Electro-Harmonix finally releases its Big Muff Pi Hardware Plugin with full Analogue Ram's Head Circuit at its heart

For most people this will be an exciting Digital Plugin interface which allows you to push some Analogue Big Muff flavour through your DAW of choice. The BMP Hardware Plugin supports all the leading DAWs - including Pro Tools®, Ableton Live®, Cubase®, GarageBand®, Logic Pro X®, and Reaper® - across PC and Mac.

This product was teased over 2 years ago at Winter NAMM 2020 - so it’s obviously taken a while to get all the integrations sorted cross-platform as it were. It allows you to do all manner of clever things with synths and drums - add distortion and texture in various ways. The way you hook in the Plugin could not be simpler - and it uses a USB B connection to connect to your laptop / desktop. of choice

For me though this is really an EHX Ram’s Head BMP with 10 presets onboard, a Tone bypass, and Bright Boost (Whicker). It has lots of capabilities - including headphone monitoring - while most of that will be surplus to my own requirements.

Controls - Direct Monitor Switch, Headphone Level, USB > DAW output Gain with clipping monitor, ’Panic’ USB Connection Reset Button, Volume, Sustain, Tone Bypass Switch, Tone, Wicker (High Boost Switch), Preset Rotary 1-10, Preset Scroll Footswitch, Bypass Footswitch, Full Stereo Ins and Outs, Full-size 1/4" Headphone Jack, USB B.

I’m obviously a sucker for punishment as I already have 2 versions of EHX Ram’s Head Muff - while this would undoubtedly be the most versatile. It’s undeniably a pricey proposition if you don’t make use of all the DAW / Plugin connectivity and functionality - where the price tag is £329 / £276. It won’t be an immediate priority purchase for me - but I will certainly snap one up if I get it at any sort of discount - so probably a bit of a waiting game for me.

It of course has the full Ram’s Head guts - with those Silicon Transistors - so you certainly can use this as a standalone Muff with 10 presets onboard - while you will be paying a premium for it.

I feel the DAW / Synth crowd will likely gravitate towards this the most - while based on early commentary I feel that there are a few essentials missing for those folks - to make this a must-have. I still expect it to do pretty well...

Features

• Brings analog warmth and magic to the digital domain. Great on guitar, but also exceptional on keys, drums, vocals and more
• Integrates seamlessly with all popular DAWs (digital audio workstations) like Pro Tools®, Ableton Live®, Cubase®, GarageBand®, Logic Pro X®, Reaper® and more
• Works like a standard DAW plugin and it can also be used as a stand-alone pedal
• The Big Muff Pi Hardware Plugin’s circuit design is straight from the legendary 1973 Violet Ram’s Head Big Muff with some very special updates including true stereo
  A Tone Wicker switch delivers the option of opening up 3 high frequency filters for extra top-end snarl and bite
• A Tone Bypass button completely removes the tone control for broadband Big Muff slam
• Ten footswitch-accessible presets let you dial in and recall your favorite Big Muff sounds
• Provides the added versatility and enhanced functionality of a 2-in/-2-out USB audio recording interface… record with or without the Big Muff effect engaged
• Comes with an EHX 9Volt power supply and can also be powered via its USB 2.0 Type B port

EHX has a tendency to announce releases somewhat ahead of time - and I’m not entirely clear when these will drop - particularly on this side of the pond. There seems to be something of a trend now where for mainstream USA brands their pedals are not getting though to Europe until at least a couple of months after launching in the USA. It used to be around a month - while now 2 or 3 months isn’t unheard of. I still haven’t seen any tiny sign of Way Huge’s Red Llama MKIII Smalls on this side of the pond - and said group is already announcing their next Duke of Tone Unobtanium item. I don’t know if this is the Distributors’ fault or Dunlop and EHX Group policy - but surely something has to be done. That said - we’ve seen oddities with recent Boss roll-outs too - where the USA seemed to be the end of the line for some of those - so I guess it’s swings and roundabouts!

Anyone here interested in using the BMP Hardware Plugin unit as just a standalone Muff?