GAMECHANGER AUDIO RECODER Pedal Elements User Manual

• A deceptively simple combination of two ideas – Recording & Vocoding – resulting in a fully interactive, input-dependent effects pedal with a fluid sonic identity.
• A Spectral Morphing Workstation that lets you record any musical phrase or audio signal into its internal memory, and turn it into a brand new, original sound-processing engine.
• When you record a phrase, RECORDER does not play it back like a looper. Instead, it performs a spectral analysis of the captured signal – extracting its sonic DNA with extraordinary precision, and transforms it into a dynamic audio processing template which is applied to your live playing in real-time.
• The result is a continuous conversation between two signals – where every new layer of playing acts as a trigger for the last, and pushes the effect in new and unexpected directions.

You can think of the RECORDER as:

• a signal cross-pollinator,
• a spectral filter,
• a moving audio prism,
• a ghostly vocoder,
• a textural resonator,
• a granular echo creator, or even
• your own musical phantom…

…but the truth is that even we don’t know how YOUR RECORDER is going to sound, because this pedal is only complete when you fill it up with your own musical ideas…
RECORDER thrives on unexpected signal combinations, there are no rules – only the interplay between two sounds and the chain reaction that follows.
Push it, mismatch it, and the RECORDER stops being a tool that you control – and starts pushing back with ideas of its own…

RECORDER 

• is a limited, community-powered release, marking the beginning of the MATH SERIES – a new design laboratory where we turn audio signal into Xerox & Ones, and explore the infinite spaces that lie in between…
• Thank you for supporting the RECORDER, and enjoy your new exclusive edition. We built the engine, but now it’s up to you to bring the RECORDER to life…

HARDWARE OVERVIEW

Top Panel Controls

1. ENGAGE FOOTSWITCH WITH LED: Dual state – ON or OFF (buffered bypass). Press & Hold to engage MOMENTARY mode. LED behaviour changes across three PLAY MODES.
2. REC FOOTSWITCH WITH LED: Press & Hold to start recording a new PHRASE; instantly RELEASE to stop. Recorded PHRASES can be either extremely short: 0.1 seconds (snapshot) or very long – up to 10 minutes. HOLD REC & ENGAGE TO PLAY PHRASE: This will audition the RECORDED PHRASE through the MAIN OUTPUT, without applying any processing or all RED LAYER adjustments active.
3. FOUR ENDLESS ROTARY ENCODERS: Control 12 parameters across three sound adjustment layers: WHITE, YELLOW & RED. Active parameter value is shown on the 9-segment LED display. Knobs feature backlight intensity. Also used in MEMORY MENU to SELECT, SAVE & LOAD PRESETS.
4. LAYER TOGGLE SWITCH: Navigate across three independent adjustment layers: WHITE, YELLOW & RED.
5. RESOLUTION TOGGLE SWITCH: Adjusts the spectral refresh rate and reduces active spectral resolution – affecting the sound of all RECORDER engines:
   • HIGH: 10ms FFT refresh rate, high resolution;
   • MID: 40ms FFT refresh rate, full resolution;
   • LOW: 80ms FFT refresh rate, max resolution;
6. PLAY MODE SWITCH: Select between three PLAY MODES: LOOP, STEP ADVANCE & LIVE INPUT.
7. MIC/LINE SELECTOR: Up = BUILT-IN MIC; Center = MIX; Down = BUILT-IN MIC.
8. MICROPHONE CAPSULE: Built-in mono condenser microphone for capturing voice, percussion or various ambient sound sources.
9. 9-SEGMENT LED DISPLAY: Shows PARAMETER values +/- polarity, PRESET slot identifiers (A1-Z9), REC & playback cursor position, effect intensity & other indications.
10. VALUE POLARITY MARKERS: Most PARAMETERS have an active bipolar range between -99 and +99. Left digit = Negative value is active; Right digit = Value is positive; Center = Value is 0 (neutral).
11. CLEAR VAL / SAVE BUTTON: Hold Button & touch any encoder to RESET corresponding parameter to zero. Hold Button & press ENGAGE Footswitch to CLEAR ALL settings on the pedal. Press together with LOAD to enter MEMORY MENU for saving PRESETS.
12.  PRESET VAL / LOAD BUTTON: Hold Button & touch any encoder to restore parameter to PRESET value. Press together with SAVE to enter MEMORY MENU for loading PRESETS.
    • MAIN INPUT (1/4″ MONO JACK): Connect your mono instrument here. This signal will be processed by the sound used and affected by the RECORDER.
    • MAIN OUTPUT (1/4″ MONO JACK): Connect to your amplifier, interface, or next pedal in your signal chain.
    • REC INPUT (1/4″ MONO JACK): REC input for recording phrases from a separate source without affecting your main signal (when connected).
    • REC OUTPUT (1/4″ MONO JACK): Buffered pass-through of the REC input signal – useful for advanced routing, monitoring or daisy-chaining.
    • POWER SUPPLY INPUT: Standard 9V DC center-negative power supply with 500mA of current or more.
    • USB-C PORT: For MIDI over USB & firmware updates.
    • MIDI INPUT (3.5MM B-TYPE TR-DIN): CC & PC control for all PARAMETERS and PRESET NAVIGATION.

HOW IT WORKS

• The RECORDER operates through the interplay between two signals: the LIVE INPUT from your instrument and a secondary MODULATOR signal (recorded into a LIVE MODULATOR input (REC INPUT)).
• Internally, RECORDER runs a real-time Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectral analysis engine – measuring the energy distribution of both signals across the entire frequency spectrum.
• The pedal’s RESOLUTION control adjusts how often these “spectral snapshots” are taken (10ms, 40ms, 80ms).

• Once the spectral profiles of both signals are captured, RECORDER uses various morphing algorithms to map the INPUT signal to the MODULATOR’S spectral characteristics.
• The RECORDER can also isolate and extract the overlapping spectral content between the two signals, allowing you to perform sonic structures – SLICES & RESONANCES.
• This FFT-driven system gives the RECORDER its unique character – ranging from vocoding and spectral filtering to cross-synthesis, and hybrid behaviors that go beyond traditional FX categories.
• All RECORDER sound engines are controlled via 4 shared endless encoders across three independent control LAYERS: WHITE, YELLOW, and RED.
• Each control LAYER gives the encoders a different set of functions, letting you access 3 distinct processing domains:
• INPUT MODIFICATION & FEEL (WHITE LAYER): Shape the spectral profile of the MODULATOR onto your INPUT. Adjust how the RECORDER responds to your playing dynamics and signal level.
• GENERATIVE & SPATIAL FX (YELLOW LAYER): Extract new harmonic structures from your playing. Use the MODULATOR as a dynamic filter. Create unique variations of melodic feedback, echoes, delays and reverbs.
• RESHAPING THE MODULATOR (RED LAYER): Transform the MODULATOR before it is applied to the INPUT. STRETCH will redefine all interactions that follow. Adjust the MODULATOR’S TONE, add drive, apply PITCH & TIME STRETCHING.

FIRST SESSION

1. BASIC SETUP: Plug your instrument into the MAIN INPUT and route the MAIN OUTPUT to your amp or interface. Set RES SOURCE to MAIN INPUT. Set PLAY MODE to LOOP; set RESOLUTION to HIGH.
2. RECORD A PHRASE: Press & Hold the REC footswitch to start recording. Play something simple, such as a muted strumming pattern, a short melody, etc. Release REC to stop recording. The recorded PHRASE is immediately used as a MODULATOR (acting as MODULATOR).
3. TRY THE BUILT-IN MICROPHONE: Change the MIC/LINE selector (built-in MIC). Hold REC & say the word “RECORDER” with a strong German accent; then release the REC FSV. Turn up the WHITE layer SENSITIVITY knob while playing. The recorded word will act as a vocoder-style effect!
4. CLEAR ALL PARAMETERS: Hold CLEAR VAL button and press the ENGAGE footswitch – to CLEAR all parameters and start with a blank slate on the pedal.
5. TURN KNOBS: Use ENCODERS to adjust all 3 values across 3 layers; Use the LAYER switch to move between layers. Play your instrument to interact with the PHRASE.
6. SAVE PRESET: Press the SAVE and LOAD buttons together to enter the MEMORY Menu. Select a BANK and SLOT (A1-Z9) using encoders on the left side (A-Z, 1-9). Press the SAVE button! This will permanently save your PHRASE along with all active parameter values as a PRESET.

WHITE LAYER – INPUT MODIFICATION

AMPLITUDE: Tracks the MODULATOR’S main amplitude peaks in real-time and applies them to the INPUT signal, allowing you to process your PHRASE or a secondary LIVE REC INPUT.

• Side-Chained Boost: Clips the peaks where the MODULATOR signal is strongest. At MAX amplitude values, the dominant peaks of the MODULATOR are applied.
• Side-Chained Cut: Clips the frequency bands where the MODULATOR is strongest, producing a moving side-chain cut or a variety of tremolo effects.

ENVELOPE: Shapes the attack & transient behavior between the INPUT and the MODULATOR signal. Adjusting Envelope introduces a slower, more gradual exchange between signals.

• Rising Envelope introduces a blooming response and a slower, more gradual exchange between signals.
• Transient Shaping: emphasizes the attack of the INPUT signal, creating sharper more percussive interactions.

TIMBRE: FFT analysis tracks the energy distribution of both INPUT & MODULATOR in real-time; TIMBRE allows you to shift the full frequency spectrum to mirror and remix the MODULATOR’S tonal profile.

• TIMBRE Transfer: Just like a vocoder, TIMBRE transfer lets you apply the sonic profile of one signal to another, while keeping your playing in tune!
• Inverted TIMBRE Transfer: Flips the TIMBRE mapping so the MODULATOR’S low-end energy is applied to the high-end of the INPUT & vice versa.

SENSITIVITY: Controls how reactive RECORDER is to the INPUT signal, and your playing dynamics. At 0, all RECORDER engines are calibrated to a normalized INPUT level.

• Increased Sensitivity: In INPUT MODES, this increases the sensitivity of the RECORDER to lower playing volumes, playing to produce a fully WET output.
• Reduced Sensitivity needs louder playing to produce a fully WET output.

YELLOW LAYER – GENERATED SIGNAL & TIME PROCESSING

SLICES: Extracts small audio fragments from the MODULATOR – triggered by matching or overlapping frequencies in the INPUT signal. The length and density of SLICES always depend on each unique signal combination; SLICES are always EXTRACTED.

• SLICES Volume: Adjust the output level of the SLICES engine. Use the WHITE LAYER SENSITIVITY control to set the threshold for SLICE generation.
• Inverted SLICES: Playing lower frequencies will extract matching SLICES from the MODULATOR’S higher frequency range, and vice versa.

REPEATS & DISTANCE: A flexible TIME & REGENERATION engine that processes both YELLOW Layer signals: SLICES & RESONANCES simultaneously.

• Repeats: controls the direction and amount of regeneration.
• Distance: controls the spacing or diffusion density between REPEATS. Together these controls allow you to create distinct regeneration effects: Delay, Reverse Delay, Reverb & Feedback.

RESONANCE: Extracts harmonic sine-wave components from the strongest overlapping frequency peaks between INPUT & MODULATOR, creating responsive, melodic resonances that evolve with your playing.

• RESONANCE Amount: Sets the volume & decay length of the resonances. Higher values will increase the density of the resonances, eventually leading to self-oscillation.
• Inverted RESONANCES: Combines opposite frequency peaks to produce unpredictable, and sometimes harmonic resonances.

RED LAYER – SHAPING THE MODULATOR

TONE: Applies a powerful tilt EQ onto the MODULATOR signal before it is used. In subtractive modes, such as vocoding, adjusting the TONE of the MODULATOR will yield brighter (and vice versa) TIMBRE, SLICES & RESONANCES; the MODULATOR’S TONE is directly transferred.

DAMAGE: A dual distortion engine designed to increase the harmonic complexity of the MODULATOR, thus producing a richer and more intricate interaction between the two signals in all RECORDER modes.

• DRIVE: adds saturation to the MODULATOR harmonics & boosts volume.
• Sample Rate Reduction: introduces digital artifacts and aliasing, producing aliasing, grit & lo-fi textures.

PITCH: Shifts the MODULATOR’S pitch UP/DOWN by up to 4 octaves, without affecting the MODULATOR’S playback speed. (Pitch range is from -48 to +48 semitones).

• PITCH UP: by up to 4 octaves (+48 semitones) changing the MODULATOR’S sound and introducing new harmonics.
• PITCH DOWN: by up to 4 octaves (-48 semitones) pushing the MODULATOR into lower frequency bands, and generating additional subharmonic content.

STRETCH: Adjusts the MODULATOR’S playback speed WITHOUT affecting its pitch. The knob range is +/-99, producing up to 10x speed increase or 10x slowdown.

• Small STRETCH adjustments can be useful for correcting the timing of a PHRASE, while more extreme STRETCH values will produce a variety of glitches and artifacts.
• Speed Up: increases recorded PHRASE playback speed by up to 10x.
• Slow Down: slows down recorded PHRASE playback speed by up to 1/10th.

STRETCH IS DISABLED IN LIVE PLAY MODE

PLAY PHRASE TOGGLE SWITCH: In LOOP or STEP ADVANCE mode – press both footswitches simultaneously to audition the MODULATOR with all RED LAYER adjustments via MAIN OUTPUT.

PHRASE Playback: is momentary – only active while both footswitches are pressed and held; auditioned PHRASE will always restart from the beginning, regardless of current playback position. During the PHRASE audition, your DRY SIGNAL (input) will remain active, but the WET output (RECORDER) will be muted.

ROUTING OPTIONS

• BASIC SETUP: Standard configuration where your instrument is both the MODULATOR and the INPUT signal used for processing. This setup allows you to capture PHRASES from MAIN INPUT, and you can then process them with all real-time RECORDER effects.
• BUILT-IN MICROPHONE: The built-in condenser capsule overrides all inputs as the recording source. Record acoustic instruments, vocals, or ambient sounds without the need for extra cables. Automatically disabled in real-time INPUT MODE.
• SEPARATE MODULATOR SOURCE: Connect a separate source in parallel to the REC INPUT. This LIVE MODE enables unique cross-spectral workflows – allowing you to process your MAIN INPUT through the spectral characteristics of another instrument.
• FULL DUAL ROUTING: REC OUT offers a clean buffered pass-through for the REC-IN signal. This allows you to use a separate instrument or sound source as the MODULATOR, while keeping it clean and independently available for further mixing, recording, or processing.
• SEPARATED WET & DRY OUTPUTS: When nothing is connected to the REC INPUT, the REC OUTPUT jack offers a fully WET signal path, separated from all RECORDER engines. This routing unlocks a wide range of creative possibilities for layering, processing and signal experimentation.

PLAY MODES

The RECORDER offers three distinctive PLAY MODES, each offering a unique way to interact with the MODULATOR.

LOOP MODE
This is the most straightforward PLAY MODE, and the recommended starting point for exploring the RECORDER. Use the RECORD footswitch to capture a PHRASE, which will then be played continuously and used as MODULATOR. Reshape the MODULATOR in the RED LAYER at any time during playback using either the STRETCH encoder or RETIME footswitch.

RETIME FUNCTION

• ARM: Press and hold the RETIME FSW – the LED will blink to indicate RETIME is active.
• START: A single short press (e.g. 0.1s) to start the RETIME, keeping the footswitch held for the desired duration.
• RELEASE: Completes the RETIME process.
• HOLD: The retime dictates the new loop length.
• Duration: Small RETIME stretch values (1-5 sec) result in a 2x length increase, changing the STRETCH value to +50.

STEP ADVANCE MODE
Instead of playing the recorded PHRASE as a continuous loop, STEP ADVANCE mode automatically divides it into chunks based on transient & note detection. You can now move through the STEPS with your playing! Each new note played essentially turns any recorded PHRASE into a spectral sequencer. Each new note or transient will advance the MODULATOR to the NEXT STEP, wrapping back to the beginning.

STRETCH in STEP ADVANCE
In STEP ADVANCE mode, the STRETCH encoder adjusts the playback speed of individual STEPS without affecting pitch. Positive STRETCH values will move the playback faster, while negative STRETCH values will slow it down. Playback always advances to NEXT STEP when new note or transient is detected.

SENSITIVITY in STEP ADVANCE
Adjust how easily your playing triggers the next step in STEP ADVANCE mode.

RETIME FUNCTION IN STEP ADVANCE MODE
The RETIME FSW allows you to place STEP markers manually – either by playing your instrument or by tapping the REC FSW – thus overriding the automatically assigned STEP markers.

• ARM: HOLD the ENGAGE footswitch (RETIME).
• START: Press & Hold the REC footswitch to start recording a new PHRASE.
• RELEASE: To stop recording. This will start playback of the recorded PHRASE.
• PLAY REC:
• ADD STEPS: As the PHRASE plays in a loop, tap the REC FSW – this will place a new STEP marker on the PHRASE’S timeline.
• MANUALLY ADD STEP MARKERS: Add throughout the phrase. As you release the ENGAGE footswitch, the STEP markers are re-mapped and can be SAVED as part of the PRESET.

RESET MARKERS: Hold the CLEAR VAL button & tap the REC Footswitch to CLEAR all manually placed markers and reset back to auto-generated STEPS.

LIVE INPUT MODE

• LIVE INPUT MODE uses the LIVE INPUT and REC INPUT signals in real-time as a real-time MODULATOR. When a secondary sound source is connected, LIVE mode begins to operate like a highly expanded vocoder – performing spectral morphing through TIMBRE transfer, creating side-chain effects, and applying SLICES, RESONANCES, and various new harmonic interactions between the two signals in real-time.
• When no additional REC IN is connected, LIVE MODE will use the MAIN INPUT as both the INPUT and the MODULATOR, creating a deep self-modulating effect. You can still capture PHRASES while in LIVE MODE by pressing REC, or by momentarily switching to LOOP MODE. Tap REC again to disable the PHRASE and return to real-time LIVE INPUT MODE.

Note: Built-in MICROPHONE is disabled in LIVE MODE to avoid loud audio feedback!

MEMORY & PRESETS

234 SLOTS FOR STORING PHRASES & PARAMETERS

• PRESET ARCHITECTURE: RECORDER features 234 PRESET slots (A1-Z9), arranged across 26 lettered banks (A-Z), with 9 numeric slots each (1-9). Each PRESET is a complete snapshot, storing the recorded PHRASE at full fidelity, along with all WHITE, YELLOW & RED LAYER RESOLUTION & PLAY MODE settings. Any recorded PHRASE is stored as part of the PRESET, allowing you to create multiple variations of the same recording with different settings, with each variation becoming its own distinct PRESET.
• SAVING & LOADING PRESETS: Press SAVE + LOAD simultaneously to enter the MEMORY MENU – indicated by the DISPLAY and blinking encoders. Use the LEFT encoders to navigate through BANKS (A-Z), and the RIGHT encoders to select a PRESET slot (1-9). Press SAVE again to confirm saving, or LOAD to confirm loading. Only filled PRESET SLOTS can be loaded.
• SLOT OVERWRITE WARNING: When attempting to SAVE over an already populated SLOT – the LED display will show an OVERWRITE WARNING on the DISPLAY. Press SAVE again to confirm & overwrite the chosen SLOT.
• CLEARING VALUES: Hold the CLEAR VAL button and touch individual Encoders to instantly reset their value to zero. Use the LAYERS toggle to access all 12 parameters.
• QUICK WIPE ALL VALUES: Hold the CLEAR VAL button and press the ENGAGE footswitch to reset all parameter values in all pages to zero.
• STEP ADVANCE MODE: CLEAR STEPS: In STEP ADVANCE mode, hold CLEAR VAL + REC footswitch to remove all manually entered STEPS and restore the automatically detected ones.
• RELOADING PRESET VALUES: Hold the PRESET VAL button and touch individual encoders to snap their value back to the value of the LOADED PRESET. No action if no PRESET is loaded & active.
• LOAD ALL PRESET VALUES: Hold the PRESET VAL button and press the ENGAGE footswitch. This will RESET ALL PARAMETERS in all pages to the saved PRESET VALUES – without loading the saved PHRASE.
• RECORDER DOES NOT AUTO-SAVE PHRASES: Unsaved PHRASES are permanently lost when you POWER OFF the unit, or if you record a new PHRASE over it.
• FILES ARE NOT USER-ACCESSIBLE: Currently the RECORDER does not support file transfer via USB. The USB-C port is for FW updates & MIDI only.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PHRASE TRIMMING: While in LOOP mode, HOLD PLAY PHRASE. While it plays – touching any of the four encoders will lock playback into the PHRASE’S START/END points until you release the footswitches. Use the LEFT & RIGHT encoders to TRIM START/END points of the PHRASE, making it shorter or adding silence as needed. Press either footswitch to confirm the trim and return to performance mode!

MIDI IMPLEMENTATION

Pedal Operation with CC Messages

Value Range: 0-63 = OFF, 64-127 = ON

RECORDER offers full MIDI control over all functions & parameters mentioned in this manual via MIDI over USB (B-type) or via the MIDI Input – using a Type B 3.5mm adapter cable (not included). RECORDER does not transmit a MIDI output.

LEGAL & WARRANTY

SAFETY INFORMATION

FOR THE US: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with these instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Unauthorized changes or modifications to this system can void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This equipment requires shielded interface cables in order to maintain compliance with FCC Class B limits.

FOR EUROPE: This product complies with the requirements of European Community Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU.

WARRANTY

• You have a 30-day return period during which the product can be returned for a full refund. You will only be responsible for return shipping charges. Each RECORDER manufactured by Gamechanger Audio is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of delivery, as required by relevant legislation.
• This warranty shall be void if the product has been damaged by alteration, misuse, accident, or neglect; or has been repaired or serviced by anyone not authorized by Gamechanger Audio. This warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear, performance, nor shall it apply to cosmetic damage such as scratches, nicks, and dents. Other parts such as knobs, rubbers, cables, and accessories are not covered by this warranty. The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes in the design or construction of this equipment without obligation to install similar changes in equipment already sold.

GAMECHANGER AUDIO Dzirnavu Street 3A, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia info@gamechangeraudio.com www.gamechangeraudio.com

PDF MANUAL FIRMWARE VERSION 1.0 May 2024