BIG BRIARMoogerfooger MF-103The MF-103 12-stage phaser ($399) is number three in Big Briar-s Moogerfooger series of analog effects devices. Like all Big Briar products, it was designed and built under Bob Moog-s supervision and is typical of his work. The MF-103 is constructed of durable yet elegant materials-including genuine wood side panels-and employs the finest analog components available.
The MF-103 is completely modular and consists of two sections: a switchable 6- or 12-stage voltage-controlled phaser and a voltage-controlled low-frequency oscillator. The phaser section has knobs for sweep and resonance: sweep moves the frequency response over a six-octave range, whereas resonance acts like an array of resonant filters. The LFO section has knobs for amount and rate, plus a rocker switch for selecting a Lo or Hi range of oscillation rates. The Amount knob varies the depth of the phaser modulation over a range of 1 to 10 (with 6 labeled "Stun" and 10 "Kill"). The Rate control varies the LFO speed over a range of 0.01 to 2.5 Hz when set on Lo, and 1 to 250 Hz when set on Hi.
Small knobs for drive and output level are situated between the two sections, as are LEDs for input-level overload, LFO rate, and bypass status. Drive acts as an input-level trim and can be pushed into distortion, creating some dramatic overdrive effects. A stompbox-style footswitch is located directly below these controls, in case you want to put your MF-103 on the floor. Actually, you could easily construct an entire pedalboard just to control the MF-103.
Power to the PedalsWhen Bob Moog says the words "voltage-controlled" and "modular," he means it. Four 1 1/4 4-inch TRS jacks on the rear panel allow the MF-103-s amount, sweep, rate, and resonance parameters to be controlled externally using expression pedals (such as the optional Moogerfooger EP-1), MIDI-to-CV converters, or any other control-voltage source. As if that weren-t enough, there are also jacks for LFO Out and Sweep In that allow the LFO to control external devices and the phaser-s two sections to be accessed separately when in 12-stage mode. Finally, the Aux Output sends a signal that has the opposite frequency-response characteristics as those coming from the main output. The phase relationship between the two outputs can be used to create some fat stereo effects by panning hard right and left in a stereo mix-not too shabby for a stompbox.
Passing Through a PhaseBesides being well constructed and having an extraordinary amount of control flexibility, the MF-103 is arguably the best-sounding phaser ever created. It has an amazingly detailed and transparent sound that-s more reminiscent of a Mutron Bi-Phase than, say, an MXR stompbox (though you can get a dirtier edge by cranking up the drive).
In addition to classic phaser "whoosh" sounds, the MF-103 produces a variety of effects, ranging from subtle modulations to over-the-top ring modulator-type freak-outs. One of the most impressive is what the manual refers to as a "rotating speaker simulation" but which sounds frighteningly similar to the Chorus setting on a vintage Uni-Vibe phaser.
The Moogerfooger MF-103 is not exactly inexpensive, but in this case you definitely get what you pay for. A vintage Bi-Phase or Uni-Vibe would cost twice as much and wouldn-t be nearly as versatile or reliable. I suggest you sell some of your old stompboxes and get yourself an MF-103. It-s a real Moogerfooger!
Overall EM Rating (1 through 5): 5