Hazy Island Modulator (Low Tide)

[steviejr92]

Build Rating

5.00 star(s)

Today is my GF Birthday so im keeping this short! The Low Tide as most of you know is a clone of the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Waters. Its a fairly high parts count build but what fun it is! I ended up going to with SMD versions of the J201 and 2sk208Y. I didn't fill in the eyelets where the thru hole versions would've went. Im not sure if that makes a difference or not! As for the design i went with something similar to my last build. To be quite honest i don't think i like it haha The island i thought would come out a little more cause i used matte gloss and paid for a double layer of it! Oh well lesson learned! As for the circuit itself its very subtle in what it does (unless i have this thing setup completely wrong). In the future if i return to build this one again im going to look into mods for it to make it a little more "livelier". Im still going with a 5 out of 5 because of just how fun this was to build!

 

[Harry Klippton]

Inside looks clean! Too bad about the island graphic not coming through as much

 

[steviejr92]

Thanks man! Yeah if you go the UV route don’t make this mistake thinking it’ll pop out. Now I’ll be honest the extra lighting completely washes it out. In person you can see it better.

 

[SYLV9ST9R]

Thanks man! Yeah if you go the UV route don’t make this mistake thinking it’ll pop out. Now I’ll be honest the extra lighting completely washes it out. In person you can see it better.

Gloss would have done it I think (catches more light). Looks good still and great job!

 

[steviejr92]

Gloss would have done it I think (catches more light). Looks good still and great job!

I was thinking the same thing only cause I believe I’ve seen it on the new Caroline pedals.
Thanks man!

 

[Pauleo1214]

Fantastic! This one's on my docket and I want to combo it with a levitation reverb.

 

[steviejr92]

Fantastic! This one's on my docket and I want to combo it with a levitation reverb.

That’s going to be one killer combo! I would love to see how that turns out!

 

[Paradox916]

Nice clean build, It seems like people love or hate the shallow water, I think most dislike it for its underwhelming qualities you are definitely not the first to build it and wonder “is this what it’s supposed to sound like?” I’m going to go out on a limb and say you it’s not your build, that’s the nature of that circuit. Looks like you did a good job.

 

[steviejr92]

Nice clean build, It seems like people love or hate the shallow water, I think most dislike it for its underwhelming qualities you are definitely not the first to build it and wonder “is this what it’s supposed to sound like?” I’m going to go out on a limb and say you it’s not your build, that’s the nature of that circuit. Looks like you did a good job.

Well thats a relief. Ive been fine tuning the BBD and GATE trimmers since this post. Its still very underwhelming. The next time i build one im going to look up some mods maybe they will "enhance" the experience!

 

[jwyles90]

Well thats a relief. Ive been fine tuning the BBD and GATE trimmers since this post. Its still very underwhelming. The next time i build one im going to look up some mods maybe they will "enhance" the experience!

If you haven't, check out Mark Johnston's "Secret Weapon" video on Youtube about the Shallow Water. He does a great job explaining how it works, and it helped me wrap my head around what it's supposed to sound like. After watching that I was able to get it dialed in and set up in a way where I could start to see what all the fuss was about.

 

[steviejr92]

If you haven't, check out Mark Johnston's "Secret Weapon" video on Youtube about the Shallow Water. He explains really well how it works and it helped me to get a good idea as to what it's supposed to sound like. After watching that I was able to get it dialed in and set up in a way where I could start to see what all the fuss was about.

Going to take a look asap! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[zgrav]

here is the link to the Mark Johnston 28 minute video about the Shallow Water

 

[jwyles90]

here is the link to the Mark Johnston 28 minute video about the Shallow Water

Good lookin out! That probably would've been good to post right off the bat haha

 

[steviejr92]

here is the link to the Mark Johnston 28 minute video about the Shallow Water

So i actually finished watching that video @jwyles90 recommended. I now understand that thats just how this circuit is supposed to be. Very mellow. I decided to turn it on once again and i can hear what hes hearing although i will still like to try it with headphones on.

 

[jwyles90]

So i actually finished watching that video @jwyles90 recommended. I now understand that thats just how this circuit is supposed to be. Very mellow. I decided to turn it on once again and i can hear what hes hearing although i will still like to try it with headphones on.

Yea it's a fairly subtle effect. I've found that with slew around noon-01:30, rate and depth around 2-3, and then gate around 11ish it does a real nice "lofi" kind of vibrato.

 

[steviejr92]

Yea it's a fairly subtle effect. I've found that with slew around noon-01:30, rate and depth around 2-3, and then gate around 11ish it does a real nice "lofi" kind of vibrato.

I can say this you dont notice it till you turn it off. I think i need more time with the pedal and maybe try stacking it with another modulation and experiment.