I’ve known Brian from Porter Pickups since we met while I was still living in Boise, Idaho, back in 2016. He and his team put some wonderful pickups in a couple of guitars of mine, with the Classic/Smooth humbucking combo in my PRS CE24, which you’ve heard on the majority of my demos over the last 6+ years. Today, I’m excited to help spread the word about their first effects pedal offering, coming via their subset...
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Every new release from Walrus Audio seems to have the pedal world buzzing, and their newest keeps that streak alive and well. The Melee: Wall of Noise Distortion Reverb takes two of your favorite effects (well, two of ours, anyway) and smashes them together into one bright pink enclosure that will dazzle both your auditory and visual senses. Shoegazers and sonic adventures, get ready: this effects will send you spiraling into the...
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So, there are distortion pedals, and then there are DISTORTION PEDALS. Today’s featured effect, the Beautiful Noise Effects Exploder Distortion Device, clearly falls into the latter category (whatever that is), taking what you thought you knew about dirt pedals and smashing all expectations into oblivion. Sound too harsh? Well, if that’s the case, you should probably stop reading and go play a nice, quiet melody on your...
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It’s been a looooong time since we had an effect from Ohmless Pedals come through the shop, but good gravy, was it worth the wait. The AKC-4 Overdrive takes on a certain mystical, mythical horsie-related circuit, taking it a few steps further than your average klone for what may be the most versatile type of this circuit out in the world today. Everything you need to find your own unique drive tone is right here at your...
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The effects pedals coming out of the English shop where Tom Oakes and Horrothia FX call home have always been cool to look at, built with extreme quality and incredible-sounding, to say the least. These marvelous traditions continue today with their latest release, the Triage Discrete Transistor Pre-Amplifier, which covers Boost, Dirt and Volume at the same time. Easily ranging from clean to nasty, we are really digging this...
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Normally, we’re pretty focused on Effects Pedals themselves here at Pedal of the Day, but there’s an important part of the rig equation that we tend to overlook: the Pedalboard. Sure, you can just toss your pedals on the ground to be kicked, dropped, crushed and spilled on if you want, but having an organized setup is much more fun (for a lot of us, anyway, there’s no wrong way to do it, of course!!). Enter our...
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In stark contrast to the last TC Electronic pedal we reviewed and demoed, the Magus Pro Distortion, we’re heading into modulation and pitch territory today. The Brainwaves Pitch Shifter is an exceptional pitch-shifting effect, with studio-grade algorithms, 4 octave dual voices and TC’s groundbreaking MASH footswitch technology. As you can see, there are lots of switches and knobs and dials and fun here, let’s jump...
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Today, we’re going all in, taking a look at not ONE, not TWO, but THREE new effect boxes from our friends at Sundance Electric. The Cassidy Drive + Boost, Clean Fuzz V2 and Harmonic Incubator each bring a different flavor of unique dirt sounds to your pedalboard, featuring wide-ranging sounds easily conjured up by simple control sections. Lots to explore, let’s see what they’re all about… The Cassidy Drive +...
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We’re taking a look at the second pedal in a series of overdrive that come from my beautiful home state of Wisconsin today! The Winter is the 2nd of four pedal in the aptly-names Seasonal Drive Series from Fox River Devices, and it warms your amplifier and your soul at the same time. Coming on the heels of the impressive Autumn Drive from a couple months back, this one keeps this impressive series moving right along… As...
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Today, we’re continuing taking a look at a new lineup of small but great-sounding effects pedals from our friends at Caline, with the G-010 Parrot Delay and G-008 Barn Owl Reverb. These seemingly simple boxes offer excellent tone that’s easy to dial in, coming in a wide range of genres, to create an entire pedalboard without having to sell a kidney on the black market. Let’s see what these next couple of effects are...
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Delay is the best effect out there, hands-down…BUT, I do love a good compressor and a good preamp, too. Fortunately, today’s pedal, the Niche Devices Humboldt Preamp SE combines both of these effects into one brilliant effect, with broad range and total tonal control. Conceived over the course of two years, this original circuit offers optical compression coupled with a high headroom preamplifier, and features the unique...
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Love it or hate it, the Ibanez Tube Screamer, in all its iterations, is a staple in the world of guitar overdrive effects. With its characteristic mid-range boost and bright green enclosure, it works with rock, blues, metal and more, becoming part of many famous guitarists’ signature sounds. Its stock version, however, can leave some wanting more, and that’s where today’s pedal comes in – the TS9 Tube Screamer...
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It’s been a minute since we’ve had anything from Wren and Cuff come through the shop, but today’s pedal most definitely makes up for lost time. The Eye See ’78 Dual Op-Amp Distortion takes a peek at a very particular piece of Big Muff history, when the famous circuit changed drastically, if for just a brief period: 1978-80 or so, when the usual transistors were scrapped in favor of operational amplifiers...
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Like it or not, aesthetics play a certain role in all of our pedal collections. There are lots of flavors of design, look and feel to every effects pedal out there, from the plain metal enclosures to wildly imaginative, intricate pieces of artwork. Today’s pedal, the Shroot II (Deluxe) Overdrive from Fuzz Imp has, for a lot of us, an instantly-recognizable television character at its forefront, and it’s a large basis for...
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Getting in on the ground floor to help promote a company’s first flagship pedal is always something special here at Pedal of the Day, and we’ve got an absolute banger on the bench today. The Hog Overdrive from Tallon Electric is the only overdrive ever created that enables you to dabble with the untamed guitar stylings of the band Bilmuri, whose sound incorporates pop-punk, electro-laced emo, experimental post hardcore and...
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The recent revival of the Maestro brand has brought a couple of great pedals our way. We recently had the chance to check out the FIVE newest pedals in Maestro’s Original Collection, and today we’re heading back a bit to check out one of their earlier releases. The Ranger Overdrive features three knobs, one switch and a ton of tone to shape and sculpt your favorite distortion and overdrive sounds...
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A couple years back, we had the privilege to demo and review a couple of differently-flavored dirt pedals from the folks at Revv Amplification: the G2 Overdrive, G3 Overdrive Distortion and G4 High Gain Distortion. Taking their expertise in amplifiers and condensing it down into some effects pedals couldn’t have worked out better, and we were excited for what was coming next. Fast forward a year and a half, and today we’re...
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After the seemingly endless sonic possibilities we explored in the PLETHORA X3 from TC Electronic last month, it was nice to have a simple, stripped-down pedal to check out next in their lineup. The Magus Pro Distortion is a classic, high-gain distortion pedal with fat mids, a treble filter control and 3 different clipping modes, for any musical scenario. Powerful, amp-driving glory is right at your fingertips… The Magus...
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We’ve always enjoyed it when a new product from Yellowcake Pedals appears on our doorstep, and today we get to experience that joy once more. They’ve sent over the FOOM Fuzz, a one knob powerhouse that goes from dirty to dirtier to just filthy, and it is awesome. This simple, velcro-like fuzz gives you some very Muff-esque types of distortion, and all you have to do is gently turn one control. It’s designed to be...
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Over the coming weeks, we’re going to be taking a look at a new lineup of small but great-sounding effects pedals from our friends at Caline, starting with the G-001 Tiger Eye Distortion and the G-014 Nasty Bear Fuzz. These seemingly simple boxes offer excellent tone that’s easy to dial in, coming in a wide range of genres, to create an entire pedalboard without having to sell a kidney on the black market. Let’s see...
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday season, and that your 2023 is already off to a great start. We’re going to get off to a great start here at Pedal of the Day as well, bringing you some dynamic effects units to start off the year. Recently released, the Moog Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins are faithful recreations of the classic, big box Moogerfooger effect lineup, which has been discontinued for...
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The fine folks at Flamma Innovation are back at it, releasing FIVE new pedals, all of which we’re going to take a look at here at Pedal of the Day. This week, we wrap things up with the FC21 Analog Compressor, a simple effect that takes your tone to the next level. Whether you’re on a budget, or just looking for a new, funky sound, this little one has got you covered… There’s nothing quite like the subtle ways...
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Today, we’re brining you the third pedal from the wonderful lineup of effects from Full Mojo Electronics in Peru, following the Funkifier Envelope Filter and Echo Trip Delay. The Abisal Analog Chorus takes elements from a certain classic, light blue chorus effect and expands on that sound, for wide-ranging modulation that goes from that classic 80’s sound to fully controlled dissonances. Not for the seasick or weak of...
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A couple months ago, we got to dig deep and investigate the Boss RE-202 Space Echo, a wonderful delay and reverb based in the classic Roland RE-201 Space Echo Tape Delay / Reverb units from decades ago…and it was awesome. Today, we’re journeying into that field once more, only this time, in a much smaller package. The Boss RE-2 Space Echo gives you all the basic sonic elements you need from those vintage units, just...
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When a huge company like StewMac contacts you and asks if you’d like to demo some gear from them, there’s only one answer: an emphatic YES, PLEASE. Today, we’re going to check out a pedal, yes, but some other guitar-related gear as well, all of which is available on the StewMac website, and all of which can help you greatly improve your tone and unleash your creativity. Lots to get into, let’s do it!! First up,...
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One of the perks of getting to know so many pedal companies in this business is the ability to have unique, one-of-a-kind pedals built for us, and we’ve got another great one today. Spindrift Audio approached me about doing a special effect just for Pedal of the Day, and we decided that it should probably be something Star Wars-related, ’cause why not? The result is the Mandalore Germanium Drive, a pedal that not only...
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The first two pedals we have had the pleasure to explore from Colfax Recorders, the Apache Rose Preamp and the Zephyr Overdrive, were absolute musical beasts. Today, we’re looking at the third and final pedal in their current lineup, and it most definitely is in the same category. The Porcelain Fuzz might sound a bit dainty, delicate or slightly breakable at first, but this three-knob wonder will annihilate anything that crosses...
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We love the way the folks at VVco Pedals incorporate great effects with nostalgic merch from past movies, TV shows and more, and we’re especially stoked about today’s featured pedal. The Dark Father Preamp is clearly representative of a certain Jedi-turned-Sith, and it sounds just as evil. Melding elements of overdrive, fuzz, distortion, EQ, boost and preamp, this multi-faceted effect is not only fun to look at, it sounds...
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We always enjoy when a new type of device or way to add to your sound is unleashed on our community, and today’s effect(s) really take things up a notch. The crew over at Chaos Audio has designed the Stratus, a unit that allows to create an entire pedals board from one pedal and your phone. You control the effects in real-time from an app, chaining multiple pedals together in any way you choose. The app currently features over...
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A good multi-effects unit is always fun to take a look at, and when it’s focused on modulation, delay and reverb, it makes it that much better. The PLETHORA X3 TonePrint Pedalboard from TC Electronic takes its origin from the larger PLETHORA X5, slimming it down for an easier fit on your board, while still giving you the quality effects you need. We love the versatility in this unit, and can’t wait to dig in with you all...
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We’ve had a blast checking out the lineup of pedals from the newly-revamped Maestro brand, and have a BIG surprise for you all today. They’ve just released FIVE new units, and we have got them all in one place for you. Today, we’re looking at the Orbit Phaser, Mariner Tremolo, Titan Boost, Arcas Compressor Sustainer and Agena Envelope Filter – 5 effects building on the first 5 pedals they initially released...
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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!!) Effects Pedals for the Guitarist Who Has It All By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. If you’re a guitarist who has moved beyond beginner guitar lessons, you might have all the standard guitar effects pedals you’d need. Now you may be...
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The combination of overdrive and reverb is a no-brainer, and when they are paired up in an enclosure like today’s pedal has, that just makes things sweeter. The Clifton Guitarworks Torque Converter Overdrive Reverb is a big ‘ol box of awesome, a bright beacon that’s easy to find on any board, and easy to dial in a great sound quickly. Let’s not waste any more time, here we go…!! The Torque Converter is a...
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The fine folks at Flamma Innovation are back at it, releasing FIVE new pedals, all of which we’re going to take a look at here at Pedal of the Day. This week, we continue with the FC20 British Distortion, a simple but powerful amp-driving effect that takes your tone to the next level. Whether you’re on a budget, or just looking for a new heavy sound, this little one has got you covered… Need rich, British amp breakup...
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It’s been a little while since we had a pedal from EarthQuaker Devices come through here, but apparently it was worth the wait. The Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainar is based on a rare fuzzy distortion from Japan, and was designed for the one and only guitar sorceress Wata from the band Boris. This effect is full of dirt, warmth and character, and is an instant eye-opener as you as it is engaged… The ELK Sustainar is a Japanese...
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The innovative, creative team at Death By Audio have been supporters of Pedal of the Day for years, so when they released today’s limited edition pedal, we knew we had to snag one and help support them right back. The Exploding Head Triple Delay harkens back to a classic DBA effect, as well as celebrates a milestone anniversary for a landmark album. Just when you thought echo couldn’t go any further… “Long ago,...
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As much as I like longer, drawn-out, ambient delay sounds, there’s something to be said for a good, short, analog-sounding delay effect. Whether you’re adding a little bit of slap back, or just coloring your lead tone perfectly, they have a place in all different types of music. Enter the Full Mojo Electronics Echo Trip Delay – this Peruvian pedal features three knobs, two switches and a whole lotta...
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The Ventura Overdrive from HTJ-WORKS was one of the best pedals we saw last month, and after putting it through the paces, we were excited for more gear from this Japanese company. Today, we’re bringing you another gorgeous-looking-and-sounding effect from them, the Bright Horse Boost Overdrive. Another take on a mysterious and mythical circuit, this 3-knob gem provides a wide range of amp-pushing and tone-shaping tones… A...
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Well, it’s time once again for everyone’s favorite game, Try to Describe the Pedal. While there are many versions of the classic Harmonic Percolator circuit, it has always been an effect that hasn’t been the easiest to classify, as it contains elements of fuzz, filter, distortion and more, all produced in a very eclectic and specific way. Today’s pedal, the Emerald Ox FX Chimeric Percolator, asks the question...
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We love it when a new pedal company emerges, especially when we’re one of the first to help unleash their products on the world. Fox River Devices has created a new Drive Series that changes with the seasons (much like guitar tones tend to do), the first of which is called Autumn. This versatile overdrive has its own unique sound and vibe, providing a wide array of tonal ‘colors’ for the season… Inspired by the...
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In all the years we’ve been demoing and reviewing effects units from our friends over at Strymon, we never delved into their beloved Flint – a crime, to be sure, but one that has been remedied today. The newer Flint Tremolo & Reverb V2 brings all the sonic glory of the original into focus, along with a slew of new upgrades and controls, for one of the most versatile, well-rounded pedals we’ve ever seen. Two...
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The fine folks at Flamma Innovation are back at it, releasing FIVE new pedals, all of which we’re going to take a look at here at Pedal of the Day. This week, after looking at the FC17 Analog Delay and FC18 Clean Boost, we’ve got the FC19 Black Distortion, a simple but wide-ranging distortion effect that takes your tone to the next level. You might not expect sounds as huge as these to come out of something this small, but...
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We recently got to check out our first pedal from the team at Colfax Recorders, the Apache Rose Preamp, and were more than a little impressed. Today, we’re venturing down their path once again, as we explore the Zephyr Overdrive. A versatile but easy-to-dial-in drive, this baby blue beauty adds the perfect dirt element to your pedalboard, and fits right in as your new favorite always-on effect… The Zephyr Overdrive with...
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Mario Marino has been creating products under the name Axess Electronics since 1998, crafting custom buffered splitters, routers, switchers MIDI foot controllers and more, for names like Alex Lifeson, Peter Frampton, Richie Sambora, John Petrucci, Dweezil Zappa and Eddie Van Halen. Bringing decades of expertise to the effects pedal world, he has released the AXSGTR OBViouS™ Boost/Overdrive, an option-filled beauty that dirties up your...
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Pedals that you can’t really accurately describe with words, or categorize with ease, have always been favorites around here, and today’s effect falls squarely into these boxes. The Great Fantabulizing Whatsitdo (great name, right?) from Whimsy Machines acts as an octave fuzz of sorts, with elements of filtering, pitch shifting and, of course, angry mobs of robotic bees swarming with a vengeance. Yeah, this is a fun one,...
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Continuing our awesome week of reviews and demos, which has included the Eventide H90 Harmonizer® and the Meris LVX Modular Delay System, we bring you the highly-anticipated Chase Bliss Generation Loss MKII VCR Duplicator. A comprehensive study and smorgasbord of tape in all its forms, this effect is somewhat hard to categorize, and those are always some of our favorite pieces of gear. We should also mention that this is the first...
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Well, the groundbreaking, innovative team at Meris is up to it again, and this time around, they just might have created the *perfect* delay pedal. You’ve probably heard about the LVX Modular Delay System since its release earlier this year, and if you haven’t had a chance to sit down with it yet…let’s just say you’re gonna want to as soon as possible. There’s so much going on in this pedal,...
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The fine folks over at Eventide have been big supporters of Pedal of the Day for years now – we’ve reviewed just about every one of their modern pedals, and have been lucky enough to be included in their last several new release days as well. Today, we’re doing it once again, and with possibly their biggest, most grandiose effects unit to date. The H90 Harmonizer® takes everything that we all love about the...
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We love the FUNK. We gotta have that FUNK. Today’s featured pedal comes to us from a looooong way away – Peru, South America, to be exact. The Funkifier Envelope Filter from Full Mojo Electronics brings classic wah sounds and fast note attack to the forefront, drowning your sound in the funkiest tones you’ve ever heard. Versatile in control, as well as use with various instruments, this machine is full-on 70s soul in...
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Continuing with our second of two new release pedals from our friends at Poison Noises, today we’re excited to bring you The Remnant Tape Delay. A perfect companion to yesterday’s Effluence Spring Reverb, this echo takes you back to the 70s with a quickness, providing classic, vintage delay tones around every turn. Listen for the fluttering echoes of a forgotten era, and follow them to the Remnant… The Remnant...
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