Circuit Bent Alesis Nanoverb 2 multi FX - reclocking knob, RAM looper, power switch - circuitbenders.co.uk

The Nanoverb 2 was first produced in 2011 and is more or less a direct hardware update to the original version from the mid 90's. The effects are far cleaner and more precise than on the original unit, but whether that means they are better or not depends on your personal preference.
It seems curiously difficult to find out the full details for this thing as Alesis seem extremely keen to mention the Nanoverb 2's 52 bit DSP at every opportunity, but strangely reluctant to admit to the specs of its converters. The extremely careful way that Alesis have worded their promotional material makes you wonder whether the Nanoverb 2 actually utilises full 52 bit processing, or it just happens to have a processor capable of 52 bit processing.

We've only added three mods to this unit, but even with just the these mods its capable of creating sounds we've never heard from anything else!

The mods consist of a power switch, a reclocking knob that controls the clock speed of the whole system, and a RAM loop switch that does something very weird, but we're not 100% sure what it is!

The reclocking knob sets the processing clock speed of the RAM and the analogue to digital converters. This means it will extend the reverb and delay times to a degree way outside of what would normally be possible. Reverbs can be altered from short metallic ambiances to massive washes of disconnected sound just by turning the red knob. Delay times are now extendable to massive bit crushed extremes and the Flange effects turn into waves of undulating twang!
The Nanoverb 2 is still fairly clean even when its clocked down to very low speeds. You don't tend to get quite the same aliasing noise and muffled sample rate reduction that you often hear on similar units when you slow down the processing rate, but you do get a certain minor amount of background hiss appearing.

What the switch appears to do is to grab whatever audio data happens to be occupying the RAM at that moment and loop it round, but in the maddest way you can imagine. Its as if the Nanoverb 2 stores the sample data in a completely non linear way, and the switch makes it read the memory back from beginning to end so you get random chunks of sound vomiting forth in what sounds like bizarre tribal rhythms. Its especially effective in stereo where you get a wide stereo field surging back and forth.
If you use a delay effect that uses all the RAM, then switch to a reverb effect that doesn't, then when you activate the loop switch it loops the entire RAM, including sections left over from the delay effect that haven't been overwritten by the reverb. This leads to some very bizarre and unexpected loops.
Its impossible to describe................ Just listen to the demo below! You'll have to cut and paste the link as Reverb don't like clickable links.

soundcloud.com/circuitbenders-co-uk/circuit-bent-alesis-nanoverb-2-demo

The unit functions as normal without the mods engaged and the clock rate set to the normal speed as indicated by a red dot around the reclocking knob.

The unit will be supplied with a power supply if you are in the UK or can use a UK mains supply. If you are in the US or anywhere without UK/EU mains you'll have to source a 9v AC/AC power supply rated at 500ma or more. Note thats AC/AC and not AC/DC.

There is no paper manual, but its very simple to use and a mod guide will be included.

Theres a couple of minor scratches on the paintwork on the top panel and a few very minor marks here and there from use, but otherwise its in very good condition.

US BUYERS: If you are buying from the US the shipping cost includes a 10% import tariff that your idiot in chief is demanding that you pay. We pay this to Royal Mail and they pay it to US customs so in theory you won't get charged any extra import and handling fees at your end. This is why the shipping looks so insanely expensive.

FRENCH & ITALIAN BUYERS: Your countries have just applied a new 2 euro customs fee that you have to pay on every package. It seems that due to the stupid way both Reverb and Royal Mail currently work we are unable to prepay these fee's for you. If you are buying from Italy or France you may get a demand from your local post office for a 2 euro customs fee before they will release the package, possibly plus an admin fee of some sort. We do not know for sure. THIS IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL AND IS NOT OUR FAULT!