Asheville Music Tools APH-12+ PLUS 12-Stage Dynamic Phase Shifter
The Asheville Music Tools APH-12 Plus Dynamic Phase Shifter takes the celebrated Purple Phaze concept even further, expanding the original APH-12 into a remarkably deep 100% analog modulation platform. Part of Asheville Music Tools’ limited Small Batch Series, the Plus unlocks the complete range of 1 through 12 phase stages, including the previously unavailable 7, 8, 10 and 11-stage settings. Each stage count offers its own character, moving from lighter, quicker sweeps at lower settings to dense, vocal and almost synth-like textures as more stages are introduced.
At the heart of the APH-12 Plus is an extensive analog modulation engine built around a dedicated sine-wave LFO and two independent envelope followers. ENV #1 provides fast, positive sweep modulation, while the new ENV #2 offers bipolar operation with longer attack and release characteristics plus selectable pre- or post-drive sensitivity. The envelopes can be combined with the LFO for complex layered movement, allowing the pedal to react organically to your picking dynamics while maintaining an independent cyclic sweep.
The modulation range goes far beyond traditional phasing. The SWEEP control covers approximately 25Hz to 10kHz under normal operation and can extend from around 3Hz to below 50kHz when driven by the LFO, envelope or external control voltage. The sine-wave LFO provides separate Slow and Fast ranges, extending from extremely gradual sub-0.01Hz movement through to audio-rate modulation approaching 78Hz, or approximately 115Hz with CV control.
A built-in DRIVE section provides up to 30dB of boost, progressively introducing saturation and midrange emphasis as the gain is increased. Combined with resonance ranging all the way to self-oscillation and a three-position MIX switch offering mostly-dry FX, traditional 50/50 phasing and 100% wet vibrato modes, the APH-12 Plus can move seamlessly from subtle vintage-style movement to aggressive resonant filtering, vibrato and experimental modulation.
External control is equally comprehensive, with a bipolar Expression/CV system assignable to Sweep, Resonance, Rate or Amount. The CV input accepts a -5V to +5V range, making the APH-12 Plus equally at home on a traditional pedalboard or integrated into more elaborate synth and CV-controlled setups. A redesigned power supply and preamp further reduce the noise floor, completing an exceptionally powerful analog phaser designed for players who want modulation to become an instrument in its own right.
Key Features
- 100% analog signal, modulation and control path
- Complete 1–12 stage phase selection
- Additional 7, 8, 10 and 11-stage settings compared with the original APH-12
- Odd-numbered stages operate out of phase
- Dual independent envelope followers
- ENV #1 with fast attack, medium release and positive Sweep modulation
- Assignable bipolar ENV #2 with medium-speed response
- Selectable pre- or post-drive envelope sensitivity
- Layer envelope modulation with the dedicated LFO
- Sine-wave LFO with separate Fast and Slow ranges
- LFO range from below 0.01Hz to 78Hz
- Up to approximately 115Hz LFO rate with CV control
- Sweep centre range from approximately 25Hz to 10kHz
- Extended modulation range from approximately 3Hz to below 50kHz
- Resonance range from off through to self-oscillation
- Up to 30dB of analog Drive boost
- Increasing saturation and mid emphasis at higher Drive settings
- Three-position Mix switch: FX, Standard 50/50 and 100% wet VIB
- Bipolar Expression/CV control
- External control assignable to Sweep, Resonance, Rate or Amount
- -5V to +5V CV input range
- Redesigned power supply and preamp for significantly reduced noise
- True bypass switching
- 1MΩ input impedance
- 1kΩ maximum output impedance
- Premium 1590BBS-type die-cast aluminium enclosure
- 125 × 108 × 59mm dimensions
- 425g weight
- 9V DC centre-negative power
- <140mA current draw, with 90–115mA typical operation