VM2500 Blank Panel Module 1001 VM2500 Dual Envelope Generator Module 1003 VM2500 Oscillator Module 1004-P VM2500 Oscillator Module 1004-R VM2500 Oscillator Module 1004-T VM2500 Modamp Module 1005 VM2500 Filtamp Module 1006 VM2500 Dual Noise/Random Voltage Generator Module 1016 VM2500 Oscilloscope Module 1019 VM2500 Dual Oscillator Module 1023 VM2500 Dual Reverberator Module 1025 VM2500 Preset Voltage Module 1026 VM2500 Clocked Sequential Control Module 1027 VM2500 Dual Envelope Generator Module 1033 VM2500 Sample & Hold Module 1036 VM2500 Triple VCA Module 1042 VM2500 Synthesizer Voice Module 1045 VM2500 Quad Envelope Generator Module 1046 VM2500 Multimode Filter Resonator Module 1047 VM2500 Mix-Sequencer Module 1050 VM2500 Dual Four-Channel Mixer Module 1051 VM901 Voltage Controlled Oscillator VM902 Amplifier VM903 Random Signal Generator VM905 Reverb VM907A Fixed Filter Bank VM911-A Dual Trigger Delay VM912 Envelope Follower VM921 Voltage Controlled Oscillator VM923 Filters/Noise VM927 Multiple VM958 Keyboard/VCO Interface VM960 Sequencer VM962 Sequential Switch VM984 Four-Channel Matrix Mixer VM995 Attenuators VM914 Fixed Filter Bank VM928 Sample Hold VM1630 Frequency Shifter VM901ABBB Voltage Controlled Oscillator VM904A/B/C Filters VM911 Envelope Generator VM921ABBB Oscillator Bank VM Rackmode 10 Band Graphic EQ VM Rackmode 12 Stage Phaser VM Rackmode 3 Band Parametric EQ VM Rackmode Poly Vocal Source Oscillator VM Rackmode Ring Modulator VM Rackmode String Filter VM Rackmode Vocal Source Oscillator VM Rackmode Frequency Shifter VM Rackmode 16 Channel Vocoder VM Miniverse A-440 VM Miniverse Contour VM Miniverse Filter VM Miniverse Glide VM Miniverse Mixer VM Miniverse Noise VM Miniverse Oscillator VM Miniverse Poly Contour VM Miniverse Poly Filter VM Miniverse Poly Glide VM Miniverse Poly Mixer VM Miniverse Poly Oscillator VM Miniverse Poly VCA VM Miniverse VCA

The VM1630 is a super-accurate recreation of the vintage Bode 1630 Frequency Shifter. A frequency shifter is an audio modifier that "shifts" the entire frequency spectrum of the signal by a given amount. The VM1630 can shift the spectrum up or down by up to 5000 Hz, and the "downshifted" and "upshifted" signals are simultaneously available. The shift amount and regeneration controls are fully voltage controllable.

What Is A Frequency Shifter?

It's important to understand how a frequency shifter differs from a modern digital pitch shifter (aka, a "harmonizer"). A pitch shifter maintains harmonic relationships between tones and harmonics of the input signal (or at least, tries to). If you speak or sing into a pitch shifter, this means the voice sounds like a larger or smaller person, because the harmonic relationships are maintained. Conversely, these harmonic relationships are not maintained with frequency shifter, and as a result, processed audio starts to sound unnatural beyond very small amounts of shift. Small amounts of shift are useful for phase-y types of sounds (particularly when the Regeneration knob is up). Large amounts generally create harmonically rich and clangorous metallic timbres.

In layman-est of layman's terms, even if you don't 100% understand what's going on under the hood, the frequency shifter can make a whole lot of incredible sounds, and it's very easy to use.

Inputs, Outputs, and Controls

Signal Input- Patch inputs signals here.

Amount Of Shift / Scale selector- These determine the amount of shift. The Scale selector switch determines the range, and the Amount Of Shift knob sets the specific shift amount (and looks real cool). The Scale positions are as follows:

  • Zero- No shift, aka bypass mode. All three output pairs pass the input signal unaltered.

  • Exponential- The Amount Of Shift knob scale is exponential, with frequency shift amounts represented in the outer concentric circle. In exponential mode, the shift range is 2 Hz to 2 kHz, from full counterclockwise to full clockwise.

  • 5/50/500/5k- The Amount Of Shift knob scale is linear, with frequency shift amounts represented in the inner concentric circle. Shift amount starts at zero (center position) and goes down or up when the Amount Of Shift knob is turned counterclockwise or clockwise, respectively. The maximum setting in either direction is determined by the current Scale range.

Shift Control jacks- These CV inputs allow voltage control of Amount Of Shift.

Squelch and LED- Allows fine-tuning of input level to prevent bleedthrough in the processed signal. This is typically more of an issue with hardware frequency shifter, but we've included it for accuracy. If it's set too high, it will mute signal entirely. The LED illuminates to indicate signal is passing.

Regeneration- This is a feedback control that sends the output back to the input at an amount determined by the knob setting. It really opens up a lot of sonic possibilities, and is particular useful for phaser-type sounds.

Regen. Control- CV input for voltage control of the Regeneration knob.

Mixture- Sets the mix level between downshifted (A) and upshifted (B) signal at the Mixture Output jacks. It has no effect on the Output A and Output B jacks.

Mixture Output jacks- Audio output of the downshifted (A) and upshifted (B) signals. Both jacks carry the same signal.

Output A jacks- Audio output of the downshifted signal. Both jacks carry the same signal.

Output B jacks- Audio output of the upshifted signal. Both jacks carry the same signal.