Another trip to Rainger FX HQ reveals further details on the MiniDrone

Jun 13, 202408:00 by

Stefan Karlsson

Guitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerModulationPitchPitch-ShiftingRainger FX+-

So I’m on a hat-trick of onsite visits to Rainger FX’s Willesden Junction HQ. I was supposed to be there ahead of the MiniDrone launch, but a mix up in communications meant that I ended up there a few days after, and what an instructive visit it was. Just 2 of the team were present besides David - Baptiste, and Matt - who are featured in the above concept cover picture too. Of the two other regulars - Prav was away on vacation, and I believe Martin only comes in on one day of the week or so - and evidently not on the day I visited on!

Obviously 2 former Rainger FX Alums are doing rather well these days - Lusithand Devices’ Nuno Maio, and Intensive Care Audio’s Patrick Smith. Every Rainger FX staff member pretty much has a side project in them, where Baptiste has just recently launched his own Audio Error imprint, which I will cover later - it’s important to have an outlet for your own ideas and passions!

In any case it was just as well that I pitched up - as I of course needed to pick up my own MiniDrone pedal, while I was harbouring a few misconceptions about how it worked, and what it’s core capabilities were - as I somehow thought there was an option to step between the 2 Drone Tones, as well as step down a Tone or Semi-Tone via the Igor Expression Pad.

It turns out that there is no ability to switch between the 2 core drones - where the core Pitch 1 Drone, consisting of two oscillators, is always on, while you can then load up the further single oscillator courtesy of the ’Drone 2’ push button - for a more sort of chordal / double-stop drone effect.

I had an idea that there could be a Drone Rainger DLX edition based on having 5 switchable Drones - along the lines of the Circle / Cycle of 5ths methodology. But according to the team t- hat’s just not practical, and if done would make for a very pricey pedal indeed! I still live in hope that someone takes that concept on!

So the core function of the MiniDrone is that you can combine the 2 voicings via the first push-button, as well as use the Igor to ’drop’ / step down either a full Tone, or Semi-Tone - as determined by the second push-button. I’m not sure of the complexities for allowing switching between the 2 Drone Pitches also - while that kind of remains a pipe-dream for me for now!

Controls - Pitch 2 : Drone 2 Frequency, Pitch 1 : Drone 1 Frequency, Drones Level ±, Instrument Level ± (Dry), Drone 2 in combination Mode, 1/2 Tone Steo-Down Mode, the included Igor Expression Pad is used to trigger a Pitch Drop down a tone (2 Frets) or 1/2 a Tone (1 Fret) - as determined by the 2nd push-button.

I've had the MiniDrone for a week now - and it's definitely a case of finding specific uses for it. 2-tone Drone Music can get a little monotonous if you don't apply the pedal correctly - where it's mostly a kind of ambient textural accent really. It doesn't play well with most pedals - as running certain pedals into it leads to a rather muffled mushy output. But there are some sparks of genius when you get the formula just right!

I am intrigued to see how people make best use of this device - as you very much need to significantly adjust and adapt your playing style to get the most out of it. I've been experimenting with various combinations of Wet and Dry Level - and that's still very much a work-in-progress to unlock the sweet-spots of the devices' output. It's not quite as full-on loud and wall-of-sound projecting as I expected either - while its combined Oscillator tuning reveals some cool variable textural details in its output - with a slight de-tuned / discordant feel.

Also - as opposed to the larger device - the various 'Pitch Notes / Intervals' are not marked on the device - which results in a more safe-cracker tweaking approach. Generally I feel you need to have a certain patience and aptitude to get the most out of this pedal - where its intended use is really quite specific / narrow overall. The pedal has been very well received to-date, and dealer orders have been particularly strong!

The Reverb-X, as favoured by guitarist Mk.gee of Dijon's touring band - is still doing rather well (see 9th demo below!) - and I picked up one of those at the same time - to do a further feature on how Mk.gee specifically uses it, and how that's gained it such a cult popularity. Another relatively dormant and discontinuation-endangered pedal - the Deep Space Pulsar Dynamic Ducking Device is also once more doing rather well - albeit I've been unable to find any particular reason / trigger as to why it's so popular once more.

The working theory is that the interest kindled by the Reverb-X has carried through to further creative / expressive pedals within the range - and several of those acquiring the Reverb-X are then coming back for a Deep Space Pulsar too! That had gone so quiet for a period that David was seriously considering cutting that from the roster - and as stocks start to run out - the big question is whether it's worth ordering in a load more of those boards and enclosures - or whether this recent surge is just a blip! I guess only time will tell.

I should be back at Willesden Junction again towards the end of August - as another Rainger FX Pedal is due to be launched early September! For me it's just straight up on the Bakerloo Line to get there - just 6 stops followed by the briefest of walks. It's a very convenient location for me to get to - and I dare say you will see me turning up there with some degree of regularity! I really enjoy onsite visits - as being able to observe the workshop / studio working environment - reveals so much about the inner workings, MO, and personality of each brand and circuit engineer! I should be doing quite a few more onsite visits this year - while coordinating calendars can often be tricky!

In any case the MiniDrone (£199 / $199), Reverb-X (£229 / $229), and Deep Space Pulsar Dynamic Ducking Device (£229 / $229) are all available via the Rainger FX Webstore, and at leading International Dealers! While stocks last!