Ring Modulation: How to Begin

Ring modulation is a bizarre effect, but here's 5 practical ways you can use it without being weird for the sake of weird. Detailed info for each pro-tip is below. Stop-motion animation and drone footage by John Marty.
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PRO-TIP #1: GREAT DISTORTION
Whichever ring mod pedal you have, try setting the frequency shift to somewhere a little above the halfway point of its range, and setting the mix to something like 40%. Then run it into an overdriven amp or into your dirt pedals, and it should fuse with the distortion in a really cool way. In my example, I'm using the Quadrature mode (specifically amplitude modulation) in the Strymon Mobius to do this.
PRO-TIP #2: THE BELL SOUND
Pick a single note that's in the key of whatever song you're about to play, and then turn the frequency shift up on your ring modulator until it sounds like it's on an octave of that note. Then play that note in various positions with a lot of reverb, and it will sound like bells.
PRO-TIP #3: THE UNIVERSAL SWEET SPOT
While turning the frequency shift, find the spot where it's right in between a simple tremolo effect and a weirder, telltale ring mod effect. Once you're in that spot, use an LFO to continuously move the frequency shift, so that it drifts in between tremolo and weirdness while you continue to play.
PRO-TIP #4: THE CARRIER SIGNAL=SYNTH
If your ring mod pedal can output its carrier signal, use that as an instrument on its own, with the frequency shift knob now acting as a simple pitch control. Note that in order to do this with Randy's Revenge from Fairfield Circuitry, which is what I use in the example, you will need to unscrew the back of the pedal and adjust the DIP switches inside. Make it so that only switch #3 (OSC) is activated, and the rest are deactivated.
PRO-TIP #5: USE AN EXP PEDAL FOR MIX
Set up an expression pedal to control the mix of your ring modulator. Then experiment by blending the mix in and out while you're playing. See if you can start to play phrases that incorporate this technique in ways that sound intentional.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:34 Pro-Tip #1: Great Distortion
01:37 Sound Example
02:12 Pro-Tip #2: The Bell Sound
03:02 Sound Example
03:56 Pro-Tip #3: The Universal Sweet Spot
05:18 Sound Example
05:51 Pro-Tip #4: The Carrier Signal=Synth
07:36 Sound Example
08:35 Pro-Tip #5: Use an Exp Pedal for Mix
10:09 Sound Example

[@CyberattackWorld]

PRO-TIP #6: if you're thinking about buying any of the pedals in this video, you can use my affiliate links with Perfect Circuit to get them and support my channel in the process. I'll make a small commission on whatever you buy, if you click on any of these links: STRYMON MOBIUS bit.ly/3C6TH7I SYNTAX ERROR V2 bit.ly/3bYKSCc GFI SYNESTHESIA bit.ly/3nM50cT FAIRFIELD CIRCUITRY RANDY'S REVENGE bit.ly/3PboxiC RING MODULATORS IN GENERAL: bit.ly/3JYslST

[@GregKhar-NU-Metalhead2000]

Damn u like x-men huh! Personally I prefer Cyclops with mask tho

[@rahzark]

Sonic the Hedgehog's favorite modulation

[@CyberattackWorld]

and therefore mine

[@ianbinion4614]

This channel rules

[@edsavage6214]

0:15 that's actually one of the coolest sounds ever! XD

[@ChefZak]

Never heard a better ring mod demo. You make them sound so beautiful!

[@FlankinspanK]

Coolest video on ring modulation ever.

[@wychwoodmusic]

Damn. This is the kind of offbeat yet expert videos I and youtube need more of. (I swear to god, if the algorithm recommends one more pedal demo by some dude cranking out blues-rock cliches or bro-metal riffs, I’m quitting.) AKA more please!

[@saadindassum]

Holy shit man, can you make a full cover of Bittersweet Symphony? That was sick af

[@stoneyboyd]

I second this!!

[@summerbrainrock]

LOL. Before I realized it was Bittersweet Symphony I was thinking, you need to record that and release it. That song resonates with me hard. One of my top 5 all time favorite bands.

[@CyberattackWorld]

yeah man i WISH i wrote that

[@TundieRice]

@@CyberattackWorld so did The Rolling Stones' manager apparently, hahaha.

[@AlexYoel]

Pro tips for certain effects rather than specific pedals, awesome! Would love to see more. How about where to begin using golden ratio delays, everyone just uses them for washy reverby sounds but there's totally more to it

[@CyberattackWorld]

Great call, that could be a pro-tip for a video about delays in general, thank you

[@AlexYoel]

@@CyberattackWorld hell ya

[@Ross-ze4ny]

Nice video. DnD maps are a perfect visualisation for ring mod

[@CarlosCotalloSolares]

I use a lot of ring mod for crazy sounds and I love it, but I really appreciated the more subtle uses you came up with. It's kind of the anti cyberattack video: your normal pedals can make crazy sounds, but your crazy pedals can make normal sounds.

[@CyberattackWorld]

Lol great call

[@justink8156]

A T O N A L L A G O O N Such a great video- awesome playing, succinct explanations and superb editing/visuals 👌 Anyone who doesn't enjoy this either doesn't know how to get weird with their guitar or they don't understand the artistry of those visuals

[@keithklassen5320]

I've always been fascinated with the ringmod sounds ive heard on records, just as much as i hated the sounds i tried too make myself; after trying these tips, I found some genuinely intereting sounds for the first time in literal decades!

[@pcbullets8726]

Some really great useful stuff. A lot of people treat Ring Modulation as a one trick pony. It comes down to just experimenting like you have. Thanks!

[@mokrodrigues4515]

This video is just pure gold and I'll never see ring mods the same way again. I thought they were just bizarre, but these tips, especially the last one, are just plain brilliant, and the sound examples too! Cheers!

[@hlpsnow1105]

Love the topic of this video. A similar video on bit crushers would be much appreciated. These are two effects I’ve always liked but just haven’t been able to incorporate into my sound.

[@CyberattackWorld]

great suggestion, thank you

[@jeffdixon847]

Very practical video loaded with lots of weird goodness.

[@Billkwando]

7:01 ♫ _"'Cause everybody herrrrrtz!"_ ♫

[@glueball9511]

man bittersweet symphony with reingmod sounds immense lol. at first i was like 'wow this could be a hit'

[@jesselough]

This was so much more musically intriguing and useful than I had anticipated! Very nicely done.

[@AmerikkkaGuitars]

Probably your best video I've seen. So great to actually know how to use the ring mod and where to place it. The expression pedal into my syntax error 1 sound amazing now. Thanks, I'm so creative right now.

[@Punk_Mayhem]

can i just say that i love you❤, i live in the void of depression and anxiety, this video of yours brought a bit of joy in that void. such an amazing beautiful soul amongst millions.

[@CyberattackWorld]

thanks man

[@stuartchapman5171]

The second of your vids I've watched in quick succession. Great, really great use of the fx and devices. Extremely knowledgeable and then there's the way you reinterpret classic tunes. I'm not a musician but do mess around with sound design and noise as well as build one off fx units for friends. This sort of reveiw is gold, for use and building. Keep it up.

[@mrbjengel]

Diggin the, The Flamingos cover. Love that old tune!

[@CyberattackWorld]

i love that song

[@mbarski]

Very, very cool sounds!

[@RobUttley]

I love your videos - full of ideas and endlessly interesting. Thank you!

[@diego17th]

Brother, this was amazing from beginning to end

[@louishwu]

Love this video. I’ve been rocking the mooger fooger ring mod since 2007 but you have inspired me to try a bunch of new sounds with it! Great channel

[@Gnophkehs]

Hey, this is timely for me! I just got a Ring Thing. It's been fun as hell to play around with, and I actually got it after learning about that ring-mod-into-distortion technique (particularly for bass), but I just knew there could be so much more to it. These are great ideas! Thanks much, man!

[@flowervision]

hey man, been meaning to get it my self. have you tried playing the carrier signal on its own? is this possible with the ring thing?

[@tapedecay4649]

Thank you so much for making this video. I love ring mods.

[@Hilbertification]

Very musical use of ring modulation. Thnx for this video, very helpfull to look again at my ringmodulator.

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

Fascinating stuff. Thank you!

[@Bready3000]

Such an interesting channel I just discovered lol. Was looking info on ring mods and found something more than just that

[@ralphhathaway-coley5460]

I have just found your channel seen a couple of videos and was very impressed, good work, inspiring and very informative ........ but showing your D&D maps as well that is a defo sub from me! 😉

[@chazotron600]

Good deal, I've been waiting for the next video haha

[@matthewjohnloren1995]

The last concept is really expressive. Most of the other tones had me thinking this sound was going to be always that retro vibe. Though the last part gave me a new perspecitve on what this pedal can do. Good job on the tone demos man!

[@TomMilleyMusic]

Great tips. I got this little multi effects pedal that has a ring mod on it, and I've been finding it seems to be a pretty underrated effect, as well as being misunderstood. But it can be a really cool and useful effect if you spend some time with it

[@marcer98]

I liked the little animations

[@Frankie726]

Love the video, love your take on tutorials and love the visuals!

[@Frankie726]

Oh btw also love the way you demonstrate the effects

[@AudiomoMusic]

You're killing it man, keep it up.

[@CyberattackWorld]

Thanks man

[@BluegillGreg]

Very effective explanation and demo. Thank you!

[@Ekelemen2]

Awesome content. Very, very helpful!

[@edgewatergearvault9881]

The 1st demo you did answered the question of how Jeff Beck uses a ring mod for me. Thanks!!!

[@Sd12sx23]

Good tips. I've been wary about using ring mod, but this brought me one step closer to truing one out.

[@joelpollen]

Really great video. Thanks!

[@JogohDLC]

Thank you so much, I love your sound so much!!

[@davidsummerville351]

I'm learning so much from your videos. Thanks

[@WhiteOakAmps]

These are epic tips!

[@gabillos]

Awesome video, thanks!

[@collisw8302]

Love this. Time to get a ring mod pedal!

[@HumbleInitiative]

Such amazing out of the box thinking🤘🎸👍

[@vitaliistep]

Thank you for the video. You have very unique music style by the way.

[@ToneSherpa]

that was a pretty dope rendition of Young Lust there buddy

[@CyberattackWorld]

glad you caught that

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

These videos are gold. Holy hell.

[@CyberattackWorld]

Thanks man

[@alexfletcher9915]

Ring Mod is so misunderstood and as a result often savagely dismissed. Great info here that will help serve to reset peoples thinking on this killer category of effect.

[@kernz160]

Love that last tip/song. Really dig your take on I Only Have Eyes For You too. The Flamingos version is so damn cool.

[@CyberattackWorld]

that song is an all-time great

[@danawiesbrock2069]

Great stuff!

[@antoniostramaglia1316]

great explanation

[@MrKadidle51]

Sweeeet. Been waiting for this

[@NeZversSounds]

My favorite trick is to tune it to a note in the scale and use it as a drone note. If you have any way to control that like with a midi, you can create melody + bass situation (either way)

[@craigwood8862]

Thanks, more inspiration.

[@geraldcasler5574]

Very cool.

[@ampgent]

My new fave KZbin channel

[@proteusswarm7291]

I love Ring Mod! DwarfCraft Hax2 is my all time favorite followed by the Alexander syntax error. I think having an Expression pedal to control the frequency is a must.

[@lenaandthelambcampingadven3422]

Very nice!

[@stubrakon9683]

Great work cheers 👍😃🤘😎

[@user-mc9sg9fw3w]

Great video! Glad I stumbled on your channel

[@heavenly2k]

Best video created.

[@IsaiahGrande]

Drunk-horror the Verve was excellent

[@DustinWilbourn]

Oooo expression controlling mix was very nice!!

[@CyberattackWorld]

thanks, i usually try to put the one i'm the most excited about last

[@galantreentrant]

I clicked so fast when I saw Ring Mod!! Can you please do a video on tips for using and combining a compressor with pedals, and how to be advanced with source audio EQ2? Thanks

[@CyberattackWorld]

I really like the compressor idea, also probably gotta do stacking overdrives at some point

[@jamesprisciandaro3144]

Suggest you check out the Pigtronix Ringmaster, which tracks the pitch of the incoming signal and uses that to modulate carrier frequency, making everything sound harmonious. It also works as a traditional ring mod with the flip of a switch.

[@richnimby]

very cool

[@savedbyasong4627]

This is dope

[@Dogsrule777]

Your demo jams are so good man. I want you in my band yo! :) ✊🏽

[@ToneSherpa]

RING MOD: the David Lynch of effects.

[@klonewavverr2909]

ring mod is my fave type of mod along with pitch and bitcrush

[@CyberattackWorld]

Those are the advanced ones

[@klonewavverr2909]

@@CyberattackWorld no, you're advanced my bro

[@iosifkalpaktsoglou2045]

Just a tip for ring modulator/ bit crusher lovers out there. Start your chain with an analogue octave down, then ring modulator, then your favourite dirt pedal, then a low pass filter and finally a bit crusher. I use the oc2 , ehx frequency analyzer, dreadbox disorder [ dirt and filter together] and bit map v2[ sample rate zero, just frequency manipulation]

[@jamesprisciandaro3144]

Pure Hurts

[@ando1148]

dude, you are so out there

[@je7647]

Luv ur graphics

[@Stazma]

Very cool video! Special mentin to the maps at the end hahaha.

[@CyberattackWorld]

i set up the entire youtube channel just so i could show the maps

[@josefayala1974]

I love that the X-Men make several appearances in this video lol

[@CyberattackWorld]

the x-men rule my life

[@davidsummerville351]

Thanks

[@imranino]

Very cool. ESP love #3. I’ve always wondered what the hell ring mod is good for.

[@roscius6204]

Ring mod fan here. great video..

[@malungtvnews]

thanks matey. am struggling with the Pigtronix ringmaster analog multiplier

[@personalfreedom2700]

Awesome video! Limp bizkit has a song called “The Truth” which uses a ring mod at the start, sounds awesome…

[@mantashaft]

I liked the video and subscribed.

[@CyberattackWorld]

what more could I ask

[@thehistoryofchingfordwater8933]

Love rm!

[@iosifkalpaktsoglou2045]

I bought the ehx frequency analyzer after watching this. Now, 6 months later I sold most of my dirt pedals and own mainly ring modulators. Still the frequency analyzer is the best as far as I'm concerned . Ring on...... brothers of dissonance.

[@Gabixz]

I've combined ringmod with distortion to achieve djent sound

[@youngjaguarofficial]

ty 😅

[@AvianBreak]

I love it! Ring mod on guitar has been a challenge for me, and this helps. Do you have any current plans on a follow up album?

[@AvianBreak]

Also, the old D&D maps were a nice touch!

[@CyberattackWorld]

thanks for asking about the follow-up album, absolutely yes that is happening and I'm in the late-ish stages of writing all the songs. a ton of demos for the next album are sprinkled throughout these pro-tips videos

[@AvianBreak]

@@CyberattackWorld Looking forward to it!

[@HeelBJC]

It's used pretty prominently in the South Park end credits: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4mkZ6CXhbN5jNE That's how I became familiar with the effect.

[@georgemandom69]

If you want to hear a great use of the ring mod, check out Wayne Krantz, Keith Carlock, and Tim LeFebreve at the Iridium. At one point, Krantz scats while grooving with the most obnoxious ring mod sound.

[@CyberattackWorld]

Krantz understands ring mod on a deep level. Also if you're into Lefebvre you'll get a kick out of these pedal vids he and I did together: kzbin.info/aero/PLzaV6dQDtY1-BC4m8VaLrLjVqcm_4cJL9

[@VirtualModular]

Cool, the section at 7:50 sounds like a kid's TV character we had in the UK called Sooty! Or was it Sweep? Sooty and Sweep anyway, haha. The real fun with ring mod is changing the modulator frequency, this is why I'm into modular because you can have any LFO waveform you want, sample and hold etc. Patching an envelope follower into the ring mod for example is really interesting. I don't know if there's a pedal where you can do that. 😉

[@Luckyrrul]

05:19 wow!!! 🥲🥲🥲

[@AcceleratingUniverse]

ring mod is the most underrated effect