Asheville Music Tools APH-12 Plus Dynamic Phase Shifter

The Analoger Series APH-12 Plus builds on the Purple Phaze lineage with expanded stage selection and new modulation options. Released in limited quantities as part of our small batch series, the APH-12 Plus unlocks stage counts the original release could not accommodate. A second selector opens the full range from 1 to 12 stages, bringing you the previously missing 7, 8, 10, and 11 stage settings alongside your original old favorites.

The APH-12 Plus also adds a second assignable envelope follower, tuned with longer attack and release times for a distinct modulation slope. Run it alongside the LFO for layered modulation, or assign it to either EXPression input when an external expression pedal is not in use. A new input sensitivity control provides pre and post-gain sources with both positive and negative modulation. The CV input now accepts bipolar modulation, while a redesigned power supply and pre-amp significantly lower the noise floor.

Finished in a premium, sparkling Cherry Haze (and limited Industrial) Finish, the APH-12 Plus brings the sounds and modulation options the original release had to leave behind into a more expansive analog phaser toolkit.

What Makes the APH-12 Plus Special

This is still not your father’s phaser!

But now we have gone over the top. In addition to all the special features of the standard APH-12 we packed in the features that ended up on the cutting room floor of the standard edition. What other phaser has not 1 but 2 envelope followers with sensitivity (pre and post gain) and forward and reverse modulation? Or all 12 stage selections, both in and out of phase? This edition adds over 70 new parts to the to the already massive 400+ component count of the standard APH-12, resulting in an absolute beast of a pedal.

At the core of every phaser is a chain of allpass filter stages, each one shifting the phase of your signal before it's blended back with the dry path to create those signature sweeping notches. The more stages in the chain, the denser and more complex the comb filtering becomes.

Every stage setting changes the character of the sweep, from thinner and quicker at lower stage counts to thick, vocal, and almost synth-like as you climb higher. Dial in a stage count first, then let the rest of the controls shape it. 

Having two independent envelope followers and a dedicated LFO on hand means you're no longer choosing between rhythmic sweep and playing dynamics. While the stock version keeps it simple, the Plus lets you layer a steady LFO wave on top of dual envelope tracking, for movement that breathes with your playing instead of sticking to a rigid cycle. And when the envelope takes over an EXPression input, your picking or synth dynamics become the expression pedal, pushing parameters in real time without anything under your foot. 

And holy cow, that sparkle paint from Obscura manufacturing is just the chef’s kiss. The APH-12+ will be a proud member of your collection for a long time to come. 

This is the kind of over engineering and extra feature set you expect from Asheville Music Tools. The APH-12 Plus takes everything that made the original a favorite and opens up the settings, modulation options, and headroom that space and hardware once kept off the table. We hope this will be one of those inspiring pedals to help you create new sounds and new music you didn’t know you had in you.

Control Overview

Stage options: 12 stages, 7-11 on expansion switch. Odd #s = out of phase.

SWEEP Range: Center 25Hz to 10kHz typical. 3Hz to <50kHz with use of LFO, Envelope or external Control Voltage.

RESONANCE: Off to self-oscillation using EXP input coupled with knob position.

RATE: LFO RATE, Type: Sine Wave.

Slow <0.01Hz to 2.3Hz (3.3Hz with CV control).
Fast <0.3Hz to 78Hz (~115Hz with CV)

• Envelope:
ENV#1: Positive SWEEP control of modulation. Fast Attack, medium release.
ENV #2: Assignable bi-polar, medium speed, pre or post drive sensitivity.

AMOUNT: LFO depth control from OFF to ~60% of SWEEP.

DRIVE: Up to 30dB of boost with increasing saturation and mid emphasis as gain is increased.

MIX Switch: 3 Position; FX: Mostly dry, Standard: 50/50, VIB: 100% wet.

MOD Switch: LFO Selector: Fast, Slow, Envelope

Expression / CV: Bi-Polar 4-way switch: Sweep, Resonance, Rate or Amount external control additive to front panel knob, extending range. TRS jack usable with CV or Expression pedal, (CV range -5V - +5V).
Ring supplied current limited ~5V output. Control input on Tip.

Specifications

Type: 100% Analog signal, modulation and control path

BYPASS Footswitch: Effect on/off. True Bypass: LED indicates LFO rate or Envelope pre-amount signal.

Power: 9VDC @ <140mA. 90-115mA typical. Up to 200mA startup. Standard pedal center negative 2.1mm x 5.5mm barrel.

Input impedance: >1MΩ

Output impedance: 1KΩ Max

Maximum input signal:
-10dBµ / .25Vrms = 1% THD,
+1dBµ / 0.87Vrms = 10% THD

Maximum output signal: -0.9dBµ / 0.7Vrms

Noise Reduction: 12.5dB HF emphasis 3dB = 1.4kHz

Enclosure: 1590BBS type die-cast aluminum.

Dimensions: D=4.95” (12.5 cm), W=4.25” (10.8 cm), H=2.35” (5.9 cm)

Weight: 15oz (425g)