Expression pedals have lengthy been the go-to resolution for controlling parameters resembling wah,
quantity, delay combine and modulation depth. They’re dependable, acquainted and extremely efficient, however they
additionally anchor you to your pedalboard. Casio’s Dimension Shifter takes a very completely different
method. Fairly than controlling results together with your foot, it transforms the motion of your guitar into an expression controller, permitting your physique language and efficiency to turn out to be a part of the sound itself. It is actually some of the unique merchandise to seem in recent times, and whereas it will not change a standard expression pedal in each setup, it opens up some genuinely artistic efficiency potentialities which might be tough to realize some other approach. Throughout our demo, we paired the Dimension Shifter with a Neural DSP Quad Cortex, assigning it to wah, achieve, delay, reverb and tremolo to discover precisely how expressive the system can turn out to be.

Overview

The Dimension Shifter consists of two elements: a spring-loaded transmitter that mounts
between your guitar’s strap and strap button, and a wi-fi receiver that connects to an expression or footswitch enter in your results processor or pedal. As you naturally elevate, decrease or pull in opposition to the guitar, the transmitter measures the motion and wirelessly sends steady management knowledge to the receiver, which then adjusts your chosen impact parameter in actual time. The transmitter and receiver pair routinely, whereas the receiver connects to suitable units through a typical TRS expression connection. In contrast to MIDI controllers or elaborate motion-sensing techniques, the idea is refreshingly simple. As a substitute of studying a brand new interface, you are merely utilizing actions that already occur throughout efficiency.

Set up

Set up is remarkably easy. The transmitter attaches instantly between the guitar strap
and the strap button, requiring no everlasting modification to the instrument. Two AAA batteries
energy the transmitter, whereas the receiver makes use of a typical 9V centre-negative provide earlier than
connecting to the expression enter of your pedal or modeller. Pairing occurs routinely as soon as
each items are powered on, making setup fast and largely hassle-free. One considerate characteristic is the adjustable spring rigidity. Completely different guitars fluctuate significantly in weight, so Casio permits the stress to be fine-tuned till the motion feels pure. After a couple of minutes of adjustment and calibration, the controller turns into surprisingly clear in use. Fairly than consciously working it, you shortly start incorporating the motion into your taking part in. Compatibility is at the moment restricted to processors and pedals with supported expression or exterior change inputs, and the unit is not designed for MIDI or CV operation. That does slim its viewers barely, however most fashionable digital modellers—together with the Quad Cortex—match comfortably inside its meant ecosystem.

Controls

Regardless of its unconventional idea, the controls themselves are intuitive. The receiver
gives the anticipated output configuration, whereas the transmitter options energy, polarity reversal, maintain and calibration controls. Calibration means that you can outline the lively motion vary, serving to keep away from unintentional triggering throughout energetic performances. Reverse mode can invert the controller’s response, whereas the maintain perform successfully holds a parameter at its present worth when required. The adjustable rigidity deserves one other point out as a result of it basically adjustments the texture of the unit. Lighter rigidity creates a extra delicate response, whereas a firmer setup calls for extra deliberate motion. Gamers will virtually actually spend a while experimenting earlier than discovering the candy spot that matches each their guitar and taking part in fashion. As soon as configured, the controller responds easily and predictably, with little or no noticeable latency.

Expressive Potentialities

That is the place the Dimension Shifter actually turns into fascinating. Throughout our testing with the
Neural DSP Quad Cortex, we assigned completely different presets to display how versatile the controller could be.

Wah – The wah impact feels instantly pure. As a substitute of rocking an expression pedal beneath
your foot, delicate motion of the guitar creates clean filter sweeps. Gamers who already transfer
dynamically on stage might discover it surprisingly intuitive, and since your toes stay free, you are
not locked into standing over your pedalboard.

Achieve – Assigning expression to amplifier achieve proved notably efficient. Leaning into notes
may steadily introduce extra saturation earlier than returning to a cleaner tone just by enjoyable the guitar place. It creates a much more natural transition than merely switching channels.

Delay – Delay parameters have been one other standout. Rising suggestions or combine whereas sustaining notes creates evolving ambient textures that will usually require cautious foot management. Gradual motion allowed echoes to bloom naturally earlier than returning to a tighter rhythm sound.

Reverb – Equally, reverb depth grew to become virtually orchestral. Swells may start dry earlier than opening
into big atmospheric washes, making cinematic passages really feel way more dynamic than static preset switching.

Tremolo – Controlling tremolo velocity and depth launched one other stage of efficiency interplay. Fairly than setting a hard and fast modulation charge, delicate motion may speed up or gradual the heart beat throughout a phrase, producing rhythmic adjustments that felt linked to the efficiency relatively than programmed beforehand.

These examples solely scratch the floor. Because the controller merely outputs expression knowledge,
just about any assignable parameter turns into honest sport, whether or not that is pitch shifting, filter cutoff,
modulation depth, delay time or a number of parameters inside advanced modeller presets. Precisely what could be managed is dependent upon the linked processor or pedal.

Efficiency Expertise

Maybe the largest power of the Dimension Shifter is that it encourages efficiency
relatively than programming. Conventional expression pedals usually turn out to be one other technical
consideration throughout stay taking part in. Right here, motion turns into a part of the musical phrasing itself.
Guitarists already talk visually with an viewers via motion, and the Dimension
Shifter cleverly interprets a few of that bodily expression instantly into sound. There’s
undoubtedly a studying curve. Not each motion ought to set off an impact, so growing management
takes observe. Some gamers can also choose absolutely the precision of a traditional expression
pedal for sure purposes. Nevertheless, considered as a further efficiency software relatively than a
alternative, it turns into a lot simpler to understand what Casio has created.

Verdict

The Casio Dimension Shifter is among the most modern guitar controllers we have seen in
fairly a while. Set up is easy, the controls are thoughtfully designed, and the
adjustable rigidity makes it adaptable to completely different devices and taking part in types. Extra importantly, it genuinely adjustments the connection between participant and results. Our demonstrations via the Neural DSP Quad Cortex confirmed simply how expressive it may well turn out to be when controlling wah, achieve, delay, reverb and tremolo, reworking abnormal parameter adjustments into one thing that feels way more musical and performance-driven. It will not change each expression pedal, neither is it meant to. As a substitute, it affords one thing genuinely completely different: one other dimension of management that encourages gamers to suppose much less about working results and extra about expressing the music itself. For adventurous guitarists, ambient gamers, fashionable modellers and anybody wanting so as to add a brand new stage of interplay to their rig, the Dimension Shifter is an enchanting piece of know-how that delivers way over novelty. It affords a contemporary perspective on efficiency, and that is one thing more and more uncommon in right now’s guitar world.