Electro-Harmonix has unveiled the Mainframe Bit Crusher, a stompbox that serves up vintage digital sounds plus some novel additions to the bitcrusher format.
The Mainframe Bit Crusher is capable of reducing bit depth from 24-bit to 1-bit as well as a signal’s sample rate from 48kHz to 110Hz. “A little background… the sample rate is the number of times per second that a sample or snapshot of an analog signal is taken. For example, CDs (remember them?) had a sample rate of 44.1kHz which means that the original analog signal is sampled 44,100 times per second,” Electro-Harmonix wrote.
A Selectable High/Low/Band-Pass filter allows for sculpting the artifacts of the sample rate and bit crushing reduction. The Mainframe also boasts a Sample Rate Tuning Mode, where the unit analyzes the input signal in real-time. It lets players “set the sample rate to match the key of a song, or continually adjust the sample rate based on what you play on your instrument.”
Other features include secondary knob parameters for fine-tuning the effect, programmable preset or expression pedal setting, high quality buffered bypass, and silent switching.
The Electro-Harmonix Mainframe Bit Crusher comes with a standard EHX 9.6DC200mA power supply and a USA street price of $179. Check out the brand’s video demo below.
