Updated May. 3, 2021 | by Paolo De Gregorio

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At the beginning of each month we look back at the best releases of the previous 30-day period with the publication of a “Best New Pedals” article – welcome to the April edition! You can see the March 2021 piece here.

The fourth month of 2021 wasn’t particularly prolific as far as new stompboxes, although it coincided with the actual release of the three Universal Audio/UAFX pedals, which had been announced months ago. Notwithstanding two exciting devices by Cooper FX and Glou Glou, most of the new releases were in the gain/fuzz domain.

As usual, we organized the content in two lists: Non-Gain Pedals and Gain/Fuzz Pedals. Enjoy it, and please use our affiliate stores’ links if you decide to buy something, it’s a free way to support our blog!

Best Pedals Released in April 2021 (Non-Gain)

316457264
Cooper FX Generation Loss V2
$299 | Now discontinued, this is the original Generation Loss. V2 of this creative simulator of cheap tape machines/bitcrusher adds an extra footswitch for momentary effects, which can be programmed through the Function button to produce Tape Stop, Garbled Tape or Spectral Freeze effects. Also new is a separate Wet/Dry knobs in place of the previous Mix knob, and Presets.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
2800475292
Eventide Ultratap
$249 | A Stereo, digital, multi-tap delay offering up to 64 taps and lots of creative options, including control of the Stereo spread, multi-wave LFO-based chopping, "Slurm" effect to softens the repeats, and momentary footswitches. Tap Tempo, Midi/Expo In, Line compatibility and 5 onboard presets round up its impressive features.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
More
Reverb Amazon
585982582
UAFX Golden Reverberator
$399 | A Stereo, 3-mode (plus 1) reverb pedal with 3 variations for each mode, preset capability, and six knobs controlling Decay, Pre-Delay, Mix, Bass, Treble and Modulation. Modes include Spring 65 (amp-like reverb), Plate 140, Hall 224 (inspired by late-1970s digital reverb algorithms). Bonus Effects are a vintage digital Plate and Chamber 224 reverb.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
More
Reverb Amazon
3079106267
UAFX Starlight Echo Station
$399 | A Tap-Tempo enabled, Stereo, digital, 3-mode (plus 1) delay/echo pedal with 3 variations for each mode, with preset. Six knobs control Delay, Mix, Feedback, Subdivision, Color, and Modulation. Modes include Tape EP-III, Analog DMM, Precision (digital) and a bonus Cooper Time Cube delay effect downloadable at registrarion:
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
More
Reverb Amazon
2803848949
Universal AUdio UAFX Astra
$399 | A Stereo, digital, 3-mode (plus 1) multi-modulation pedal with 2 variations for each mode (A/B toggle), preset capability, and six knobs controlling Speed, Depth, Intensity, Shape, Shape and Mode. Modes include Chorus Brigade, Flanger/DBLR, Trem 65 (Blackface-style) and 2 downloadable at registration: Phaser X90 and Dharma Trem 61.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
More
Reverb Amazon
2823016931
Glou Glou Loupe`
A tiny envelop filter delivering a mix of vintage and modern sounds, with just one knob to control the filter range, from classic funky auto-wah to growling lo-pass tone that works great before a fuzz.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
4189217322
Sabbadius Woodstock Funky-Vibe
~$700+ | A version of the Funky Vibe (also in this list) with exclusive 7mm custom-made CdS Photocells, which increase the intensity of the throb, and an improved Speed function delivering slower and faster rates.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
580450006
Pedal Pawn Gypsy Vibe
~$450 | A Uni-Vibe clone almost as large as the original running at 18v and featuring hand-selected, hermetically sealed photocells, lightbulb lamp matched to original spec. Fully hand soldered and hand-drilled, the pedal features the same controls as the original, and a bigger speed knob that can be controlled with your foot.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
995028758
Awol Flow Filter
$120 | An affordable, hand-made envelope filter delivering a mix of vintage and modern sounds, with a single knob controlling the filter. It produces a variety of auto-wah and low-pass tones from funky “auto-wah” to vocoder-like, throaty, iconic rock guitar roar.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
https://amazon.to
TC Electronic SKYSURFER MINI
$39 | Most affordable TC pedal to date? It's a mini version of the original Skysurfer, with its three modes (Spring, Plate and Hall).
Sweetwater | Reverb | Amazon

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Best Pedals Released in April 2021 (Gain+Fuzz)

413525179
Electronic Audio Experiments 0xEAE Boost
More than just a boost, it sports a discrete op-amp gain stage pushed by a second gain stage with a high-frequency emphasis. The Filter slider can cut down to a minimum frequency of 480Hz, while the Gain one can push from 26db to 48dbs. The Focus is a high mid-frequency boost adding up to 26dbs in that range. Master adds up to 20dBu.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
127933620
Ananashead GT73
A compact update to a drive based on the British boutique tube amp Green Matamp GT120, a variation on the Orange OR120. The amp’s tube circuit is emulated through a SMD circuit equivalent to the old version’s JFET diodes, while a set of 4 EQ controls (Treble, Bass, Presence and Bass-Boost) allows for a wide palette of tone-sculpting possibilities.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2063359039
Spiral Electric FX Allora
$249 | A high gain fuzz pedal with 3 voicings (Silicon, Blower, Special) born from a rib of the Brute Fuzz, but taking a life of its own. It can sound like a Muff or a Buzzaround, but wilder, more compressed and prone to feedback.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
3973863247
Jet Pedals Lion
$329 | An analog, digitally controlled op-amp-based RAT-style distortion with hard clipping diodes placed after the feedback loop of the op-amp. It runs internally at 18v. A Lead Boost can be engaged by double-tapping on the Preset footswitch. 3 on-board presets (symmetrical and asymmetrical Silicone and red LED diodes) can be stored and recalled live, while infinite presets can be stored via Midi.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
957780988
Foxpedal Vixen Overdrive
$199 | An evolution of the Foxtail drive, this is a very versatile pedal based around a 4148 diode for your traditional yet articulate overdriven sounds, and a Nanolog N3 for some more innovative, yet smooth tones full of clarity. The two voicings can be selected through a toggle switch. A well calibrated EQ section (Bass, Treble and Presence) allows for extra tweaking.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2493591554
Fredric Effects DuoFace
$181 | A Fuzz Face clone that incorporates both versions (Germanium and Silicon) in one pedal through two completely separate circuits. It also gives you independent Bias controls for each mode to deliver both smooth tones or sputtery effect typical of gated fuzzes.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
584549554
Fulltone PlimSoul mkII
$207 | A tube amp-voiced drive updating the popular original with higher gain and impedance, top-mounted jacks and increased separation between the soft-clipping (gain 1, asymmetrical) and hard-clipping (gain 2, symmetrical) stages. The latter features two Germanium diodes instead of LED. The EQ has now a sweeter treble action and a new loss-less Bass switch, allowing for tight, mud-less percussive distortion.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
More
Reverb Amazon
3869343798
Nordvang No.1 Signature
~$300 | An "as close as we can get" simulation of the Klone, it adds a lo-gain Pre Drive toggle with a mid frequency bump and asymmetrical soft-clipping that widens the tonal options. A 3-way toggle labeled "Clipping" lets you also select between Germanium diodes, Schottky diodes or no diodes in the overdrive stage for extra dynamic and tonal flavors.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
3262695211
Whimsy Machines Short Stack
$225 | A Preamp/Boost that provides a lot of options to achieve a variety of driven tones. 3 gain stages (Volume, Level and Gain) and a Bias knob let you fine-tune your way to overdrive and distortion, while a host of internal DIP switches let you adjust several other options like full stack/half stack, linear/nonlinear DC feedback, and true/buffered bypass.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1513002915
Black Mass The First Herald
$185 | An extremely versatile Fuzz voiced for metal guitarists. A separate Boost circuit can be placed before or after the fuzz. A Scoop knob lets you boost or cut th mids, while a Clip toggle gives you the option to engage Silicon or LED/Mosfet clipping – the former darker sounding and less aggressive than the latter.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2154811036
Musicboxpedals Lyla Drive
$169 | A very tweakable, hand-wired, classic-sounding overdrive offering a wide range of tones, from clean boost all the way up to medium-gain overdrive. The circuit is loosely inspired by the universally-loved Timmy. A three-way clipping toggles opens up a few voicing options, while the two Highs and Lows EQ knobs act exclusively as cut controls.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
461489834
Dueling Ninjas
$219 | A dual overdrive pedal featuring a Tubescreamer clone on one side (the green one, obviously) and an OCD-style overdrive on the other (white knobs). The two circuits can be cascaded in either order. Two toggle switches offer Modern and Classic voicings on the green side and High or Low settings on the white side.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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Pedals Trending on Delicious Audio in April 2021

As an added bonus, here’s a list of recently released pedals that folks are researching on our site!

316457264
Cooper FX Generation Loss V2
$299 | Now discontinued, this is the original Generation Loss. V2 of this creative simulator of cheap tape machines/bitcrusher adds an extra footswitch for momentary effects, which can be programmed through the Function button to produce Tape Stop, Garbled Tape or Spectral Freeze effects. Also new is a separate Wet/Dry knobs in place of the previous Mix knob, and Presets.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
3108634164
Boss TB-2W
$800+ used | With the help of Sola Sound, the originators of the Tone Bender, BOSS has created a faithful replica of a vintage Mark II model (serial number 500) as part of their Waza craft series. The TB-2W brings the Bender into the modern era with switchable buffered / true bypass, and a voltage switch that allow you to select 7v for starved gated fuzz, the standard 9v, or 12v for more headroom.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
254466008
Pedal Pawn Texan Twang
$259 - Inspired by a steady aural diet of Steve Ray Vaughan, this combo boost/overdrive is a two-knob device built to interact with your guitar and amp, cleaning up nicely at low guitar output. The right knob is a three-way rotary switch that produces glassy and bite on the Hi setting, tube-like warmth in the Mid setting and punchy growl in the Lo one.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
394227213
Chase Bliss Audio + Meris CXM 1978
$899 | A collaborative pedal adaption of the venerable (1978) Lexicon studio reverb, built on the moving-fader format of Chase Bliss Audio's Automatone series and featuring three algorithms (Hall, Room, Plate). Also features a LoFi Mode for vintage digital sounds and Adjustable Decay Crossover for fully shapeable reverb tail
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
3587648455
Pedal Pawn Fuzz
$284 | A modern, high end, take on the Fuzz Face from the UK, hand-built with the goal of being an “end-all” version of that circuit with an emphasis on fatness at high gain levels and glassy clean-up when rolling back the guitars volume knob. It features a temperature tolerant circuit that allows for a more uniform response.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
4189217322
Sabbadius Woodstock Funky-Vibe
~$700+ | A version of the Funky Vibe (also in this list) with exclusive 7mm custom-made CdS Photocells, which increase the intensity of the throb, and an improved Speed function delivering slower and faster rates.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
https://amazon.to
Pigtronix Space Rip
$179 | A synth pedal that offers a unique take on guitar synthesis with a pulse width modulated (PWM) sawtooth and square wave voices in multiple octaves. The Shape switch lets you choose between sawtooth or square wave, while the Sub knob lets you blend in the lower octave. The Octave switch drops the entire synth down an extra octave. The synth voices can be tuned via the Tune knob, while Mix lets you reintegrate the clean signal.
Sweetwater | Reverb | Amazon
1561447242
Demedash T-120 V2
$220 | An echo with a character voiced after the lo-fi sound of VHS tapes. The Tape Quality knob exacerbates the lo-fi aspect, while Depth and Speed control the modulation. V2 adds soft switching, momentary activation, and 2 added 'secondary' parameters (Glide & Randomize).
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
1940304273
Vertex Boost MKII
$199 | 33% slimmer than its predecessor, this is a high-end one-knob boost that delivers up to 16dB of transparent gain, compatible with both line and instrument-level signals. Featuers include Ultra-linear buffers to ensure optimal input and stable output impedance, 1-megohm input buffer compensating for pickup loading, 100-ohm output buffer for consistent results with long cables.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
More
Reverb Amazon
4242711036
Hungry Robot Wardenclyffe Deluxe
$279 | An original and utterly creative, feature-packed lo-fi pedal that offers pitch based modulation, vinyl noise simulation, ambient reverb, a bit crusher and a filter. Tap Tempo functionality and LED rate indicator round up the features.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
1211782020
Fuzzrocious Lil Fella
$160 | It updates their popular Demon drive in a more versatile and compact direction, with a wider range of saturation (from overdrive to fuzz) and tighter EQ. The Gate switch bypasses the Gain knob and not only allows for clean, silent stops/chugs, but at higher Drive settings also takes the pedal into fuzz territory.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2874677572
Chase Bliss Zvex Bliss Factory
$450+ | ZVEX’s classic gets the Chase Bliss treatment. All the controls of the original are here, plus a new resonant low pass filter knob, and two three-way toggles for fattening up the tone and setting auxiliary knob functions. Any parameter can be saved to a preset, and controlled by midi or expression pedal using the dip switches on the back. Not cheap but super-versatile.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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