Experimental lo-fi sounds have never been so popular – adding delicate overtones, rich harmonics, and rough edges to synths, vocals, guitars, drums, and basses! The Phonic Taxidermist is a perfect example of such sonic imperfection, bringing raw grit and character to any inputted signal. No wonder its former self was used by the likes of Autechre, Fluke, Underworld, and numerous Warp Records artists.
The Phonic Taxidermist is a signal processor based on the Maplin (British answer to Radio Shack) Voice Vandal, a classic DIY kit from the 1990s which has become very rare. It combines a 10-Bit digital delay and an audio chopper which divide over four frequency bands for some serious audio grunge. It’ll mangle any incoming audio in a similar way to a ring modulator or the sound of cross modulation – but with it’s own unique style of infested audio decay!
It’s available in PCB form as a full DIY build either as a eurorack module or standalone unit – requiring components, chips and an enclosure to complete.
The Phonic Taxidermist is sold by CircuitBenders who are based on the south coast of England. Check out their store for more super audio relics and take a look at the video below to hear it in action:
