Beetronics FX further levels up Phasing via its ingenious new Larva Dual Morphing Phaser
You got to love Filipe Pampuri’s innovative streak - always finding new and interesting spins on different circuit categories. And this time around it’s the turn of the humble Phaser - where Filipe doubles down on the flavour, and allows you to transition and morph between 2 different settings in a variety of interesting ways.
In terms of the layout and topology it’s of a similar nature to the previous Seabee and Zzombee pedals, but much simpler from a control perspective - with pretty much...
First-hand Impressions of the Walrus Audio Mako Series II [M1] High-Fidelity Modulation Machine
When the original version of Walrus Audio’s Mako Series I [M1] emerged back in 2022 I wrote that there was much to like, but I kind of missed the absent Flanger and Dimension algorithms which are core to a couple of my other favourite Multi-Modulators (Terraform & Synesthesia) - and which I use a lot. I also use the 16 Modulations on my Eventide H90 - which has most everything I need, but lacks a Dimension Chorus too.
In fact the most expansive pedal in that category is the GFI System ...
ThorpyFX reboots and refines its fabulous articulate ER-2 Uni-Vibe - now in Block 2 Edition with more headroom, better power handling and even better articulation
So my good friend Adrian Thorpe had a tough time of it towards the end of last year - where he was forced to retire several models at the time - owing to the evolving RoHS hard ban on Vactrols - or LDR’s (Light Dependent Resistors) as they contained tiny trace amount of a carcinogenic compound - cadmium sulphide. This applies to Europe and much of the rest of the world, but currently not the Americas. It does mean that pretty much every authentic lightbulb Uni-Vibe is impacted - which is why ...
Best of Croatian Guitar Pedals and Pedal Builders
So I’ve been meaning to do this article for a while, but kept putting it off - in the hope that we might see more brands materialising from this country. That has not been the case though - so now seems as good a time as any to focus on the small but mighty trifecta of Croatian brands - Dawner Prince Electronics, DryBell Musical Electronic Laboratory and Polarbear Effects.
I typically have a grid of a 9 for this style of article - so here I’ve selected my favourite 3 choices from each brand...
Fractal Audio's new VP4 Virtual Pedalboard Multi-FX Processor goes head-to-head with Line 6's Helix HX Effects and Eventide's H90
So Fractal Audio Systems has thrown its hat in the ring with its first non-modelling device / unit - the VP4 Virtual Pedalboard Multi-FX Processor - which is quite a departure for the brand.
It’s obviously gunning for Line 6 and Eventide in particular, but also looking to knock out Boss and Strymon Workstation pedals. It has several of its own advantages, but with a number of caveats too. Overall it’s well priced for what it delivers - but for my own preferences it’s still somewhat over-...
JAM Pedals unleashed 2 Greg Koch Signature Kochness Monster Multi-FX Units in Standard 4-Effects, and Supreme 10-Effects Editions
So we get another couple of stock Multi-Pedal units as JAM like to call them. Obviously where besides the David Gilmourish ’Pink Flow’ those are typically wholly custom shop pedals. While on this occasion Greg Koch’s Kochness Monster enters the main range - in 2 editions - Standard, and Supreme.
The Standard Kochness Monster Edition will retail at $790 and comes with 4 Effects - Lucy Dreamer Overdrive, Eureka Fuzz, Harmonious Monk Tremolo and Delay Llama.
The Supreme Kochness Monster ...
Walrus Audio's Mako Series really comes of age with its extra features and new MKII screen-based control interface
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 ...
Meeting EarthQuaker Devices' Pedal Power Couple - Jamie and Julie at GuitarGuitar 20th Anniversary Camden in-store Event
So I attended a GuitarGuitar Camden 20th Anniversary EarthQuaker Devices Showcase Event last Tuesday the 24th! The guests of honour obviously being Pedal Power Couple - Husband and Wife team Jamie Stillman and Julie Robbins. This was actually only their second visit to the UK - the first being another whistle-stop tour in 2018 or thereabouts. This time around they were being chaperoned around by good friend of ours Tom Bodfish from Northern Europe EQD Distributor - Audio Distribution Group.
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15 Favourite Fjord Fuzz Pedals
I had become aware of Fjord Fuzz really in mid to late 2018 onwards - it took me a little while to tune into the brand - in terms of its constant prototyping and iteration - and at the time where the only official retailer for that brand was based in Sweden. It wasn’t until 2019 that I was able to get hold of my first Fjord Fuzz Pedal - where I picked up the early version of the Bifrost Fuzz-Delay on UK Reverb.com - where a UK pedal builder had either bought or exchanged a pedal with Daniel, ...
SpiralCaster Cohen Hartman reveals his 12 all-time favourite pedals
Readers of this site will know that I’ve long admired the extraordinary sound-design talents of Cohen Hartman - who’s best known through his SpiralCaster Plays Pedals YouTube Channel. In my opinion he is one of the very finest pedal demo artists there ever was. He has a way of teasing out some truly unique tones and textures from most pedals - and taking them places where others just don’t or can’t seem to venture.
He did a slew of particularly brilliant demos in the lead up to my February ...
