About This Item
Description
LFO in the UFO. Space Bender is a chorus modulator that replicates and warps your signal through an array of dynamically modulated delay lines. It covers subtle vintage science fiction textures, bending sonic bedlam, pulsing atmospheres, glassy bell resonances, massive reverse dive bombs and seasick demon drones.
Which Death by Audio modulator is this?
- Moonbeam Phaser: a stereo analog phaser with one to six selectable stages.
- Disturbance: filter, flanger and phaser with a freezable LFO and CV output.
- Echo Dream 2: a modulated echo where the repeats are the effect.
Space Bender is the chorus and pitch bending one. Its three rocker switches change the character far more than a rate and depth pair usually can.
Why guitarists choose the Space Bender
- Switching the modulator from LFO to ENV hands control of the sweep to your picking dynamics.
- The x1 and x10 delay time ranges cover tight chorus at one end and long warped bends at the other.
- The x1 and x10 setting also inverts the envelope direction, so bends fall on short times and rise on long ones.
- The LO and HI intensity rocker keeps the pedal usable for subtle chorus and for total bedlam.
- An internal gain trimmer sets the output from unity upwards for use as a boost into a following pedal.
- True bypass in a narrow enclosure that fits into a full board.
Controls and switches
- SPEED sets the LFO rate in LFO mode, the envelope sensitivity in ENV mode, and it also adjusts the overall delay time.
- DEPTH sets the depth of the envelope or LFO as well as the feedback of the delay lines.
- The DELAY TIME rocker chooses x1 for very short delay times or x10 for longer times, and it also inverts the polarity of the envelope.
- The MODULATOR rocker chooses LFO, an internal sine wave oscillator, or ENV, where the incoming signal modulates the delay time.
- The INTENSITY rocker chooses LO for less intense effects or HI for wild sounds.
- GAIN is an internal trimmer behind the backplate, running from unity upwards.
Power and pedalboard compatibility
- Runs on 9 V DC, 2.1 mm barrel, center negative.
- Current draw is 65 mA, so budget that on your supply.
- Death By Audio does not publish battery operation for this one, so plan on a regulated DC supply.
- True bypass means it is completely out of the signal path when it is off, so place it wherever the chain sounds best.
- Jacks sit along the top edge, which keeps patch cables out of the row in front.
- Routing: Mono (single OUTPUT and INPUT shown on the manual panel diagram).
- It measures 12.7 x 6.68 x 6.22 cm including hardware, so measure your row before ordering.
Technical specifications
| Model | Death by Audio Space Bender |
| Effect type | Chorus modulator |
| Controls | Speed, Depth, Delay Time rocker, Modulator rocker, Intensity rocker, internal Gain trimmer |
| Bypass | True bypass |
| Expression or CV input | No |
| Power | 9 V DC, 2.1 mm barrel, center negative |
| Current draw (mA) | 65 |
| Top mounted jacks | Yes |
| Routing | Mono (single OUTPUT and INPUT shown on the manual panel diagram) |
| Connections | OUTPUT jack, INPUT jack, 9V power jack (per manual panel diagram); jack sizes not published |
| Dimensions including hardware | 12.7 x 6.68 x 6.22 cm |
| Weight | 9.3 oz. |
| MPN | 196852363278 |
| GTIN | 196852363278 |
| ASIN | B0B8LH8SSJ |
| Manufacture and warranty | Handmade in New York City |
FAQ
What is the difference between LFO and ENV? In LFO mode an internal sine wave oscillator modulates the delay time. In ENV mode your own playing dynamics do the modulating, and Speed sets the sensitivity.
What do the x1 and x10 settings change? They set the delay time range, x1 for very short times and x10 for longer ones. They also invert the envelope direction, so ENV bends down on x1 and up on x10.
Can I get a subtle chorus out of it? Yes. Set the Intensity rocker to LO and keep Depth moderate for vintage style chorus before the pedal moves into bedlam.
How do I make dive bomb sounds? Use the x10 delay time range with the modulator on ENV and Intensity on HI, then dig in and let the envelope pull the pitch.
Is there an output level control? There is an internal gain trimmer behind the backplate. The manual describes it as running from unity to way too loud, and the official FAQ quotes roughly unity to +40 dB.
What power does it need? 9 V DC through a 2.1 mm center negative barrel, drawing 65 mA.
Is it true bypass? Yes.