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End of Year Pedal-Chain Update - Final Formation - Class of 2022

Ambient EffectsBardic Audio DevicesBeetronics FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionChorus and VibratoColortone PedalsCompressorCoppersoundDecibelicsDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDouble TrackingDriveDrive WorkstationDrunk BeaverDSM & HumboldtDual-DriveEchoverbEmpress EffectsEQEventideFlangerFrost Giant ElectronicsFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGermanium FuzzGoosoniqueworxHamstead SoundworksHorrothia EffectsJackson AudioKeyztoneLooperMarshall Style DistortionMeris EffectsMetal DistortionModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXMXRNoise GateNordland ElectronicsOCD Style OverdriveOctaverOld Blood Noise EndeavorsOverdrivePastFXPedal ChainPettyjohn ElectronicsPhaserPickup ModellerPitchPlate ReverbPreAmpRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse ReverbRitual DevicesShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzSinvertekSlicer and StutterSoldanoSpaceman EffectsSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbStrymonTape DelayTC ElectronicThorpyFXTone Bender Style FuzzTone InkUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVictory AmpsVox Style DistortionWah and Fixed WahWalrus AudioWampler+-
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2022-GPX-Pedal-Chain-Update-Class-of-2022-700.jpg

^ 2022 Final Arrangement - December

 

So the time has come again to to the final reckoning of the layout and composition of this year’s ultimate pedal chain arrangement. I’ve introduced a new ’’ symbol into the visual - which indicates those Slots / Pedals that are unchanged from last year’s Class of 2021 arrangement. That element really is testament to how much has changed between years. It’s also indicative of how much I love those particular pedals - and pretty much find them indispensable.

 

The ’’ Anchors number 13 :

  • Boss SY-200 Guitar Synthesizer
  • JA Prism Buffer / Boost / EQ
  • JA Bloom Compressor / EQ / Boost
  • ThorpyFX Heavy Water Dual Boost
  • Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive
  • Coppersound Triplegraph Dual Octave / Kill Switch / FX Loop Insert
  • Custom Pettyjohn Chime II Overdrive (Vox)
  • Custom Pettyjohn Gold II Overdrive (Plexi)
  • Strymon Sunset Dual Drive
  • Alchemy Audio Modded Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
  • TC Electronic Mimiq Stereo Doubler
  • Boss DD-200 Digital Delay Workstation
  • Eventide H9 Max Harmonizer Multi-FX

And I’ve split the normally large-format #15 Slot - so that it can accommodate 3 pedals. The choice was really between the new V3 King Tone Duellist or the 3 pedals which ended up in the final formation - and however great the Dual Channel Duellist is with its new externalised Tone-Shaping Dip Switches - there 3 pedal selection in its place offers even more possiblities!

 

So considering just 13 pedals stayed the same - means that 30 are changed.

 

The ones indicated with Green 2022 references are new pedals released in the last 12 or so months. while the 4 pedals with Yellow Turnaround references are simply just new to me - but from a period outside the last 12 or so months.

 

Please find to follow evolution / transition of pedal-chain from January to November - indicating where and when those pedals first hit the chain :


2022 January to November Monthly Pedal-Chain Progression - in Reverse Chronological Order

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^ November

2022-GPX-Pedal-Chain-Update-October-700.jpg

^ October

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^ September

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^ August

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^ July

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^ June

2022GPXSKPedalChainUpdateMay700.jpg

^ May

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^ April

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^ March

2022GPXSKPedalChainUpdateFebruaryl700.jpg

^ February

2022GPXSKPedalChainUpdateJanuaryl700.jpg

^ January


Class of 2022 Final Formation Breakdown / Overview

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The changes over the year are fairly substantive - with all but 13 slots experiencing several changes over the years - and some getting a different pedal every month.

 

Some of the pearls are more mobile than others and appear in a variety of positions - especially owing to so many pedals incoming in certain months. Where the final arrangement occasionally shifts some of those final resting positions - in order to make more sense within the 12 Degrees of Saturation methodology. Even then there are a few pedals that sort of appear out of position - and some slots that have been moved around - such as the main Brown Sound pedal ending on slot #24, and the various modulations changing order a lot - depending on their nature of stereo output.

 

I feel I've bought very well this year and that 2022 has been a particularly 'Vintage' year for pedals.

 

it's always interesting to see which pedals prevail and are still on those slots several month and years later.

 

Inevitably budgets are limited - so not everything can be fully bough in during the first 12 months - so for instance we don't yet have the 29 Pedals FLWR taking over the #13 Strymon Riverside slot for a period - while that will surely happen at some stage next year.

 

None of the changes here are changes for change' sake - but rather more deliberate attempts at improving the signal / pedal-chain further.

 

It's also not about getting in the most capable and powerful / potent pedal in on each slot - but rather finding the ones that work the best for me. Sometimes the most powerful pedals aren't that practically usable / maintainable by / for me - where I find that another alternative works better. As is likely to be the case with the Meris LVX.

 

Would be great to know which pedals proved particularly instrumental in your rig this year. Another example for me is the superb Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Deluxe - which doesn't have the presets of the former slot occupant - Boss EQ-200 - but for me is more practically useful overall.

Swings and Roundabouts ... as they say!


Slot #01 : Pickup Enhancer / Remodeler / Tweaker Looper

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a fairly obvious transition here from the larger 8-mode Keyztone EXchanger pedal to individual Keyztone Rekoil White Pickup Enhancer (Humbucker to Single Coil). The new Mini pedal is even brighter and sparklier but less controllable  - and probably still needs the additional Bright controls you have on the larger pedal. As it is it renders a little overly bright be default - where you always need to find down your Guitar's Tone control when switching over. Would be easier to have a second 'Brightness' knob on the Mini so you could more set-and-forget and transition more immediately. Still a very cool utility with mostly does a superb job!


Slot #02 : Octaver / Pitch-Shifter / Harmonizer / Modulator / Bitcrusher / Utility

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There were just a handful of pedals on this slot this year - with the MXR Poly Blue Octave Quad Octave + Dry Signal + Fuzz + LFO Modulation being the new pedal that occupied it for most of the time. With the JAM Pedals Segull getting around a month, and actually the older DigiTech Whammy Ricochet being overall the most impactful on said slot.


Slot #03 : Guitar Synth normally, occasionally another EQ or other pre-gain effect

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The Boss SY-200 Guitar Synthesizer still reigns supreme here - I never got that close to acquirig the EHX String 9 this year, or the Red Panda Bitmap Bitcrusher V2 - which is another occasional rotation target for this slot - in fact I still aim to secure all the Red Panda Lab pedals eventually. While 2022 was not the year for that - and the SY-200 reigned on unimpeded!


Slot #04 : Envelope Filter / Auto-Wah / Fixed Wah / WAH

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So the Flower Pedal Hosts Analog Wah-Filter started off I price of place on this slot. Then came the All-Pedal Macrodose, then the almost equally superb Beetronics Zzombee Filtremulator Multi-FX, and Old Blood Noise Endeavors Float Stereo Parallel Dual Moving Filter. The Zzombee won out it the end because of its greater versatility and undeniable cool quirkiness - as well as my landing just exactly the Custom Colourway Edition that I wanted! Looks often matter too!


Slot #05 : Germanium / Sensitive Fuzz

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Slot #5 is always the busiest slot on the board - seeing multiple changes per month, even within the same week - and for sure with near enough a different pedal in position each month. We started off with the Ford Fuzz Kvasir, then Tampco All-Bender, ThorpyFX Boneyard, Red Noise Germanium Stone Blender, Keeley Ghost Prism Fuzz Bender, Loe Sounds Fuzz, SGFX If 6 Was 9 BC183 MKII, Catalinbread Germanium Fuzzrite, Ramble FX Twin Bender, King Tone Hybrid miniFUZZ, SGFX 76 MKII Octave Fuzz, and Acorn ADHD among others. Overall the ThorpyFX Boneyard Germanium Multi-Bender Fuzz impressed the most - with is sheer verve and potent chameleon ability. Just a superbly versatile and visceral massive sounding Germanium Multi-Bender Fuzz - one of the very best Tone Bender variants ever created!


Slot #06 : Preamp Style Boost + Buffer + EQ

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The JA Prism Booster / EQ / Overdrive / Buffer / Preamp still very much owns this slot. I've tried to replace it a few times with suitable alternatives - but for whatever reason - nothing gets quite close enough to sounding as good as this - meaning its still and essential part of the signal-chain!


Slot #07 : Compressor + Secondary EQ + Secondary Boost

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As with its sibling Prism Preamp / Boost, the JA Bloom Compressor, 3-Band EQ, and Blooming Boost still holds sway over Slot #07 - this is just a superb combination of Compressor, 3-Band EQ and Boost - with ultimate granitas deployment ability. Much great than the sum of its individual parts - and while there are more accomplished stand-alone studio style Compressors - nothing out there quite matches the usefulness and overall utility of the JA Bloom - so that reigns on unimpeded too!


Slot #08 : Texturising / Harmonic Saturating Germanium Tertiary Boost

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Same goes for the ThorpyFX Heavy Water Dual Clean + Germanium Boost. Its combination of The Dane Clean Boost and Textured / Harmonic Germanium Boost - makes it an indispensable Always-on pedal for me. Mostly in Germanium Mode, sometimes in Clean Dane Mode, and occasionally both. This is such a smartly calibrated and useful versatile boost. There have been a slew of cool Germanium style boosts recently - but none with the magical 3-in-1 factor of this one - so of course it extends its reign on Slot #08! 


Slot #09 : Neutral / Light / Organic / Transparent / Klone Overdrive

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Thorpy's latest Scarlet Tunic Analog Amp Emulator is his most instantly impressive Preamp / Overdrive to date. Giving you 3 core Amp flavours via genius calibrated Presence control - taking you from HiWatt to Selmer, and onto Top Boosted Vox territory. Superb dynamic live-wire of a Preamp with really clever controls and instant sweet-spot action. Just a beautiful Tone and Gain Machine - and ruling this slot since June - after the VS Audio Royal Flush Gold Edition had a rotation of a couple of months.


SLOT #10 : Mid Gain / Dynamic / Blues Breaker / Harmonic Overdrive / JTM45 / Screamer

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The latest pedal to arrive this year is also one of the greatest - the Nordland Electronics ODR-C 30th Anniversary Overdrive really is a wonder-drive - and sounds superb every which way not in ultimate edition with new Low / High Gain push-button switch, and internal Presence Dip-switch. This pedal is nigh perfect - I would jus change a couple of things from a usability perspective - stick the Low / High gain function on a Second Footswitch, and use the new front-facia push-button to cover the Presence function!


Slot #11 : Mid Gain / Blues Driver

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I am so fortunate to have 1 of use 25 Hamstead Soundworks Mullard Ge Diode Subspace Intergalactic Driver Editions. It has the most rich, deep and flavoursome harmonic breakup - really sounds special - and for me is a marked improvement on the Odyssey Intergalactic Drive which I have owners since it very first materialised. I acquired a lot of new favourite overdrive this year - and this is most definitely one of my very favourite ones - superbly versatile and shapeable!


Slot #12 : Mid Gain / Dumble / Expandora / Fuzzy-Drive / Mostortion / OCD / TrainWreck

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I am so impressed with the Walrus Audio Eons Five-State Fuzz (Ram's Head Muff+) a supremely versatile Multi-Fuzz unit - and only really pipped by the ThorpyFX Boneyard as my reigning champion for 2022. We started the year with the Magnetic Effects White Atom V4 on this slot, then Triungulo Lab Scar Fuzz, MLA HotLanta, Spaceman Redstone, ThorpyFX Warthog, Basic Audio Kay Octave Fuzz, OKKO Holy Grit, and Drunk Beaver Zaporizhzhia Preamp. This slot almost as busy on rotation as the #5 Slot. While the strongest candidate on this slot all year was definitely the Walrus Audio Eons - just simply one of my favourite fuzzes ever. But amazingly still edged out overall by the ThorpyFX Boneyard!


Slot #13 : Multi-Drive 1 / Boost

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The Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive is almost unassailable on this slot - where I alternatively use is as a Boost, Low-ish Gain Overdrive and 80's style Hair Metal Distortion - both my Stymon Mid-Size Gain Machines are just superbly versatile everyday utilities. It came very close to being temporarily displaced by the 29 Pedals FLWR, while that will likely take place some stage next year - be interesting to see how well the FLWR can match the usage scenarios I have the Riverside - it obviously does not allow me to run in a secondary boost like the Riverside to handily does!


Slot #14 : Octaver

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The Coppersound Triplegraph Dual Octave with Kill Switch and FX Loop Insert is such a unique and iconic pedal - there really is nothing out there that can replace it - so this is inevitably as fixed to the chain as any pedal can be. The only way this will get replaced really is if Coppersound release an updated version - possibly using some of those new Burst features which can be witnessed on the V2 Telegraph Pedal!


Slot #15 (a) : Main Multi-Drive - Oversize

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Slot #15 typically houses the larger /  extended formats - most famously the Chase Bliss Automaton Preamp MKII - and did at one stage this year host the Thermion Stone Age Multi-Fuzz, Audio Kitchen Fake Plastic Trees Preamp, King Tone Duellist V3 Silver (with externalised dip-switches), and Anasound Full Story Modular Multi-Muff Collector's Edition. While latterly it became split into 3 to accommodate 2 Compacts and a Mini Pedal of various stripes. Thus 15 [a] has housed the J Rockett Rockaway Archer, Fjord Fuzz Frei Uni-Vibe, Drunk Beaver Inglorious Bastard V3, ThorpyFX BC108C Fallout Cloud, and of course latterly the Spaceman Effects Redstone Germanium Preamp which remains woefully underrated!


Slot #15 (b) : Custom extended slot

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I acquired three absolutely killer smooth liquid distortions this year - first the Aleks V2 Royal Maple, then the Japanese Mini Free Fall Diver Huge which I had been chasing for years, and finally this Victory Amps V1 The Jack Preamp - all brilliant - and with The Jack being the standout of the superb new Victory V1 Preamp Range. There's something magical about something which is highly saturated and fairly high gain but delivers such beautiful smooth singing lead tone! 


Slot #15 (c) : Custom extended slot

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I am so proud of my good friend Guillem Vilademunt of Decibelics fame for his Reverend Mini Expandora style Crunch, Overdrive, Distortion, and Fuzz pedal - which was 4 years in the making. This is the most perfect miniature replica of an Expandora style pedal - which further improves the consistency of the Distortion and Forbidden Fuzz Modes - such that all 4 modes are fully optimised for superb playback now. I have said I would quite like a little bit more volume - but to be honest - it's pretty much perfect as it is. This is the most exacting of Expandora pedals - if you want as authentic a reproduction as possible. Not just a fantastic Mini Pedal - but like all the Decibelics Minis - just a perfect genre reproduction of the very highest quality!


Slot #16 : Multi-Drive 2 / Tweed / HiWatt / Analog Amp-like Overdrive

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One that still seems a touch under the radar for most - this DSM & Humboldt Silver Linings Preamp / Multi-Drive has been in the chain for most of the year - and is very much one of my favourite Multi-Drives this year - in fact near enough of all time too - right up there with several of my other perennial favourites. The Silver Linings is so cleverly design - with Pre and Post Boosts, and a superb input Tilt EQ - to go with the output 3-Band EQ. The different options and controls you have at your disposal deliver a flavour of most every core overdrive and distortion sound you would want - and even touches on Fuzz. Really a quite superb pedal every which way - and one that more definitely need to check out.

Slot #17 : Top Boosted Distortion / Vox

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The Pettyjohn Electronics Custom Chime MKII Overdrive actually has serious competition now from the ThorpyFx Scarlet Tunic - they both have slightly different textured / voiced takes on the Top Boosed Vox sound - which I pretty much like equally and use for slightly different applications. I'm still very much in love with the Chime II and Gold II Custom pairing which has just worked brilliantly from me from when I acquired them. I believe the Chime II has been pretty much unassailable for the whole of 2022 and really deserves its anchor status!


Slot #18 : Marshall in a Box / Plexi

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The Pettyjohn Electronics Custom Gold MKII Overdrive got subbed out just a couple of brief times this year - once when I did the tribute to Ramble FX's recently passed Tim Krueger (RIP), and just last month when I had do accommodate so many new pedals I the chain - that I placed the Sinvertek N5 MGAT-1 here - instead of its now fixed position on slot #24. I love lots about the Gold II and already have my perfect Plexi voicing perfectly dialled in on that pedal - so this will remain my Plexi of choice, while the N5 MGAT-1 takes up mostly JCM800 / Brown Sound duties - as well as the reigning champion MIAB!


Slot #19 : Multi-Fuzz / Fuzzy-Drive

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Where the Decibelics The Reverend Mini is the greatest authentic replication of a classic Expadnora pedal - my friend Vitalii Bobrov's Drunk Beaver Bloom V2 Expandora style Crunch, Overdrive, Distortion, and Fuzz Pedal - takes things into extended range custom territory. This is for sure the same Expandora type - but Hot Rod Mooded for even juicier output with more volume. The chip selection on both pedals is superb - and both of these pedals are amazing - The Reverend is every way great - and the Drunk Beaver Bloom V2 gives you more of everything - with additional clipping and tone shaping options - which render more volume and gain too - without losing any of that essential Expandora La Grange flavour!


Slot #20 : Silicon & OpAmp Fuzz / Big Muff / Octave Fuzz / Oscillating Fuzz / High Gain Fuzz / PLL / Rat 2

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The whole of new friend AD Hauser's Colortone Pedals Range is quite superb in quality of finish and output, while for me the undeniable star of the show is the Parasite JFET Overdrive - which is such a capable engine - with those super smart 6 controls. The two Boost switches really allow you to switch up from smooth and subtle to fairly bold and aggressive - and everything in-between. A really superbly cleverly calibrated Overdrive with exceptional versatility!


Recap

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Slot #21 : High Gain Fuzz 1 / Fuzzstortion

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Bardic Audio Devices (@bardicaudiodevices)

One of my favourite all-time Muffs - particularly in compact enclosure format - the Bardic Audio Devices 2-Stroke Beaver 5-Band EQ Opamp Multi-Muff goes way beyond the typical 3 or 4 knob standard regulation muff fare. This monster fuzz's 9 controls take it way beyond conventional means - and you're really able to shape it into new and interesting directions - with a really sculpted frequency profile.

 


Slot #22 : Multi-Drive 3 / Boost

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The Strymon Sunset Dual Overdrive continues it's reign as most useful mainstay gain machine - actually being used mostly on Treble Booster or Clean Booster duties to enhance the profile of other gain pedals - upstream and downstream from it. It's 90% about the Boosts these days - while I do occasionally ventured out in more conventional overdrive and distortion duties with this pedal. I find it pretty indispensably really - while I'm not sure most would necessarily use it in the same way as me - it's one of the perennial essentials in the chain - and has been on permanent duty since it very first materialised.


Slot #23 : High Gain Fuzz 2 / Modern Metal 1 / Mid-Pushed High Gain

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This Soldano Super Lead Overdrive hasn't had too long an innings yet, and while not as straightforward to dial in as expected - has still rather hit its stride now. I've mentioned before that many conventional guitar heroes use this on lower or middling gain values - while for me this is best deployed as a high gain machine - the core voicing / texture really comes into its own once you crank those dials a touch. Of course my Sinvertek N5 3D+ Gold does a super job of rendering an authentic and classic Soldano SLO-100 tone - once you get the nature of this pedal - it really does the Soldano voicing thing most brilliantly and authentically!


Slot #24 : Brown Sound / EVH / JCM800 / Liquid Distortion

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And I've kind of switched the position around for the Sinvertek N5 MGAT-1 Hyper Preamp - which is the most magnificent, authentic and capable Marshall-in-a-boc there ever was. Mainly on JCM800 / EVH / Brown Sound duties here - this extends right up and down the gears from Bright and Sparkly Clean Tones to the most Brutal and Extreme Metal Distortion! A totally wonderful everday / every-way gain machine!


Slot #25 : Modern Metal 2 / High Gain Metal 1 / Punchy Metal / Sometimes Plexi too!

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This killer legendary Goosoniqueworx Kult Dual Channel High Gain Preamp - is all the way from 2012 - long since discontinued and on my Rarities chase-up wishlist for the longest of years. I actually passed up on a few opportunities to own this previously - but properly seized the occasion this time around. Just one of the most wonderful high gain voicings of all-time - and pretty much spectacular on an 18V supply!


Slot #26 : Modern Metal 3 / High Gain Metal 2

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I'm so glad that I was able to get my hands on one of just 25 Frost Giant Electronics Architect of Reality Dual Channel High Gain Preamp - Snowblind Editions made. This dual-channel preamp based on a modded / hot-rodded Laney Amp which set out to out-JCM800 Marshall's JCM800! this has the most beautiful core breakup bark to it - just a wonderful haomonic texture which maintains its special character throughout, Those individual frequency band boost switches are genius - and this is most definitely at its best in this striking white colourway - makes a really nice pair with the equally pristine Kernom Ridge Augmented Overdrive.


Slot #27 : Modern Metal 4 / High Gain Metal 3 / Extreme Saturating Distortion / Rectifier / Diezel / Orange

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The Tone Ink Raven Brute & High Gain Distortion was one of the genuine surprises this year. Much like with the Goosoniqueworx Kult - deploying it on an 18V supply is something of a revelation. The Raven covers MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier, Bogner Ecstasy Red, and Peavey 5150 / EVH flavours all in the same box. And the 2 x 3-way shaping switches are particularly genius. This just sounds phenomenal every which way and is easily one of my favourite ever High Gain Monster Pedals!


Slot #28 : Noise Gate

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Probably the most solidly lodged in as one of my Anchors for the chain - the Alchemy Audio Modded Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor just works effortlessly at its core excess noise filtering task. It really impacts the nature of those hair pedals in the least intrusive way. And I'm still considering the new KMA Machines Pylon - which with its special audio transformer and unity-gain-makeup features is very likely the finest and most innovative noise gate on the market. While the Boss NS-2 is so good to me that I really don't feel any pressure to change - it already does everything which is needs to to!


Slot #29 : Graphic EQ

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The Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Deluxe Parametric EQ is just the perfect embodiment of everything that I look for in a smart studio-style EQ. With 3 fully parametric frequency bands including wholly granular Q-bandwidth controls, then 4 shelving filters, and a +30dB boost - this is just perfect for my preferences. Effortless to deploy and with Zero added noises - one of the greatest signal-to-noise ratio pedals of all time - you can't hear any additional artefacts when it's on - not even a trace!


Slot #30 : Analog Vibe / Uni-Vibe / Other Modulation

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Lots of superb Analog Modulation pedals this year - and Horrothia's Berkeley Late 60's Liquid Leslie Vibe is one of the very best of its kind. This Flagship Horrothia really sounds the part as well as carrying the most perfect layout proportions - a really beautiful sounding modulation and has exquisite sounding as it looks!


Slot #31 : Analog Phaser / Rotary

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Another highlight of the year was the Ritual Devices Fay Phase Filter Saturator - which actually renders for me best as a sort of pseudo Uni-Vine with just the richest and most throbby of textures. All those controls work beautifully - and allow you to elegantly ramp up and down the nature of your output. The only niggle really is the slight volume-drop you on the Grit voicing - which means you can't just flip back and forth between the Grit and Grain options - I pretty much have it parked in Grain Mode -while I liberally flip and tweak the other controls on the fly. The Fay verse much sounds every bit as good as it looks!


Slot #32 : Analog Chorus / Vibrato

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I've had so many great PastFX Modulations in this year and the PastFX PX65 Stereo Chorus w/ Faux Through-Zero Flanger Voicing is actually the most versatile of all really - having 2 different Chorus voicings onboard - in and out of phase - while when in the Out-of-phase Andy Mode - with Speed and Delay Time controls set particularly low - you get the most exquisite and bold faux Through-Zero flange style voicing. So this pedal in essence renders as two different choruses and a flanger - for supreme all-round ability. I've particularly loved the PastFX Modulations this year - including that extraordinary Flanger Trifecta. It made most sense to ho with the PX65 as the representative for the best of all that!


Slot #33 : Analog Tremolo / Harmonic Tremolo / Uni-Vibe

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There's so much to love about the Boss SL-2 Slicer Rhythmic Pattern Generator - it will surely take up permanent residence on the Tremolo slot - as it can do so much more, and still has some brilliant more conventional Tremolo voicings onboard - this pedal is genuine trumph near every which way - in fact apart from how tricky it is to switch between Street Output Modes - which on the previous SL-20 was via easily accessible buttons - while on this compact edition you need to hold down the footswitch on Power-up with everything dialled back bar type - makes for somewhat clunky and far tricker than needs to be switching - I have of course suggested some remedies - but would have to be a V2 enhancement.


Slot #34 : Glitch / Multi-FX 1 / Other Modulation

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The OBNE + Chvrches Screen Violence Stereo Saturated Modulated Reverb has become very much of mainstay of the board this year - having been solidly in placed since it first materialised. This is a superb Shoegaze style pedal with so much cleverness going on - and full stereo input and output. Lots of other companies made the mistake of making their pedals Mono only - OBNE really reaps the rewards with this superbly executed Modulated Sustainer! I use both channels a lot within my typical playback. This is a brilliant collaboration and such a cleverly designed pedal - just killer in its overall simplicity - a little over-sized though - so marks off for that!


Slot #35 : Stereo Multi-Modulator / Multi-FX 2 / Modulation Workstation 1

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I took the leap and replaced the Boss GT-1000 CORE with the Wampler Terraform Modulation Workstation - that as I've many times stated - has the most perfect mix of Modulation Algorithms for my preferences - across those 11 flavours. It's not quite perfect for me - but the best option really currently. Since I've deployed more and more stereo pedals in the chain - in particular modulations, I can no longer accommodate my otherwise much loved GFI Synesthesia - which while it is a stereo output device, it only takes Mono input currently - which just doesn't work for me setup. Overall the Wampler Terraform performs pretty brilliantly and effortlessly for me - while it still has a few niggles for me too. I'm still awaiting the perfect Multi-Modulat - perhaps the Eventide H90 is the one to solve that - hopefully early next year!


Slot #36 : Stereo Double Tracker / Spatial Enhancer

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One of my very essential always-on pedals - the TC Electronic Mimiq Stereo Doubler - as I've often said - this is magic fairy dust for stereo rigs - it add depth, width and dimensionality to your sound - makes everything sound bigger and better!


Slot #37 : Stereo Delay Workstation 1

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The Boss DD-200 Digital Delay Workstation is another perennial favourite - with just the perfect mix of algorithms combined with effortless ease of use. This is incredibly my second string understudy delay - this is so perfectly executed I really should be using it a lot more - great to have it on the board though!


Slot #38 : Stereo Tape Style Delay / Delay Workstation 2

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The current elephant in the room - The Meris LVX True Stereo Modular Delay System - this is of course undeniably brilliant in so many ways, but hasn't really turned out quite as I expected. There is some weird power up issue which means I need to unplug it and connect again every time I power up the rig. And the screen and layout really isn't as intuitive and easy to use as the various demos led me to believe. It's not at all bad really - it's just not optimised for proper floor-based Stompbox duties. The actual tweaking is a touch more fiddly than need be - and really much better suited to table-top manipulation. It's not really adequately tweakable as a floor-based unit. I do love its output though and what it's capable of. This is a proper Multi-FX and Sound Design Machine which is screaming out for a bluetooth connected app really! I will persevere for a while longer before I draw any final conclusions. While I'm currently itching to get the Empress EchoSystem back on the board or even the Boss RE-202 - both of which I find more intuitive and more appropriate for floor-based use. Be interested to hear your own experiences of this device too!


Slot #39 : Stereo Rotary / Multi-FX 3 / Modulation Workstation 2 / Harmonizer / Delay Workstation 2 / Reverb Workstation 2

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Now that it looks certain that I will be getting the H90 in early next year, the Eventide H9 Max Harmonizer Multi-FX which has long lived on this slot becomes something of a challenge. My thinking currently is that the H90 will slot best in as my Multi-Modulator of choice in place of the Wampler Terraform - which means that this formerly essential H9 Max pedal becomes surplus to requirements and I need to figure out what to place on this slot instead! The H9 Max has certainly served me well over the years!


Slot #40 : Stereo Reverb Workstation 1 / Studio Reverb

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I'm still in my honeymoon period with the Empress Effects Reverb Workstation. I'm so used to using its EchoSystem sibling that deploying this is second nature to me - and like so many of my favourite workstation pedals - this one as the perfect mix and balance of algorithms. Effortlessly easy and elegant to use - and for sure one of the finest studio-quality Reverb Workstation pedals that you can buy!


Slot #41 : Stereo Looper / Beat Machine / Cab Sim

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I've somewhat ramped up recently in the area of looping - with the Boss RC-600 Pro Loop Station now the pride of place in that function. I'm still building up my perfect looping instrument / percussion elements - already with electric cello, ukulele electroacoustic bass, and electric kalimba in place - and my Pandeiro Brazilian Tambourine - whose Samba technique I'm still trying to get down! Should be lots more to report on this area next year.


Final Thoughts

2022-GPX-Pedal-Chain-Update-Class-of-2022-700.jpg

I am properly proud of the selection this year - where I landed pretty much all my key choices - with the exception of the new Eventide H90 Harmonizer - which I will hopefully sort relatively early next year.

 

I feel this is a particularly significant evolution of the pedal-chain - and there are some incredibly strong new releases in place - in fact many of those pedal slots now within quite phenomenal pedals in reserve too.

 

Each of the new ones onto the board this year added something different - and there really isn't a weak candidate among them - in fact each slot's final pedal placement was incredibly heavily contested this year.

 

The whole chain remains near noiseless in operation and it has rarely ever sounded better than right now. Some of those new pedals have added even more verve and possibilities to the chain as a whole. The precise nuance and texture of some of the current pedals is just so exquisite - they really hone these towards the very best character and timbre - and these are all incredibly practical and potent pedals too.

 

As I write this I'm delighted that I don't have any 'package arriving anxiety' for the remainder of the year - and that everything is safely in by now. As of writing the only thing I'm still waiting for is the Gold Knobs for my new 30th Anniversary Nordland ODR-C - still sort of en route from Small Bear Electronics - they've landed in the UK I believe but are taking quite the while to be processed through customs etc. - pepperly caught up in the Christmas post and ongoing postal strikes!

 

So I'm actually mightily relieved that everything went pretty well this year - and it's all over now bas tomorrow's Christmas message!

 

See you all on the flip-side again!


2022 / 2023 Spillover Wishlist

of course there is so much happening in any given year - and only so much budget and resources to go around - so I can never land everything I want as such. Those obvious ones that I still want - then go into and get added to the 'Infinite Wishlist as the news subsection.

 

These are most of the missing usual suspects from this year - as follows - while there is no way I will get all of these - but there is a degree of opportunism that goes on - and it also depends on which directions the feature articles go in as to what I'm prompted to add! :

  • 3rd Power Amps Love Drive Preamp - $279
  • 29 Pedas FLWR Gain-Staging Overdrive / Preamp - $269
  • AC Noises Urla CMOS Dual Resonant Fuzz - €205
  • Alexander Pedals Rewind Programmable Echo - 10 Engines - $230
  • Alexander Pedals Space Force Reverberator Workstation - 8 Engines - $230
  • Anasounds FX Teacher Tape Preamp €149
  • Beautiful Noise Effects Exploder Sunburst Distortion with White Noise - AUD $300 / USD $215
  • Calico Effects Antlers Green Muff Fuzz - $149
  • Chase Bliss EXP Expression Roller V2 - $199 / €239
  • Cornerstone Music Gear Aquarium 2-Speed Vibe - €520
  • Cornerstone Music Gear Imperivm Daje Drive - €359
  • Crazy Tube Circuits Super Conductor Enhancer Boost - €189
  • Crazy Tube Circuits Unobtanium Rare Elements Dual Overdrive - €289
  • Daredevil Pedals Aces Hybrid Amplifier - $169
  • Death By Audio Germanium Filter - $225
  • Death By Audio Space Bender Sci-Fi Chorus Modulator / Delay - $270
  • Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi Hardware Plugin - $329
  • Eventide H90 Harmonizer Dual Channel Multi-FX Workstation - 62 Algos - $899 / £999
  • Great Eastern FX Co Design-A-Drive Flexible Gain Shaper - £229
  • Keeley Electronics Andy Timmons Halo Dual Echo - $299
  • King Tone The Octaland V2 Octave Fuzz (Silver Edition) - $299
  • Kinotone Ribbons Multi-FX Lo-Fi Tape Style Modulator, Reverb, Looper, Synth - $400
  • KMA Machines Pylon Advanced Transformer Boost Noise Gate - €189
  • KMA Machines Queequeg V2 Sub Generator Octaves - €149
  • KSR Amps Vesta Vintage-Leaning 3-Channel High Gain Preamp - $400
  • Missing Link Audio AC/OD Overdrive / Distortion - $189
  • Muir Audio Design Morphtone EQ Morphing Dual Parametric EQ - £249
  • Old Blood Noise Endeavors BL-44 Reverse Effector - $179
  • Old Blood Noise Endeavors Excess V2 Distorting Modulator - $209
  • Origin Effects Halcyon Green Overdrive - £239
  • Origin Effects M-EQ Drive Mid Booster & Drive - £259
  • Pedal Brainz V2 Left Brain Light-Controlled Expression Modulator - $325
  • Pigtronix Star Eater Super Jumbo Contour Fuzz - $179
  • Pladask Elektronisk Falma V2 Random Modulator - $200
  • Polarbear Effects Petrichor PT2399 Lo-Fi Delay Sequencer - $220
  • PRS Pedals Horsemeat Transparent Overdrive - $249
  • Shift Line Stages Dynamic Drive Multi-Stage Overdrive - $229
  • TC Electronic Infinite Sample Sustainer - €139
  • Walrus Audio Mako Series M1 Modulation Workstation - $349
  • Walrus Audio Mira Analog Optical Compressor - $249
  • Wampler Pedals Collective Phenom Distortion - $99
  • Wampler Pedals Collective Triumph Overdrive - $99
  • Wampler Pedals Metaverse Delay Workstation - $349
  • Wampler Pedals Moxie TS10 style Overdrive - $149
  • Wren and Cuff ANNA Coheed & Cambria Commemorative Modded SD-1 + Opamp Muff Pedal - $349

Top Wishlist Targets in rough order of priority

I've already stated that the Eventide H90 Harmonizer is my very top target for next year.

 

I'm also committed to quite a few more - where they will likely land in the following rough order :

  • Eventide H90 Harmonizer Dual Channel Multi-FX Workstation - 62 Algos - $899 / £999 (Landed)
  • Beautiful Noise Effects Exploder Sunburst Distortion with White Noise - AUD $300 / USD $215 (Landed)
  • Muir Audio Design Morphtone EQ Morphing Dual Parametric EQ - £249 (Landed)
  • Humanoids The Goblin Tone Distorter - £100  (Landed)
  • Victory Amps V1 The Copper Preamp Overdrive - £199
  • Victory Amps V1 The Duchess Preamp Overdrive - £199
  • Victory Amps V1 The Sheriff Preamp Distortion - £199
  • Great Eastern FX Co Design-A-Drive Flexible Gain Shaper - £229
  • Pladask Elektronisk Falma V2 Random Modulator - $200
  • Origin Effects M-EQ Drive Mid Booster & Drive - £259
  • Origin Effects Halcyon Green Overdrive - £239
  • 29 Pedas FLWR Gain-Staging Overdrive / Preamp - $269
  • Chase Bliss EXP Expression Roller V2 - $199 / €239
  • Old Blood Noise Endeavors BL-44 Reverse Effector - $179
  • King Tone The Octaland V2 Octave Fuzz (Silver Edition) - $299
  • Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi Hardware Plugin - $329
Stefan Karlsson
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Stefan Karlsson
Stefan Karlsson
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