Dreadbox

Sounds & Samples | Reviews
87
FM
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MODULE ROUNDUP
D
readbox are well known for
developing interesting
desktop synths of various
fl avours but recent times
have seen them introduce the
Chromatic range of Eurorack
modules, that follow the company’s
lineup of good sounding, intuitive
and well-made hardware. Latest in
this line are the Antidote and the
Euphoria, a Karplus Strong string
module and Phaser.
Karplus
who now?
>
The Antidote, is a plucky
string sound generator, based
on the Karplus Strong
algorithms developed in the
’80s and, while it will never fool you
into thinking you are hearing an
orchestra, it has a really unique
voice, with enough variation and
controllability to make it useful for a
range of applications. The basis is
that of a noise source and short
bucket brigade delays, with input
and output fi lters as well as pitch
and feed controls. Feed is essentially
a delay time control so think of that
as a string dampening slider.
It’s easy to dial in sounds from
short sharp plucks to longer, almost
cello-like drones, right through to
screaming metallic, that retain a
musicality that isn’t unpleasant.
CV inputs, each with attenuators,
make this simple to fi nd a home in a
modular rig, where you can add an
LFO to treat the Antidote as a chorus
or fl anging type effect unit instead.
If that wasn’t enough for a unit of
this price point, it also works as a
resonator for incoming audio. While
it doesn’t offer the abilities of say,
Mutable Instruments Rings, it is still
capable of adding a new dimension
to your patches.
VERDICT 7.9
Sounds of
the ’70s
>
The other new offering in the
range is the wonderful
Euphoria, an eight-stage
phaser. Although Euphoria
does a lot more, with extensive CV
control, it is reminiscent of MXR’s
renowned Phase 90 pedal, as used
by Eddie Van Halen and Nuno
Bettencourt, amongst others.
This 10hp phaser has a lot to
offer, from the good build quality to
controls for phase depth and speed
of modulation, using its built-in
LFO, which has a really impressive
range from super slow sweeps to
fast warbles.
As with the rest of the Chromatic
modules, the Euphoria uses small
pots of attenuation and sliders for
manual control, a setup that I really
like and makes for a very playable
experience. Another common theme,
as mentioned above for the Antidote,
is the extra ability that you get, in
this case a line level input, making
this module a gateway into making
Eurorack effects units, without the
need for fi lling valuable hp with a
preamp module.
All in all, Euphoria is a great
sounding phaser, with easily
controlled depth and rate, lending
instant vintage vibes to any patch,
either with gusto and vigour, or with
a more subtle approach, depending
on your mood and taste.
VERDICT 9.1
Dreadbox have really impressed with
the Chromatic range of Eurorack
modules and these latest additions
continue that theme with excellent
build quality, a fantastic experience
and great sound, all adding to
modules at a price that makes them
realistically attainable. Rob Redman
dreadbox-fx.com
Dreadbox Antidote
and Euphoria £92
The Antidote has a really
unique voice, with variation
and controllability
FMU366.rev_modules.indd 87 17/12/2020 13:34