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The Alesis airFX offers fifty of their well-established effects, with three (fixed) parameters that can be altered for any given patch. In this respect its similar to the Ineko and Akira devices. However, this unit is radically different to most in that you alter the parameters by a hand movement, like the ancient theremin or the Roland d-beam.
You connect the airFX via two phono sockets to any line-level sound source and output via two similar sockets. Moving your hand, (or any other body part!) through the invisible 3D sphere formed by the internal sensors, triggers the effect. You can move in any direction; up / down, left / right, in or out, and the three parameters are altered accordingly. When you have a sound you like, you can freeze it by pressing and holding the patch selection knob for a couple of seconds, after which you can remove your hand. The sound resets when you either press again or change patch. There is no other way to control the patches, sadly midi is completely absent.
The program number is indicated by an LED display, and the partially hemispherical beam emitter is known as the Axyz Controller. On the bottom of the unit, among a list of numbered programs, is a threaded socket for a standard microphone stand.
The controls are minimal, as is the I/O. A single knob on the top selects program number (00 to 49). Pressing the knob while your hand is held still in the beam will hold the selected effect in its current parameter selection. Bypass is achieved by pressing the knob with your hand clear of the beam. On the back panel are four RCA jacks two for in, two for out.
The units lack of knobs and buttons is offset by its minimalist, toy-like appearance. Picture, if you will, a club DJ hovering over turntables and the airFX, quick-reference card in hand, altering the sound with a movement that is visible to the crowd. This is the key of its desirability: It takes adjustments normally made below decks by an engineer and showcases them.
The range of effects includes many filters, phasing and flanging programs, control of panning and pitch, and a few patches that can add sounds, such as record scratching, percussion and synth tones.
The manual simply repeats the information on the quick-reference card, adding examples of how to hook it up in different situations. Invariably, it requests using the unit in series, such as directly between the synth and mixer, or between the mixer and amp, stating: When the effect is off, the airFX still sends the dry signal to its outputs. This may cause phase cancellation or other unwanted effects if the aux return is mixed back with the original. Consequently, the manual recommends patching the airFX in by inserting the channel that needs processing, precluding its use on other elements in the mix.
Special FX 10Pitch OutLike holding your finger on a record player, slows it down then stops the music1Lord of the FliesA vocoder effect that fades between noise and synth tones2VinylizerFeed your tunes through this scratchy record player3PercolatorYour music bubbles to the surface through bandpass filter peaks4Frankensteins LabRandom tones to accompany your next experiment5OverdriveMakes your CD player sound like its been thrown out of a moving bus6Kenneths FrequencyLike its being beamed from the killer satellites that follow you around7Horror ShowUltra-fast vibrato for creepy effects8DecimatorDigital distortion that sounds like youre chewing on sand9SunSpotSmoother, filtered distortion sounds great on drums#Program NameFilters10TelephoneTight filter, great for thinning out the mix11Big BottomSix-pole lowpass filter, perfect for synths and bass12Snake BiteHighpass filter, sucks all the bass out for icy sweeps13Bow WowThe Lowpass LFO Filter wags in time with the music14SmokeLike #13, but with a highpass filter for a thinner sound15AutoWahThis wah is triggered by the music level16FormentedSounds like the music is coming out of someones mouth, great on a full mix17StreetsweeperCrazy filters that change frequency and panning when you wave right to left18OrlyfilterBeat-synced random filter keeps time with the music19KillswitchNotch filter adds a narrow sweep to the mixFlange/Phase20Tokyo PhasePhaser with positive feedback, like wasabi for guitars21Phasors on StunOther-worldly phasor with negative feedback22Liquid Metal25-band phase shifter for amazing metallic stereo effects23Spin CycleRubbery stereo phasor that plays in time with the music24PsychofazeTrippy stereo phasor makes you see helicopters25AutoFazePhase pulsates based on the level of the music, give it a heavy beat to play with26Ghost FlangeDeep flanger kicks you back to the 70s27SatelliteOscillating flanger, cool on pads and drums28Fazed OutBoth a phasor and a flanger, for when a sound must be completely obliterated29Forever FlangeBarber-pole flanger that keeps going and goingSpecial FX 230Strobe GateStuttering tremolo effect that keeps time with the music31NervousA tremolo effect, it rapidly changes the volume up and down32Psychic PanAutopanner in sync to the beat, too much makes the dancefloor get dizzy33Kung-Fu PannerPan the music with your hand it doesnt get much cooler34Stop it!Kill the music with a wave of the hand, try it with applause for an ego boost35Freq It!Pitch shifter to change your voice or someone elses36Pitch TransporterPitch transposer goes up or down an octave. Munchkin power!37Gender BenderAnother pitch transposer, this one goes up or down 4 steps38WaterbedVibrato effect for everything from a subtle shake to a sickening wobble39Spin the BottleRotating speaker effect, it makes the room spin40CentrifugeAnother rotating speaker, great for keyboards and guitars41Bottom FeederBass synthesizer adds punch and mass to any mix#Program NameDescription42Skratch!The sound of a record scratching. Chicka-chicka43Haunted LandscapeSpooky wind effects to keep you up nights44HeadhunterTalking drum, move your hand down faster for a louder sound45BeatboxBoombox: kick on the right and clap on the left. Keep away from breakdancers46Slap SynthSynth tone, move hand faster for a louder sound47Jungle RipBass synth slide, faster hit gets a higher pitch48War!Noise synth, watch the bullets fly49Sci-Fi TheatreSpooky synth tone for 50s Sci-Fi movies
ALESIS AirFX – Rare Vintage Theremin DJ effects Unit Module FX – Great Condition. Condition is Used. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
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Category: Musical Instruments:Pro Audio Equipment:Signal Processors and Effects
Location: Basingstoke