Pulse Doppler

105
AUGUST 2021 GUITARIST
Tech Spec
ORIGIN: UK
TYPE: Phaser pedal
FEATURES: Buffered bypass
CONTROLS: Enhance, Manual,
Depth, Blend, Rate, Dual switch,
Invert/Pulse/Normal switch,
Vib/Phase footswitch,
Bypass footswitch
CONNECTIONS: Standard input,
standard outputs (Dry & Wet)
POWER: 9V DC adaptor
(not supplied)
DIMENSIONS: 100 (w) x
129 (d) x 54mm (h)
9
and adding an element of hollowness.
Its middle setting, Pulse, removes low-
frequency content from the phased signal,
so it acts as a modulated high-pass filter
for an altogether leaner sound.
SOUNDS
In A/B tests to see how the Pulse Doppler
fared in recreating some classic vintage
phaser sounds, we found the pedal had
a brighter tonality than our 70s vintage
pedals, but we were able to dial in the
appropriate values to mimic the phasing
action of our MXR Phase 90 and Electro-
Harmonix Small Stone. Uni-Vibe sounds
were likewise attainable as well as rotary
speaker-style shadings.
While classic vintage sounds are one
thing and important to many of us, the
extended parameter range in the Pulse
Doppler also makes it a fine asset in the
creation of new variations: a wide range of
phasing with a clarity of sound that slots
in perfectly with modern signal chains,
and, when you reduce or fully remove
the dry sound, variations that encompass
vibrato, tremolo and sequencer-style on/
off rhythmic stutters. There’s a plethora of
these to embrace, from fatter pulsing vibe
effects to choppy helicopter blade sounds,
and the sort of Vox Repeat Percussion
effects found in Thorpy’s previous Chain
Home pedal.
The fact is there’s serious complexity
going on under the hood here because
each and every knob and switch interacts
with the others to deliver a nuanced range
of sounds. In just playing about, you will
discover effects that you’d love to recall
later on, many of them relying on precise
placement of the knobs and switches.
It’s an all-analogue pedal, though, so no
presets. You’ll have to rely on the analogue
method of remembering them – a pencil
and a paper template.
VERDICT
The Pulse Doppler has a spacious sound
in mono, but if you have a rig to handle it,
you can send wet and dry signals to two
separate destinations for a wider sound
by using both rear-panel output sockets.
Either way, it’s a massively versatile pedal
that demands exploration.
PROS Compact size; solid ThorpyFX
build quality; versatile range of sounds;
Vib/Phase footswitch
CONS Lack of presets means you’ll have to
draw templates to remember settings
01. VIB/PHASE
FOOTSWITCH
This removes the dry signal from
the mix output, moving from
phasing e ects (combined wet
and dry signal) to vibrato/pulse
sounds that are wet only
02. RED LEDS
These represent the two notches.
They pulse in sync with the rate
you set and their brightness also
increases with Depth
03. MANUAL &
DEPTH KNOBS
These two work in conjunction:
juxtaposition of the two will
de ne the potency of your e ect
04. DUAL SWITCH
Your choice of the notches
being modulated in sync (Dual)
or moving in opposition in a
 gure-of-eight style
05. 3-WAY
TOGGLE SWITCH
Here’s a gateway to some altered
tonalities. You can have dry and
phase-shifted sounds in phase
or out of phase, or select Pulse
for fewer low frequencies
06. WET & DRY
OUTPUTS
Use the Wet output in a
standard mono signal chain,
but if you use both you can
send Wet to one amp and Dry
to another for a wide sound
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