Join us as Joel Korte shares his journey in the gear industry and the creation of the ZVEX Lo-Fi Loop Junky pedal. From fan to innovator, Joel's story is a blend of perseverance, engineering, and comedic mishaps. Discover his path to Chase Bliss and the evolution of his passion for pedal design.
Replicating unique compressed sound using ChipCorder chip in Lo-Fi Loop Junkie pedal.
Viewing delay as time-based filter in effect creation, balancing hardware-software interactions.
Starting Chase Bliss founded on vibrato passion, focusing on control for innovative modulation pedals.
Deep dives
Decoding the Lo-Fi Loop Junkie Effect Pedal Design
The Lo-Fi Loop Junkie pedal design centered around replicating the compressed and filtered sound achieved by the chip quarter chip used in the original looper. The vibrato effect was added post-compression to enhance the overall sound quality and unique character of the pedal.
Exploring Time-Based Filtering and Effects Creation
The creation of effects within the Lo-Fi Loop Junkie involved viewing delay as a time-based filter, understanding the interactions of hardware and software, and exploring the nuances of electronic engineering in recreating the desired sound.
Challenges Faced in Experimental Pedal Design
Experimenting with the concept of creating a Lo-Fi Echo Junkie pedal presented challenges such as overcoming thumping noises, addressing issues related to chip longevity, and balancing the creation of unique, usable effects in a real-time setting.
The Evolution of Concept and Design Integrity in Pedal Creation
The connection between voice audio recording and guitar signal processing highlighted the importance of understanding design origins and adapting them to create innovative and musical effects. The integrated voice audio design offered unique challenges and inspirations for pedal experimentation.
The Origins of Chase Bliss
The journey of starting Chase Bliss was fueled by a deep passion for vibrato, especially after working on other projects. The founder's obsession with vibrato led to the creation of the Warped Vinyl, a pedal that allowed complete control. This drive to innovate and explore unique control capabilities laid the foundation for Chase Bliss to stand out in the market.
Building a Platform for Innovation
The focus on control and flexibility in design was a key innovation that shaped the identity of Chase Bliss. Inspired by previous sequencer pedal projects, the founder realized the power of creating a platform for diverse effects. This approach enabled a range of modulation pedals with intricate control options, setting Chase Bliss apart in an industry dominated by overdrives and familiar designs.
Today we're joined by Joel Korte of Chase Bliss! Joel's an inspiring figure in the gear industry, both for his engineering and his being-a-great-human. We get to know his story through the lens of the ZVEX Lo-Fi Loop Junky, a unique design using the ChipCorder voice recording chip to create short, compressed, warbling loops. We learn how Joel found himself at ZVEX, how he went from being a fan of the pedal to reinterpreting its sound as the Instant Lo-Fi Junky, and how he eventually went on to create Chase Bliss. This episode is about perseverance, engineering, and some goofs along the way - get in!
