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Drolo Stamme[n] v4 meets Old Blood Expression Ramper
This article shows you how to expand the possibilities of the Drolo Stamme[n] v4 with the Old Blood Noise Endeavors Expression Ramper. Demos and tasty settings are included below.
No matter you describe all the magic inside of the Drolo Stamme[n], at its heart the pedal is microlooper. If you look at it from that perspective, it’s easier to grasp what the pedal does and how the Old Blood Noise Endeavors Expression Ramper can become its ally in opening up creativity.
How the OBNE Expression Ramper Controls the Drolo Stamme[n] v4
In each of the eight modes (four loop and four freeze) the effect is controlled by two knobs: the big Control knob and the Sample knob. The Control knob adjusts a key parameter in each mode, like pitch, glitch, direction etc. The Sample knob controls the sample length, pitch and fidelity and (if the left footswitch is engaged) it also controls loop fade. The toggle added in Stamme[n] v4 gives the ER control over either knob. But here’s the twist: The knob on the Stamme[n] is still active when the ER is controlling it. When the knobs on the Stamme[n] are cranked, the ER has full control, but at lesser knob settings on the Stamme[n] the range becomes limited, letting you fine tune expression. Note that the ER only controls the wet signal.
A Few Tricks with the OBNE ER + Stamme[n] v4
Adding the ER to the Stamme[n] can enhance many the the effects. Many of the recipes below are practical, but a few are out there. These suggestions below just scratch the surface, but are old starting points to play around and discover the settings you find sweet or serendipitous.
All demos are created with: Beat Root Tongue Drum > Fairfield Accountant > Drolo Stamme[n] controlled by OBNE Expression Ramper > TC Wiretap (except for Destructomatic which adds an octave down from the Digitech Ricochet before the Stamme[n]).
Harmonic Tremolo Reverb
A harmonic tremolo cycles between treble and bass. Stamme[n] can achieve a similar effect on the reverb.
| Stamme[n] | Left Ftsw | Mode | Toggle | Mix | Sample | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | On | FL | Left | Both | 12n | 5p |
| ER | Mode | A | B | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Sq | 9a | 3p | 3p |
The Rate knob on the ER should be adjusted to taste. The Wet knob on Stamme[n] will make the effect and reverb more or less pronounced.
Vibrato
The Sample knob on Stamme[n] is a clock knob that controls the length and pitch of the loop. This recipe uses tiny voltage chnages from the ER’s LFO to waver the Sample pitch like a vibrato on this reversed passage.
| Stamme[n] | Left Ftsw | Mode | Toggle | Mix | Sample | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | On | TL | Right | Wet | 9a | 10a |
| ER | Mode | A | B | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Sine | 7a | 8a | 3p |
Fine tune the vibrato’s range with the Sample knob on the Stamme[n] and the speed with the knob on the ER.
Snake Wind
A reverb with a sweeping filter like a phaser. This recipe uses the ER to take you back to 1969, man.
| Stamme[n] | Left Ftsw | Mode | Toggle | Mix | Sample | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | On | FL | Left | Both | 10a | 5p |
| ER | Mode | A | B | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Sine | 10a | 5p | 10p |
Arpeggiating reverb
This cycles the reverb pitch through a two-octave range of tones and back: -1 octave, - 7 semitones, - 5 semitones, normal pitch, + 5 semitones, + 7 semitones, + 1 octave.
| Stamme[n] | Left Ftsw | Mode | Toggle | Mix | Sample | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | On | PT | Left | Both | 12n | 5p |
| ER | Mode | A | B | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Sine | 7a | 5p | 12n |
You can dirty it up and extend the reverb by decreasing the Sample knob.
Rubber Band Stretch
As the Stamme[n]’s loop is being stretched in reverse in the SL mode, the ER is speeding up and slowing the loop while bending the pitch. In SL mode when the Sample knob is just before 12n you get the longest reverse stretch.
| Stamme[n] | Left Ftsw | Mode | Toggle | Mix | Sample | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | On | SL | Right | Both | 5p | Just before 12n |
| ER | Mode | A | B | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Sine | 7a | 5p | 9a |
I like it better without the dry, but put it in the demo so you can hear what’s causing the mayhem.
Digital Spirits
Stuttering ghosts anyone?
| Stamme[n] | Left Ftsw | Mode | Toggle | Mix | Sample | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | On | ST | Right | Wet | 12n | 5p |
| ER | Mode | A | B | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Sine | 9a | 3p | 9a |
You can also turn the Control knob down for a more normal wind sound.
Destructomatic
When you engage the ML mode without using tap tempo, the Control knob becomes destructive, feeding the loop back into itself. Nice way to end the show: Let Stamme[n] obliterate your loop into digital garbage. Not quite the “A Day in the Life” closer, but…
| Stamme[n] | Left Ftsw | Mode | Toggle | Mix | Sample | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Off | ML | Left | Both | 7a | 5p |
| ER | Mode | A | B | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Sine | 5p | 12n | 8a |
- Set up the ER.
- Switch to the ML mode on Stamme[n].
- Play the passage you want to loop.
- Tap the right footswitch to turn Stamme[n] on. The loop will play.
- Let it roll a few times.
- Tap the footswitch on the ER.
- Walk off stage.
My Take
What I like about Drolo Stamme[n] is that it puts a powerful granular microlooper under the control of a few simple knobs. The addition of the Old Blood ER greatly expands its box of tricks. The OBNE Expression Ramper is quickly becoming a pedalboard staple for those who never liked expression rockers or feel they take up too much real estate. While this humble pedal can be configured and applied to any pedal with an expression jack, it gives a big creative boost to pedals like the Montreal Assembly Count-to-5 and Stamme[n] v4.
[How to turn the Drolo Stamme[n] into a delay with the Fairfield Hors d’Oeuvre Feedback Looper[(https://wolfewithane.com/drolo-stammen-meets-fairfield-hors-d'oeuvre)
I’ve purchased all pedals mentioned (and paid way too much for a used Stamme[n] v4). I get no compensation for mentioning them here. That’s why buying me a coffee below helps with future deep reviews like this one.
