Hamstead Soundworks collaborates with That Pedal Show for the ultimate versatile Redwing Analogue Stereo Modulator
I’ve known for a while that Hamstead was working on a secret artist projects - initially due to launch around Easter this year, but evidently it took quite a while longer to perfect - which timing seems somewhat easily explainable now based on what has been achieved here.
I did not know that the artist in question was TPS’s Dan Steinhardt, and I had no idea that the project was based on a flanger. I know Hamstead has been working on its own take of Harmonic Tremolo - which has been going on...
Keeley enhances and reboots its Beach Boys I Get Around Pedal as the improved all-black 'Rotary'
As was always likely to happen, Keeley has honed and reissued its ’I Get Around’ Stereo Rotary Speaker Emulator Beach Boys / Sweetwater collaboration pedal. On the surface you seemingly have the exact same topology as on the I Get Around, but with some enhancements. The Mid Boost Push Switch was originally a 2-way control, while you get a third option on this new iteration.
Furthermore Keeley have upgraded the circuit with two improved circuit boards for even higher fidelity.
Controls ...
12 All-Time Favourite Modulation Pedals
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 -
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 ...
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-...
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 ...
Dr Scientist's most popular pedal - the BitQuest Multi-FX-Fuzz gets a Bonus Pack - which massively expands its capabilities
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/...
9 Favourite Jackson Audio Compact Pedals Capsule Collection
Considering my well documented fallout with this brand - this is a slightly odd article for me. I might not get along with said brand name head honcho - but Jackson Audio still make some very decent pedals. They’re not necessarily always the best sounding overall, but in terms of their format innovation, build quality, feature set and usability they’re still a formidable force.
Pedal industry relationships are always complex - as they don’t just involve the builders, but distributors and ...
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 ...
