Rob Redman toasts the new incarnation of a Hexinverter staple some thought would never again see the light
CONTACT WHO: Erica Synths & Hexinverter WEB: ericasynths.lv KEY FEATURES Dual complex oscillator, Waveshaping, Through zero phase modulation, Comprehensive modbus
Many modularists were sad to see the end of Hexinverter Electronique and were relieved when Erica Synths declared it would bring back some much-loved modules, including the Mindphaser, a complex oscillator featuring lots of modulation, that blends East or West Coast.
While larger than other options, at 30hp, it’s packed full of features, yet remains readable and usable. The layout and labeling are clear, with pathways from patchpoints to controls, so you know where you are.
Complex oscillators, as opposed to a dual VCO, work interactively, where the output of each VCO combines, with one being the carrier and the other the modulator. Nothing new there. But the Mindphaser takes things a lot further than some other complex oscillators, with options for modulation and sound design.
The two VCOs are similar but do vary, with the modulator ranging from LFO rate up to very fast. Separate outputs are offered for square, saw, triangle and sine. The carrier (with white labels) has no sine output. There’s also an output jack at the end of the signal chain. There are patchpoints for both linear and exponential FM, next to volts-peroctave inputs and a sync port. The modulator can be hard-synced to the carrier with a switch too.
Patchpoints are plentiful and offer CV control for a lot of features. That said there’s a lot of internal modulation, with a handy triangle icon next to controls that can be modulated by the modbus, without needing a single patch cable.
Which brings us neatly to the modulation options. These range from simple pulse width through to some lovely waveshaping. There are five octaves of waveshaping, with a level control to tame, plus an amplitude control which can function as a VCA.
Further sound-shaping can be done using the onboard thru-zero phase modulation, which gives the module part of its name. This e
