Collision Devices strips out the superb Singularity Opamp Fuzz from its Black Hole Symmetry shoegaze masterpiece and then further evolves it into the TARS Analog Filter Fuzz
Celebrated French outfit Collision Devices was set up by Baptiste and Denis back in 2016, and has hitherto been best known for its 2 large format 3-Combination-Effects pedals - the ’Black Hole Symmetry’ = Singularity Destruction Fuzz + Modulated Delay + Pitch Shift Reverb, and the ’Nocturnal’ = Dynamic Tremolo + Modulated Delay + Shimmer Reverb.
In the below visualisation you can see how the stand alone Singularity Fuzz was birthed - by essentially just chopping out the middle section of the Black Hole Symmetry - still with some additional features by way of the 3-position Low Pass Filter toggle-switch.
Collision Devices then doubled down on the Low Pass Filter circuit for the TARS evolution of that fuzz - expanding it to a full-range Low Pass Filter with Resonance adjustment, and further fine-tune controls and functional additions - where the Filter can also be manipulated via Expression pedal.
So you get the choice of just having that incredibly potent Modern Big Muff style Opamp Fuzz as a simple one-knob 'Singularity' format, or a more shapable and granular full-featured and evolved 'TARS' Fuzz.
Readers should know by now how much a fan I am of custom-designed knobs - so props to Collision Devices for their UFO Knob - which they bespoke designed for the TARS Filter Fuzz. In fact you can buy those from the Collision Devices Webstore too - where they go for a fairly heavy-weight €19.99. I really like them, while their size (36mm x 19mm) means they have a very defined use - fantastic for one-knob fuzzes and the like for sure. The shape also reminds me more of a Bolero Hat rather than a UFO - but I guess the naming convetion is in keeping with the overall kind of sci-fi space theme!
Interesting also that the pricing of the TARS is at the exact same level as the Black Hole Symmetry and Nocturnal - at €322.50, while the Singularity Fuzz is much more affordable at circa half that price - €166.
Singularity One-knob Searing Opamp Fuzz with Low Pass Filter Toggle (Black) - €166
Controls - Master Volume, Low Pass Filter : 1.5kHz / 3.3kHz / 16 kHz
A simple extraction of the core fuzz from the Black Hole Symmetry - that central 'Disintegration' knob with 'Singularity' footswitch engage.
Here in stand-alone fashion with additional 3-position Low Pass Filter - where you can set the Cut frequency to either 1.5kHz, 3.3kHz or 16 kHz.
The Fuzz has always sounded to me as a sort of Opamp Big Muff - and Collision Devices have confirmed that it's kind of a Modern Big Muff style circuit - with a superb searing and full fat tonality - it's really brilliantly calibrated and sounds so good!
So if you liked just the Fuzz portion of the Black Hole Symmetry - that's essentially what you're getting here - for half the price of admission - of course available for order from the Collision Devices Webstore, and at leading international dealers.
The Singularity Fuzz comes in Black (as pictured) and White editions - both have the same black central knob.
TARS Opamp Fuzz with extended range Resonant Analog Filter (White / Silver) - €322.50
Controls - Fuzz Gain, Master Volume, Cutoff Low Pass Filter : 15Hz > 44kHz, Resonance : ± Signal Intensity, LPF Volume, 2P/4P : -12dB/Oct / -24dB/Oct, Add Fuzz : On / Off, Filter + Fuzz : Serial / Parallel.
TARS is supposedly an amusing acronym of 'This Audio Reached Singularity' - it's also the tactical robot from the Interstellar movie - while I'm not sure that's significant here - apart from the space connection of course!
In any case this pedal is also based on the Singularity Fuzz from the Black Hole Symmetry - with a whole load more bells and whistles than the one-knob Singularity covered above. It kind of takes that one's LPF filter and goes to town with it!
So here you have a dual control Resonant Filter with a massive range of between 15hz and 44kHz - way beyond that of the simple above featured Singularity.
You can dial out the Fuzz essentially by dialling back the Gain knob, while you can also double-down on the Fuzz - by clicking On the Add Fuzz option - where you get to select if it's routed in series or parallel with the filter output. There are further refinements for the Filter too in the guise of the LPF Mini Volume knob and 2P/4P selector switch - which sets the Filter Attenuation at either -12dB per Octave or -24dB per Octave for a more severe cut.
The end result is that the TARS delivers the most wonderfully shapable Modern Big Muff tonality which you can powerfully manipulate in all manner of different directions - including using the Filter and Fuzz independently sort of, and also controlling the Low Pass Filter with an Expression pedal though the provided left-hand jack.
All in all a really magnificent Filter Fuzz - which just sounds immense every which way.
So for this selection you basically get to choose whether you want a simple or more full-featured edition of the Singularity - and I personally will always go for the maximum impact - so the TARS of course goes straight down on the wishlist - it's a beautifully put together fuzz - which looks as good as it sounds - particularly in the Silver Knobs edition - with those custom UFO knobs - I'm not sure why anyone would want the plainer Black knobs - UFO's are where it's at!
As mentioned - there's a significant price differential between the Singularity at €166 and the TARS @ €322.50 - which is also the same price as the more full-featured Black Hole Symmetry and Nocturnal Pedals - of course all available on the Collision Devices Webstore and at International dealers across the world.
I'm hoping to get my hands on my own TARS in the near future - I've already been in touch with the guys at Collision Devices - and something will surely happen when the time is right!
Both editions sound great - it's really about how much granularity and versatility you want out of your fuzz and how much you're wanting to spend. For me the TARS is pretty much essential - it sounds amazing, truly! And looks really cool too - credit to all builders who make use of their own custom-designed knobs!
The TARS really allows you to go fully wild on the Singuarlity Fuzz - making it the perfect weapon of choice for fuzz fanatics like me!
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