UK manufacturer Effectrode specializes in guitar pedals featuring vacuum tubes in them, and their Delta-Trem tremolo has two 12AU7 peaking out of the right side of its case, protected by to metal bars.
The company’s preference for tube-centered circuits reflects its effort to perfect and modernize the technology that gave birth to the early effects found in vintage amps and effect boxes. The first instances of tremolo were found in tube amps, so many guitarists still seek that warmth when stomping on a tremolo pedal. The company’s Delta-Trem provides this warmth in stereo by…
…using a ‘Raysistor’, a unique component made up from a filament lamp and photo-cell, in conjunction with a vacuum tube signal path. […] 100% Tube Signal path Vacuum tubes and photo-resistors are utilised to create the tremolo effect. Custom photo-cells ensure absolute minimum harmonic distortion for an exceptionally pure tremolo tone.
The Rhythm knob allows the player a choice of waveform including the classic sine wave to triangle, square, pulse, rising and falling sawtooth waveforms, but also mixed waves when the knob is in between settings, thanks to the “Mixed-Wave Modulator Advanced L.F.O. technology.”
As if that wasn’t enough…
The Delta-Trem can also be configured so that the “Depth” knob operates as an independent L.F.O. control. This creates some unique amplitude modulation effects as the channels drift in and out of phase.
Check out the videos of the Effectrode Delta-Trem and go here for more audio samples.
DESCRIPTION
This is accomplished by using a ‘Raysistor’, a unique component made up from a filament lamp and photo-cell, in conjunction with a vacuum tube signal path – twice for stereo! This gives an exceptionally warm and musical tremolo effect that blends well with clean and overdriven guitar sounds. The dual signal path allows the pedal to operate in mono tremolo mode into a single amp or stereo where the sound is ping-ponged between two amps for a huge, spacious tone.
Circuit operation is extremely quiet with none of the audible “ticking” often associated with tube amp tremolo. The Delta-Trem features a configurable low frequency oscillator that accurately reproduces the classic deep sine wave throb found on early Fender tube amps along with triangle, square, pulse, rising and falling sawtooth waveforms to recreate a “Leslie” rotating speaker swirl through to more intense swampy tremolo effects. This pedal is designed to give players easy access to classic rock ‘n’ roll, blues and surf tremolo tones with outstanding warmth and hi-fidelity.
FEATURES
- 100% Tube Signal path Vacuum tubes and photo-resistors are utilised to create the tremolo effect. Custom photo-cells ensure absolute minimum harmonic distortion for an exceptionally pure tremolo tone.
- Powerful Mixed-Wave Modulator Advanced L.F.O. technology allows continuous control of many waveforms. Standard mode reproduces smoothed triangle (linear) to sine and pseudo-square with all the wave variations between to recreate a range of authentic tube amp tremolo tones. The pedal can be further configured to produce variations of rising and falling sawtooth waves, for “Leslie style” acceleration effects. The Delta-Trem is unique that all waveforms have rounded edges for a sweet and musical tremolo – very usable and quiet operation.
- Twin L.F.O. Operation In standard mode the signal is ping-ponged between left and right outputs. The Delta-Trem can also be configured so that the “Depth” knob operates as an independent L.F.O. control. This creates some unique amplitude modulation effects as the channels drift in and out of phase.
- Dakaware Knobs: Authentic phenolic Dakaware, Chicago 1510 knobs custom manufactured for Effectrode in the U.S.A using the original 1940s moulds.
- Turquoise LEDs pulsate with modulation speed for visual song tempo matching.
- Includes 12V Wall-wart Power Supply High quality low-noise switched mode 12VDC at 1.5A wall-wart compatible with all our pedals. Accepts 100V to 240VAC mains input and comes with different mains outlet adaptor plugs, so there is always a plug that fits the country that you are playing in.
