Our second entry for “Moog Week” brings us into spacey, trippy, sci-fi territory, a place we love to be. Boldly going where no phaser has gone before (hehe), the MF-103 12-Stage from Moog represents everything that you’ve always wanted in a phaser pedal, but didn’t even know existed. Featuring Moog’s signature array of controls, sounds and available customization to each pedal, this MF-103 will leave you...
Read More
Let’s get funky, shall we? Continuing in their line of compact, bass-voiced pedals, Pigtronix has released the Bass Envelope Phaser, a unique take on the classic filter effect. Even more so than their compressor and drive offerings, the controls on this unit are incredibly simple: knobs for Sensitivity and Resonance, and a switch that changes the wave-form. In both modes the Sensitivity controls how responsive the effect is to...
Read More
I think the TonePrint idea that the folks over at TC Electronic had was brilliant, and continue to think that same thing, especially since they’ve incorporated it into all different types of pedals, not just the delays. Phaser pedals seem to be kind of a love/hate thing, and since I lean toward the former, I was super-stoked to see that TC was coming out with a TonePrint-enabled phaser. Well, I finally got my hands on the Helix,...
Read More
Oh boy, this pedal really opens up a can for sure. I was on a search. I wanted something specific. Tremolo speed control with an expression pedal. The Worm! An affordable pedal with tremolo and expression control! Well with that feature I have to say I was a little disappointed to say the least. The Worm by Electro-Harmonix is a multi effect unit from one of the industries greats, with so many “classic” “must have” units to their...
Read More
Today’s pedal, the Enterprise Phaser from VFE Pedals, no longer exists in the form I am reviewing it in – to avoid any legal entanglements with a certain BOLD television show, it is now known as the Tractor Beam Phaser. While there have been a few improvements since the Enterprise changer monikers, the version I’m reviewing today is just phenomenal, and takes the premise of a phaser pedal to a level where no man has...
Read More
All-in-one pedals can be great, and they can be terrible, as anyone who has ever tried a few out can attest to. The good ones, though, when they’re good, they are GOOOOD. Where to begin with a pedal like this, with so many options, tones, squeaks, sound and delights? With a long-standing reputation of making some of the finest musical gear around, the folks at Eventide have one-upped even themselves at this point, and released...
Read More
Rainbows and Unicorns are known to be magical, especially in the realm of musical instruments (no duh). But let’s not get caught into rainbows at the moment… Unicorns, yes unicorns can often be found in the wild land of “Hendrix,” but the Unicorn can be tamed and domesticated for much subtler uses too. JHS has produced a modern *Uni-vibe* device which is reviving the nearly “extinct” species. With...
Read More
Some pedals are great at doing one thing, and one thing only. It’s usually quite specific, and they’re not trying to do anything but the ONE thing they’re great at. The Depths from EarthQuaker Devices is NOT one of those pedals, as it can perform many effect functions, with ease and sounding great in the process. Chorus, vibrato, rotary speakers, phasers and more – this pedal has got your needs more than...
Read More
If you haven’t heard it, or of it, yet, the Warped Vinyl Analog Vibrato/Chorus pedal is one of the hottest pieces of gear on the market right now, but Chase Bliss Audio didn’t stop there. They managed to revamp another of their flagship pedals, the Wombtone Analog Phaser, and somehow make it more incredible than it was previously. I got the chance to check both pedals out recently (click here for my review of the Warped...
Read More
The Mobius super-modulation pedal from Strymon is yet another example of some of the finest gear offerings available on the market today, and doesn’t really leave much to chance as far as options and tones are concerned. Created in the same realm and structure as the TimeLine Delay and BigSky Reverberator, the Mobius is a true all-in-one modulation box, supplying just about any kind of phaser, flanger, chorus and vibrato sound...
Read More
I bought a Moogerfooger MF-103 12-Stage Phaser back in the mid-2000s, and for some dumb reason, decided to sell it (I think I was short on rent). Regardless of why, I have been missing that void in my musical life for a decade…until a week ago, when another one arrived on my doorstep (complete with expression pedal this time). This phaser is just incredible, as are most toys from Moog, and I had as much fun rediscovering this...
Read More
We’ve got another VIDEO review for you today: The Q-Mod Multi-Effect from Z.Cat Pedals. Check them out HERE, and don’t forget to subscribe to Kyle’s YouTube channel after you watch the video! Click ‘PLAY’ and enjoy the show! Submitted by Kyle (YouTube), Instagram, Twitter
Read More
What phaser to choose? We’ve all faced this question at one time or another, and with so many choices, it can be a daunting task. As with most any pedal, it all comes down to personal preference, and how the options and sounds of each pedal work with your particular setup and tone. The Compact Faye Sing from Infanem is my current phaser of choice, and one that I think will remain on my board for a long while. There are a few...
Read More
Look on any pro player’s pedalboard and you will find a little orange one-knob wonder. The Phase 90 is a timeless pedal. The swirly goodness has reached to every genre and to probably every electric instrument ever played (not to mention to studio use on drums and vocals!). Now, in researching this pedal you will find there are two versions: the older “script” model, which offers warmer phase shifting, and the...
Read More
Eventide makes some pretty rad pedals. Complicated, but rad. Along the same general design lines as the incredible TimeFactor Delay and the Space Reverb comes the ModFactor Modulation pedal. This beast is capable of doing phaser, flanger, chorus, tremolo, vibrato, auto-wah, modfilter, rotary, undulator and ring mod sounds…and it does them well. Whew! Let’s get started, shall we? The main modes for the ModFactor are as...
Read More
Based on the Jetlyzer JL-70 Phaser from the mid-70’s, the VJR9 Vintage Jet Riser flanger-ish pedal from Maxon faithfully re-creates the jet-like swooshes, swirls and classic tones from that extremely rare and sought-after piece of gear (if you can find one, they go for upwards of $700). Obviously, the cost here is much less, but the JL-70 is also a BIG machine, while the VJR9 is the size of a regular pedal, with all the bells...
Read More
We’ve got another VIDEO review for you today, and it’s an another unique pedal, this time from KMA MAchines in Berlin, Germany, and it’s their Astrospurt Phaser. Make sure to check out Kyle’s other reviews using the links under the video. Click ‘PLAY’ and enjoy the show! Go see KMA Machines on Facebook as well! Submitted by Kyle
Read More
We’ve got another VIDEO review for you today, and this PAIR of pedals comes to us from Russia, courtesy of Barkin Effects. Their featured pedals are the extremly unique Vibrofon and the wicked-heavy Nitro Fuzz. Look out for these two pedals, they are DIRTY and AWESOME. The video features demos for both… Click ‘PLAY’ and enjoy the show! Submitted by the guys from Barkin Effect,...
Read More
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...
Read More
This was VERY exciting when it first arrived on my doorstep, and hasn’t gotten one bit dull since then. The EP2 Envelope Phaser from Pigtronix will take you clear to outer space, and then a bit further, before pulling you back slowly into sublime reality. You can switch between the envelope filter and the phaser with a tap of your foot, or use them both in conjunction to set the controls for the heart of the sun. Use the Depth...
Read More
