The Fostex DE-1 is a 20-bit dual multi effect processor designed as a completely independent two-channel effects unit using Fostex A.S.P., or Advanced Signal Processing Technology. The Fostex DE-1 provides high quality ambient effects and was designed to offer performance close to a professional effects processor, with a broad range of reverbs, delays, modulation effects, pitch processing and combined effects. The unit can be connected to the AUX send and AUX return of an audio mixer for recording use, or it can be connected directly to line level musical instrument outputs for live performance applications.
The Fostex DE-1 includes large hall, small hall, room, plate and vocal reverb types, alongside delay, chorus, flanger, pitch and miscellaneous early reflection based effects. It also includes combined processing such as Delay + Reverb. The processor offers 11 effect types, with up to 11 variations for each type, giving a maximum of 121 different effects. These presets cover conventional large and small hall reverbs, room simulations, plate reverbs, vocal reverbs, mono and panning delay effects, random early reflections, chorus variations, octave based pitch shifting and several flange treatments.
A key part of the Fostex DE-1 is its dual operating structure. In Dual Mode, the Fostex DE-1 works as two independent single-channel multi effect processors, each with one input and stereo outputs. Each channel has its own effect type selector, variation selector, adjust control and mix control, allowing Effect 1 and Effect 2 to be used separately. This makes the Fostex DE-1 suitable for use with two separate AUX sends and returns on a mixer, giving two different effects from one compact processor.
In Single Mode, the Fostex DE-1 operates as a stereo input and stereo output multi effect processor. In this mode, the unit provides higher density reverb than Dual Mode and offers three parameter adjustment controls. These controls allow the user to change more detailed effect settings beyond the preset structure, including parameters such as reverb time, early reflection level, character, delay time, feedback level, high ratio, room size, density, chorus depth, pitch shift and flange rate, depending on the selected effect.
The Fostex DE-1 uses Fostex Advanced Signal Processing Technology to provide clean, dense ambience. The manual describes this system as incorporating H.F.A., or Harmonic Feedback Algorithm, and H.D.L.P., or Hi-Density Logarithmic Processing. H.F.A. is used to reproduce clear and natural early reflections, while H.D.L.P. organises internal delay processing to reduce interference and roughness within reverb sounds. These technologies were intended to provide high density early reflections, smooth high damping response and detailed reverb simulation.
The Fostex DE-1’s reverb section includes Large Hall, Small Hall, Room, Plate and Vocal categories. Large Hall variations include normal large hall, low-frequency large hall, presence large hall, hard-wall large hall, wet large hall, cave, stadium and auditorium style settings. Small Hall variations include normal small hall, low-frequency small hall, presence small hall, hard-wall small hall, spacious small hall, gymnasium and live stage settings.
Room programs include normal room, garage, dead room, live room, presence room, mono room, drum booth, small live house and back-stage simulations. Plate programs include normal plate, old plate, presence plate, wet plate, high-frequency plate, mono plate, low-frequency plate, digital plate and coarse plate variations. Vocal presets include vocal booth, vocal reverb, fat vocal, arena vocal, ballad vocal, solo vocal and stadium vocal programs.
The delay section includes mono delay, panning delay, L-R delay, single delay and BBD delay variations in Dual Mode, while Single Mode adds stereo delay, long stereo delay, high-frequency stereo delay, rich panning delay, long time panning delay and high-frequency L-R delay options. Delay + Reverb programs combine mono or panning delays with hall, plate or room reverbs. In Single Mode, some Delay + Reverb variations also include flanged reverb.
The modulation section includes chorus and flanger processing. Dual Mode chorus programs include normal chorus, deep chorus, dub chorus, mono chorus, mono dub chorus, high-frequency chorus, low-frequency chorus and pitch chorus variations. Single Mode expands the chorus section with 3D chorus, 3D dub chorus, mono rich chorus and combinations of chorus with hall, room, plate, delay and reverb. Flanger options include duo flange, low-feedback duo flange, no-feedback duo flange, low-frequency roll flange, high-frequency flange, low-frequency flange, bi-flange and solo flange. In Single Mode, the flange section includes stereo duo flange, stereo solo flange and flange combined with hall or plate reverb.
The pitch section provides octave-based pitch shifting. In Dual Mode, the Fostex DE-1 offers pitch shift ranges of plus or minus one octave, 0 to +2 octaves and -2 to 0 octaves, with normal, faster response and clearest variations. Feedback pitch shift options are also included. In Single Mode, the pitch section includes independent stereo pitch shifting, mono duo pitch shifting, stereo duo pitch shifting and feedback duo pitch shifting, with pitch adjustment controls for two shifted sounds and fine adjustment for the overall pitch shifted sound.
The rear panel includes two inputs, four outputs, a footswitch input and a DC power inlet. In Dual Mode, Input 1 and Input 2 feed Effect 1 and Effect 2 separately, with each effect providing stereo outputs. If only Input 1 is used in Dual Mode, the same signal can be fed to both effects. In Single Mode, the input and output sockets operate as stereo left and right connections, with the left socket also serving as mono input or mono output where required. A footswitch such as the Fostex Model 8051 can be connected to control Effect Mute, with the Power LED flashing when mute is active. The unit does not have a power switch and is powered by connecting the supplied AC adaptor.
Features
- 20-bit dual multi effect processor
- Fostex A.S.P. Advanced Signal Processing Technology
- Dual Mode for two independent mono input, stereo output effects processors
- Single Mode for stereo input and stereo output multi effect processing
- 11 effect types with up to 11 variations per type
- Maximum of 121 different effects
- Large Hall, Small Hall, Room, Plate and Vocal reverbs
- Delay, Chorus, Flanger and Pitch effects
- Delay + Reverb combined effects
- Miscellaneous early reflection and gate reverb effects
- Higher density reverb available in Single Mode
- Independent parameter adjustment in Dual Mode
- Three parameter adjustment controls in Single Mode
- Dry and effect mix controls
- Peak LED indicators for input level monitoring
- Footswitch socket for Effect Mute control
- Mono or stereo output operation depending on mode and connection
- Line level instrument or mixer AUX send and return operation