MidValleyFX's Peaks V3 Pedal is a Super Fat and Mean Metal Tube Amp Style High Gain Distortion

MidValleyFX’s Andrew McNicholas is also and was originally the frontman of Modern Grunge / Metal band Senium - where I believe the Peaks is largely inspired by that band’s core sound - which is derived from a MESA/Boogie Dual Rec type amp as far as I recall.

Andrew’s MidValleyFX is mostly known for some superb sounding fuzzes - while in many ways the Peaks is kind of his flagship pedal too. I first acquired the V2 Peaks back in 2020, while the V3 edition has two further controls - a ’Base’ kind of Depth and Girth control - which controls the negative feedback capacitor blending smaller and bigger capacitors together to give your sound the bottom end girth of a real tube amp. And a new ’Boost’ toggle switch - which loads you up with even more gain.

Controls - Volume, Base (Depth + Girth), Gain, Top, Middle, Bottom.

The core middle row of knobs is of course a 3-Band EQ, and only the Edge switch requires further explanation. In its left / off position it acts as a low pass filter which takes away the edge and grit of the Peaks’ output, while to the right in the ’On’ position it adds more mid range body and grit - for more sizzle as I put it.

This is actually a really modern sounding Metal style distortion - very tight and percussive - and with a really cool punchy low end which never gets flubby. Andrew also notes that the Middle knob controls the mid range without ever getting too scooped unless you turn up the Top knob. Adding more Middle not only increases the mid range but the overall body and feel of Peaks.

I find that all positions of the EQ deliver very usable tones - while I mostly like to have things properly cranked.

The new second 1/2 Gain footswitch is really handy too - it simply just reduces whatever you’ve set the Gain control at - by half!

For me this pedal sounds at its best with both Boost and Edge switches applied, Volume, Base, Gain and Bottom on Max, Top @ circa 2:30-3 o’c, and Middle fittingly in the middle - @ 12 o’c.

Andrew’s builds aren’t necessarily the cleanest - and you can see some alignment issues with some of the control positions, and the insides are rather a jumble of wires - but all of Andrew’s pedals sound amazingly visceral and potent - and even though not the prettiest - the emanating sound is always glorious.

I had intended to have my Compact Metal Distortions rundown up before the end of the month - while several of the incoming pedals have been somewhat delayed - so that feature will go up some time in November instead. Everything is incoming as of now - while there are a fair few stragglers that won’t make the end of month cut-off. Should be a really impressive lineup though - as I have various backups lined up - and have not yet fully decided on the final roster!

Are you fans of MidValleyFX? And who among you has tried a Peaks?

Available right now on sale for £140 on the MidValleyFX Webstore.