Some time late last year I identified that the Tremolo section of my Reference Collection was probably the weakest of the major modulation categories - and I determined to do something about it in 2024 to bring that fully up to scratch. I made 2024 my ’Year of Tremolo’ and set to the task of bolstering my own capsule collection. Seems like I slightly overdid it in the end - as I’ve so far added 17 to the collection thoughout this year, with a likely couple more still to come.
So as with all...
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 ...
In the same format and enclosure of the fairly recent Silvetone 1484 Twin Twelve Preamp with the same distinctive knobs, we have another analog Twin style pedal - this time a modulator, with independent footswitches for each channel.
I really like how the Mini Volume Knobs light up to show each channel that is on - a really elegant execution - that I look forward to seeing more of!
Controls - OPTICAL } Speed, Depth, Volume, Footswitch; HARMONIC } Speed, Depth, Volume, Footswitch.
Ports...
This Rounder Sounds Zebra-Trem review was planned to have happened last month, while the pedal was held up in customs for too long, and then ended up being temporarily mis-placed within the local postal delivery service. And when it finally arrived it had obviously been a little ’battered’ along the way - i.e. likely dropped once or twice, and as a result - right at the start - the screen was simply just not appearing / booting up. Everything else worked fine - the blinking LED came on, and we...
These Hangman fx pedals have been doing the rounds somewhat of late - both Emily Hopkins and the Superfunawesomehappytime chaps received bumper care package of these fairly recently. And Intheblue’s Shane Diiorio and Mike Hermans have at least one apiece.
I do hope Guitar Pedal X can be more involved at the front of these sorts of brand launch events. I mustn’t grumble really - I do get included in many a release schedule, and plenty gets sent my way - but weirdly I still feel like I’m ...
So this incredibly busy month was supposed to be all about Tremolos, culminating with the Rounder Sounds Zebra-Trem Review and 30 Tremolo Pedal Overview. But we hit some snags along the way - the Zebra-Trem was mysteriously held up in customs for a week, and then got slightly lost in the local postal network. And when it did finally arrive - evidently it had been dropped a few times, as the screen was no longer working. After trying various obvious remedies with Bill over a few days - with no ...
This is another project inspired in part by the Beach Boys collaboration - in using the exact same form factor - with those super appealing RCA Bakelite Knobs and crystal Amp lens. You can think of it as a follow-up to the limited edition California Girls, I Get Around, and the more recent Halo Core pedal. Most similar in fact to the Halo Core in shadowing an already existing Keeley Pedal.
I own and love the more svelte and potent Light Bending Special Edition of the Halo - so the Halo Core...
Since my acquisition of Kinotone’s Sparks a few weeks ago, it turns out I’m now quite familiar with Wavefolding Distortion - which is a big part of this new device. In fact on the Sparks you can modulate that distortion too via LFO and Envelope Filtering, while you don’t have access to 8 different waveforms you get on the Gravity Well.
I guess for the Gravity Well the two key ’blending’ controls here are Volume and Depth - where overall it’s a pretty simple topology, with independent ...
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-...
The Red Mountain is my 29th Tremolo, my 13th Harmonic style of tremolo, and one of just 4 stereo Tremolos - alongside the Flower Pedals Sunflower, Kinotone Sparks, and Walrus Audio Monumental.
This one has been on the wishlist a while - as for a long time it was a little ahead of the curve in terms of its advanced features, but other pedals have since caught up. Overall the Red Mountain is still a compelling option.
It has a few less Waveforms than most - but a cool Stutter / Kill ...