Our second entry for “Moog Week” brings us into spacey, trippy, sci-fi territory, a place we love to be. Boldly going where no phaser has gone before (hehe), the MF-103 12-Stage from Moog represents everything that you’ve always wanted in a phaser pedal, but didn’t even know existed. Featuring Moog’s signature array of controls, sounds and available customization to each pedal, this MF-103 will leave you speechless and wanting more, all at the same time. The following is a review I did of the phaser from last March, as it still holds true today, plus you’ll get to check out a cool video at the end. Enjoy!
I bought a Moogerfooger MF-103 12-Stage Phaser back in the mid-2000s, and for some dumb reason, decided to sell it (I think I was short on rent). Regardless of why, I have been missing that void in my musical life for a decade…until a week ago, when another one arrived on my doorstep (complete with expression pedal this time). This phaser is just incredible, as are most toys from Moog, and I had as much fun rediscovering this piece of gear as I did the first time I owned it 10 years ago. Knowing the size of this beast, I had already measured and staked out a place for it on my pedalboard, so installation was a cinch! I hit the Bypass button, and away I went! Instantly, I was in sonic heaven, with all the gorgeous swirls and pulses dancing around my brain, I knew I wasn’t going to let this thing get away from me again.
The first set of controls are for the LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillation), and are set for Amount and Rate. The Amount controls how much of the LFO output varies the phaser sweep, while Rate controls how fast the frequency oscillation is. These controls are further augmented by a selector switch which goes between the Low (0.01 Hz to 2.5 Hz) and the High (1.0 Hz to 250 Hz) LFO ranges. As for the actual Phaser portion, there are 2 main controls here as well. The Sweep adjusts the phaser’s frequency over a range of 6 octaves, while the Resonance knob controls the height of the peaks in the frequency’s response. There’s a switch here, too, selecting 6-or-12 Stage Phasing, which select between the internal circuits used to control the phase-shifting. Two smaller knobs in the middle add to the tweakability of the MF-103: Drive adds some gain into the phaser’s output, giving it a bit of bite and edge, and Output adjusts how the wet and dry signals blend together in your signal path.
One of the coolest features of this (and all Moogerfoogers) is the ability to control the vast majority of these parameters with Expression pedals, giving the ability to mix and match different setting in an instant – this can be especially useful for live performance settings, where you can change anything in an instant to fit the spontaneity of the moment. Not to mention the sound that pours out of this thing – it can be powerful or subtle, bold or tame, crazy or sophisticated, but it all sounds good. Lush, analog sweeps take control of your sound, while all the control knobs and switches are a tweaker’s dream. The MF-103 from Moog is not only a revolution in phasing technology, it’s a revelation of technology in general.
Specs:
* RATE rotary control, which varies LFO’s frequency over a 250:1 range.
* AMOUNT rotary control, which adjusts the amount by which the LFO output varies the phaser sweep.
* SWEEP rotary control, which moves the phaser frequency response over a six-octave range.
* RESONANCE rotary control, which adjusts the height and sharpness of the peaks of the phaser frequency response.
* DRIVE rotary control, which adjusts the gain of the audio input to the phaser.
* OUTPUT LEVEL rotary control, which balances the phaser signals with the bypassed signal.
* LO-HI rocker switch, which chooses between the low LFO range (0.01 Hz to 2.5 Hz) and the high LFO range (1.0 Hz to 250 Hz).
* LEVEL, a three-color LED that is used to set the DRIVE control.
* LFO, a LED that indicates the LFO rate.
* BYPASS, a two-color LED that tells whether the phaser is active or bypassed.
* ON/BYPASS, a rugged, smooth-acting ‘stomp switch.’
Submitted by Mike B, Website
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