Often times, one or two-knob pedals can be dismissed as not having all the bells and whistles that fancier, more expensive effects have, and can be labeled as lesser quality. That’s why we love it when a pedal like today’s comes along, proving all the “experts” completely wrong. The Clarity Dynamic Overdrive from Analog Time Machine crushes all amps and eardrums in its path, but does so in a tasteful and...
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Ever since we got our Monarch 15W amplifier from Benson Amps back in 2017, we’ve loved everything they’ve put out, especially when the effects pedals made their debut. Having already checked out the Preamp, Germanium Fuzz, Germanium Boost and Stonk Box units, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on their first foray into out favorite all-time effect: Delay. The Delay Benson has created brings vintage and modern...
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We’re stoked to continue to bring you the ENTIRE lineup of pedals from Rockready Mini Pedals over the coming weeks, and we’re continuing with two more excellent mini creations today. The BC-1 Brit Crunch and NG-1 Gatekeeper are small, yes, but they pack a big punch with their sonic output. With simple controls and mini enclosures, these pedals fit onto any pedalboard, and into ANY budget… The VP-1 Vintage Phase has a...
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Happy New Year, everybody!! Here’s to a safe, healthy and prosperous go ’round the sun – cheers! Our first pedal review and demo for 2024 comes to us from our friends at Aclam: presenting The Mocker UL730 Fuzz Circuit, a seemingly simple three-knob fuzz distortion that comes from a very specific and rare amplifier, used famously by The Beatles, Joy Division and Led Zeppelin. If you need to freshen up your sound with...
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We really liked the Honey Coma Fuzz we demoed last year from Zero G IOD, and were excited to collaborate with them again on another creative effects machine. Today, we’re bringing you the Echo Cooler Reverb, a spectrum-spanning ‘verb complete with a very clear aesthetic nod to one of the greatest films of the 1980’s. If you need a little something more than your current reverb pedal can offer, who you gonna call? The...
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We’ve been trying to collaborate with Don Poniz for the last few years, and we’re finally making it a reality today! Presenting the Power Contol Unit, a massive silicon/germanium overdrive with a simple control section and a huge range of sounds on tap. The note that came with the pedal said, “Worth the wait, trust me, Mike!” and after playing this pedal, I believe that to be a very true statement… From...
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The entire lineup of UAFX pedals from Universal Audio is amazing, let’s just be honest. With each new release, there’s another options-filled gem that gets our creativity flowing and takes our musical thinking and approach up a notch. Today’s pedal, the Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp, shifts things from a modulation/delay/reverb vibe to some classic amp-pushing, overdriven sounds from decades past… Grab a Lion...
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We’re continuing our lineup run-through of the first four pedals from Bolt & Forge Analog Audio today. Coming to you from Yakima, Washington, we’re excited to jump back in and check out the third of FOUR effects they sent over, the Sawbones Optical Compressor. Bringing the funk and evening out the most fluctuating of signals, let’s see what it can do for you… The Appaloosa is a noise-free, full-featured...
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We’re stoked to bring you the ENTIRE lineup of pedals from Rockready Mini Pedals over the coming weeks, and we’re continuing with two more excellent mini creations today. The BC-1 Brit Crunch and NG-1 Gatekeeper are small, yes, but they pack a big punch with their sonic output. With simple controls and mini enclosures, these pedals fit onto any pedalboard, and into ANY budget… The BC-1 Brith Crunch delivers classic...
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We can’t get enough of the delay-elay-lay-ay-y effects world here at Pedal of the Day, and let’s be honest: the bigger, the better. Following in the footsteps of the amazing RE-202 Space Echo and the incredible SDE-3000D Dual Digital Delay, the DM-101 Delay Machine is the latest echo-laden creation from our friends at Boss. Providing vintage sounds with all the options and control we’re spoiled with in the modern...
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Although today’s gear is not a pedal, it is a very useful piece of equipment here at PotD headquarters. The String Swing SW5RL-K Multi-Guitar Wall Rack has been an instant gamechanger, organizing my guitars in a neat, orderly and aesthetically pleasing way. If your collection of instruments is starting to grow and grow, this might be just the thing you’re looking for… The most convenient guitar display package on the...
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Today, we’re looking at the AmpRX Brown Box II Input Voltage Attenuator, an electrical unit that provides something often overlooked in the world of tube amplifiers: Correct Power. The basis for any signature world-class tone requires a consistent and dependable signal chain and for that, you need to start at the very beginning – powering your amplifier. The tone and performance of both vintage and modern tube amplifiers...
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We’re venturing back into the unpredictable world of Chase Bliss again today, as we check out their latest release. A collaboration with Goodhertz, an audio software company making plugins and algorithms, Lossy is a lo-fi bit crusher at its heart, but with a TON of other options, nooks and crannies waiting to be explored. Come along as we lose our collective minds trying to decipher what’s going on with this amazing new...
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Today, we continue our journey of the exploration of the Ampworx Series of preamp pedals from our friends at TC Electronic. We’re looking at all six effects in the series (so far), starting with their three latest releases, and moving through the previous three, over the last several weeks. Let’s wrap things up today with the Combo Deluxe 65′ Preamp, a pedal that faithfully recreates the sound of a 1965 Blackface...
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Today, we’re looking at another pedal from the stellar lineup from Bolt & Forge Analog Audio, with the Bad Hoss Harmonic Sustainer. With a switchable EQ, a couple different gain modes and a TON of gorgeous sustained distortion, this golden god will immediately perk up your eardrums. After testing the Appaloosa from Bolt & Forge the other week, we were excited for this one, and it did not disappoint… Reimagined...
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In collaboration with our friends at Sweetwater, we’re proud to bring you the Analog Stereo Flanger from Supro! This deep purple beauty offers rich, analog tone that strikes the tonal balance between vintage flanger units and more modern modulation effects, paired with a never-before-offered Dimension switch that yields a striking double-flanger effect. Let’s dive in and see what sonic treasures await… Grab a Supro...
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We’re stoked to bring you the ENTIRE lineup of pedals from Rockready Mini Pedals over the coming weeks, and we’re continuing with two more excellent mini creations today. The RF-1 Retro Fuzz and DC-1 d Comp Compressor are small, yes, but they pack a big punch with their sonic output. With simple controls and mini enclosures, these pedals fit onto any pedalboard, and into ANY budget… The RF-1 Retro Fuzz has two modes,...
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One of the latest offerings from Universal Audio we’re looking at today is the UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor. This silver beauty delivers the same punchy, expressive tones of the world-renowned original 1176 Compressor, the reigning king of audio limiting, all within a compact stomp box. From the subtle squeeze of a single 1176 to the endless sustain of two units in parallel à la Lowell George or the compressed crunch of Led...
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Today, we’ve got the final pedal (so far) in the Voodoo Lab effects lineup: the Sparkle Drive MOD Overdrive Distortion. Building on the original design, this one features 4 different drive modes and a wide-ranging control section, producing just about any dirt tone you’ve been chasing. Going from punchy and modern to thick singing lead sounds, this green gem has got it all… Grab a Sparkle Drive MOD from Sweetwater:...
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Lots of new visitors to Pedal of the Day over the last few weeks, and we’re keeping it going today with our first effect from Lounsberry Pedals. The Organ Grinder Overdrive was designed for, you guessed it, organ and keys, but we’re testing it out with guitar and bass today, and it rips. Sometimes two knobs, a great circuit and perfect gain staging is all you need to push your amp and tone right into that sweeeeet...
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We’re continuing New Pedal Company Weekend here with another up-and-coming pedal manufacturer, Bolt & Forge Analog Audio. Coming to you from Yakima, Washington, we’re excited to jump in and check out the first of FOUR effects they sent over, the Appaloosa Germanium Overdrive. It was basically love from the first moment we plugged it in, let’s see what it can do for you… The Appaloosa is a true workhorse...
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We’re stoked to bring you the ENTIRE lineup of pedals from Rockready Mini Pedals over the coming weeks, and we’re starting things off with two of our favorite effects today! The VT-1 Vintage Trem and AE-1 Analog Echo are small, yes, but they pack a big punch with their sonic output. With simple controls and mini enclosures, these pedals fit onto any pedalboard, and into ANY budget… The VT-1 Vintage Trem captures the...
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A couple years ago, one of our favorite pedals ever came into the shop: the Geckoplex EP-5 Tape Delay from Gecko Pedals. It’s been a long wait, but well worth it, as we bring you their newest release, the O-Face Modulated Overdrive! This is an effects unit unlike any we’ve ever seen, so let’s dive right in and see what all the knobs and buttons and stuff can do… In short, the O-Face is like having four pedals...
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Well, it’s New Release Day once again, and we’re happy to help introduce a new pedal from our friends at Summer School Electronics today! The Half Day! Compressor is a take on a classic compression circuit, giving you vintage tone alongside some modern updates and options. It doesn’t matter if you play guitar, bass, keys or any other musical gear – this compressor fits any and every style out there… The...
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In collaboration with our friends at Sweetwater, we’re proud to bring you the Analog Dual Mode Tremolo from Supro! This sea blue gem accurately recreates the iconic modulation effects found in iconic amplifiers of the 1960s. With both Amplitude and Harmonic modes, this all-analog tremolo allows players to switch between swampy tremolo sounds and psychedelic modulating tones. Let’s dive in and see what sonic treasures...
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One of the latest offerings from Universal Audio we’re looking at today is the UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb, which follows in the massive footsteps of their Golden Reverb release from a couple years back. This smaller but extremely powerful ambient machine has a similar control layout structure to the Evermore Studio Reverb we saw a few weeks ago, for easily dialing in beautiful tones in seconds. This pedal gives you the haunting...
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(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) Guitar Tricks presents A Look at the Vintage Pedal Market By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. Vintage pedals are so popular that many modern manufacturers attempt to replicate them so there are more to go around! Not only do some pedals...
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We’re always on the lookout for new, exciting pedals here, and Discomfort Designs is a company that always delivers in that department. Today’s effect of theirs is the Iceland Spar Loop Refractor, a complex but easy-to-use dual looper with a ton of experimental options baked inside. If you like to sit down and get weird with your pedals, this one is a perfect addition to your rig… The Iceland Spar features a pair of...
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Today’s pedal combines three effects into one enclosure, saving space on your board and giving you a wide range of sounds. The ATD Alien Tone Dragon, the latest release from our friends at Analog Alien, lets you easily meld from boost to breakup to crunch to fuzz and more. We’re excited to help bring this one to the masses, let’s dive right in! *Grab an Alien Tone Dragon from Sweetwater:...
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Discovering new pedal companies is one of the joys of getting to do what I do, and we’ve got another one for you today! Our new pal Steve over at Inspiring Devices (a fitting name, for sure) sent over his flagship effect, and it was an instant sonic hit. The Light Roast Overdrive has three knobs, as many overdrives do, but this one’s unique shape and killer circuit make it stand out from the masses…trust us. The...
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It’s been a while since we had a pedal from Electronic Audio Experiments here in the office, but the wait was way more than worth it. The recently released Sending V2 Analog Delay improves on the well-received first version with a myriad of sonic options, vintage tones and some modern amenities not always found in an analog delay unit. There’s a lot do dig into here, so let’s get right to it… Sending is an...
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If you’ve never had the pleasure of playing a DRV Overdrive Distortion, you should make it a priority to do so. While that pedal has a lot of meat and potatoes to it, today’s pedal from 1981 Inventions is a bit calmer, but still brings beautiful tone to any rig. The LVL Full-Range Overdrive Preamp Boost has just 2 knobs, but inside this circuit there’s a huge range of sounds waiting to be discovered… LVL is a...
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“Dirty in a good way!” Today’s pedal, the Analog Music Company SHSL (So High So Low) Filter & Preamp, is based on the high-pass/low-pass filter inspired by an MS-20 filter and a Moogerfooger preamp. This combination of two classic circuits yields some strange and wonderful tonal creations, getting super weird at times, but in the very best of ways. The control section is extremely sensitive as well, so...
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Today, we continue our journey of the exploration of the Ampworx Series of preamp pedals from our friends at TC Electronic. We’re looking at all six effects in the series (so far), starting with their three latest releases, and moving through the previous three, over the last several weeks. Let’s keep it going today with the DC30 Preamp, a beast that faithfully recreates the sound of a 1965 Top Boost AC30 amplifier, giving...
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We’re switching things up a little bit today, bring you some amplifier flavor from an excellent local North Carolina company. Come along as we take a look at not one but TWO amazing amps from Port City Amplification: the 30W Grandville Rhett Shull Signature and the 20W Merino Combo. Our pal Carl Perkins was kind enough to lend both of these amps and a killer cabinet to us to check out, and we fell in love instantly with these...
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We continue today on our journey as we review some new pedals from Caline today, bringing some classic tones to the forefront. The G-007 Redbelly Tremolo and G-009 Chamecho Delay bring more modulation and delicious echoes to the table, allowing you to create both modern and vintage sounds with ease. Let’s get right to it, shall we? The G-007 Red Belly Tremolo goes from subtle spaghetti western ‘throb’ to a full-on helicopter...
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One of the latest offerings from Universal Audio we’re looking at today is the UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb, which follows in the massive footsteps of their Golden Reverb release from a couple years back. This smaller but extremely powerful ambient machine has a similar control layout structure to the Orion Tape Echo we saw a few weeks ago, for easily dialing in beautiful tones in seconds. This pedal offers authentic emulation of...
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A couple weeks back, we had the opportunity to check out our first effects pedal from Voodoo Lab, the Superfuzz. Impressive, to say the least, was this unit, and we couldn’t wait to see what joys the next one held. Today, we bring you the Giggity Analog Overdrive + Preamp, a massive, amp-pushing beast that sweetens your tone and your mind…let’s see what this one can do! Grab a Giggity from Sweetwater:...
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It’s always a special day when our friends at Beetronics release a new creation, and we’re so happy to be a partner for today’s latest release! The Nectar “Tone Sweetener” is an overdrive and fuzz in one, boasting a wide range of sounds and tones you’ll be swarming about. Little, yes – powerful, absolutely. Let’s see what all the buzz it about, shall we? Shop Beetronics pedals at...
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Last year’s LVX Modular Delay System from Meris was a real revelation is where effects pedals are headed, and we were all in on it. Today, we’re taking a peek at their newest creation, the MercuryX Modular Reverb System. The perfect companion to the LVX, this one incorporates reverb algorithms you might already know, adds in some new ones, and gives you a wide range of customization. This is a big one, folks, let’s...
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Well, Chase Bliss has done it once again. In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, they recently released the first unit of their Small Batch series, the Reverse Mode C Multidirectional Delay. This is a collaboration with Empress Effects, as the specific sound that Joel Korte and his crew were after is from the Octave Tap mode of the Empress Superdelay, which was released back in 2008. This is, as usual, one for the...
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Last year, we were privileged to help in the fight against breast cancer by debuting the first run of effects (Fuzz, Overdrive & Delay) from Electric Love Pedals, with proceeds helping to fund cancer research. They’re back again today with another charity-driven unit, the Aquatone Overdrive, teaming up with one of the best in the biz, Brian Wampler, on this unique circuit. Let’s hear what Electric Love has to say...
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Today, we continue our journey of the exploration of the Ampworx Series of preamp pedals from our friends at TC Electronic. We’re looking at all six effects in the series (so far), starting with their three latest releases, and moving through the previous three, over the last several weeks. Let’s keep it going today with the JIMS 45 Preamp, a beast that faithfully recreates the sound of a 1965 Marshall JTM45 tube amp, for...
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The Norris Fuzz was a surprisingly amazing 2-knob fuzz we saw from Alaskan-made MMK Electrics a few months back, and we’re excited to bring you another super-fun and tonally-powerful pedal from them today. The Red Cream Soda is a wide-ranging overdrive and distortion unit, with eye-catching graphics and bold, tone-shaping sound. Sometimes, three knobs is all you need to completely transform your rig, and that is most certainly...
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We really dug the Psychosis Tremolo Overdrive from Humanoid Pedals that they sent us a couple months ago, and we’re proud to bring you all another creation of theirs today! Hand built with two high gain silicon transistors, The Goblin Tone Distorter has intense yet smooth and full-bodied fuzz tone, combining elements of Preamp, Overdrive, Fuzz and Distortion into one versatile effect. Just a couple of controls, but a ton of...
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We’re sooooooo excited to be a part of today’s pedal release, the latest and greatest from our friends at Eventide! This aqua blue beauty, the RipTide Uni-Vibe Overdrive, combines 2 classic effects into one very easy to use and incredible-sounding pedal. With no hidden features or a huge manual to decipher, this one lets you jump right into creating beautiful sounds…let’s see what it’s all about! RipTide...
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We’ve been powering effects pedals in our shop with help from Voodoo Lab for many, many years, as they’ve become a go-to staple in the power game. But what about the actual pedals themselves? Thankfully, they make those, too, and the first one we’re looking at today is the awesome, vintage-tinged Superfuzz. The rare Jordan Electronics Bosstone (circa 1968) is considered by many to be the ultimate vintage fuzz. The...
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When you think of iconic delay pedals, both vintage AND modern, there’s one name that usually jumps to the front of the list: Boss. From 1978’s flagship DM-1 Delay Machine, to the DM-2/3 compact pedals, on into the DD series of digital delays, and coming back full circle to the recently released DM-101, they’ve been a presence in the delay world for almost 50 years. Today’s pedal continues that commitment to...
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We’re always excited to test out new gear from our friends at Universal Audio, and they’ve just sent us their four newest UAFX creations! We’re going to start this run off with the Orion Tape Echo, which takes a vintage sonic dive into the Echoplex EP-III musical pool. Three modes, a ton of control and beautiful echoes surround this pedal, just as it will engulf your sound and your entire rig… Thanks to the...
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We’re super excited for today’s complete PEDAL LINEUP: that’s right, we’re taking a look at ALL 5 newly released ROSS Electronics effects! In collaboration with Josh Scott and JHS Pedals, these five units bring back the flagship pedals (and one brand new creation) from a company responsible for some of the best vintage effects out there. Coming full circle and releasing this new group of effects, ROSS brings...
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