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Sonic Youth’s Pedal and Equipment Archive
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New Pedals: Pigtronix Gatekeeper Noise Gate
![1069143_404203289697032_1179757671_n[1]](http://audio.thedelimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/08/1069143_404203289697032_1179757671_n1-75x75.jpg "1069143_404203289697032_1179757671_n[1]")
New York City based manufacturer Pigtronix has recently released a noise gate stompbox called The Gatekeeper.
The pedal utilizes high speed J-Fet circuitry to quell any static or non-musical sounds from your signal path. With above the average headroom and wide range threshold control, the Gatekeeper enables fast and smooth playing that was previously only available in rackmount noise gate processors used in studios. The Gatekeeper is said to allow for musical gating even for demanding, high-speed genres like heavy metal, thanks to the release time knob, which allows the user to control how long it takes for the gate to slam closed.↧
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Pedal Reviews: TC Electronic Ditto Looper
As I said in my review of Pigtronix's feature-packed Infinity Looper, there seems to be something in the water that's making people gravitate toward the one-man-band setup. The proof is in the gear. Complex programmable loopers, in both hardware and software, are becoming extremely popular, but today's subject, the Ditto Looper by TC Electronic, is all about the simplicity. As a matter of fact, it has a meager 1 foot switch, 1 knob, 1 input, 1 output and 1 multi-colored LED. Yet, it is still pretty darn feature packed considering the footprint and minimalistic interface.
The Ditto hardly takes up any space on your pedal board - so you don't have to leave it at home for bedroom jams only. But what really amazes me about it is that despite its simplicity it still has everything I usually want in a looper.
To accomplish this, TC has cleverly expanded the functions of the footswitch. For instance, you stomp once to record, once again to loop, and that's ok but...
- One more stomp allows you to overdub,
- Pressing and holding will take the last element out (undo), and pressing and holding again will put the last element back in (redo).
- Press twice to stop, and press and hold while stopped to clear, once cleared it goes back into true bypass.
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TWA announces “Space Cadette” compact line of pedals
![970910_10150302698529982_1592555882_n[1]](http://audio.thedelimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/08/970910_10150302698529982_1592555882_n1-75x75.jpg "970910_10150302698529982_1592555882_n[1]")
Compact stompboxes are setting the guitar pedal world's abuzz these days, and after products from Malekko, Mooer, TC Electronic, Barber and a few others, it's now TWA pedals' turn to announce a line of small footprint devices, called "Space Cadette." These new mini effects will be available in the fall and include Echo, Chorus, Overdrive, Distortion, and Metal Distortion - with other effects probably available next year.
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Guitar Pedal Reviews: Jam Pedals Big Chill Tremolo
The Big Chill Tremolo pedal by JAM Pedals, out of Greece, is FANTASTIC! I don't normally open my reviews with all caps but it's that good. What makes it so good? I believe it's a combination of doing some traditional things very well and a few unique and innovative features that I have come to find invaluable in my own set up. Jam isn't really reinventing the wheel here. They are making the best wheel on the market.
It doesn't take an overly complicated pedal to make a good one. The Big Chill super-tremolo has 3 selectable waveform shapes for its volume automating circuit. Selectable via a 3-way toggle switch they are Sine, Triangle and Square. There are 2 separate speeds, each with their own discrete speed knobs selectable via the left-most foot switch so that you can change from Speed 1 to Speed 2 on the fly with blue and yellow LEDs to indicate one versus the other. This makes it really easy to either change speeds dynamically for a certain track or have two preset speeds for use on tracks with different tempos. The Depth knob allows you to dial in just the right amount of tremolo. The last variation is the Chop switch, it essentially makes a super choppy and intense variation on the selected waveform's effect on the signal. It's like instantly turning the Depth knob all the way clockwise, but even a little more intense. It's Choppy!
Where it gets interesting is when you start exploring the Expression Pedal inputs of which there are two. One for controlling the Depth of the effect, the other for controlling Speed 2. Both are very welcome and provide for the kind of expression one might appreciate in a live setting. Now, I may be a little bias because Tremolo is one of my favorite effects, but I think this is the ultimate Psychedelic guitar pedal. You can put it before other effects in your chain or after and it always sounds trippy. Two separate speeds togglable by foot switch is an amazing and highly creative feature. Expression pedal inputs for depth and speed make this even more dynamic and expressive! It's as if they read my mind. If that's not enough, they even included internal trim pots for Speed 2 and Chopper intensity. A tweaker's delight. This is one of the few pedals I would dare to call perfect! Great job JAM!
TIP: I use the square wave chop on bass in a band I play with for super spooky choppy bass effects. It's one of those effects you feel as the woofers push air.
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Option Knob introduces the VKnob – Volume Knob
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EHX releases nano re-issue of Hot Tubes
"Vintage" is a word that keeps inspiring many guitarists (and collectors of all kinds). Electro Harmonix, one of the very first manufacturers to unleash the creative possibilities of the stompbox format, has a series of pedals that can be filed under that category, and the 1970s Overdrive CMOS Hot Tubes is definitely one of those - see a video below of the original (and rather bulky) unit, now quite pricey and hard to find.
So I guess we have some bad news for those who own one of those "vintage" Hot Tubes... Listening to many guitarists who requested a re-issue of that pedal, EHX has just announced the Hot Tubes Nano, which uses the exact same design as the original but in a much smaller case.
Here's what you can expect from it.
Volume and Overdrive let you go from a gentle rasp that caresses your notes to a full-blown gain monster with a powerhouse punch. Sculpt your sound with the Tone control, or take a detour around the tone circuit with the Tone On/Off switch. True bypass for a pristine signal chain.
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A noteworthy Tremolo: Red Witch Pentavocal
Simple but infinitely charming, Tremolo is an effect that never seems to go out of fashion, making its way in most musical genres, from folk to... industrial. There are a bunch of rather unique tremolo pedals out there, and the Red Witch Pentavocal is definitely one of those.
This stompbox offers all your typical tremolo option: the Velocity knob controls the speed, Depth the intensity, while the left footswitch triggers various wave settings that change the character of the tremolo (square or round). But that's not it.
What's unique about the Pentavocal Tremolo is its emphases on tone color and gain.
The Bottom knob allows to fine tune the amount of low end of the original signal, allowing for a more or less round signal, achieved through a circuit that works either as a hi or lo cut filter. The Volume control not only lets you compensate the signal loss you get when the tremolo is active (a common problem for this kind of effect) but has enough juice to get your amp to overdrive.
As if that wasn't enough, a voicing knob on the top right of the box adds five extra coloring options, from full and lush (voice #5) to almost lo-fi and brittle (voice #1), while #3 is probably the more balanced.
If you are looking for a tremolo, definitely consider this one.
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Pedal Reviews: Maxon AD10 Delay and ASC10 Chorus
Maxon has been cranking out guitar effects for nearly as long as the idea has been around. With all of the years designing quality stompboxes it should come as no surprise that their new compact series effects, the AD10 Analog Delay and ASC10 Ambient Stereo Chorus, jam incredible sonics into small format boxes that are built to last.
The AD10 provides repeats 600 milliseconds of delay that doesn’t get in the way of your original guitar tone. As with all great analog delays, its classic bucket brigade repeats are accompanied with a mild distortion and can be easily coaxed into self-oscillation for noise rock anthems or otherworldly sonic exploits. With only three knobs, it's easy to dial in a variety of ambient delays and fake reverbs, as well as more traditional slap echos, or longer delays for solos without an engineering degree. The AD10 is a buffered bypass effect, meaning that while your signal is always running through the electronics within in some form, you do not run the risk of pickup loading from impedance issues or long cable runs. In other words put it wherever and it works as you expect without issue weather place it in the front of your amp or in the FX loop.
The ASC10 Ambient Stereo Chorusis a classic analog chorus circuit. Super simple rate and depth controls as well as a rate indicating LED provide access to slight warble-y shimmer to a super convincing Leslie style speaker rotary simulation and anywhere in between. Don't let its compact enclosure and simple control interface fool you, this pedal is incredibly versatile. Equipped with stereo outputs which are out of phase from one another the ASC10 can supply its effect to two amps for a huge stereo spread. Additionally, running a mono signal from output B will provide a chorus effect with more low end response which bassists will find a very welcome addition. The ASC10 works great on a whole array of sources and is equally at home on clean sounds as well was with overdrive and distorted tones. Like the AD10 delay this pedal also features a low-impedance buffered bypass making pickup impedance issues non existent.
In use, both of these pedals are excellent. The AD10 is wonderful and all of the settings produced a warm, enveloping echo effect that was free of any unwanted noise or ticks. There is no annoying clock noise to be found anywhere through the spectrum of settings. Likewise the ASC10 is a joy to use with a deep and involved chorusing that doesn't obscure your dynamics or articulation. Both pedals' small footprint and super simple controls are a treat in a world of increasingly huge and complicated effects. If you are in the market for delay or chorus, both of these pedals should be on your radar. - Arthur Fleischmann.
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New Pedals: BZZT Electronics SELECTOR 16.
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Guitar Pedal Reviews: iRig HD
At this point I would say that the iOS platform is here to stay as far as music creation goes. With the advent of Audiobus, an iOS app for allowing the interconnection of audio apps, we've seen many new creative inventions and ideas for effects processing, amp modeling, new takes on the DAW, and completely new inventions not possible before iOS. One of the key elements needed to get the most out of these sound processing apps is a way to get audio into the device at the best resolution possible. Enter iRig HD, IK Multimedia's high definition audio input device with Hi-Z connection via a 1/4" jack with gain control!
IK Multimedia was one of the first company championing the idea of using your iOS device as a means to process external sound musically. First it was the iRig, but the sound quality by way of tapping the headset microphone port was limited. They took the opportunity to upgrade this slightly by making the circuit active in the iRig Stomp. However, with the iRig HD they have completely redesigned the device to provide its own analog to digital conversion. They have also made the device compatible with Mac as well as iOS by way of interchangeable cables that vary from Lightening connector, 30-pin (iPod), and USB. This provides seamless integration no matter what platform you choose.
IK Multimedia are also famous for their wonderful Amp and Stomp Box modeling software available on both iOS and Mac formats. Despite the iRig HD sounds particularly good when used with IK's own software, the device can be used with any core audio compatible wares. The unit is capable of recording audio at 24-bit resolution.
I demonstrated the unit with IK's AmpliTube Fender software. The difference between iRig Stomp and iRig HD in terms of sound quality was nothing short of astounding. I felt as if it made the Amps and Effects come to life in a way I hadn't heard before. With the iRig Stomp I seemed to always be fighting with the EQ on the amp to achieve the desired tone. However, with the iRig HD I plugged in and tabbed through some presets and just enjoyed how they sounded, making little to no change. I tried with a few other sources like my synthesizer and bass and it just felt very transparent and responsive.
I highly recommend this interface to those interested in playing their instrument with iOS or Mac. It's on par with the Apogee Jam and works particularly well with AmpliTube. It's highly portable, bus-powered, and provides all of the cables one may need. My only feature request would be a way for the iOS device to continue charging with the iRig HD connected, but it's not a big deal. - Gus Green
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Pedal Reviews: Dawner Prince Diktator Preamp/Overdrive/Distortion
Coming to us from the Croatian sensation Dawner Prince Effects is the Diktator Preamp/Overdrive/Distortion. This pedal does a great job of driving your guitar into your amp. I would say that in a word this is a drive pedal because it can put your guitar through an evolution of drive stages all the way from warmth and presence with its preamp stage to tight and pretty heavy distortion with the pedal fully engaged and hot using it's Detonator mode. The circuits are mounted in a cleverly designed green enclosure with two LEDs that report the signals intensity intentionally placed as the cartoon dictator's eyes. (love it)
The Feature Set:
The pedal is broken down into two sections, Fuse and Detonator. The Fuse section is simply a preamp with a clean boost of up to 30 dB associated with the Boost knob. Turning this on with modest levels of Boost will still fatten up your signal. The Detonator section makes for most of the pedal as it has far more controls associated with it. You can use both modes in series to provide for boost and distortion combined to nice effect. The Detonator section features active Treble and Bass EQ circuits, which actually makes your adjustments quite sweet as opposed to a passive circuit. The adjustments always seem to have a major impact on the signal, which is nice. The Soft/Hard switch toggles between a rounder vintage tube distortion and a more modern high octane distortion. I really like both and they prove useful in their respective applications. The Dark/Bright switch toggles between dark and bright variations on the distortion channel's tone and creates quite drastic changes. The Drive knob helps dial in just the right the right amount of distortion, while the Level knob allows you to adjust the overall volume level of the Detonator circuit.
All in all, in a sea of gain intensive boxes of joy, the Diktator holds its own. The quality components and beautiful active EQ, as well as the Soft/Hard and Dark/Bright switches make for a complete package of wonderful distortion and overdrive effects. Throw in a really awesome preamp and clean booster to boot and you've got one heck of a pedal. I continue to be impressed with this newer maker. And I love those LED eyes! -Gus Green
Check out this video we found on the internet:
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Electro Harmonix unveils the East River Drive
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New Pedals: TWA’s Great Divide
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was The Great Divide... Over three years in development, this pedal (aka the TWA GD-02) combines classic analog octave division with proprietary synth technology to create a powerful tool for musical expression.
It features five independent voices that can be continuously blended for a limitless array of sounds, from classic “stompbox” octave division to multi-layered, supersonic Synth mayhem. The proprietary technology we mention is called S3™ “Shortest Send Switching” - a form of relay-based True Bypass that provides an incredibly transparent bypass sound and automatically reverts to bypass if power is lost.
Here are the Great Divide's key features:
• Dry voice with Level Fader
• -1 Octave Down voice with Level Fader & LPF controls
• +1 Octave Voice with Level Fader & LPF controls
• +1 Octave Envelope Mode
• SUB voice with Level Fader – selectable between -1, -1.5, -2 or -2.6 intervals
• SYN voice with Level Fader – Selectable between 0, -1, -1.5, -2 or -2.6 intervals
• Four selectable waveforms for SYN voice
• TRS Effects Loop to patch in external effects
• 12 Internal controls to adjust various voice parameters
• Proprietary S3™ “Shortest Send Switching” relay true bypass switching
• External 9 VDC power required (no battery option)
• “Division Symbol” status LED array
• Made in USA
• Direct Price $399
Check out this demo!
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Fredric Effects announces 3 new pedals
North London pedal (hand)builder Fredric Effects specializes in stompboxes that are small in size, simple in use, tastefully decorated and reasonably priced.
They recently announced three new pedals - check out the demos below!
The 'West Germany Vintage Tremolo' is a classic tremolo effect, rich with with warmth and musicality. It reworks the classic West German pedal, with a simple MXR-sized enclosure, a flashing LED rate indicator, and a improved depth control. Its warmth and smooth waveform (not choppy or stuttery like some other trems) makes this tremolo akin to that found on vintage Fender amps.
The 'Foxrite' is a clone of the late 60s Silicon Mosrite Fuzzrite. It is a reconstruction of the original circuit, improved with the addition of a boost stage to bring the volume up to modern expectations. The Foxrite is a uniquely abrasive effect - offering sounds from garagey distortion to full-on octavey, velcro-ripping fuzz.
Lastly, the Mutant Fuzz is an updating of the fabled Os Mutantes Regulus VIII fuzz pedal. Similar in topology to a silicon Fuzz Face, but with a more gritty and trebley character, this pedal is pretty much a straight clone with some added power and RF interference filtering - so it won't pick-up the radio like the originals sometimes do. The level of gain is fixed, although you can roll back your guitar volume pot to clean it up a little. The tone control is a switch for hi/low. The hi setting sounds very 60s, whereas the low is positively doomy.
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Pedal Review: T-Rex Alberta II Dual Overdrive
In case you're in any doubt what genre the T-Rex Alberta II Dual Overdrive's designers had in mind, it's blue. It's also pretty expensive, at $279. Does the world need another expensive blues overdrive? That's between you and your credit card, but if you are in the market for a professional-sounding overdrive, the Alberta II might be for you.
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Walrus Audio at Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit
Based in Norman, Oklahoma, stompbox manufacturer Walrus Audio has made a name for itself in the last few years through a series of pedals that sound great, and in some cases feature some completely unexpected twists.
The stompbox that obviously sticks out in their current "roster" is the Janus, a tremolo/fuzz featuring two... joysticks?!?
Let's see what these guys have to say about it:
Both the Tremolo and the Fuzz can be isolated and used alone, but can also be used together in series creating thick textures with a lot of movement. Each joystick has a separate X and Y axis that has designated controls. The Tremolo joystick controls the rate and depth while the Fuzz joystick controls the amount of fuzz and the tone. There are individual Volume controls for both effects and a Blend control for the Fuzz that allows the user to mix unaffected signal with the effected fuzz signal. The joystick controls make the Janus a great option for guitars, vocals, keys, or tracks.The other 4 pedals offered by Walrus Audio are a compressor, a distortion, two overdrives and a fuzz - check them out here. If you are dying to put your hands on those joysticks (and this is NOT a sexual metaphor by the way!) come to our Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit at Main Drag Music on October 19-20, 2013! And may the joy be with ya! P.S. Check out this demo of the Janus by none other than Steven Drodz of the Flaming Lips.
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Pedal Review: Analog Man’s Mini Chorus
Analog Man's Mini Chorus pedal is a fabulously warm, shimmery chorus with a distinct voice. Sure, digital chorus pedals offer more versatility for your money, not to mention crystalline clarity, but if you've got the means and you're looking for a vintage sound you could pick out of a lineup, you should track down the Mini Chorus.
Since the Mini Chorus is handmade and can be ordered directly from Analog Man, you can customize it (Analog Man can also customize a wide range of pedals you probably already own). The review model had two optional extras, the depth toggle switch and a wet/dry mix control knob, each adding $25 to the Mini Chorus's $225 base price. The depth toggle is nice—sometimes you want a more intense chorus, sometimes you don't—but unless you really want super-subtle chorus, the wet/dry mix control is something you can live without. Analog Man will set the pedal to a fixed deep setting for free if you opt for the standard package without additional frills, but until you've tried both it would be hard to guess which one you'll like better. It's hard to understand why this useful dual-mode functionality isn't part of the basic package.
It's easy to dial in whatever preference you have in speed and depth. Somewhere in the middle sounds pretty sweet for everything from clean picking to fuzzed out chords and solo strings; the most useful modifier is the depth toggle, which adds heft to quiet strings and can cut unwanted boom from loud ones.
Mini Chorus is a winner for anyone looking for something a little special in their chorus and can shrug off the wide range of features offered by more modern mainstream pedals. But if you're in the market, do yourself a favor and tick the box for the toggle switch. - Howard Stock
Try the Analog Man's Mini Chorus at the Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit 2013. Here's a video demo of the basic version (no depth and mix knobs).
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Build your own pedals with MOD Kits DIY
Those who combine a passion for stompboxes with some kind of electrical engineering expertise will - at some point - want to try to build their own pedals. MOD Kits DIY facilitates this process for the uninitiated, by selling pedals the way Ikea would, instructions included.
Last year we reviewed in depth the process of building their Persuader Overdrive, the company's flagship DIY kit that's now been upgraded to its Deluxe version (pictured). This "posh" version comes with four dual triode vacuum tubes (JJ 5751, 12AX7B China, JJ 12AU7 and a NOS USA made 12AT7), to get you familiar with the kind of character each component confers to the sound.
And since you'll be up for some learning, keep in mind that this is a pedal based on a Darlington preamp to push cascaded triode vacuum tubes into distortion!
Check out the MOD Kits DIY board at the Brooklyn Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit at Main Drag Music.↧
New Pedals: Keeley Electronics Seafoam Chorus
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