The charming PT2399 chip and its history in lo-fi and circuit bent units

The PT2399 is a low-cost digital echo/delay processor chip produced by Princeton Technology Corporation. It was originally designed for karaoke machines and other consumer audio devices to add simple echo effects.

Key features of the PT2399:

• 44.1 kHz sampling rate
• Up to 342ms of delay time
• Integrated ADC and DAC
• Low power consumption
• Relatively low noise for its price point

History in Lo-Fi and Circuit Bending:

1. Discovery by DIY Community: In the early 2000s, DIY audio enthusiasts discovered the PT2399's potential for creating affordable delay effects. Its lo-fi character, due to its limited bit depth and sample rate, became part of its appeal.
2. Adoption in Pedal Building: Small pedal manufacturers and DIY builders began incorporating the PT2399 into guitar effect pedals, offering budget-friendly alternatives to more expensive delay units.
3. Circuit Bending Applications: Circuit benders found the PT2399 to be a versatile chip for modification. Its digital nature allowed for interesting glitches and artifacts when pushed beyond its intended use.
4. Lo-Fi Aesthetic: The chip's inherent limitations contributed to a sought-after lo-fi sound, aligning with the aesthetics of genres like shoegaze, experimental electronic, and noise music.

Common Circuit Bending Techniques with PT2399:

1. Clock Rate Manipulation: Altering the chip's clock rate can create pitch-shifting delays and unique modulation effects.
2. Feedback Loop Modifications: Introducing additional feedback paths or altering existing ones can produce self-oscillation and otherworldly sounds.
3. Input Signal Manipulation: Injecting noise or other signals into the chip's input path can create unpredictable and glitchy effects.
4. Power Supply Alterations: "Voltage starving" the chip by reducing its power supply can induce lo-fi distortions and unstable behavior.
5. Multiple Chip Configurations: Chaining multiple PT2399 chips together can create complex, cascading delay effects.

Notable Circuit Bent Creations:

1. DIY Delay Pedals: Many hobbyists have created unique delay pedals centered around modified PT2399 circuits.
2. Glitch Generators: Some artists have built dedicated glitch-generating devices using bent PT2399 chips.
3. Lo-Fi Samplers: By combining the PT2399 with other components, some builders have created primitive but characterful digital samplers.
4. Drone Machines: Exploiting the chip's potential for self-oscillation, some have created devices specifically for generating drone sounds.

Impact on Music and Audio Culture:

1. Democratization of Effects: The PT2399 helped make delay effects more accessible to musicians on a budget.
2. Lo-Fi Aesthetic: It contributed to the popularity of lo-fi sounds in various genres of electronic and experimental music.
3. DIY Culture: The chip became a staple in the DIY audio community, encouraging experimentation and knowledge-sharing.
4. Circuit Bending Evolution: It represents a bridge between purely analog circuit bending and digital glitch art, expanding the possibilities for electronic sound manipulation.

Examples of Commercial Musical Equipment Utilizing PT2399:

1. Guitar Effects Pedals: a) Behringer VD400 Vintage Delay: A budget-friendly analog-voiced delay pedal. b) Joyo JF-33 Analog Delay: Popular for its warm, vintage-style echoes. c) Mooer Reecho: A compact delay pedal with multiple delay types. d) NUX Time Core: Multi-mode delay pedal including tape and analog simulations.
2. Synthesizers and Grooveboxes: a) Korg Volca Delay: A compact, battery-powered delay unit in the Volca series. b) Bastl Instruments Thyme: A digital "robot-operated" delay effect unit.
3. Multi-Effects Units: a) Zoom MultiStomp MS-70CDR: Includes delay algorithms based on the PT2399.
4. DIY Kits: a) Music Thing Modular Spring Reverb: A Eurorack module using PT2399 for additional delay. b) BYOC Analog Delay: A build-your-own clone pedal kit using the PT2399.
5. Boutique Pedals: a) Death By Audio Echo Dream 2: Uses multiple PT2399 chips for complex delay textures. b) Dreadbox Hypnosis: A time effects processor with three PT2399 chips.
6. Karaoke Machines: While not strictly musical equipment, many karaoke machines use the PT2399 for their echo effects, staying true to the chip's original intended use.

The PT2399 chip's journey from a humble karaoke machine component to a staple of lo-fi circuit bending illustrates the creative potential that can be unlocked when technology is repurposed and pushed beyond its intended limits. Its continued popularity in DIY audio circles and commercial products speaks to the enduring appeal of lo-fi aesthetics and the joy of hands-on electronic experimentation. The chip's presence in both mass-produced effects and boutique creations demonstrates its versatility and the wide range of sounds it can produce, from simple echoes to complex, experimental textures.