Rowan

This is the Rowan from Lantern Manufacturing.

The Rowan is a “dynamic” flanger, capable of a multitude of unique effects from standard flanging and chorus, inverted flanging and chorus, “through-zero” flanging with standard and inverted signals, and even slapback echo and reverb with the ability to add gain or distortion to the pre-modulated signal for greater harmonic content.

The Rowan uses a unique non-BBD delay/echo chipset to achieve its modulation effects, with the delay times ranging from about 6msec-45msec, effectively making the Rowan a “high” flanger, with its assorted controls more than making up for the lack of lower (read: faster) flanging times.

This pedal uses a standard 9VDC center negative power supply (no batteries), drawing roughly 60mA during operation (initial power up may require more current). Power is required to pass signal, even when in bypass (a la Boss-style pedals). The pedal may also take a few seconds to power on - this is normal. The controls are as follows:

Rate: controls the rate of the flanging/chorus effect. The speed of the effect increases as you turn the knob to the right.

Depth: controls the depth of the flanging/chorus effect. The effect deepens as you turn the knob to the right. In general with flangers, it is preferable to have the Depth and Rate controls in opposite positions (low Rate, high Depth, and vice versa), but this is merely convention.

Manual: controls the delay time of the two delay/echo chipsets in unison (this will be explained in the “Zero” section). The Manual knob is calibrated in such a way that below noon (counterclockwise) you have your standard flanger time range, while above noon (clockwise) brings in chorus and slapback echo effects.

Regen: controls the amount of feedback for the delay/echo chipsets. Turning the knob to the right will increase feedback into self oscillation when beyond 3 o’clock.

Invert: controls the phase of the delayed/flanging signal. To the left is a standard flanger that is in phase with the dry signal and has a more subtle effect, while to the right you have a broader, more modern flanging sound. With the control set at noon you will effectively stop the modulated signal, which can be useful when using the Rowan as a resonant distortion. It is best to set this control either fully to the left or to the right for the “greatest” effect.

Push: controls the blend between your dry signal (counterclockwise) and a set gain distorted signal (clockwise) before the delay/echo chipsets. Flangers tend to “work” best when they have more harmonic content to filter out, so the more distortion in your signal before the flanger the “greater” the resulting flanging is. Adjust to taste.

Zero: a footswitch that, when engaged, will route the dry signal through an unmodulated delay line set in time with the modulated delay signal, which effectively eliminates your dry signal but allows for what is known as “through-zero” flanging, a sound which is actually more in line with what the original flanging effect sounded like. With the Zero footswitch engaged and with the Manual knob at or below noon and the Invert knob to the left (standard phase) your signal will drop out in time with the Rate, while having the Invert knob turned to the right (inverted phase) will bring out an incredibly lush wall of sound. The LED will be red when the Rowan is in standard mode, and blue while in Zero mode.

Enjoy!