Puremagnetik, renowned for their innovative plugins and sound packs, has taken an exciting leap into the world of hardware with their first-ever pedal: LAPS. This compact multitrack collage machine brings the company’s digital expertise into the physical realm, offering musicians and sound designers a powerful tool for creative sound manipulation.
LAPS: A Versatile Sound Design Powerhouse
LAPS is designed to be a flexible loop sketchpad, perfect for layering soundscapes, crafting tape-style overdubs, and creating intricate sonic collages. It’s a hands-on device that bridges the gap between Puremagnetik’s software prowess and the tactile experience of hardware effects.
Key Features:
- Three stereo tracks (Laps) with 20 seconds of recording time each at 24-bit/48kHz resolution
- Dual operational modes: Replica and Multiply
- Advanced effects including stepped pitch shifting, band-pass filters, and granular processing
- Tape-style “Age” effect for adding character to recordings
- Stereo inputs and outputs with on-board panning
- True bypass and high-quality A/D/A converters
Innovative Operational Modes
LAPS offers two unique modes that expand its creative potential:
- Replica Mode: Echoes recordings in three mirrored layers, allowing for pitch shifts and loop point changes to create shifting, melodic landscapes and asynchronous textures.
- Multiply Mode: Enables stacking of recordings, where each layer builds upon the last, creating lush, immersive textures without erasing previous content.
Intuitive Control and Connectivity
The pedal features a user-friendly interface with six encoders, a shift button, and a switch knob for toggling between the three tracks. This layout ensures that users can easily navigate the pedal’s functions and craft their sounds with precision.
Inspiration and Legacy
LAPS draws inspiration from Puremagnetik’s Small Winters plugin (one of our favorites – see our Small Winters review!), a collaboration with sound artist and 12k label manager Taylor Deupree. The hardware pedal expands on this concept, offering enhanced features and the immediacy of physical interaction.
Availability and Pricing
Puremagnetik LAPS is priced at $350. Each unit is crafted by hand in limited numbers. Due to high demand, the initial pre-order run has sold out quickly. Interested customers can sign up to be notified when LAPS is back in stock, which is anticipated for mid-December 2024. Puremagnetik is not accepting pre-orders at this time, but they encourage those interested to stay tuned for updates on their website.
Final Thoughts: A Personal Take On Puremagnetik LAPS
As a long-time fan of Puremagnetik’s plugins, I’ve been secretly hoping they would venture into hardware territory sooner or later. LAPSl represents an exciting new direction for the company, and I’m thrilled to see their expertise in plugin development translated into a physical effects unit.
Its combination of multitrack recording, granular effects, and tape-style processing reminds me of some other beloved pedals in the experimental looping realm. However, LAPS seems to carve out its own unique niche with its three-track design and dual operational modes.
What excites me most about LAPS is how it bridges the gap between Puremagnetik’s software prowess and the immediacy of hardware effects. As someone who has enjoyed their plugins for years, I’m eager to get my hands on this pedal and experience their sound design philosophy in a tactile form.
For those equally excited about this release, I’d recommend keeping a close eye on Puremagnetik’s website for stock updates. Given the limited production run and the buzz surrounding this release, I have a feeling these units will go quickly when they become available again in mid-December. It’s a pedal that I believe will appeal to both guitar players and electronic musicians alike, and I can’t wait to see (and hear) what kind of sonic landscapes users will create with it. Stay tuned for our hands-on review!
