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 ...

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/...

The Anasounds Element Real Spring Tank Reverb took the world by storm when it was released at the start of 2019. It consisted of a compact enclosure control unit with 5 controls, and an option of 3 different spring tank sizes - from the smallest ’Le Bon’, then mid-size ’La Brute’, and on to the largest ’Le Truand’. And on sort of the 5th anniversary of that landmark pedal we have a brand new edition essentially!

Anasounds / Third Man Records have named this new collaborative edition ’La ...

So it’s a relatively short time ago since the MIME I was released - December of last year in fact. There’s a few immediately visible changes between the two models - apart from the core colourway change of course. The new MIME II drops the Expression Port, and Mini Binary Button within the Drop-shaped LED aperture. That feature proved to be way too fiddly to manufacture, and for quite a few users of the pedal too fiddly to operate also.

So for the MIME II - we now have a 3-way toggle switch...

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 ...

CTC has wholly updated its White Whale All-analog Trem-Verb with a slew of extra features and modes, and increased fidelity and versatility - this surfer’s delight just got even better!

Both effects now are entirely separated internally - and each comes with 3 modes of operation - different spring combinations on the Reverb Side, and now 3 different Tremolo Modes - including a brand new Harmonic variety. You can set the relative position of the Tremolo - Pre/Post, and the Reverb’s power amp...

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 ...

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...

So 2024 is off to a pretty spirted start! I treaded myself to 2 pedals right at the tail end of the year - the Poly VERBS puts in an appearance in this month’s selection - while the Reeves Electro BHS-D is running a touch late and will be part of the February selection instead.

This time of the year has to be mostly about NAMM - while I feel that a lot of builders kind of took away from NAMM and launched / showcased their new release in advance!

I’ve still to make it to NAMM - timing’s ...