INTRODUCTION

The Vibrato Sound

In 1993, several discussions centered around Robert Cray's enjoyment of the famous "Magnatone" Vibrato Sound. In fact, Robert called me at home and asked me to find him a "Magnatone" Amp with Stereo Vibrato to use on his next album. This was soon accomplished and he used it to record "Don't Break This Ring" and "Passing By" on his album "Shame and a Sin". This created a problem! Robert fell in love with the sound and wanted to take it on the road for live audiences. We tried every device known to mankind, including the latest digital processing stuff. Nothing came close. Then Robert asked me, in August 1994, if there was a way that we could take his "Magnatone 480 Custom" on the road. Although the "Magnatone" has a beautiful sound, it only delivers 18 watts rms and would not hold up to traveling. Since no one has ever reproduced this vibrato sound in any other device, it seemed I was going to be stuck repairing it every other day! Not only that, but I would have to figure out a way to switch between his "Matchless" Class A amps and the "Magnatone" for only one song.

I had already repaired the "Magnatone" several times, just to use it in the studio, and so was familiar with the pitch shifting circuits. Then the idea hit me and I suggested to Robert that we should custom manufacture our own circuit and package it in a rack mounted case, adhering to industrial specs. Thus, allowing him to have the sound he wanted and eliminating the possible damage caused by traveling.

So guess what !!!! Another problem. I opened my mouth and found myself then trying to figure out how to do what I had so easily suggested. Needless to say, after nearly 7 months of heavy research, Not to mention Rare Parts! I built it, it worked, and so became the birth of the first "Vibroman 1.0". It was now ready for it's "World Wide Road Test".