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Chase Bliss introduces Mystery Box Lucky Dip for the Festive Season

Ambient EffectsBitcrushing and Lo-FiBoostChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCompressorDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerLooperModulationMulti-FXOddball ModulationOverdrivePhaserReverbUtility+-
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So we had the usual cryptic clues that something was about to happen - with various glimpses of the Dirt Bird pedal, as well as an older version of the Ayahuasca Trem-Fuzz. So even more cryptic than usual - while it increasingly looked like we would be getting a new variant of the Condor pedal.

 

When the reveal happened it all got a bit more complicated as this smart Mystery Box festive promotion was world-wide - where everyone pays the same $299 and equivalent for their mystery box (free ...

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2024-GPX-Abasi-Micro-Aggressor-700.jpg

Tosin is a very special player, and has a unique style with very specific technique. Where he’s also very particular about his instruments / tools and gear. Obviously he’s sporting one of his Abasi Concept signature Legion Guitars in the main video, while he also has a Kaizen Signature Guitar in collaboration with Music Man - both seem to cover similar territory - where I think the Legions typically have more strings, but there definitely seems to be something of an overlap there for me - not ...

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Best of Croatian Guitar Pedals and Pedal Builders

Analog DelayBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBoostCompressorDawner Prince EffectsDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDryBell EffectsEQFuzzGranular DelayGuitar Synth and SequencerLo-Fi DelayMarshall Style DistortionModulationOddball DelayPedal PlanetPLBR EffectsPolarbear EffectsPreAmpReverbTape DelayUni-Vibe and VibeUtility+-
2024-GPX-Croatia-Builder-Special-700.jpg

So I’ve been meaning to do this article for a while, but kept putting it off - in the hope that we might see more brands materialising from this country. That has not been the case though - so now seems as good a time as any to focus on the small but mighty trifecta of Croatian brands - Dawner Prince Electronics, DryBell Musical Electronic Laboratory and Polarbear Effects.

 

I typically have a grid of a 9 for this style of article - so here I’ve selected my favourite 3 choices from each brand...

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Celebrate 10 Years of ThorpyFX with a Slice of Cake!

Big Muff Style FuzzBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveChorus and VibratoCompressorDistortionDriveFlangerFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionKlone and Transparent OverdriveMarshall Style DistortionModulationOpAmp FuzzOverdrivePhaserPreAmpRat Style FuzzSilicon FuzzThorpyFXUtility+-
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As part of ThorpyFX’s 10 Year Anniversary Celebrations (born on 2nd November 2014) - they’re encouraging everyone to get a ’caked’ version of any of the current pedal models. Thorpy is obviously making the most use of his new super-duper Roland 4-Colour UV Printer!

 

And I had a lot of fun creating this visual on a background of 100’s & 1000’s / Sprinkles!

 

Single pedal editions will be base-coat painted yellow - with the cake design on both outward facing sides. I personally think there ...

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Fractal Audio's new VP4 Virtual Pedalboard Multi-FX Processor goes head-to-head with Line 6's Helix HX Effects and Eventide's H90

Big Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveChorus and VibratoCompressorDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDown-TunerEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQExpressionFlangerFractal Audio SystemsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerHot Cake Style OverdriveKlone and Transparent OverdriveModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXNoise GateOCD Style OverdriveOctave FuzzOctaverOddball ModulationOverdrivePhaserPitch-ShiftingReverb WorkstationRing ModulationRotary SpeakerSlicer and StutterSwellTimmyTone Bender Style FuzzTremoloTubescreamer Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeWah and Fixed Wah+-
2024-GPX-Fractal-VPX-Multi-FX-Processor-700.jpg

So Fractal Audio Systems has thrown its hat in the ring with its first non-modelling device / unit - the VP4 Virtual Pedalboard Multi-FX Processor - which is quite a departure for the brand.

 

It’s obviously gunning for Line 6 and Eventide in particular, but also looking to knock out Boss and Strymon Workstation pedals. It has several of its own advantages, but with a number of caveats too. Overall it’s well priced for what it delivers - but for my own preferences it’s still somewhat over-...

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2024-GPX-Chase-Bliss-Claen-Compressor-V2-700.jpg

A company that never does things by halves - Chase Bliss has supposedly been working on this circuit for a few years now - bringing extra dynamics and movement to the normally rather utilitarian compressor format.

 

This is a full Stereo Dual Stage VCA Compressor / Limiter - with an amazing feature set - that’s going to take people / players a wee while to adapt too. This is far from you regular compressor - while it can perform that basic function with aplomb! You can also place it at either...

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9 Favourite Jackson Audio Compact Pedals Capsule Collection

Blues Breaker Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBrown Sound DistortionBufferChorus and VibratoCompressorDistortionDriveDual-DriveEQFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzGated and Velcro FuzzJackson AudioKlone and Transparent OverdriveMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionModulationOctave FuzzOverdrivePreAmpRotary SpeakerSilicon FuzzTimmy+-
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Considering my well documented fallout with this brand - this is a slightly odd article for me. I might not get along with said brand name head honcho - but Jackson Audio still make some very decent pedals. They’re not necessarily always the best sounding overall, but in terms of their format innovation, build quality, feature set and usability they’re still a formidable force.

 

Pedal industry relationships are always complex - as they don’t just involve the builders, but distributors and ...

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4 of a Kind - 4 Knob Compressors

4 of a KindCompressorJHS PedalsKeeley EngineeringMXRTC ElectronicUtility+-
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So this time around we have a slightly different take on this format - where each of these pedals has a similar outward control topology - that is to say 4 Knobs, with an additional 5th Switch or Button control.

 

And while the outward appearance is very similar, internally these are all quite different styles of compression circuits. Interestingly they’re listed out in alphabetical order, which just happens to coincide with a descending order of price!

 

There are generally considered to ...

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Reference Collection World Odyssey and other notable stats

Analog Music CompanyAnasoundsBecos FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBJFEBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionCompressorDecibelicsDemon PedalsDistortionDouble TrackingDr ScientistDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDumble Style OverdriveFjord FuzzFlangerFormula BFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGamechanger AudioGated and Velcro FuzzGermanium FuzzGFI SystemJAM PedalsKlone and Transparent OverdriveKrozz DevicesMad Professor EffectsMarshall Style DistortionModulated FuzzModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXOctave FuzzOddball FuzzOddball ModulationOscillating FuzzOverdrivePastFXPedalPalFXRat Style FuzzShift LineSilicon FuzzSinvertekSpaceman EffectsSuper-Fuzz StyleTC ElectronicThorpyFXTremoloTubescreamer Style OverdriveTX PedalsUni-Vibe and VibeUtility+-
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Apologies that his is a little late - it took and age to research, compile and complete - and is filled with myriad wonderful fun facts - I sincerely hope you enjoy this one - as a whole heap of work has gone into bringing it to you!

 

So I spent the whole weekend working on updating my pedal inventory records to figure out exactly where I was at with the Reference Collection, the last time I did that exercise was a couple of years ago. I had kind of mentally estimated that I had around 1.300...

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I'm delighted to report that the King of Compressors - Becos FX is now stocked by Joe's Pedals in the UK

Becos FXBest of BrandsBoostBoost and OverdriveCompressorJoesPedals.comOverdriveTubescreamer Style OverdriveUtility+-
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Readers should know by now that Becos FX is my favourite compressor brand - where their flagship compact CompIQ Stella Pro Blackmer VCA Compressor has been on my board for several months now.

 

I’ve known Costel Burlan for quite a few years - where I also have his phenomenal Ziffer Mini Tube Screamer, and discontinued Mini Solo Boost - which I’m trying hard to encourage him to revive!

 

There are 4 compressors in the range - which in Stella and Twain editions are the closest you’ll come to ...

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