It’s always a treat when the crew at Strymon release a new device, ’cause you really never know what you’re gonna get. Following in the footsteps of the recent Fairfax Class A Output Stage Drive, we’re looking at the brand new Canoga Vintage Silicon Fuzz today. The next pedal in the ‘Series A’ lineup, this 2-knob gem gets back to basics, with a wide array of analog dirt tones on tap, to push your...
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You know when you know a new pedal is coming, but it won’t be released for months, and the anticipation is killing you?? Well, that’s how I (and many, many others) have felt about today’s pedal, the Keeley Electronics RK2000 Funk Siren Delay. A modern ode to a classic, perhaps under-appreciated rack delay from decades past, this gray box is full of more options, tones and sounds than you’ll know what to do...
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Stoked to be back with another pedal from our friends at Bananana Effects today! After checking out a couple of big boxes (the Quimera and the Tararira), we’re starting our journey into the world of their smaller, pedalboard-friendly effects, with the Aurora Pitch Shift Multi-Delay. Tossing everything normal about delay pedals right out the window, this little gem will open your eyes and ears instantly, allowing creativity and a...
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It’s always a blast when I get a pedal in from a new (to me, anyway) company, and I’m really stoked to bring you all an absolute beast of an effect today. The Glass Drive from Axewerx is an octave, overdrive, distortion and fuzz all rolled into one sonically gorgeous mess, complete with flexible options both on the outside and internally. If the graphics are giving you any kind of indication, this is a wild one, so get...
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I’m back with another new release from our friend Mark at Summer School Electronics today, and it’s the perfect pedal for a Thursday…or any day, for that matter. The Fuzz 101 is a new take on a classic fuzz circuit, with everything you need to introduce or reintroduce fuzz in your rig. Featuring any easy control layout and a broad spectrum of vintage and modern fuzz sounds, this pedal will add some oomph and amazing...
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The crew at Collision Devices have been putting out innovative, unique effects units since they first came on the scene, and I’m excited to bring you not one, not two, but THREE of their latest offerings. The Snack Series are designed to be fun and useful, while also being accessible and extremely pedalboard-friendly. The first releases in this series are the Fuzz, Pitcher and Delay pedals – there’s lots to talk...
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Fancy reverb pedals with tons of options and sounds are pretty cool, there’s no doubt about it. But, often times, you just don’t need that many choices – you just need a good-sounding, solid (and hopefully affordable) reverb pedal to complete both simple and complex setups. Enter today’s pedal, the aptly-named Reverb from AKLOT, a no-nonsense effect that’s easy to use and sounds great in any rig –...
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Well, we’re back with another New Company Friday – this go-round features our first foray into the world of AceTone Electronics, a company founded in the Netherlands where passion for music and craftsmanship come together to create extraordinary sound experiences. Today, we’re checking out their MWK-01 Mojo Work King Overdrive, a bright, bold green effect that is ready to unleash a new brand of dirt onto the world....
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PEDALXCHANGE.com connects musicians through safe, low-cost trades, exchanging unused pedals for fresh inspiration. Trading is a more affordable way to discover pedals that inspire. As a free-tier member, complete a trade for a flat $3 fee. Prefer to buy or sell? Their seller fees are half those of the leading marketplace. Play more. Spend less. PEDALXCHANGE.com https://pedalxchange.com/ _____________________________ I’m excited...
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The Bixonic Expandora was a unique, Japanese-made boutique multi-distortion pedal from the mid-1990s, renowned for its circular, “hockey puck” design and diverse tones, ranging from subtle overdrive to heavy fuzz. Today, we’ve got a modern recreation of this odd but incredible pedal, complete with modern updates and some new tonal & functional options. Don’t let the size or shape of the Expandora Pedals...
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Since their first pedal landed on the doorstep to our shop, I’ve been mildly obsessed with the gear coming from the folks over at SoloDallas. From the original Storm Boost Limiter and TSR Compander Booster, to newer offerings like the SVDS Mini Boost and Orbiter Fuzz, there’s always something unique and intriguing being released by these guys. Today, we’ve got their latest for you: the CompanDrive 65 (CD65) Compander...
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In all my years doing pedal reviews, I have come across maybe a handful of stereo distortion pedals (like the Dunable Splatterblaster)…maybe. Sometimes, when the need arises, you just gotta build something yourself, which is exactly what the crew at Land Devices did with the Hunter Stereo Distortion. Killer connectivity options + a wide scope of dirt tones = one badass mamajama (and this one is bright red, too!) – come...
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After being able to check out the super-amazing QUIMERA Polyphonic Synthesizer Sampler from our friends at Bananana Effects a couple weeks ago, I was curious how they were going to try and compete with such an amazing effects unit. Well, the answer has come to us, in the form of the TARARIRA Arpeggiator Pitch Shifter Sequencer, and while these two are completely different, they share a love of experimentation and sonic wonder. Come...
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Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to check out a couple of pedals from Electro-Harmonix’ Pico Series: the Atomic Cluster Spectral Decomposer and the Intelligent Harmony Machine Harmonizer. Today, we’re leaving the mini pedals behind and getting back to a big, full, classic sound, with the Bender Royale MKIII Germanium Fuzz. Vintage tone, modern additions and all the fuzz you can handle…this one’s a...
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I love checking out new multi-effects units, just to see what new, exciting sounds they can make, and see what’s happening in the modeling world. One of the frontrunners of these effects are our friends at Valeton, and they’ve got not ONE, but TWO new explorative creations that are releasing today. Sharing the same inner workings, but each having their own unique set of skills, the GP-150 and GP-180 Multi-Effects...
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The creations coming from the EarthQuaker Devices camp have always been intriguing, innovative and exciting. That streak certainly continues today with their latest, the Towers Stereo Reverberant Filter & Soundscape Generator. This wide-ranging reverb devices combines ambience with sweeping filters, three different modes, stereo operation, EIGHT onboard Presets and more – hang on tight, you’re in for a wild sonic...
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PEDALXCHANGE.com connects musicians through safe, low-cost trades, exchanging unused pedals for fresh inspiration. Trading is a more affordable way to discover pedals that inspire. As a free-tier member, complete a trade for a flat $3 fee. Prefer to buy or sell? Their seller fees are half those of the leading marketplace. Play more. Spend less. PEDALXCHANGE.com https://pedalxchange.com/ _____________________________ I’m excited...
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It’s been a minute since we had a pedal in from Browne Amplification, but today’s pedal is a fantastic return to an amazing company. The ALKENE Nashville Overdrive brings a certain, specific sound to the table, pushing your amp and driving your tone with some nice options onboard. An instant classic, this tan beauty is sure to turn some heads and awaken the sleeping beast within any setup or rig… Inspired by the...
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I recently had the opportunity to check out the XS-1 Poly Shifter from our friends at Boss, and it really opened up a new way to think about approaching writing and musical creation. Today, we’re taking a look at that lovely pedal’s big brother, the XS-100 Poly Shifter Octave Pitch-Shifter, a beast in its own right, and one that expands on the features and productivity of its smaller counterpart. Strap in for a wild ride,...
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Last month, I tried out my first pedal from Enduring Audio, the Bad Luck Vintage Overdrive, and was really impressed with the build and tone it created. Today, we’re back in both the Enduring and Vintage camps, with the next one in their lineup, the Charming Voices Analog Chorus. This gorgeous modulator gives you the classic sounds you’re searching for, but with some modern updates and a wide range of controls to bring...
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When you plug in certain pedals, and they don’t even sound like pedals, but otherworldly creations of their own, you know you’re onto something special. Such is the case with today’s marvelous piece of musical gear, the Bananana Effects QUIMERA Polyphonic Synthesizer Sampler. Breaking all the auditory boundaries you can think of, this sonic marvel is one of the most unique all-in-one units I’ve come across, and...
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The fine folks at Electro-Harmonix recently sent over their Pico Atomic Cluster Spectral Decomposer, and it was an absolute blast to demo. In that same package, another mini pedal had also arrived: the Pico Intelligent Harmony Machine, a pint-sized harmonizer that looks just as fun as it sounds. I am always baffled by how these pedal designers cram so much tone and functionality into such a small enclosure, but however they do it, it...
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You know how sometimes you can tell a pedal is going to sound wicked rad just by looking at it? That’s how I felt about the JHS Pedals Double Dragon Lo-Fi Octave Device, which we’re going to look at today. Octave pedals with more than 2 knobs are always intriguing, and the lineage that this yellow beast is inspired by is the who’s-who of octave creations. The fact that my daughter has been obsessed with dragons for...
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Preamps have really grown to become one of my favorite pedal genres over the last couple years, and when two powerhouse companies form a partnership on a new preamp creation, that makes us all pretty excited. The ZEQD-Pre All-Analog Tube Preamp is a collaboration between EarthQuaker Devices and Dr. Z Amplification, bringing the best of both their worlds together for a new and game-changing design. With multiple routing options, an...
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The VLP-200 features dual independent loopers that collaborate, unlocking limitless musical possibilities. Two built-in looper collaboration modes (SERIAL & FREE) allow for easy parallel playback of two loops or transition song sections between two loop tracks. You can store up to 99 project spaces, with each space capable of storing a stereo recording file of a single LOOP for up to 4 minutes, totaling a maximum of 7 hours of...
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I LOVE DELAYS. As if you all didn’t know this, but I thought I’d reiterate it once again. Therefore, I’m stoked to bring you yet another of these wonderful creations, this time in the form of the Twin Peaks Eiger-Mönch Dual Delay from our new friends at RhPf Electronics in Switzerland. It looks clean, it sounds incredible and has a playful quality about it that’s both familiar and unique, making it an excellent...
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When I started demoing pedals from Discomfort Designs back in 2021, I knew they had something special brewing. Starting from simple distortion circuits, they’ve evolved into creating wild, outlandish machines that test your very will, and excite your musical prowess in the process. Today’s pedal keeps their evolution going – My Continuing Battle With The Queasy Feels is a stereo multi modulator that’s once...
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When pedal companies make new models, they sometimes have to discontinue old ones to make room for new stock, or just to move on from particular circuits, or whatever the case may be. One pedal I’m glad I got a hold of before it went the way of the dodo is the All American Distortion V2, an updated take on the classic ProCo RAT circuit. After it’s been sitting on my shelf for years, I suddenly realized that, even though...
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I love good aesthetics when it comes to pedals – visuals are the first things that draws you in, and today’s design sparks immediate and playful interest. The FROG Pedal from FruitFX Pedals and Jordan.Wav is exactly what you think from first glance: a pedal that sounds like a frog. This is no throwaway or child’s toy, however, as it is an instantaneous source of fun and sonic exploration. Sounding great on its own or...
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I’m stoked to finally be collaborating with the fine folks at Electro-Harmonix on some demos, and we’re starting with one of their new, smaller pedal releases from the Pico Series. A truly unique pedal the likes of which I have not encountered, the Pico Atomic Cluster Spectral Decomposer makes weird, strange, fantastic and creative sounds, really letting you stretch out your thoughts and be creative. It may be little in...
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It’s always a blast when pedals from a company that’s new to me arrive at the shop for the first time. There are so many pedal companies out there, I love seeing how each one thinks and conceives new ideas and creates new gear for the world to enjoy. Randy at Enduring Audio has got all of this down to a science, apparently, and I’m stoked to bring you all the first pedal from his lineup today: please help we welcome...
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After checking out the Aquanaut Delay/Echo and the Velcrow Gated Fuzz pedals from Berserker Electronics, I couldn’t wait to see what they came up with next. I’m excited to help bring their latest creation to the world – this is the Dead Zone Low Fidelity Filter, an homage to a now-classic effect from days gone by that acts like a radio signal broadcaster for your guitar tone…don’t worry, you’ll see...
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When pedals are hard to put into any true category or genre, you know you’re in for a real treat. When someone asks you to describe these types of effects, and your mind fills with so many different options, some of which you might not even understand, you know you have a real innovative creation at your fingertips. Such is the case with today’s wild, experimental and thought-provoking pedal, the Dobbo Granular FX from...
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A lot of the time, three-knob effects pedals can be quite deceiving – you think there’s not going to be much to them, or that they don’t offer as many options as fancier units, but that’s often far from the truth. Such is the case today as well, as we’re checking out our first pedal from ROMA Devices, the Conviction Overdrive. As the red knob should indicate, there’s a lot of gain range here, and...
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I first got my hands on an effects unit from ezhi&aka about 6 years ago (the magnificent Moomindrone T Drone Delay), and is the years since, have had the pleasure of checking out their Polarized Flutter Lofi Tapestop and Polarized Flutter + Echo pedals, and they’re all nothing short of brilliant. Today’s unit from them, the Double Tape T Broken Tape Deck Emulator, might just be the best one yet. Aside from being the...
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Lush, warm, tone-altering modulation can add the spark and sparkle your tone needed, in many different and creative ways, and a good compressor will round out your sound. When you get a pedal that has both of these, and runs in a wide stereo field, you can bet that it’s gonna be a special piece of gear. Which is what you have with today’s unit, the Ghost Note Audio Swirls Chorus Pitch Shifter Compressor. This thing has so...
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Let’s face it: all the effects pedals in the world won’t make your sound sound good without an amplifier, right? And a good tube amp is hard to beat, in any scenario or with any musical genre – however, they require upkeep, especially in the actual tube department, which can be a problem from time to time…until now. Master Amp Maker Ben Verellen has been working on the OCTAL, a power tube alternative, for...
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A good distortion pedal should give you a harder edge, more grit and a beefier tone…but it can also shape your sound, get to the edge of breakup and give a whimpy signal some much-needed love. Today’s pedal, the Eavesdropper Pedals Dr. Square Distortion, does all of these things, and a little bit more. Based on a classic effect from the 1970s, this little box will get you all the dirt you need, and some you might not have...
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Dual pedals just rock, no matter what the combination of effects happens to be. When they’re created together by two different companies, that makes them that much cooler. Today’s pedal sees our friends from Summer School Electronics and Supercool Pedals team up to create a grungy, classic type of sound, with a lot of range and all the nostalgia you can handle: ladies and gents, this is the Smoking In The Boys Room Chorus...
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Volume pedals aren’t usually the flashiest, coolest thing you’ve got on your board. Sure, they serve their purpose, and are must-have utems for lots of players (myself included), but you don’t usually run up to your buddies and say, “Check out this bitchin’ VOLUME PEDAL, bros!” That is, until now. Continuing a trend of bucking, well, trends, the crew at Walrus Audio has come up with the most...
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Octave pedals add a whole new dimension to your sound, whether it’s from a guitar, bass, synth or whatever. Big box, old school pedals from Electro-Harmonix are fun to play, hands down. Put both of these things together, and you’ve got the 1970s Octave Multiplexer Analog Sub-Octave Generator, which we will be taking a look at today…(thanks to Anthony from Marla Amps for lending me this beauty) The EHX Octave...
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I’ve been hearing about the amazing pedals from Kingsley for years now, but their high price point made it hard for me to ever get my hands on one…until now. On loan from my good buddy Carl P., I’m bringing you the Harlot v3 Tube Overdrive today. I know, I know, they already have a v4 out in the world, but there’s nothing wrong with this version whatsoever, as you’ll soon see and hear. Overdrives with...
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Last month, I checked out my first pedal from Luxury Tone FX, the Overdrive Sustainer 2, and was pretty damn blown away by it. Today, I’ve got another pedal from this crew all the way from Spain: the Sunrise Overdrive Distortion. Keeping with the simplistic layout/control theme, this tan gem features three knobs and one toggle switch, allowing you to free up your time by not having to dig through a 100-page manual, and focus on...
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Pretty excited to bring you all today’s pedal, as it’s a real piece of history finally brought to life. For 50 years, a forgotten schematic sat buried in dust and time – a concept waiting to be born. Now, its moment has come. The JHS Pedals x Electro-Harmonix Big Muff 2 Dual Op-Amp is here, delivering a completely new Big Muff voice unlike anything you’ve heard before. From Bob Myer’s original forgotten workshop to...
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As far as heavy, instrumental, post-metal music is concerned, the dudes in Pelican are in the upper echelon, and have been at the forefront for 25 years. Today’s pedal sees them collaborate with Dead Air Studios to bring us the Resonance Reverb, a seemingly simple pedal that is anything but, fitting their specific style of music to a T. If you like metal music, ambient stuff or just adding another layer to your sound or style,...
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I don’t know about you all, but the look of a pedal is, a lot of the time, what draws me towards it initially. At first glance, today’s effect, the superlunar sr-01 transistor-based analog saturation device, made me instantly want to know more about it, and what sounds it could produce. Well, after further investigation, it sounds as good as it looks…if not better. Come along as we explore this magnificent machine,...
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When I first saw today’s pedal from Strymon, the Fairfax Class A Output Stage Drive, I said to myself, “Where are all the knobs and switches??” With just three knobs and one switch, this pedal doesn’t seem like a true Strymon creation…at first. Once you dive into it, you will see and hear the obvious time and effort that their engineers put into making this thing. One of those pedals that makes you do...
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I think TWA (Totally Wycked Audio) is a rather underrated effects company, and today I’m gonna show you another reason why. After checking out their Wahxidizer™ WX-01 Envelope-Controlled Octave Fuzz Filter Wah and SC-01 Source Code Overdrive pedals recently, I was stoked to see what was next, as those two creation were AMAZING. Enter the RZ-01 Chemical Z™ Roy Z Signature Dual Channel Overdrive, a beast of a pedal for all musical...
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If you’ve been following Pedal of the Day for any amount of time, you may have figured out that guitar is my SECOND favorite instrument: it’s true, I’m a drummer. Since the age of 8, I’ve felt most comfortable behind a kit, which is why I’m soooooo stoked to bring you all today’s pedal/unit/multi-effect. The newly released Walrus Audio DFX-1 Percussion Processing Unit was designed specifically for...
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Running one pedal company has got to be tough, but TWO?? That’s the case with our friend Antonio from Andalucia, Spain, who heads up both Luxury Tone FX and M Pedals, the latter of which we’re focusing on today. Come along as we investigate the wonders trapped inside the Colossus Overdrive Dumbleit, an ode to an amplifier sound that’s sought by many and actually obtainable by few. You might not sound like Stevie Ray...
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