Happy New Year, everybody!! Instead of starting 2026 of with a big bang, we’re gonna shrink it on down today, as we check out the Olinthus Pillbug, the World’s Smallest Compressor!! Just a little bigger than your favorite guitar pick, this black beauty follows in the footsteps of the Cicada Overdrive and Earwig Fuzz, the first two super-small pedals from Olinthus. They’ve got a good thing working, and this mini...
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For our last review and demo of 2025, we’re going to take a look at the last pedal sent over from NUX (for now, anyway) – the Loop Core Stereo Looper with MIDI. I love a good looper, and I love stereo effects, and although I’m not very good at it, MIDI fascinates me, so what more could I want? An awesome pedal with awesome options and awesome sounds, this yellow pedal has a built-in drum machine, several connectivity...
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I’ve had the honor of demoing every pedal in the Aclam effects lineup over the last 6+ years, and am excited to bring you an oldie but a goodie today. Building on their flagship effect, the Dr. Robert V3 VOX UL730 Replica brings a very specific and unique sound to your practice room, rehearsal space or gig, opening eyes and ears along the way. If you don’t like The Beatles, you may want to keep moving along…but if...
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Some graphics are forever associated with certain objects, movies or music – the colorful prism on today’s pedal instantly conjures up the gorgeous songs that flow off of a certain early-70s psychedelic masterpiece. The DevTech Audio DSOTM Vintage Fuzz pays tribute to both a classic album and an amazing guitarist, with gorgeous aesthetic and warm, wonderful fuzz tones. Breathe in the Air, travel in Time and get On the Run...
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Over the last year, I’ve had the extreme pleasure of demoing a new lineup of mini pedals from Nobels, thanks to our friends over at Osiamo Music Gear. Following in the footsteps of the DEL-mini Digital Delay, ODR-mini2 Natural Overdrive and CHO-mini Stereo Chorus, today’s MOD-mini Tremolo Phase U-Vibe Modulation brings huge sound to the table, in a small, compact package. Grab those headphones, and let’s dive right...
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The Tube Screamer. Love it or hate it, it is a staple of the overdriven effects world, and a piece of gear used by thousands across the globe for over 40 years. Perhaps the most famous model is the TS808, and it has something uniquely in common with today’s pedal: they were BOTH designed by the same person. The TWA (Totally Wycked Audio) SC-01 Source Code Overdrive comes to us via our friends at Godlyke, and it meshes old school...
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Sometimes, the importance of your signal routing solutions can be overlooked, especially with a complex, multi-unit pedalboard. Stereo pedals can be tricky as well, or summing to mono, or wanting a wider stereoscape to present to your audience. Luckily, there are pedals in existence like the Slow Gear Electronics Stereo Pedalboard Headphone Amp + Aux In, an excellent solution to create the greatest tone and signal amplification...
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In a world that’s wicked saturated with effects pedals, you gotta create something that stands out above all the usual stuff. Today’s pedal, the Melon Cube Synth Fuzz from FruitFX Pedals, does just that, both with sonic prowess and a vibrant aesthetic. The five knobs here work together to produce a million different sounds, keeping your interest peaked and your fingers strumming all day long… A pedal with few...
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Whenever you see a pedal with that certain green tinge to it, there’s a good chance you’re getting a Tube Screamer of some type, right? But what if you saw one that gave you EIGHT overdrive modes in one pedal?? Well, that would be awesome, which is why today’s pedal is so exciting. The NUX Drive Core Deluxe MKII 8-Way Overdrive gives all the best versions of some killer overdrive circuits, letting you get tones...
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Multi-effects units are always fun – I mean, how can they not be? Well, I guess if they sound horrible or don’t have good features or catch on fire, sure – fortunately, none of those are present with today’s pedal, the Valeton GP-50 Multi-Effects Processor SnapTone & IR Loader. Bringing a boatload of effects, amps, presets, looper, tuner and more to the table, this one builds on an already classic...
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Boost. You think it only does one thing, but it can be so much more – a perfect example of that is the pedal we’re going to take a look at today. The Megaphone Transparent Booster from Dronechov Noise Machines in The Netherlands will boost your signal, sure, but it can also shape your tone. And if you like to push your overdrive/distortion pedals or your favorite tube amp to the edge and beyond, this seemingly simple...
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Complex pedals with tons of knobs and switches have their place, and can be a lot of fun, but sometimes you just want to be able to dial in a sick sound fast and GO. That’s the case with today’s pedal, our first from the crew at Luxury Tone FX in Spain. We’re gonna take a gander at the Overdrive Sustainer 2, a hand built, three knob beauty that shines in any application. This is one of those pedals that opens your...
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We’ve got another magical creation from our friends at Cosmodio Instruments for you all today, and, as usual, this one pulls out all the stops. Continuing their blistering reign on the unlikely and unusual, the Splinter Twin Time Modulator takes everything up a notch, then pushes it right over the sonic cliff, resulting in yet another unruly, impressive and downright fun effects pedal. Hold onto your hats, or capes, or robes, or...
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It’s been a hot minute since anything from TWA (Totally Wycked Audio) and Godlyke Distributing came through our shop, but today’s pedal definitely made the wait worth it. The Wahxidizer™ WX-01 Envelope-Controlled Octave Fuzz Filter Wah punches you right in the face from the moment it’s activated, and the distorted, vintage, wah-flavored tones just keep pouring out. Sporting a plethora of knobs and switches with which...
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I’ll be honest with you all: sometimes it’s tricky to get really excited about yet another fuzz pedal. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE FUZZ, but there are a lot of three-knob, clone-ish fuzz effects out in the world, so it takes something special to really get the creative juices a’flowin’. Well, today’s pedal has reinvigorated my love for this genre – the FTelettronica Pedals Utopian Fuzz brings...
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We’ve been having a lot of fun with this latest round of effects pedals from our friends at NUX, and we’ve got another gem for you all today. The Solid Studio MKII Preamp / Power Amp Simulator & IR Loader really pushes the envelope when it comes to easy portability, without losing any of the options or tones you need at the gig. Once you see what this guy can do, you might not ever lug around a heavy amp or cabinet...
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I loved the Infinity Verb Endless Soundscape from Death By Audio that was a limited release a couple weeks ago, so I was stoked when they contacted me about checking out a couple more pedals from the new Destroyer Series. Today, I’m excited to help welcome the Dream Station Stereo Reverb Delay, Moonbeam Stereo Multi-Stage Phaser and Thee Treble Overload Treble Booster into the world. These three effects look and sound as amazing...
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After venturing in to see what the DigiTech Whammy II Harmonizer & Pitch Shifter had to offer last week, I was excited to see today’s pedal, and what it was capable of. Coming in a much smaller enclosure, and a quicker, more modern style, the Boss XS-1 Poly Shifter was the wonderful surprise I knew it would be. Bringing the world of pitch bending roaring into 2025, this baby blue gem defies space, time and logic, producing...
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One of the most talked-about and now-rare pedals from the last decade has got to be the Kilt Overdrive from JHS Pedals. With two versions released so far, it has been the subject of lots of online chatter, gracing pedalboards all over the world. In honor of the first version being released a decade ago, JHS introduces the Kilt 10 Overdrive Distortion, a continuing collaboration with guitarist Stu G. Although it has the same basic...
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Being a designer by trade, aesthetics always have a way of playing into my love of pedals, and today’s creation is super clean, crisp and professional-looking…not to mention is sounds badass. The Tiptone Audio Devices LA-62: FET Leveling Amplifier is about as versatile as they come, bringing hints of preamp, distortion, compression, limiting and more to your pedalboard or studio recording setup. Not just for guitar, this...
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Recently, we’ve been taking a look at the new lineup of pre-made pedal kit effects from our friends at StewMac, which included the Sun Fuzz, Ghost Drive Transparent Overdrive, Two Kings Dual Boost Overdrive and the Lightcycle Phasor II Optical Phaser. Checking out each of these pedals individually, we’ve worked our way through the first three units, finishing this run with the Lightcycle Phasor II Optical Phaser. Bringing...
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Trey Anastasio, Tom Morello and Jonny Greenwood have been three of my favorite guitarists for 30+ years now – they all also happen to be masters of the DigiTech Whammy series of pedals. These harmonizing and pitch-bending units can be tricky to conquer, but these three guys have made them part of their signatures sounds for decades. The Whammy II, which we’re going to look at today, is sort of the odd man out in this group...
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It’s never a bad time for a Death By Audio pedal to arrive at your doorstep, and I’m particularly excited about today’s wild effect from our friends, and one of the craziest builders on the scene. The Infinity Verb Endless Soundscape takes whatever you assumed you knew about reverb and tosses it all out the ambient, noisemaking window. Part of DBA’s Destroyer Series, this limited, exclusive pedal was only...
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Today’s pedal both looks and sounds like my childhood, with hours and hours spent staring at and listening the glory that was Nintendo. Beeps, sweeps and creeps litter your ears when you plug in and activate the N.O.C. Pedals NinBitWah Bit Crusher Auto Wah, instantly transporting you back to the mid-1980’s. Four knobs and one switch produce more vintage sounds than you could ask for, letting you create tones that mesh the...
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New pedals from new (to me) companies are always intriguing, as you get to see different designs and innovations along the way. Today’s pedal, the monochrome fuzz one Germanium/Silicon Analogue Fuzz, comes to us all the way from the Ligurian Alps in Italy, and I for one am glad it made the trek to get here. Three knobs and two switches might not seem like too much to work with, but trust me, there are PLENTY of amazing sounds...
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I am always excited when Third Man does a collaboration with another effects company, and today’s pedal teams them up with one of our favorites. The Troika Delay is a multi-function delay pedal they have created with JHS Pedals and, of course, Mr. Jack White. Bringing a versatility not often seen in the realm of delay (or any other, really) pedals, this big beefcake lets you use delay with your favorite guitar and effects AND...
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We’ve been checking out a bunch of mini-sized pedals from Tone City over the last several months, but today we’re diving back into their larger collection of effects. One of our favorites from a couple years ago, the Heavenly Lake v2025 Delay Reverb has been updated and upgraded, bringing us the highest quality dual pedal in their arsenal. Use the delay and reverb together or separately, and let the experimentation...
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We’re continuing to look at more wonderful effects pedals from our friends at Keeley Electronics today, bringing you a unit that brings the very first amp effects into the modern era. The Zoma Stereo Reverb and Tremolo mixes the ultimate reverb experience with rich, modulated textures, for a wonderfully warm and inviting sound. With a gorgeous stereo field on tap, and a wide range of tones to explore, this silver beauty brings...
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The pedals coming out of the Heather Brown Electronicals camp over the least 4 years have always been unique and intriguing, so I wondered what her take would be on a semi-controversial effect genre: Compression. Well, it turns out she knows a little something ’bout that, too, as evidenced by today’s pedal, the Darlene Compression. Small, simple, quiet yet bold, this pedalboard-friendly tone-shaper gives you an easy...
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There’s a very distinct look and feel to effects from Supercool Pedals, and I have grown to love each and every one of their releases I’ve had to opportunity to check out. Today’s pedal, The Cutback Preamp-Style Distortion, is no different, continuing a strong tradition of dirt pedals from our neighbor to the North. Conjuring up sounds from one of my favorite all-time preamp pedals, this chill beast will encourage...
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Recently, we took a look at the new lineup of pre-made pedal kit effects from our friends at StewMac, which included the Sun Fuzz, Ghost Drive Transparent Overdrive, Two Kings Dual Boost Overdrive and the Lightcycle Phasor II Optical Phaser. We’re going to take a solo look at the third pedal in the lineup today, after checking out the Sun Fuzz and Ghost Drive earlier this month. The Two Kings Pre-Built DIY Dual Boost Overdrive...
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I always have a blast when pedals from NUX arrive on the doorstep, and I’ve recently been really enjoying the Core Series of effects they’ve sent my way. Following in the footsteps of the Verb Core Deluxe, Time Core Deluxe MKII and Komp Core Deluxe MKII pedals, today we look at the Amp Core Studio Amp Modeler & IR Pedal. Filled with amplified sounds both modern and classic, this golden beauty just might have you...
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Towards the end of last year, I was lucky enough to have the crew at Olinthus send over their flagship pedal, the Cicada Overdrive. Not only did it sound incredible, but it was far and away the smallest effects unit I had ever seen. Fast forward to today, and we’ve got their latest creation for you all to check out – help us welcome into the world Earwig – World’s Smallest Fuzz. The Earwig delivers a huge range...
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Over the course of this year, I’ve had an amazing time reviewing and demoing a couple of effects pedals from Case Study Effects. After the rousing success of their Aspen Overdrive and Studio Compressor units, I was stoked to receive the final pedal in their lineup, the Lastlight Transistor Based Boost & Overdrive. A simple four-knobber this is NOT, as you’ll see and hear below – this very well could be the final...
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The amplifiers coming out of the Silktone shop in Roseville, California, have always been amazing, and I was so stoked when they entered the effects pedal market a few years back. Having demoed their Germanium Fuzz and overdrive+ pedals, I was excited when the Expander Preamp Fuzz Overdrive was announced, and even more so when it arrived on our doorstep. Combining elements of the three best dirt genres out there, this seemingly simple...
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Well, we’re back again today with another gem from the innovative crew at Chase Bliss. Their latest, the Lost + Found Collection of Curiosities, is unlike anything they’ve released before – and, as you may know, that’s saying something. Combining elements of Chorus, Compression, Reverb, Grain Sampling, Harmonizers, Looping, Octaves, Phasing and much more, this green monster will expand your soul and create new...
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Small, pedalboard-friendly effects units are always nice to have on hand, especially for an overcrowded signal chain that takes up a lot of real estate. The fine folks at Tone City continue to recognize and build on this, as evidenced by today’s pedal, the Sweet Cream v2025 Transparent Overdrive. If you like your drives crunchy with an edge of break-up tonality, this pedal is really worth checking out! The Tone City Sweet Cream is a...
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Another wonderful effect from Keeley Electronics is on the docket, folks – we checked out the Rotary Stereo Pedal a couple weeks ago, and we’ve got another stereo creation today. The Halo Core Delay takes all the things you love from the original pedal and simplifies it, making for an easy-to-use effect that doesn’t skimp on tone. Grab those headphones, this one sounds amazing… The Halo Core is a streamlined...
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A couple weeks ago, we took a look at the new lineup of pre-made pedal kit effects from our friends at StewMac, which included the Sun Fuzz, Ghost Drive Transparent Overdrive, Two Kings Dual Boost Overdrive and the Lightcycle Phasor II Optical Phaser. We’re going to take a look at the second pedal in the lineup today, after checking out the Sun Fuzz earlier this month. The Ghost Drive Pre-Built DIY Transparent Overdrive brings a...
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Whenever a new pedal from Discomfort Designs shows up, there’s a rarified excitement that builds as I open the box and see what awaits. Today’s pedal, the Riemann’s Grave Octave Bit Crusher Distortion Filter, keeps that tradition in tact, with a wide array of controls, knobs and switches waiting to be poked, prodded and pummeled. Unlike most of the effects that I see come through the shop, this one will keep a smile...
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It’s been a hot minute since we had an effects pedal from Source Audio in the shop, but our return to this wonderful company couldn’t have been better, with the Encounter Ambient Delay+Reverb. This unit is a fully-loaded vessel of atmospheric discovery, thoughtfully designed to explore swirling celestial tones and deeply immersive soundscapes. Boasting 12 delay and reverb modes, stereo connectivity, 128 presets, external...
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We’re back today with the latest release from our friends over at Strymon, which is always an exciting time, as you all know. An out-of-the-box kind of effect, oil can delays produce extremely specific kinds of echoes, and when Strymon does their thing, the sonic possibilities suddenly become infinite. The Olivera Vintage Oil Can Echo is the result, bringing wide sweeps, stereo sound, gorgeous modulation and more to the practice...
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We’ve checked out LOTS of effects from our friends at NUX over the years, and today we’re going to continue looking at their Core Series of pedals. After really digging the Verb Core Reverb and Time Core Deluxe MKII Delay pedals last year, I was excited to check out the Komp Core Deluxe MKII Transparent Compressor, and it did not disappoint. Five knobs and one toggle switch really let you customize the compression you need...
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It’s usually all about rocking out and lots of overdrives and making cool noises here at Pedal of the Day, but it’s also nice sometimes to just kick back with an acoustic guitar and chiiiiiillllll… Today’s pedal allows you to do just that, but makes you also sound good while you relax, providing incredible tone, a bunch of connectivity options and even let you bring in some of your favorite noisemaker effects....
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It’s time to explore another new (to us) pedal company today, and their first effects unit is a sign of amazing things to come. Monger Pedals’ The Little Guy Fuzz-Phaser combines a 2-stage OTA phaser with waveform shaping (triangle, upward sawtooth, downward sawtooth) with an op-amp fuzz with hard clipping character, for an exploratory unit that will take you on a wild, experimental sonic journey through space and time....
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A couple weeks ago, we took a look at the new lineup of pre-made pedal kit effects from our friends at StewMac, which included the Sun Fuzz, Ghost Drive Transparent Overdrive, Two Kings Dual Boost Overdrive and the Lightcycle Phasor II Optical Phaser. We’re going to take a look at teach of these pedals individually now, starting today with the Sun Fuzz. Grab a Sun Fuzz from StewMac https://stewmac.sjv.io/3JxWky Back in the...
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Small, pedalboard-friendly effects units are always nice to have on hand, especially for an overcrowded signal chain that takes up a lot of real estate. The fine folks at Tone City continue to recognize and build on this, as evidenced by today’s pedal, the Bad Horse v2025 Boost Overdrive. With a wide-spanning range of sounds and all the amp-pushing, grit-filled tone you’ve been searching for, this little wonder proves that you...
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It isn’t always the units on your pedalboard that make the coolest noises that make the most difference…I know, hard to believe, but if anything represents that well, it’s today’s piece of musical gear. The PCH Active Direct Interface, the latest release from our friends at Strymon, is an advanced stereo active direct interface with a hidden superpower – an onboard console-quality headphone amplifier. Now you...
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I’m excited to bring you yet another rotating speaker pedal this week – we don’t see these too often, so having two in the span of a couple days is both rare and exciting! After investigating the Boss RT-2 Rotary Ensemble a couple days ago, today we’re looking at the aptly-titled Rotary Pedal from Keeley Electronics. Also a stereo pedal like the RT-2, this offering from Robert and crew has a bit more on the...
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The unmistakable sound of a rotating speaker has been heard and revered on countless recordings over the decades, but it’s not necessarily the easiest tone to achieve. Real Leslie speaker cabinets are big, expensive and have a TON of upkeep and maintenance that come with them, not to mention most stage sizes aren’t very accommodating to something that large. Enter the BOSS RT-2 Rotary Ensemble, a compact way to get these...
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