Shnobel Tone releases two new pedals at NAMM - the Horse Power Overdrive, and Optical Studio Compressor
This is probably the last of my NAMM roundup posts. I’ve not paid too much attention to NAMM this year - beyond my various friends who were exhibiting. There were a few more launches than I expected though - as some did use NAMM as a launchpad - while that is becoming ever rarer nowadays - most brands typically launch to their own particular schedule.
Roman Belanozhko’s Shnobel Tone brand is always worth keeping an eye on - as it makes some exceptionally well-crafted pedals - of the highest quality. None more so than its super versatile Daily Driver - which for sure already has a Klon voicing onboard!
While the new Horse Power is more honed to that particularly purpose - starting with the same Daily Driver circuit - but significantly improving its headroom, output level and tightness - to hit those perfect Klon style tones. The Control Topology seems to be identical to the Daily Driver - while the new pedal is not quite as attractive as that without the knob markers.
The companion release is a 4-knob Optical Studio Compressor. Both pedals obviously entering a very crowded and competitive space. And both retailing for $279.
With so many magnificent pedals at the compact enclosure size - I’ve often wondered at the wisdom of releasing every single pedal in a BB-size enclosure. Quite a few companies still do that - including Caroline Guitar Co, Emma Electronic and Horrothia. And like Phillip McKnight says - this is somewhat of a 1990’s kind of aesthetic approach.
Some pedals for sure need the real-estate, in particularly the more multifunctional ones with rows of knobs. But for a 4-knob plus toggle switch pedal - I’m not sure I always see the point of having that larger enclosure. It’s just impractical really within the art of Pedalboard Tetris! The trend is still to fit in as many flavours as possible - so going for larger enclosures limits your range of delivery.
Interestingly both these Shnobel Tone pedals are direct competitors for the same-size and category recent PRS Pedals. So you get to choose Horse Power vs Horse Meat, and Optical Studio Compressor vs Mary Cries Optical Compressor. And both those PRS ones are lower cost!
The Shnobel Tone range is up to 12 now - and I still feel that the original Daily Driver is the jewel in the crown - that is a pretty unique and truly potent pedal. Some of the newer ones are not quite as appealing to me. All of course available right now from the Shnobel Tone Webstore.
Here follow the individual details :
Horse Power Overdrive (Klone) - $279
Controls - Volume, Gain, Hi-Cut : Hi-Cut 2 / No Cut / Hi-Cut 1, Low, High.
There are so many decent Klon style pedals out there - including the recent J Rockett Archer Select. This Horse Power obviously enters the same arena as PRS's Horse Meat Overdrive - which is less dear at $249 - and gives you an addition EQ band.
I really love my original Daily Driver - that is still one of my favourite versatile overdrive pedals. And this is really just a further evolution of that with expanded output and headroom.
All of Shnobel Tone's pedals are starting to look the same now - with the slightly different knobs and different styles of knob markers not really sufficient visual differentiators.
The original Daily Driver was such a classy pedal - and those Horse Power knobs - even through 'Klon-correct' are not nearly as attractive - and neither is the enclosure without the knob markers - again true to the original inspiration. Even in the above picture the Optical Studio Compressor 'Pops' more than the Horse Power.
With its 2-Band EQ and progressive Hi-Cut switch - the Horse Power has some advantages over many of those 3-knob Klone types. While if you already have the Daily Driver and one of the many really decent Klon Klones out there - I'm not sure I entirely see the appeal here.
The quality of these pedals is superb for sure - but we need to consider the context, the price point and competition as always - and there are several equally attractive offerings out there in more practically sized boxes.
The PRS Horse Meat is still on my nice-to-have Wishlist - and I'm really not sure which of the two I would go for at a push!
Studio Optical Compressor
Controls - Volume, Compress, Tone, Blend.
We know this is going to be an incredibly well-built and great sounding compressor - while it's entering a somewhat ridiculously innovative space at the moment - where we've seen so many amazing next level compressors recently - including the just released Wampler + Cory Wong Compressor.
There are so many killer compact size compressors nowadays that I personally would never consider one in a BB-size enclosure - unless I wanted a Dual Compressor - in which case it would be the UAFX Max, or more likely the BecosFX Twain.
While I'm not really a Compression specialist and I really love my current triple-function JA Bloom. If I was going to replace that it would need to give me the same degree of versatility and flexibility - which this Shnobel Tone Compressor cannot really. The industry standard Keeley 4-knob compressor would likely be the most popular choice at $149 for most players.
I've mentioned that PRS has a similar but 2-knob Optical compressor for slightly less - at $219.
I always try to consider which audience segment / cohort this would appeal to? The Beginner, Casual Hobbyist, Journeyman or Pro. And I'm finding it hard to identify a priority audience for this pedal.
I know pedal brands need to have a range of offerings to cover the key areas - while I always feel that they need to be fairly distinct and innovative within those spaces.
The Cory Wong Compressor is killer, as was the UAFX Max before that, the DryBell Module 4 before that, the Walrus Audio Mira, DSM & Humboldt ClearComp, and Crazy Tube Circuits Phi Golden Ratio V2. We also had the recent Spaceman Ixion 5-knob Optical Compressor.
With all the really properly innovative compressors recently released into this space - I don't really see where the Shnobel Tone Studio Optical Compressor has an advantage.
Perhaps I'm missing something - and if that's the case - then please to let me know where I may have erred.
We know that Shnobel Tone pedals are high quality products - as befits their pricing. While in and among all the recent innovations I'm not sure these two have enough about them to really cut through!
Of course do let me know if you have further insights or opinions here.
