Earthquaker Devices Disaster Transport Delay Modulation Machine Effect Pedal
Limited to 3,500 units worldwide. Behold! The newest incarnation of one of our most beloved pedals ever, the Disaster Transport. For those of you well versed in the pedal’s celebrated history, you might notice some differences on this beautifully sparkly box. A new Mod Mode switch allows you to bend or stretch the modulation wave. The new Mod Speed switch offers three rates of modulation, from bizarrely animated gradual climbs and steep drop offs to rapid chorus and intense vibrato.
The delay line has been redesigned to reduce the noise floor and improve the quality of the delay. Plus, it’s now filtered to sound more like an analog delay than any of the previous versions. With knobs to control the Speed, Intensity, Mix, Repeats, and Time; this analog-voiced digital delay sits perfectly in the background with an evolved ambiance, but can also be dialed in for the dramatic effect of your choosing.
1. Speed: Controls the speed of the modulation. The Speed operates in three ranges (Slow/Fast/Medium) selected by the Mod Speed toggle switch. The Disaster Transport uses a Ramp wave for the modulation. You’ll find this to be much more intense than most modulated delays. Think of it as a traditional Triangle wave that falls off a cliff in mid-cycle, creating a drastic pitch bend in its wake. Or don’t and just think about whatever you want.
2. Intensity: Controls how much the LFO modulates the delay time. More subtle chorus type effects are achieved with less intensity and more intensity will yield wild pitch stretching and bending. The overall modulation style can be made more or less subtle by using the Mod Mode toggle switch to select Bend or Stretch.
3. Mix: Sets the volume level for the delay signal. Hear more of what you just played 30-600ms ago by turning this up.
4. Repeats: Controls the intensity of delay feedback from no repeats at zero to self-oscillation at max. Let the past pile up on you until it implodes.
5. Time: Sets the delay time from around 30ms at zero to 600ms* at max. Everyone needs more time; all we can offer you is about 600ms worth.
6. Mod Speed: Three position toggle switch that sets the range in which the Speed operates.
7. Mod Mode: Two position toggle switch to choose the modulation style. Bend is more of a traditional chorus type modulation and Stretch is a wilder pitch stretching modulation.
8. Modulate: This foot-operated switch features Flexi-Switch® Technology and turns the modulation on and off.
9. Activate: This foot-operated switch features Flexi-Switch® Technology and turns the effect on and off.
*The delay time for the Disaster Transport Legacy Reissue can vary based on different settings and individual units.
The actual delay time is influenced by several factors, with one of the most significant being the Modulation setting. If the Modulation is active, the delay time will automatically be shorter due to the parameters that determine the delay. The specified approximate delay time of 600 ms is based on the Modulation being set to off.
Other factors affecting the delay time include the Intensity setting and the IC (Integrated Circuit) itself that controls it. The pt2399 is an older and unique IC, which can have variable tolerances. As a result, some units may produce longer delay times compared to others.