The 3FX without remote control

The 3FX — The three-voice analog effects synthesizer 

Who is it for ? 

For musicians using hardware synthesizers or software instruments, modular users, ambient, dub or IDM producers, experimental guitarists, and studios looking to integrate an expressive processor into a MIDI environment.

Why The 3FX?

Because The 3FX combines the immediacy and warmth of analog with the convenience of digital recall, MIDI control, PC/Mac applications, browser-based control, and a dedicated remote controller.

Why not a pedal or a plugin?

Because The 3FX offers three independent voices, advanced modulation, analog filtering, series/parallel routing, progressive feedback, MIDI control, and above all an instrumental approach to sound processing. It brings together a complete set of creative tools within a coherent instrument, designed as a vast sound exploration playground.

Version supplied without remote controller

This version of The 3FX is supplied without a remote control. Control is provided exclusively via PC/Mac applications and plugins, or through a web browser on tablets and smartphones.

Architecture

The heart of The 3FX is built around three fully independent effect voices, each based on a coherent 8-module architecture:

• Two delays per voice, usable in series or in parallel
• An advanced, progressive feedback path up to controlled self-oscillation
• An analog 12 dB/octave multimode VCF (BP, LP, HP) to optionally process the audio spectrum, both on the delay lines and on the dry signal
• Independent levels for the dry signal and each delay line
• A panorama control to position the voice within the stereo field.

The stereo input signal is distributed across the three voices: left / left + right / right. A mono signal is distributed across all three voices. 
Each voice can be used alone, stacked or combined with the others to create textures impossible to achieve with a conventional delay.

Modulation

Each module of each voice has its own dedicated LFO — a total of 24 LFOs — with a wide palette of waveforms:

• classic shapes: sine, triangle, square, ramps
• complex shapes: double sine, vintage “tape” warble
• MIDI CC modulation, for full integration in studio and live performance.

This modulation is applied to the main parameter of the module: depending on the module concerned, this corresponds to the delay time, the feedback amount, the VCF frequency, the DRY and DELAY levels, or the panorama.

The modules of voices 1 and 3 can be linked to the corresponding module of the central voice, turning The 3FX into a true macro-instrument:

• linked modules inherit the settings of the master module
• on linked modules, you only adjust the modulation phase offset (0 to 360°)

The 3FX therefore makes it possible to create a tri-chorus even richer than our highly sought-after The Triko.

Macros

Three macros are available, each able to store up to 24 interactions across the voice settings.

By turning the Macro 1 knob, you can simultaneously move — between a minimum and a maximum value — from 1 to 24 parameters of your sound. The same principle applies to Macro 2 and Macro 3.

This system opens the door to extremely rich interactions between the user and The 3FX, turning complex adjustments into simple and expressive gestures. The macros can be controlled via the most common MIDI expression CCs (expression pedal, breath controller, modulation wheel).

An almost 100% analog technology

Routing, filters (VCFs) and amplifiers (output and feedback VCAs) are entirely analog and voltage-controlled, and therefore modulatable by the LFOs.

The six delay lines are based on a hybrid component: the PT2399, the most “analog" digital circuits : while the delay itself is generated by an ADC → memory → DAC delta-sigma chain, all surrounding processing remains analog. This component brings its own musicality and characteristic imperfections — which is why it is found in so many boutique effects pedals.

From subtle to extreme

The 3FX excels in:

• subtle and elegant echoes, choruses and other classics
• complex stereo movements and subtle phase relationships
• wide, cinematic ambiences
• radical, evolving, noisy or self-oscillating textures.

Hardware & interfaces

The 3FX stands out with a unique silkscreen design in a beautiful metal enclosure.

The enclosure is equipped with the essentials:

• external DC power supply (Meanwell)
• USB-C
• 5V Power-USB for the remote controller
• MIDI DIN In
• 2 x 6.35 mm jack inputs with gain control (line → high-impedance guitar)
• 2 x 6.35 mm jack outputs with level control

Softwares & controlers

A modern processor drives the entire system and ensures precise control of the instrument. Several interfaces are available to control The 3FX:

• a PC / Mac software application offering a complete view of the three voices
• a Wi-Fi web server for control from a tablet or smartphone
• a Bluetooth Low Energy remote controller on a transparent stand (“it floats”), featuring a 5-inch capacitive touchscreen and three ergonomic potentiometers
• a VST3 plugin for PC and Mac (other formats coming soon)

Updates can also be performed via Wi-Fi through an Internet connection.

The 3FX supports multi-unit configurations. A unique ID can be assigned to each device, which is then reflected in its USB port and Bluetooth connection names. While each remote can be paired with its specific unit, a single remote can also easily control multiple devices.

The internal memory of The 3FX can store 128 complete sounds, accessible via the remote control, web browser, application, plugin, or MIDI Program Change. Using the application or plugin, you can save an unlimited number of sounds to your hard drive.

Box contents

• The 3FX
• External DC power supply (Mean Well)
• USB-A ↔ USB-C cable for connection to your computer