Pladask Elektrisk Reboots its Falma Random Modulator - now in V2 Edition with 2 Extra Controls for added Granularity

I covered the original Falma in my fairly recent 9 Killer Compact Lo-Fi Modulators article - but advised at the time that a new and improved model was imminent - and that time is evidently now, as the first batch of V2 Falmas goes up for sale this evening at 22:00 CET.

The Falma is exactly what it is described as - ’A Random Modulator’ which turns your signal into a really cool warbly and fluttery output - sometimes leaning towards Tremolo, and sometimes towards Vibrato. The original had 4 controls, while the new model adds in controls for Frequency Modulation Depth, and Amplitude Modulation Depth. There is also an Amplitude Modulation Rate Knob, while Frequency Modulation Rate / Speed is impacted by the Clock control. Finally the Tone control is re-labelled on the V2 as LPF - emphasising its High Frequency roll-off nature.

V1 Controls - Clk, Tone, AM, FM.

V2 Controls - FM.D, AM.D, Volume, Clk, AM.R, LPF.

What is so great about this pedal is the glitchy quirks in its built-in randomisation - which creates the most lively and organic of modulation effects.

For most people this would be something of a specialist application - yet this is exactly the kind of thing Pladask specialises in - unique quirky / often glitchy effects.

The Falma just makes anything and everything it touches sound more interesting - where the Clock control impacts both Sample Rate and Signal Fidelity. So you can go from something of a shimmer to full warbliness.

It’s really another ’Tweaker’s Delight’ where you need lots of hands-on time to constantly vary the parameters - extremes of Depth can result in signal dropouts for a more pronounced glitch - I say experiment away - try to find the very weirdest sound this pedal is capable of. I think table-top players will probably get on better with this pedal - as there is definitely a big tactile element to it - but I feel it could also fairly judiciously deployed as a more conventional stomp box - you just need to find the right settings - which give you the most adaptable profile.

I’m a huge fan of Lo-Fi Modulators - and this ones’ Randomisation adds extra special sauce to that. It’s exactly the kind of modulation effect I like - similar to my mostly using the Demedash T-60 for its more quirky step-filter like warbles.

These retail for $200 and equivalent, and as mentioned up top will launch via first batch at 22:00 CET this evening on the Pladask Elektrisk Webstore. This alas comes a little late in the year to be added to the reference collection - as I’m on holiday from the end of this week. So for sure I will be waiting for batch #2 early next year. Note that there are also a handful of B-Stock examples going for $185.

For those of you not on a holiday schedule - then this is just the right sort of pre-Christmas treat that will set off that festive period in the best possible way.

This is such a simply concept really, but so cleverly executed - I feel these are going to do very well. For sure another Knut Olai classic!