I really dig the fact that more and more delay pedals are coming out that include the option of some type of added modulation. Not that this is a super-new idea, mind you, but I like that it has caught on, and that there are some great options for pseudo-tape delays out there now, most for a reasonable price. If the old machines weren’t so huge and so expensive, we’d all have one, but alas, that is not the case. One of these newer model delays is the Blueprint from VFE Pedals.
Lots of controls on the Blueprint, making it extremely versatile and useful in almost any musical situation (sounds awesome on keys, too). Level starts us off right away with up to 20db of clean boost, which can be nice for soloing and cutting through the mix. Time controls the delay time, of course, and the Blueprint has a range of time from 30-580ms, making it perfect for slap back and mid-range delay lengths. The Echo knob adjusts the amount of the repeated signal, from one to infinity, which creates an awesome self-oscillation effect, and Mix blends your Wet and Dry signals.
Now for the Modulation section of the Blueprint. 2 control knobs are utilized here, and both work in conjunction with each other to form and shape the overall modulation. Depth adjusts how present you want the modulated sounds to be, from faint to ferocious, and lots of variations in between. Speed controls, obviously, how slow or fast the modulation is applied to the delayed signal, resulting in some interesting combinations with the Depth knob, and some overall wacked-out results. Using these controls, you can go from a wonderfully clean, crisp analog delay, to a spaced-out, trippy tape echo-type tone, and loads of other sounds in that spectrum.
Add to all that two internal trimpots (one adjusts the Tone of the pedal, from dark to bright; the other adjusts the brightness of the LED), and you’ve got an all-around delay workhorse, in a nice small enclosure, with a soft switch (which should be on every pedal, but whatever) and loads of sonic options. Thanks to Peter and everyone at VFE Pedals for sending this sweet pedal our way – go check them out and see what else they have to offer!
Specs:
– Rugged diecast aluminum enclosures
– TrueSoft + DualMode true bypass switching
– Industrial-grade Carling switches & Neutrik audio jacks
– Alpha pots soldered directly to PCB
– 5% WIMA film capacitors & 1% metal film resistors
– Cardas Audio ultra-pure, eutectic silver solder
– P3 system phantom-power compatible
– Built by hand in Puyallup, WA, USA
Submitted by Mike B, Website
