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2025 January Pedal-Chain Update - Episode I - Peak Pedal Mania

29 PedalsAC NoisesAmbient EffectsBeetronics FXBig Muff Style FuzzBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBright Onion PedalsBufferCaroline Guitar CompanyChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCompressorDigital ReverbDistortionDOD EffectsDriveDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDual-DriveElectric Eye AudioExpressionFlangerFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGranular DelayHamstead SoundworksJHS PedalsJim DunlopKlone and Transparent OverdriveLichtlaerm AudioMetal DistortionModulated FuzzModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXOctave FuzzOddball FuzzOpAmp FuzzOrigin EffectsOscillating FuzzOverdriveRack Style ReverbReverbReverse ReverbRing ModulationRogue RehousingRotary SpeakerShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzSitek Guitar ElectronicsSkreddy PedalsSpacey ReverbSubdecay EffectsTone Bender Style FuzzTweed Style Overdrive+-
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So January 2025 sees a momentous milestone - where we have the peak possible number of pedals in the chain - which now numbers no less than 52 Pedals. It’s an incredibly tight squeeze - and all the available space is now fully used up.

 

I’ve re-flowed the main visual - where I used to try to have a fixed format arrangement - but now have re-numbered the slots entirely corresponding to the number and order of those pedals. Last January I noted that I was going to switch out my 2 Friedman ...

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Walrus Audio collaborates with Yvette Young on signature QI Etherealizer Parallel Grains + Delay + Chorus + Reverb Pedal

Chorus and VibratoDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbGranular DelayModulationRack Style ReverbReverbWalrus AudioYvette Young+-
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When I first clocked this - it immediately brought to mind my recently acquired AC Noises Ricorda Granualar Reverb, amd while there is some degree of overlap between the two - each device is also very distinctive in its own way. Where the QI Etherealizer adds Chorus, and Parallel as well as Series Routing.

 

It’s a device that perfectly covers Yvette’s key tones in the one device.

 

Controls - MIX } Mix / Dry (Series / Parallel), Grain, Delay, Chorus; MAIN } Mix / Dry (Series / Parallel), ...

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AC Noices' Ricorda Stereo Granular Reverb + Freeze / Loop has some amazing hidden depths and truly unique playback possibilities

AC NoisesAmbient EffectsDigital ReverbGranular DelayLooperRack Style ReverbReverbReverse DelayReverse ReverbSampler / SustainerShimmer ReverbSpacey Reverb+-
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I do like my Reverbs, and have always been intrigued by the more sci-fi sounding variants. The Ricorda was originally down on my ’nice-to-have’ list, until I lucked out with my Chase Bliss Mystery Box - and got one as a bonus pedal!

 

Essentially you have a huge spatial ambient reverb with a smart granular delay, and then Freeze and Loop functions via the left Footswitch.

 

I had not fully appreciated the scope of capabilities when I did my original write-up. While this is every way a ...

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2024 Best New Spatial, Immersive and Time-Based Effects of the Year

AC NoisesAmbient EffectsAnalog DelayAnalog ReverbAnasoundsBeautiful Noise EffectsBest in ClassBlind Panic DevicesBossCachalote AudioChampion LeccyCoffee Shop PedalsDawner Prince EffectsDelayDelay WorkstationDiamond PedalsDigital DelayDigital ReverbDiscomfort DesignsDouble TrackingEarthQuaker DevicesEchoverbFjord FuzzGFI SystemGranular DelayHangman fxJHS PedalsKeeley EngineeringLo-Fi DelayMXRNobelsOddball DelayOld Blood Noise EndeavorsPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse DelayReverse ReverbShimmer ReverbSkreddy PedalsSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbStrymonTape DelayTomkat PedalsWampler+-
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I obviously just recently won me an AC Noises Ricorda Retro Series Reverb as a Chase Bliss Mystery Box Bonus Pedal - so the first iteration I had to make on this article was to update the standard Blue Ricorda image to the limited colourway edition that I was gifted by my Mystery Box. This selection is typically the one where I own the least proportion of pedals featured, in fact in this case it’s easier to list the few that I own here :

  • AC Noices Ricorda Stereo Granular Reverb + Freeze /
...
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2024 September Pedal-Chain Update - Episode IX - Bob-Rob Cavalcade

All-PedalAmbient EffectsBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossChorus and VibratoDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDr ScientistDriveDual-DriveFjord FuzzFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzHarmonizerJackson AudioJHS PedalsKeeley EngineeringKlone and Transparent OverdriveMarshall Style DistortionMattoverse ElectronicsMetal DistortionModulated FuzzModulationMulti-DriveNRG EffectsNux FXOctave FuzzOctaverOverdrivePedal ChainPitchPitch-ShiftingPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbRainger FXReverbReverb WorkstationReverse ReverbSentimental Bob ElectronicsShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbStrymonTimmyTremoloVox Style Distortion+-
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Another strong month for sure! A little dominated by Keeley Electronics, but some solid releases over the month - with a crazy flurry towards the end - to coincide with Europe’s largest Guitar Gear Show - Mannheim’s Guitar Summit. It seems evident now that Guitar Summit is an event I should really be at - and I will make a concerted effort to be their next year.

 

As it was I attended just one guitar gear event this month - EarthQuaker Devices Showcase at GuitarGuitar in Camden - where I got ...

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Walrus Audio's Mako Series really comes of age with its extra features and new MKII screen-based control interface

Ambient EffectsAmp and Cab IR SimChorus and VibratoDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDouble TrackingEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFlangerGranular DelayModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXPhaserPlate ReverbPreAmpRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse DelayRotary SpeakerShimmer ReverbSlicer and StutterSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbTape DelayTremoloUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityWalrus Audio+-
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I have always liked the look of the Walrus Audio Mako Series of MI Multi-Modulator, D1 Delay, R1 Reverb and ASC1 Amp Cab and Sim. And feel that these latest changes have really propelled some of these to the top of their respective categories - particularly in terms of Compact Enclosure Editions!

 

The new control interface is actually remarkably simple and intuitive - the knobs above each of the 3 screen segments allow you to click through different ’pages’ or screen of options - where you ...

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Dr Scientist's most popular pedal - the BitQuest Multi-FX-Fuzz gets a Bonus Pack - which massively expands its capabilities

Ambient EffectsBitcrushing and Lo-FiChorus and VibratoDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbDr ScientistEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFlangerFuzzModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXPitchPitch-ShiftingPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse ReverbRing ModulationRotary SpeakerShimmer ReverbSpacey ReverbSpring Reverb+-
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First launched in 2014 - the BitQuest Multi-FX / Multi-FX-Fuzz / Fuzz-Modulator - quickly became Dr Scientist’s most popular and best-selling pedal - and has held the line ever since - despite fierce competition from my other Frazz Dazzler Fuzz favourite! According to Ryan- there are only 2 core models of this pedal - the one which originated in 2014 - which holds all the way through to 2020 - while there are some circuitboard variations along the way too. Before 2020 you first move the Fuzz/...

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11 years on, Strymon finally reboots its pioneering Flagship Reverb Workstation - now called the BigSky MX with Custom IRs and Dual Stereo Reverb Playback

Ambient EffectsDigital ReverbPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse ReverbShimmer ReverbSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbStrymon+-
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The original BigSky was a total game-changer in 2013 and ushered in the era of pristine pro studio level reverb workstation pedals. When I got stuck into pedals properly around 10 years ago, the Strymon Stryfecta of BigSky, Mobius and Timeline was one of the first major investments I made!

 

Since then I’ve had a number of different Reverb Workstations (around a dozen) on that particular #41 slot (I love and retain all of those) - which slot is currently fabulously occupied by the Poly Verbs ...

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ALABS Audio's Cetus 9 Mode Stereo Compact Reverb is truly one of the finest of its kind - mixing up classic and unique Reverb Algorithms in superb fashion

ALABS AudioAmbient EffectsDigital ReverbPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationShimmer ReverbSpacey ReverbSpring Reverb+-
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So I’ve kind of left the best to last! All 4 ALABS Audio Adam Adventures Series pedals are amazing, and particularly for the price. I note that the TimeSlip and Cetus have moved up $10 to the same price point as the Orbital - or $109.99 vs $99.99 - but they’re really worth it at twice the price even!

 

Someone commented the these were Walrus Audio levels of production and packaging - but with JHS 3 Series pricing. I feel they’re going to be very hard to beat at that price point - and for me ...

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The first GPX Deviation of 2024 is a speculative Concept Visual for a possible Boss RV-7 Reverb

Ambient EffectsBossDigital ReverbGPX DeviationGuitar Gear Improvements and PrototypesPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse ReverbShimmer ReverbSpacey ReverbSpring Reverb+-
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It’s been quiet a while since Boss completed its Digital Delay Range Revamp with the DD-3T and DD-8 - back in September of 2019 - that selection is fully rounded and up-up-to-date still - with each of the 4 pedals at the top of its respective game - DD-3T, DD-8, DD-200, and DD-500!

 

We had to wait an age for the RV-200 to arrive - where the DD-200  was part of the original June 2019 200-Series quartet. The current generation of compact Boss Reverb is the RV-6 - which was released as long ago...

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