as a real stereo phaser, or in a row as a mono phaser with a maximum of 16 stages. I tried it with an rhodes sound (it was just a sound of my n364, not the best-one), but there were nice effects possible, especially with the build in envelope follower. You can find some infos at: www.en-port.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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