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Empress Effects celebrates 10,000 units of Zoia sold - with a Special '10K' 500 limited run edition

Ambient EffectsArpeggiatorBitcrushing and Lo-FiDelay WorkstationDrive WorkstationEmpress EffectsGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXOctaverPitchPitch-ShiftingReverb WorkstationUtility+-
2024-GPX-Empress-Zoia-10K-700.jpg

I was one of the early movers on the Zoia - all the way back in 2019, it’s incredible really that 10,000 units of this pedal have been sold to-date. Right from the start I called it out as more of a tabletop device - and one more at home with modular synth types really.

 

For the average guitarist - the control interface is ever somewhat clunky, and doesn’t really allow fluid tweaking on the fly like we’re used to - as you only have a singular rotary encoder. And moreover no Bluetooth ...

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TC Electronic combines 14 of its mainline flagship pedals into the one Plethora X1 Bluetooth Enabled All-in-one Multi-FX unit

DelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbFlangerHarmonizerModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXOctaverPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingReverbReverb WorkstationTC ElectronicTremoloUni-Vibe and Vibe+-
2024-GPX-TC-Electronics-Plethora-X-Mulfi-FX-700.jpg

This was always a no-brainer for TC Electronic - really just a matter of when they decided to pull the trigger, and this is truly a fantastic proposition - coming with Bluetooth App Control by default for just  a $179 / €189 / £179 outlay. You get the creme-de-la-creme of TC Electronic Flagship pedals all in one unit! If you have any passing knowledge of TC Electronic Effects then this is a must-have acquisition.

 

So this doesn’t cover off the various recent Ampworx pedals, in fact none of ...

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12 All-Time Favourite Modulation Pedals

Beetronics FXBest in ClassBossChorus and VibratoDiamond PedalsDryBell EffectsEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFlangerFlower PedalsHarmonizerJAM PedalsKrozz DevicesModulationPastFXPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingRotary SpeakerSlicer and StutterStrymonSubdecay EffectsTremoloUni-Vibe and VibeWah and Fixed Wah+-
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2024 has been quite the monumental year for me as regards Modulations - with several of my all-time favourite varieties having been added to the reference collection this year, some very recently - including the slightly older Krozz Airborn and Strymon Lex V2 - which I could have gotten in sooner, alongside 3 killer modulations that were released this year :

 

Modulations added to the Reference Collection in 2024 :

  • 2024 : Chorus : PastFX Kurt’s Cologne Small Clone Multi-Era Analog Chorus -
...
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JAM Pedals unleashed 2 Greg Koch Signature Kochness Monster Multi-FX Units in Standard 4-Effects, and Supreme 10-Effects Editions

Analog DelayBig Muff Style FuzzBoostBoost and OverdriveChorus and VibratoDelayFuzz Face Style FuzzGreg KochJAM PedalsModulationOverdrivePitchSilicon FuzzTremoloTubescreamer Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeWah and Fixed Wah+-
2024-GPX-JAM-Pedals-Kochness-Monster-700.jpg

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 ...

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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+-
2024-GPX-Pedal-Chain-Update-September-700.jpg

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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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+-
2024-GPX-Dr-Scientist-BitQuest-EEPROMS-700.jpg

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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Keeley's Octa Psi Transfigurating Fuzz is a marvellous confection of Fuzz, Octa-Fuzz and Polyphonic Ramped Pitch-Shifting

Big Muff Style FuzzFuzzHarmonizerKeeley EngineeringOctave FuzzOctaverPitchPitch-ShiftingSilicon Fuzz+-
2024-GPX-Keeley-Octa-Psi-700.jpg

The Octa-Psi has been over 3 years in the making - and I can see why! A pretty potent richly textured Fuzz voicing - particularly on the PSI (Max Undertones) Mode. On the other side we have the most fantastic polyhonic octaver and pitch-shifter with multiple Interval choices, and smart blending functionality - to accentuate, elevate, or ameliorate the key constituents. Also with killer Momentary Pitch Ramping - which climbs up to the selected interval and drops back down to the root - kinda ...

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SpiralCaster Cohen Hartman reveals his 12 all-time favourite pedals

Alexander PedalsAmbient EffectsAnalog ReverbBitcrushing and Lo-FiBoostBoost and OverdriveChorus and VibratoCooper FXDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDriveEcho FixEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzGermanium FuzzGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHologram ElectronicsKodex AudioModulated FuzzModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXOddball DelayOddball ModulationOverdrivePhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingReverbReverb WorkstationRotary SpeakerSilktoneSpaceman EffectsSpacey ReverbStrymonSwamp WitchTEFI Vintage LabTremoloUni-Vibe and VibeWalrus Audio+-
2024-GPX-12-Favourite-SpiralCaster-Pedals-700.jpg

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 ...

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Electro-Harmonix's POG III massively expands its capabilities, and levels up to full Multi-FX Workstation territory

Bitcrushing and Lo-FiDown-TunerElectro-HarmonixEnvelope Filter and Auto WahExpressionHarmonizerModulationMulti-FXOctaverPitchPitch-ShiftingSwellWah and Fixed Wah+-
2024-GPX-EHX-POGIII-700.jpg

Electro-Harmonix often does superb introductory demos for its new pedals, and I must admit I was totally blown away by the vast Multi-FX territory covered by this launch. This POG III takes the Polyphonic Octave Generator circuit into entirely new territory - and has you covered for all kinds of other advanced effects.

 

Watching the demo, the following key territories are touched on :

  • Slow Polyphonic Attack - backwards octave blend, somewhat Attack Decay -like
  • 12 String sound with Chorus
...
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Another trip to Rainger FX HQ reveals further details on the MiniDrone

Guitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerModulationPitchPitch-ShiftingRainger FX+-
2024-GPX-Rainger-FX-HQ-700.jpg

So I’m on a hat-trick of onsite visits to Rainger FX’s Willesden Junction HQ. I was supposed to be there ahead of the MiniDrone launch, but a mix up in communications meant that I ended up there a few days after, and what an instructive visit it was. Just 2 of the team were present besides David - Baptiste, and Matt - who are featured in the above concept cover picture too. Of the two other regulars - Prav was away on vacation, and I believe Martin only comes in on one day of the week or so - ...

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