Mojo Hand FX SMPLoFi - Retro Console Gaming Goodness!
John says:
The SMPLoFi (if I hear a more clever name any time soon, l will be surprised! ) wears its influences on its sleeve. It's shockingly easy to dial in all those SNES 8-bit soundtrack sounds you’ve been chasing (actually 16-but but I’ll leave my nerd hat off for the moment). With the red button up, you’ve got a combination of bit depth reduction and sample rate, with an all-important mix knob. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a bitcrusher style pedal this easy to manipulate to instantly recognizable retro spots. Press the button down and reverb and band pass filtering enter the mix. You might not remember right now how much reverb was dropped into that old Nintendo sound, but you definitely will, once you hear it. Unless you’re not ancient like me, in which case, you’ll just have to trust me.
They say (Background):
This pedal was inspired by a retro console that became a turning point in video game sound design. It was called the Super Nintendo (SNES). (pay attention, kiddies!) Before the SNES, video game sound was created by using a simple PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) or FM Synthesis (Frequency Modulation). The SNES was able to use fully digital audio samples in the sound engine.
This was made possible by an Audio System called the S-SMP developed by an engineer at Sony. Interestingly enough, this was a bit controversial at the time. Legend has it that Sony wasn't aware that their engineer Ken Kutaragi was working on this project for Nintendo. Despite the brief controversy. Ken's creation of the S-SMP for the SNES revolutionized video game sound. It gave composers the ability to use digital samples and also some DSP effects like echo.
These audio samples were compressed to 16-bits (Not bad for 1990!) using BRR (Bit Rate Reduction). This 16 bit sound has become an iconic lofi sound that evokes nostalgia from the early days of console gaming.
SMPLoFi: But HOW?
This pedal pays homage to the S-SMP audio system in a few ways. It features 2 different DSP programs switched between using the red button.
Program 1 (Red Button Up)
- Yellow Knob: Controls the bit depth from 24 bits fully Counter Clockwise) to 2 bits fully clockwise) As the knob is turned clockwise, the bit depth drops revealing lofi distortion and artifacts reminiscent of a retro video game.
- Green Knob: Controls the sample rate. This can be a daunting effect to use. Different frequencies that you play will react differently at the chosen sample rate. It can truly rip apart your input signal and turn it into something experimental. It is a very touchy control. We recommend starting with it mostly clockwise and then dropping the sample rate (counter-clockwise) to taste!
- Blue Knob: This knob is your best friend! With how intense the Bit and Sample Rate controls can be, it is important to be able to blend your dry signal with the effected one. fully counter-clockwise is 100% dry, 12 O'clock is 50% wet and 50% dry, fully clockwise is 100% wet!
Program 2 (Red Button Down)
This program introduces reverb and a band pass filter in honor of some of the simple DSP effects used on the SNES.
- Yellow Knob: Just like program 1, this controls the bit depth from 24 bits fully counter-clockwise to 2 bits fully clockwise. However, this knob also controls the length of a gate for the Reverb. This means that when the bit depth is high, the gate is longer, creating longer reverb trails. When the bit depth is low, the reverb gate is shorter. This means that the reverb is cut off quickly. This knob is super powerful and so much fun. It can take you from staccato quick synth echoes, to lofi bit reduced reverb.
- Green Knob: Controls the frequency of the band pass filter. With all of the artifacts, reverb, and nuance that this effect creates, it is super helpful to have a filter to pinpoint what frequencies are outputted. Maybe you want some chimey high end tones. Turn the knob clockwise. If you want some brooding lofi bass tones, turn the knob counter-clockwise. Experiment with different frequencies, there are no rules here!
- Blue Knob: The same mix control from program 1 (your best friend!). fully counter-clockwise is 100% dry, 12 O'clock is 50% wet and 50% dry, fully clockwise is 100% wet!
Still don't get it?
This pedal is all about dialing in experimental yet nostalgic sounds from the early days of console gaming. It may appear simple on the surface (SMPLoFi.. you get it now?) but it really can do a ton of different things. It all comes down to the user's imagination and past experiences.
