Who doesn’t love a good funky bass line, ’70s-tinged fast chords or a quack-quacky lead run? Well, I sure do, which is the main reason I was stoked when the AW-3 Dynamic Wah from Boss showed up on my doorstep. Just playing a wah/filter pedal is instant fun, but when it has as many options as the AW-3 does, it brings a new wave of inspiration and exploration to the table. Get ready to bust out your sweet disco dance moves,...
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Volume pedals might be the most underrated and useful pedal out there (next to a tuner, of course). I also love a good wah, from vintage to mdern and anywhere in between. And let’s not forget Expression Pedals, which can work a multitude of wonders for many, many different effects. Now, what if you could get ALL THREE of these in ONE PEDAL? That’s what happened with the Hotone Wong Tone Cory Wong Volume Wah Expression...
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We’re back today with the latest incarnation of the amazing Ampero Series of multi-effects units from our friends at Hotone. This latest one, the Ampero II CDCM HD Gen 2 Amp Modeler / Effects Processor, brings familiar layouts, options and connectivity together with some new innovations, upgrades and sonic improvements. If you can’t already tell from the photos, this is a complex machine, with lots to discover…but...
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The Ampero line of multi effects processors and modelers has always been a joy to review and demo, and we’re stoked to be back at it again today. The latest creation from our friends at Hotone comes in the form of the Ampero II Stage Amp Modeler / Effects Processor, the newest in this series, and I’m pretty sure the most powerful yet. It’s a true wonder how they pack all of the amps, cabs, effects, routing, parameter...
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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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(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) I Have Too Many Pedals, How To Pare Down By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. There comes a point where every guitar player realizes they have too many effects pedals! It’s true, it happens, but you don’t need to get rid of any, you just...
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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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(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) How To Get The Most Out Of Your Pedals By Steven Kendzorski for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. I have GAS, and it’s bad. GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is a common ailment among new guitar players, triggered by tone-envy, causing them to spend every...
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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 looking at 2 pedals a week for the next couple months, continuing today with The Postman Envelope Filter V2. Get ready to send it into the land of funk with this powerful blue machine…. The Postman V2 is a versatile and easy to dial in envelope filter....
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The Love Machine Octave Fuzz from All-Pedal has been one of the funnest pedals we’ve tried this year, and we couldn’t wait to test out some more gear from these guys. Today, we’re bringing you the Macrodose Envelope Filter, a powerful and options-laden creation that brings the funk and expands your consciousness. Get ready for an adventure, here we go…. Created in collaboration with Brian Marshall of Subdecay,...
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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!!) A Practical Look at Guitar Pedals By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer Guitar pedals are an incredible way to sculpt the final sound from your guitar, they provide amazing effects at just the push of a button. In some cases they are even necessary to get the right sound for a particular...
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Somewhat recently, we were able to check out the Valeton GP-100VT, a nice multi-effects pedal that squished a lot of tones into a fairly small enclosure. Well, Valeton has had a quick turnaround beefing up this concept, and we’re proud to help release the GP-200 Multi-Effects Processor today. This new-gen HD modeling multi-effects processor declares an unprecedented upgrade in order to bring you a better sonic experience –...
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As we start to wind down the wild time that has been 2021, we find ourselves fave-to-face with one of the coolest, noisiest, experimental pedals of the year. Pine-Box Customs and Mask Audio Electronics have teamed up to present the Fever Dream, a large and in charge beast of an effect that ranges from gritty harmonic tremolo to brutal fuzz to desert rock cocked wah to self-oscillating filter and beyond. If you don’t like noise,...
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We have had the pleasure of reviewing every iteration of the Ampero Series of effects units from Hotone Audio thus far, and we’re going to keep that streak alive today. Presenting the new Ampero II Stomp, and amp modeler and effects processor that takes everything from the previous versions and pushes them to their limits. Ampero II Stomp implements brand new tri-core digital platform and independent AD/DA from ESS® Sabre®...
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On last week’s Flamma Friday, we looked at the FS05 Modulation pedal…today, we’re gonna shrink that effect down, without losing any of those incredible sounds. The FC05 Mini Modulation pedal crams elements of chorus, flanger, phaser and more into its bright, shiny green box, with differing controls for each of its 11 effect types. Housed in a sturdy, durable metal shell, this tiny multi-effect creates larger than...
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Flamma Fridays rolls along here at Pedal of the Day, and we’re headed down another new path this week. The FS05 Multi Modulation pedal crams elements of chorus, flanger, phaser and more into its bright, shiny yellow box, with differing controls for each of its 11 effect types. Presets, stereo connections and more make this box come alive, and seamlessly meld with your current setup. The 11 different modulation effect types on...
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We love to dive in and explore any sort of Multi-Effects units that come our way – they can hold so many effects and combinations, the possibilities to what you can create are endless. Today, we’re checking out the newest unit from Valeton, the GP-100VT Multi-Effects Processor. Crammed full of all your favorite effects, amps, cabs, presets, a looper and more, this little machine has got a lot to offer. The design and...
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Over the years, a Volume pedal has become basically a requirement for all of our pedalboard and demo setups here at Pedal of the Day. We also love a good wah pedal, and Expression pedals are key to controlling many effects’ parameters in demo situations as well. But what if you could harness the power of these three different pedals and put them into ONE super-enclosure? Well, the crew at Hotone Audio has done just that, with...
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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!!) A very frequently asked question – and much debated one too – is what order to sequence effects pedals on a pedalboard. Which one should come first? Or last? Should pedal X come before pedal Y? Or vice versa? Why does it matter? Does it, in fact, matter at all? Below, we answer these questions...
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Almost FIVE years ago, we were fortunate enough to be able to review and demo the Keeley Electronics Neutrino Envelope Filter, a wonderful little box chock full of funk. It was one of our, and many other players’ favorite filters EVER, but Robert and the Keeley crew didn’t think it was grand enough. Therefore, we get to check out the Neutrino once again, only in a new, Version 2 form. On the surface, the Neutrino V2 is...
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While we haven’t ever ventured TOO far into the world of multi-effects processors, we did get a chance to check out the Ampero from Hotone Audio almost exactly a year ago today, and were extremely impressed by how well it performed. Cramming a ton of amps, cabinet and effects into one unit has got to be tricky for any company, and to do it as well and for such an affordable price point was a stroke of genius. Today, we’re...
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It’s been a hot minute since we’ve had anything in the shop from Joe and Lone Wolf Audio, but we’re pretty stoked about today’s pedal, for sure. The Outsider V2 is a bit of an oddity pedal, based on a super rare piece of gear that most of you have probably never heard of. Described as a Lead Boost Sub-Harmonic Energizer, this little black box has the ability to conjure up some fun sounds, bold tones and, if...
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We love a good synthesizer pedal when they come through the shop, and we love the effects that Robert and the crew at Keeley Electronics put out, so the combination of both of these was a welcome announcement. The goal was to create a synth sound that took you from unnatural fuzz noises to pseudo-harmonic, random glitchy counterpoint, and boy, did they ever succeed. The Synth-1 Reverse Attack Fuzz Wave Generator lets you create...
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The wonderful world of multi-effects has had quite a resurgence in the last couple of years, with bigger, more powerful machines that actually sound incredible being put on the market. With all of these fantastic sounds and options available, there’s also been a considerable price hike in these effects units, too, making it hard for those on a lower budget to even be able to test them out, to see if it’s a good fit for...
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We want the funk. Give up the funk. We need the funk. We gotta have that funk. Truer words have never been spoken, both in general and especially when in relation to today’s magnificently funky featured pedal. The Analogue Filter 442 from Mojo Hand FX brings SOOOO much funk to the table, yet utilizes only two control knobs, making it easy to dial in, yet complex in the amount of range you have for such a simple configuration....
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It’s Day Two of our “Deadbeat Week” here at Pedal of the Day, and brings with it the first of three “Station” effects pedals we’re going to check out. Modulation is always a good time, no matter what type of rig you have or what music you play, so cramming 11 unique modulating effects into one pedal sounds like a pretty rad idea to us. The Modulation Station combines Tremolo, Vibrato, Chorus,...
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Today’s pedal is an awesomely odd one to approach, as it is really 10 pedals in one. The Console from ELTA Music uses a series of interchangeable sound cartridges, each with its own set of three modes, to produce a wide array of tones and auditory revelations that will alter your approach to creating music. We are going to review and demo all 10 of these cartridges eventually, and the next one is our series is the Filter and...
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We’ve always been intrigued and interested in pedals that have lots of knobs, dipswitches and In/Out jacks, so when today’s pedal came along, we were super stoked to test it out. The Spectravibe from Endangered Audio Research (makers of the now-famous AD4096 Analog Delay) is a tremolo and vibrato pedal, but it’s also much, much more than just that. With elements of compression, overdrive, distortion, auto wah and...
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Do you need a little funk in your music, or your life, but don’t like things super-clean or proper? Have you always wanted to venture into the world of auto-wahs and filters, but never found just the right pedal to make the leap? The Cock Fight from Electro-Harmonix incorporates elements of wah, fuzz, and filters to create a uniquely-voiced effects pedal, one that’s certain to make your head turn and your body bust into a...
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While we don’t often do many bass pedal reviews (sorry, guys), we’ve got a pedal today that guitarists AND fans of the low end will appreciate and marvel in. Based on the famed Akai Deep Impact SB-1 Bass Synth, the Future Impact I is also a bass synthesizer pedal, offering more options and parameter controls than the the Akai, but all the while staying true to the sounds it has become famous for creating. Ready to take a...
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Continuing our recent funk pedal extravaganza, we’ve got an updated version of one of the best auto wah / envelope filter pedals around for you today. The DiscumBOBulator has been a staple on the funk scene for years now, a somewhat hidden gem whose loyal user swear by it, as do we here at Pedal of the Day. Emma Electronic has released a new v2 of this wah-infused masterpiece, and we are going to give you all the looks, insights...
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Who wants to get FUNKY? Today’s pedal is just about all you’ll need to do so, and with mind-blowing results, too. The Maxon AF-9 Auto Filter Envelope Wah Super-Machine easily creates down and dirty grooves, popping chords and all the Parliament/Funkadelic sounds you can imagine. Let’s check it out… The AF-9 is an optical analog envelope filter, reminiscent of the classic Musitronics Mu-Tron III, made famous by...
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If you guys have ever had the pleasure to play an effects pedal from the warped mind of Joe Anastasio from Lone Wolf Audio, you know what kind of crazy gear that dude creates. Today we’re going to look at one of the wackiest, awesomest pieces of musical equipment we’ve seen, a pedal that really can’t fit into just one category, but will revive your interest in how music and sound are created. The Acetylene Nirvana is...
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Joe and Dom over at Celestial Effects are some of the biggest supporters of Pedal of the Day, and they’re also making some pretty incredible pedals as well. Today’s moose of a beast is actually a FOUR-In-1 pedal, trying to outwit the usual 3-In-1 lackeys (just kidding, you guys all rock, too). The Cancer Wah The Fuzz? features Fixed Wah, Octave Fuzz, Muscle Fuzz and Tube Overdrive, all in one relatively-space-saving pedal...
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The folks at Keeley Electronics just keep pumping out awesome new pedal after awesome new pedal, and we are privileged today to check out not only one of their newest creations, but a Special Edition as well. The Monterey Special Custom Germanium is a fuzz, octave, vibrato, rotary and harmonic wah all in one, producing an exciting blend of some classic tones, while opening the gateway to much sonic exploration. The Fuzz channel...
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Today’s guest review comes to us from Rob H. – you can find him on Instagram (@studio.rh), Twitter (@Rob_Hildreth) or on his website (Studio RH). Magnetic Effects are a London (UK) based boutique pedal manufacturer. All of the effects are designed and built by Christian Livingstone, who also happens to be the riff monster from NZ garage rockers The Datsuns. You only need to listen to his guitar work to realise this guy...
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Sort of continuing a recent trend here at Pedal of the Day, we have yet another awesome envelope filter to check out today, and one that is based on a classic and sought-after effect. The WR-3™ from Guyatone has become a pedal of great legend, and since it’s discontinuation a few years ago, has also become rare and high-priced as well. Used by Guthrie Govan, Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Salas and more, there’s a good chance you...
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Multi-effects pedals can be tricky to write reviews about, as there is so much going on, and so many different options to choose from that it makes it hard to narrow the writing down and focus on a few things to discuss in detail. Such is the case with today’s featured pedal, the M5 Stompbox Modeler from Line 6 – and if the regular functionality of this pedal wasn’t overwhelming enough, this model has been modded by...
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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...
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Anticipation is one of the funnest parts about getting new pedals in the mail to review, and sometimes, that anticipation is higher than other times. Case in point: I couldn’t wait to open the box for the brand new Interstellar Orbiter from EarthQuaker Devices when it arrived on my doorstep. I had heard a lot about it from the last NAMM show, and was super-excited to see what it could do, and run it through the paces to maximize...
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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...
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The definition of the Italian word Sfocato is: blurry, vague, fuzzy. Vague I’m not so sure of but, this pedal is definitely fuzzy. I’m not the most coordinated guy in the world, so I have put off buying a wah pedal. I’m doing good to get the right hand working with the left as it is, so the thought of mixing my foot in there didn’t sound appealing at all. When I saw that Keeley was introducing the Sfocato...
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Geoffrey Teese just makes incredible wahs, hands down. Anyone who has ever played any of the numerous models he has produced over the last couple of decades surely knows what I’m talking about. A while back, we reviewed the RMC5 Wizard Wah, which was an awesome wah altogether, but today we have what a lot of players feel is the crowning jewel Real McCoy Custom wah: the RMC3. One of the absolute most customizable wahs...
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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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Morley is known for putting out fantastic wah pedals, and their list of endorsing artists is long, prestigious and eclectic, including Al Jourgensen, Steve Vai and Robert Smith. Trying to make a 2-in-1 pedal is a generally difficult task, especially when it’s 2 DIFFERENT kinds of pedals. Morley has taken on that challenge, and come up with a great new design that will fit anywhere – the MWV Mini Wah/Volume pedal. While...
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Mark Tremonti is well-known for his work with ’90s superstars Creed, especially his use of the wah. Getting together with Morley allowed Mark to design a wah built to his specifics, and here it is. The Mark Tremonti Wah (Model Mark 1) is extremely easy to use – you just step on it and go. One of the few wahs without a clickable on/off switch, the Tremonti Wah automatically shuts itself off when you take your foot off the...
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Greyscale Devices have taken the concept of a vintage wah and, using some modern parts and techniques, created the perfect blend of past and present in the wah world. My Vintage Wah is housed in an old CryBaby housing, which I think makes it look super badass. It also sounds pretty rad as well, but that’s another story. Based on the classic VOX v846 wah pedals of the ’60s and ’70s, this Greyscale wah produces sounds...
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Geoffrey Teese has been building some of the finest wah pedals on the market for 20 years now, and this is one of my favorites. While this particular version is no longer in production (it’s a 2005 model), the RMC5 Wizard Wah remains one of the most popular Real McCoy Custom wahs produced. A mix of the RMC1 and the Picture Wah, the Wizard Wah features exquisite hand-craftmanship, true bypass, tons of non-traditional wah...
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The MC404 Custom Audio Electronics Wah was developed by Bob Bradshaw of Custom Audio Electronics and the Cry Baby design team with the goal of creating a highly versatile wah-wah of top-grade components. It features dual Fasel inductors with two distinct voices (high-end emphasis or low to mid resonance), and a built-in MXR MC401 Boost/LineDriver adds even more flexibility. Choose between inductors and turn the boost on or off with...
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