Parasit Theremin Fuzz (+ video)

[DAJE]

Something a bit different.

Theremin Fuzz

Theremin Fuzz by Parasit Studio

www.parasitstudio.se

I'm feeling a bit knackered so I'll write a build report tomorrow. TL/DR - works, sounds very cool, still need to properly dial in the sensitivity trim pot.

Pic 1 & 2 - PCB front and back
Pic 3 - fit test, making sure the switch and pots fit my wonky hand drilled 1590B enclosure. As you can see; yes.

 

[DAJE]

Pic 4 & 5 - finished guts
Pic 6 - blue, a little green, red hardware.
Pic 7 - 1590B top load. Entirely do-able.

 

[DAJE]

1 minute worth of messing about, the other pedals that were on are the reverb at left and compressor at right.

 

[DAJE]

OK, my review: It's a lot of fun, though output is low. Way below unity, so you can't really switch from clean to effect without also kicking in a boost or something similar. A compressor helps keep the sound consistent, but it's hard to control and you just have to accept that there'll be a lot of tracking issues. All part of the chaotic fun.

Not in video, but turning the left knob down converts the pedal into a pretty gnarly fuzz with octave. The switch is down (standard) in the video, up makes the note/noise an octave higher.

Build report: pretty easy, straightforward. I just built the standard edition, you can make a minimal version, and a version that also does two octaves up, but that'd be pretty useless so I'm glad I didn't bother.

I did have an "oh no" moment when first testing the pedal, as it just made a nasty bubbling noise, but then I remembered I had the sensitivity trim pot zeroed, so I turned it up and it worked. There's a fair bit of adjustment available, and it's not too hard to find a balance between music and chaos. Does require a little experimentation, though.

It's one of those pedals that you have to adapt to, kind of a niche thing but I'm glad I made it and I'm sure it'll get some use.

 

[Feral Feline]

Your build looks and sounds fanfreqntastic.

I picked up two of these PCBs, one to molest and the other to build as simple as possible; I’ll be sure to add a boost to both based on your findings — thanks!

There is one more thing — Two-octaves up is very useful for us bass-players — it’s been emotional.

 

[DAJE]

Your build looks and sounds fanfreqntastic.

I picked up two of these PCBs, one to molest and the other to build as simple as possible; I’ll be sure to add a boost to both based on your findings — thanks!

There is one more thing — Two-octaves up is very useful for us bass-players — it’s been emotional.

I play bass and baritone as well as standard guitar. You should check out my video of the Binary Bass Fuzz I made a few weeks ago.

I did try the pedal with my bari, it sounds pretty good. Lends itself to lower notes quite well. Haven't tried it with the bass yet, but I will.

 

[almondcity]

Nice build. I got a few parasit builds in the queue, they have some crazy stuff

 

[Coda]

I have one. I got it for Xmas (a friend built it for me). It’s interesting, but I don’t find the theremin effect very useful…more of a novelty, really. As mention above, it’s a pretty decent octave fuzz with the novelty turned down, though…

I also have the Parasit Studio Multiwave Guitar Synth. That one is excellent…