There’s something about a really good phaser that makes your entire rig seem to just com alive. Alright, phaser-haters, just move right along to the next review. For the rest of us sane-folk, we’re here today to discuss the classic Phase 45 Vintage Script Phaser – the one from the 1970’s, mind you, not the Dunlop reissue, in case you were wondering. This true piece of phaser history only features one knob,...
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A couple of months ago, I checked out our first pedal from Artisanal Effects, the Toneshaper Drive EQ, and was quite impressed. When Warren told me recently he had a couple other pedals to send my way, I was naturally stoked, and the frist one we’re gonna check out is the Dual Phase Jr. This is a slimmed-down version of AE’s Double Phaser, but there’s no tonal or functional loss with this amazing unit. Let’s...
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I love a good phaser effect, don’t you? It can add subtlety, or depth, or get into out-of-this-world modulation territory, letting you express yourself and experiment with your music in so many different ways. Today, we’re taking a look at a reimagining of a vintage classic, with the Warm Audio Mutation Phasor II. This nod to one of the most recognized phaser units in history looks and sounds amazing, so let’s dive...
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Any time there’s a new release from our friends at Death By Audio, it’s always a very exciting time, and we’re always floored by the unique creations they unleash on the world. Today’s pedal is no exception: the Disturbance Lockable LFO Modulator combines Filter, Flanger and Phaser effects into one wild multi-modulation unit, showering the user with a slew of experimental sounds. As always, if you don’t...
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We’ve got an oldie but a goodie for you all today, coming in the form of the Nebula Phaser from Mojo Hand FX. This subtle beauty first came to us way back in 2014, and over the years we’ve had 2 or three different versions, finally settling on this black sparkled model. This phaser pedal is not a clone of the famous 2-stage vintage phaser, but rather a phaser pedal created to be the most user-friendly form for modern...
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We’ve always admired the small footprint mentality of the mostly no-knob effects pedals coming from our friends at Henretta Engineering. Get the sound you want, set it, forget it, play your ass off. Perfect. However, we were excited to see that they had collaborated with the crew at Chicago Music Exchange to make a bigger pedal with some control knobs to play with, too. The Planetarium is a combination of Henretta’s Moody...
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Well, it appears that we are in a familiar situation, reviewing another dynamite effects pedal from our friends at Keeley Electronics. It seems you can’t take 2 steps forward these days without literally stepping on one of Robert’s pedals (in our office, anyway), which is not necessarily a bad thing. Today’s gem of a pedal features a trio of effects again strewn together into one marvelous (and super space-saving)...
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Tone Factor is a great place to get great pedals, but did you know they used to BUILD them, too? This is one of their oldest (and best, IMO): The NEBULA Phaser. The circuit is loosely based on the Phase 45 / DOD 201 circuit, a 2-stage phaser that is more subtle than a 4-stage model. Lots of Uni-Vibe-type tones coming out of this little box, sitting more in the high-end and adding a liquidy texture and clarity to your tone. Simple...
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We’re always excited for a new Death By Audio release, and today’s latest sonic creation from them focuses on the Low End of all things muscial. The Bass War Bass Fuzz Distortion builds on a classic DBA circuit, gearing it in a different direction and for a different set of players. This silver fox is a louder, wider-ranging, earth-shaking bass fuzz that can get more oomph than any other pedal we’ve ever heard… Grab...
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A couple of days ago, we unleashed the power of the Dual Phase Jr Double Phaser from Artisanal Effects. Today, we’re looking at another one of their creations, but in a entirely different effects genre. The Magic Delay is a brand new, hand-built clone of a rare and somewhat obscure digital delay from the late ’90s. Just three knobs on this one, but great sounds and amazing tones just come pouring out here… The Magic...
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We’re rounding out the run of latest pedal releases from Flamma today, checking out the boomy FS08 Octave. The green gem offers detailed control over this expertly crafted effect, allowing players to punch through with added polyphonic octaves. Players can simultaneously add extra bass frequencies and brighten up their high end with an extra one or two-octave range… This polyphonic octave effect provides individual...
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Our friends over at Poison Noises are releasing new versions of their entire lineup of effects pedals, and have asked us to help showcase these overhauled creations. We’re going to look at 2 pedals a week for the next couple months, starting with the Hall of Mirrors Reverb V2. With 8 different reverb modes to choose from, and individual parameters for each mode, there’s a TON to explore in this one… Eight modes of...
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Our first foray into the world of products from Warm Audio was just about a month or so ago, in the form of the Jet Phaser. A powerful recreation of a vintage classic, we were blown away by how great it looked and sounded. Well, we’re back at it again today, with the second device in the current WA lineup. The Foxy Tone Box Octave Fuzz reinvigorates another classic effects pedal, the Foxx Tone Machine, complete with velvet...
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James Bowman Gainesville, Florida Against Me! http://www.againstme.net https://bowmanaudioendeavors.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing when I was 15, kind of a late start. I’ve been touring and recording since 1998. I grew up in South Florida. There wasn’t much of a music scene, so I would sit at home and play along to CD’s. I moved up to St. Petersburg, FL and I...
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If you can’t have fun with a multi-modulation pedal, you’re doing something wrong, plain and simple. If that modulation pedal gives you EIGHTEEN different effects, tap tempo capabilities, STEREO in and out connectivity and costs less than 100 bucks, you’re definitely doing something RIGHT. The Joyo R-09 Dual Channel Stereo Modulation pedal gives us all of these things, all in a 2-footswitch pedal that is the perfect...
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The latest version of Mu-Tron has been releasing some incredible pedals over the last few years, including the Micro-Tron Envelope Filter, the Phasor III Optical Analog Phaser and today’s funky machine. The Mu-Tron Octavider+ Analog Octave Fuzz is the newest reincarnation of the classic Octave Divider that Mu-Tron produced in the 1970’s, combining Fuzz and Octave effects for a small but powerful machine. The Fuzz side...
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Over the last couple of years, we’ve had a blast testing out and investigating the affordable lineup of effects coming from CNZ Audio. Delving into delays and echoes, overdrives, octaves and even a phaser, there was always one pedal that we had out eyes on specifically, and we’re bringing it to you today. The SMD-10 Mod Station traps a ton of different effects into one tiny enclosure, then unleashes them unto the world one...
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John Lee Shannon (www.johnleeshannon.com) Brooklyn, NY In addition to my own solo project, I regularly work in collaboration with: Zephaniah Ohora Cliff Westfall Bonehart Flannigan Brother Roy How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing guitar when I was 15 or 16. My mom is a huge music lover, we were always listening to the radio in the car and going to concerts growing up. My dad...
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Anthony Thogmartin Papadosio EarthCry www.papadosio.com earthcry.net How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? Music has always been a huge part of my life. My father apparently sung to me while I was still in the womb. My mother used to play me to sleep with her violin. Who have been some of your major musical influences, past or present? In my early days I discovered Hendrix, Jethro Tull,...
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Hi, my name is Brian Moss. I play guitar and sing in Spafford. We are based out of Phoenix, Az and our website is www.spafford.net. Follow us on all social media platforms as well! How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been a musician as long as I can remember. I grew up in northern New Jersey. My older brother and I, naturally, grew up competitive. He was bigger, faster and stronger at...
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The wonderful world of modulated effects opens huge doors into other levels of musical consciousness, whether it be via flanger, phaser, or something like the pedal we’ve got for you today: chorus. Our friends at Big Joe Stomp Box Company have created a gorgeous, simple yet robust and invigorating chorus effect, one that allows you to mimic your favorite sounds, ranging from the 70’s to the 00’s and beyond. The B-305...
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You gotta love a good vintage pedal, especially one that’s a little beat up, and shows its age. The R-60 Flanger from Ross we came across is exactly that, giving us a glimpse into what it has been through over the course of its 40-year life. Not surprisingly, however, it still sounds just fantastic, as these old Ross pedals were built like tanks, and able to withstand whatever was thrown at them. Let’s take a look and see...
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Continuing their status as one of the top-of-the-heap companies in the effects pedal world, Keeley Electronics introduced some multi-effects boxes to the world last year, and we’re lucky enough to have one of them to check out today. The Super Mod Workstation covers more ground than it probably needs to, or should be able, which is definitely NOT a bad thing. With more effects and parameter settings than you’ll know what...
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Michael Parker Seattle, WA – The People’s Republic of the USA I play guitar & keys in the band Pickwick www.pickwickmusic.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing guitar when I was in the 8th grade on a whim. I had a friend who was a drummer and needed some people to jam with. He recruited me basically because I was in the room and had nothing better to do. He...
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Mike Beigel Mu-FX Encinitas, CA www.mu-fx.com [Mu-FX by Beigel Sound Lab is a division of Beigel Technology Corp.] facebook.com/BeigelSoundLab How long have you been a musician? How did you get into musical effects in the first place? My main musical training was classical music on clarinet, but I also played Saxophone for a local high school dance band (“The Crescendos”), and for some local rock & roll bands and guitar just for...
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Rafferty Swink Evolfo: www.evolfo.com Low Noon: lownoon.bandcamp.com Oyinda: oyinda.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started taking piano lessons when I was about seven years old and never stopped. In middle school, I started playing in garage bands with my friends, as well as taking jazz piano lessons with a private teacher. I think having the balance of a serious music education...
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Tim Bluhm San Anselmo, CA The Mother Hips www.motherhips.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been singing since I was a kid, in church choirs and in school choruses. I started playing guitar right after high school. In my second year of college I started the Mother Hips with Greg Loiacono and we started getting gigs really quickly. Who have been some of your major musical...
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Today’s guest review comes to us from Marlin M. – find him on Instagram (@goes_by_fish), Twitter (@goes_by_fish) or Facebook (Marlin.Morin)! The NuX Mod Force is a multi effects pedal boasting an impressive 12 modulation types in a compact, pedalboard friendly enclosure. This unit has a full color LCD display (128×128) to adjust parameters for each of the modulation models. These models include chorus, tri chorus,...
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Neal Casal nealcasal.com Chris Robinson Brotherhood www.chrisrobinsonbrotherhood.com Hard Working Americans www.thehardworkingamericans.com Circles Around The Sun Skiffle Players (with Cass McCombs) Phil Lesh And Friends Gospelbeach How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing guitar in 1981. I was obsessed with the Rolling Stones and the bands I saw in the Gimme Shelter film....
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Scott Hachey Denver, CO I play guitar and make faces with The Magic Beans: magicbeansmusic.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been a gigging musician for almost 6 years now. Been playing music for over a decade now. Probably 15 years. Started on trumpet and moved on to guitar soon thereafter. Who have been some of your major musical influences, past or present? Growing up in...
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Ryan McCaffrey McCaffrey Audio Stevens Point, WI www.mccaffreyaudio.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been playing guitar since I was 6, so over 29 years ago. My dad, and a lot of his friends played guitar, which enticed me to observe and try to keep up with their playing. I began playing in a band when I was 12, and my buddy’s dad would let me play his 1966 Fender Jaguar in a...
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Celestial Effects 22 Kane Industrial Drive Hudson, MA 01749 800-343-4492 sales@celestialeffects.com www.celestialeffects.com How long have you guys been musicians? How did you each get into it in the first place? Dom: Thanks to my dad, who loved music but never played an instrument, my formal musical education came from playing trumpet and coronet from 3rd grade through high school. In high school I played in the concert band, wind...
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Rob Compa Guitarist for Dopapod Wayne, NJ www.dopapod.com www.facebook.com/dopapod How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been playing guitar since I was 12, so if my math is correct that’s about 17 years, I think. My Dad always played guitar around the house, so that got me into it initially. Eventually, we played a little guitar in our music class in middle school, playing little riffs...
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The Flanger effect is one of the most recognizable in all the land, and one that generally is not in the forefront of a lot of music these days (or, in the past, either, really). Sort of an oddball effect, the lone kid on the playground that’s kinda weird and is sometimes difficult to approach, flanging is mostly used in very specific settings, and even then only for short bursts or passages. Until now. Joel Korte and the team...
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Where to start with this pedal? There are so many options as far as sounds are concerned when using the Harmonic Decoder from Sunsine Audio, it’s a little daunting to know where to begin. A true single oscillating analog synthesizer, this beast can be a fuzz, an octave, a filter, a wah and much, much more. I’ll do my best to describe to you the power that is held within this little black box. The controls are easy to read,...
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(8/8/14) Guitars: PRS Custom 24 SE w/ Seymour Duncan TB-4 JB Trembucker (bridge) & SH-2N Jazz Humbucker (neck) “The Trooper” Fender Standard Telecaster w/ Seymour Duncan STL-1b Broadcaster Lead (bridge) & STR-1 Broadcaster Rhythm (neck) Alvarez AD60SC Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Amps: Ampeg GVT 15-H All-Tube Amp Head > Dr. Z 1×12 Cabinet (loaded with a Celestion Vintage 30) Orange Micro Terror 20W...
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