BST LM-200 phase shifter (preamp only) - aka Monacor PZ-1000, Univox PHZ-1 Phazer, Melos PS-1000 - Made in Japan - 1970s

The BST LM-200 is a Japanese-made phase shifter from the 1970s, and it is one of the most underrated modulation units of its era. It is also known under several rebadged names, including the Monacor PZ-1000, the Univox PHZ-1 Phazer, and the Melos PS-1000, which all share the same core circuitry. The unit features a manual or footswitchable bypass circuit located at the back, and it was clearly designed with studio use in mind rather than the more aggressive stompbox territory explored by MXR, Maxon, or EHX. It does not naturally venture into overdrive, though it can be pushed at the input if desired. For me it is genuinely the find of the year, at least until the next one. The BST LM-200 Phase Shifter delivers the warm and organic modulation that defines many early analog phasers. With Speed and Intensity controls it can move from gentle, almost liquid movement to more pronounced, swirling textures. Its tone is smooth and refined, and the unit itself is built like a piece of proper studio hardware. Some players online describe the effect as too subtle or the bypass as unsatisfactory, but my own mint-condition unit has none of these issues. Proper care and gentle use always reward, and this one has become a real favorite in my collection. For this capture I did not push the preamp hard. This little preamp section is known for its ability to tame harshness and smooth out transients in a very musical way. An EQ could achieve similar results, but I have a real affection for how this box behaves. For the recording the modulation circuit was turned off so that only the pure preamp tone was captured. These captures were made using a Matribox II as the DI interface. They join my personal archive and are provided strictly for non commercial use.