Alexander has equipped the Syntax Error2 with six unique sound modes, each designed to create a wide variety of tones. Turn the MODE knob to select a new sound mode, then use the A B X Y knobs to tune the sound to your liking. You can tap the MODE knob to access the ALT controls page, for access to four extra control functions.
Every sound mode has a common set of controls:
- SAMP: Sample Crusher, reduces bit depth and sample rate at higher settings.
- PITCH: Sets the pitch shift interval from -1 octave to +1 octave, in semitones.
- P.MIX: Sets the mix of the pitch shifter effect from dry to fully wet.
- VOL: Sets the overall volume of the effect, unit is at 50%.
- TONE: Sets the overall brightness of the sound.
Each sound mode also has its own unique controls, accessed on the MAIN controls page.
- STRETCH MODE – This mode records the input signal into a sample buffer, and then plays it back in real-time. Great for glitchy delay effects, random reverse, or freaky feedback.
- PLAY sets the playback speed and direction, with forward at 0% and reverse at 100%. Middle settings will slow down and pitch down the audio.
- SIZE sets the sample buffer size, shorter buffers will sound choppy.
- FEED controls the amount of sampled signal fed back in to the buffer, for repeat and echo effects.
- AIR MODE – Grainy, lo-fi reverb effect similar to very early digital and analogue reverberation devices. Early reflections and slow build times make this a unique textural tool.
- SIZE controls the decay time and simulated size of the reverb chamber effect.
- SOFT sets the diffusion amount, higher settings are smoother sounding.
- PDLY controls the pre-delay time before the reverb effect occurs.
- RING MODE – Balanced “ring” modulation effect, adds extra frequencies to the original tone that are mathematically related but not harmonically related. Wild.
- FREQ controls the carrier frequency of the modulator. This frequency is added and subtracted from the input.
- RAND applies a random frequency for “sample and hold” dial-tone effects. Sounds like a very sick robot.
- DPTH sets the range of the RAND modulation.
- CUBE MODE – Math-based cubic distortion and fuzz effect, with tunable resonant filter.
- DRIV controls the distortion drive amount, higher settings also add some octave fuzz
- FILT sets the resonant filter cutoff frequency
- RESO tunes the resonance of the filter, set to minimum to bypass the filter effect
- FREQ MODE – Frequency shift effect, adds or subtracts a set frequency from the input signal. Like pitch shift but all of the intervals are broken. It’s horrible.
- SHFT frequency shift amount, smallest shifts are in the center of the range
- FEED controls feedback, increases intensity of the shift and delay effects at high settings
- DLAY sets delay time after the shift effect. Set to minimum for phaser-like tones, set to maximum for spiral echo
- effects.
- WAVE MODE – Time based modulator, used for chorus, vibrato, flanger, and FM effects.
- RATE sets the modulation speed, from very slow up to the audible band. At higher speeds the modulation is in the audio band and sounds pretty weird.
- DPTH controls the amount of modulation. We let you modulate it all the way, don’t complain if it gets gnarly.
- FEED applies feedback to the modulation, higher settings sound more like flange and lower settings more like chorus.