Updated Jun. 1, 2022 | by Paolo De Gregorio

Best New Pedals released in May 2022

It’s the first of June, folks, hence time to look back at what May reserved us as far as new pedal releases!

After a rather sleepy beginning of the year, May was the first month of 2022 with a noteworthy number of new releases – and several exciting ones.

Meris stole the scene by unveiling the first pedal in two years, a spectacular-looking stereo delay with a modular heart. Universal Audio released three new pedals from their UAFX series, fully-featured amp-in-a-box devices recreating the tone of the most popular guitar amp, and their most popular mods. There were also noteworthy releases by AC Noises, REVV, Heather Brown, Alexander Pedals, Old Blood Noise, SolidGoldFX and Source Audio, just to mention a few.

You can easily browse through all these offerings in our interactive galleries below. As usual, mouse over and first tap will open a pedal description, while a click or 2nd tap will open a video.

Older monthly articles like this one can be found here.

New Pedal Lines Released in May 2022

4003636317
uafx Amp-In-A-Box pedals
$399 each | 3 multi-mode, studio-grade amp-in-a-box pedals with deep functionality voiced after a Fender Tweed, a Vox AC30 and a Fender Deluxe. Each has 3 voices plus different cabinet and reverb options. Each pedal allows you to bypass your amplifier’s preamp via the special “4-cable” mode, adding two additional channels. Bluetooth compatibility allows connection to the UAFX app for enhanced editing, access to artist presets and more.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
450612122
eastwood Black Box Series
$129-149 | Six simple but quality bread and butter effects: Compressor, Drive, Vibe, Delay, Tape Delay and Spring Reverb.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

Best New Non-Gain Pedals Released in May 2022

1691641554
meris LVX
$599 | a fully featured stereo multi-algorithm delay/looper with a host of other effects, a modular heart, and deep internal routing - including two FX Loops that can be activated through dedicated footswitches. Spectacular and user-friendly UI interface with animated color LCD screen. It inherits algorithms from other Meris pedals but also introduces new ones like Granularize, Casette, and Poly Pitch.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
4184596402
old blood noise SCREEN VIOLENCE
$279 | a stereo triple-effect pedal with tuner and cab sim, with three slots that can hold each one virtual recreations of existing TC pedals employing the original algorithms. A configuration of three pedals can then be stored as a “Board” preset. The effects can be triggered via separate footswitches and controlled through three configurable and mappable knobs.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1715793744
source audio Atlas Compressor
$229 | A DSP-powered compressor that replicates various types of classic circuits. Three modes (Optical, Studio 76 and Dual) are readily accessible through a toggle switch, while extra modes can be loaded through the free Neuro app. A Blend knob allows for parallel compression, while controls for Threshold, Ratio, Tone, Attack and Release allow a wide range of tonal options.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
https://amazon.to
tc electronic plethora x3
$349 | a stereo multi-effect pedal with tuner and cab sim, with three slots assignable to a selection of virtual recreations of existing TC pedals employing the original algorithms. A configuration of three pedals can then be stored as a “Board” preset. The effects can be triggered via separate footswitches and controlled through three assignable knobs.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
595641224
solidgoldfx Surf Rider IV
$209 | It recreates the lush sounds of 3 spring reverbs, adding several controls for extra versatility including a light pitch modulation. Reverb-O-Rocket mode recreates a shorter effect, adding depth and space without soaking your rig. Super Reverb mode delivers the vintage Fender amp reverb. Fantasy mode exaggerates attack, decay and body for an over the top effect.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
4041043
alexander Space Force
$229 | a multi-mode reverb launching a new series called "Leap" featuring stereo in/out and a LED screen. 8 reverb modes: Plate, Mod Hall, Pitch, Spring, Lo-Fi, Analog, Dynamic, and Echoverb. "Morph" function seamlessly morphs between different knob settings on the fly using the built-in ramp footswitch, expression pedal, Neo Footswitch, or MIDI controller.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
3789540809
Matthews Effects The Surgeon
$249 | a fully-featured, mono, multi-mode compact delay offering 8 algorithms organized in four groups of two (EQ, Modulation, Auto-Filter and Dual) and editable through a PC and Mac app. It packs Tap Tempo, Presets, MIDI in/out, Midi Clock, USB connectivity, Expression, Tails option, and a Ramp feature thata can be assigned to any parameter.
Zzounds | Sweetwater |
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Reverb Amazon
https://amazon.to
pigtronix Emanator
$199 | Based on legendary high-voltage MN3005 BBD chips that were out of production since the mid-'80s. The high voltage allows this mini, limited edition analog delay to have higher headroom than other analog delay pedals, without compromising the signature warmth of the BBD chip. The repeats can go as high as 600ms, controlled by 3 straightforward knobs for Time, Mix, and Repeats.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
286611818
Mattoverse Electronics Warble Swell Echo MKII
$219 | a vintage voiced echo with a dynamic foot-controllable Swell feature and tape-like modulation. The onset of the Swell effect can be controlled through a separate knob. A rotary Wave knob selects between 8 shapes for the modulation. which can deliver from subtle flutters to seasick warbles. A Mix knob renitroduces the clean signal.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2646011434
Vongon & Land Onset
$299 | a device with just two faders that does automatically what guitarists normally do using a volume pedal: the volume swell effect. The Attack control dials in the swell times, ranging from 100 milliseconds to 2 seconds, while the Sens one tweaks the level at which the signal starts getting processed.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2235072585
MAS Effects Expanse
$229 | a creative tweakable harmonic tremolo + reverb/delay. The tremolo can be set to 3 modes through the Warp toggle, from classic and subtle to heavily filtered and resonant. Expanse has its own level knob and adds either ambient reverb or a echoing feedback, . The dry signal can be reintegrated through the Blend control. Two Epression ins allow for simultaneous control of Width and either Expanse or Velocity.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
4262868758
Audio Disruption Devices (ADD) LAG V2
$280 | Two delays with independent time and feedback that can be routed in series or parallel or a mix of the two. V2 adds a footswitchable multi-waveform pitch modulation assignable to one of them. Four LFO waveforms: square, triangle, random, or light controlled (based on the amount of light received by the embedded photocell).
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2628003678
Berry Pedals Bad Vibes
$232 | a hand-made Uni-Vibe running internally at 15/18v that lets you switch from Vibrato to Chorus by stomping on the right footswitch. It maintains the light bulb-based circuit and the three controls of the original, with the Speed modified to have a higher rate when at maximum settings. Internal trim pots allow to fine-tune the bulb's brightness and therefore its phase effect.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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Best New Fuzz Pedals Released in May 2022

387045587
solidgoldfx If 6 Was 9 MKII
$199 | a Fuzz Face take with silicon BC183 transistors, considered less scooped/muddy than germanium ones, but not as harsh as other silicon options. Three voicings via the Body toggle (Fat, Treble Boost, and Classic) and other controls deliver tone variations via changes in Bias and Voltage, while a Saturate knob trims the circuit’s input for better cleanup or signal chain integration.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
4209325542
dreadbox Disorder
$169 | A fuzz with low- and high-pass resonant filter that can do envelope filter in both directions (autowah-style or frequency swell) featuring CV in for the filter and CV out controlled by the Sensitivity knob.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
2839704202
Electronic Audio Exp. Dude Incredible V2
$299 | Steve Albini-inspired dual gain pedal with separate footswitches. A Percolator clone feeds a '70s IVP “Tube Voice” preamp-style circuit. The former has in/out controls (Harm and Balance) to fine-tune the amount of saturation/fuzz. A Diode switch gives you V1 settings or more traditional and compressed mode. A Hi/Lo switch changes the gain range of the Tube Voice.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1829759192
heather Brown Sensation Fuzzdrive
$249 | tweakable blend of fuzz and overdrive delivering the best of both worlds: the punch of drive with the warmth of fuzz circuits. Three distinct transistor-based gain stages are controlled by the Saturator knob, with an additional Gain switch providing hi/low options. The Mids and Bass toggles offer three tuned EQ setting each, for a total of 9 possible combinations.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2685263917
AC Noises Urla
$249 | an uber-tweakable, super-compressed CMOS fuzz in front of a dual resonant filter, with separate footswitches. A Blend knob lets you reintegrate some of the clean signal to bring back some dynamics. The filter is a replica of the analog one found in the Korg MS-20: an High Pass filter connected in series with a Low Pass one, both adjustable with their relative controls of Cutoff and Peak.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2066544200
wren and Cuff Garbage Jr
$234 | created in collaboration with Dinosaur Jr's J. Mascis, this is a clone of his early 70’s “Ram’s Head” Big Muff. The circuit is one half of the Garbage Face, released in 2020 and featuring a dual gain circuit including both Mascis’ Muff and Rangemaster-style treble boost.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1768907123
vaderin Laser 1
$149 | an uncompromising frequency multiplier fuzz that saturates your signal in wild and at times impredictable ways, through a circuit that randomly folds the signal in an attempt to create multiples of the frequencies (the further you turn up the left knob, the more frequency multiplication). A 3-way toggle changes the shape of the signal from smooth to harsh.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1447735437
Polarbear Ascender
~215 | a creative Fuzz/Delay/Bitcrusher from Croatia. The heavy silicon fuzz is first in the chain and has its own footswitch (the one on the right). Delay and Bitcrusher follow suit, in an order that can be inverted through the toggle switch on the top left – the one under it will bypass the bitcrusher entirely. The left footswitch will trigger both. An FX loop allows to insert any additional effects between the two circuits.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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Best New Gain Pedals Released in May 2022

https://amazon.to
REVV Tilt Overdrive
$269 | built in collaboration with Shawn Tubbs, this is an amp-like, touch-sensitive overdrive fed by a boost with separate footswitches and a peculiar EQ section. The TiltEQ knob on the boost side is linked to a 3-way Tight toggle, which applies two different high-pass filters to the signal – or leaves it flat in the center position. The overdrive offers your regular Bass+Treble controls for extra tone sculpting
Sweetwater | Reverb | Amazon
181864191
Spaceman Redstone Preamp
$249 | a compact redesign of the company’s Mercury Boost, which was also powered by a vintage NOS germanium transistor. Adds a 3-band EQ section, higher headroom when run at 12v and up to 40dB of gain. The controls are highly interactive, with the first gain stage and tone stack built to sound like the input stage of a tube amp and delivering rich and detailed harmonics.
Perf. Circuit | Reverb | Amazon
1644904224
Browne Amplification Protein V3
$339 | an update to this dual overdrive with a Blue side inspired by the classic Blues Breaker circuit (left) and a Green side voiced after the so-called “Nashville” overdrive sound (right), tweaked to perfectly integrate with each other when stacked. V3 adds top-mounted jacks, soft switching and a single internal switch for split mode, which makes the pedal comatible with switchers like the RJM Mastermind.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1780192905
Crazy Tube Circuits Super Conductor
$199 | an analog boost with 4 modes inspired by classic circuits: RM: a silicon reinterpretation of the Rangemaster; EP: a colored JFET preamp/gain stage voiced after the preamp of the Echoplex; MA: based on the clean and “transparent” tone of of the MXR Micro Amp; MF: based on the ZVex Super Hard On, famous for its pristine highs. Fat and 18v buttons provide extra low end and headroom.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
83505643
TWA SH9 Distortion
$300 | designed in collaboration with Tube Screamer creator Susumi Tamura, this is a Scott Henderson signature pedal that's an evolution of the Maxon SD9 Distortion (SD stands for "Sonic Destruction." Compared to the original, it has a more usable Tone control, more output and headroom when powered at 18v, and has a better low end response.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
548221792
Tsakalis MultiCab MK4
$316 | A hybrid analog/digital circuit offering wide tonal palette: 8 virtual guitar cabinets (with the reverb, the only digital circuits); Pre-amp type: Clean, Hot or Off; Power-amp emulations of EL34 or 6L6 tubes; Cabinet back type can be Open, Semi and Closed; Mic type: dynamic, ribbon or both mixed (analog). Ambience knob adds a natural room reverb. XLR and headphone out.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1908627360
Jet Pedals Mr Jax
$229 | a Chris Rocha signature high-gain drive with a wide gain range. A Gain Stages system lets you set the gain at 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% by long-pressing the footswitch when off. Each setting changes the results from boost to full-on distortion. The Tone knob sounds transparent at noon but can produce soft and hard clipping. A pre-gain Mid Boost can be activated by double-tapping the bypass switch.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
1113652931
Vanilla Sundae Rocky Road iSCREAM
$169 | an overdrive voiced after the classic, early drives of the ’70s and ’80s (read, TS) without being a clone. Based on a dual op-amp circuit, it features a mid bump but keeps a warm and thick tone other similar pedals lack. The Lift/Clip toggle adds or removes the soft clipping section from the circuit, producing a lot more boost when disabled.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
2462278681
Limetone Audio Jackal
~$275 | a high gain drive hailing from Japan and based on an original four-stage FET design inspired by the sound of a Bogner amp. It has a fair amount of tweakability with a 3-knob EQ section, and two pushbuttons for “Bite Mode” and “Plexi.” When activated, the former will slightly brighten the tone, while the latter will lower your gain and deliver a character reminiscent of the JTM45.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon
950410736
Interstellar Audio Machines Octonaut Hyperdrive
$279 | a high-end Klon clone that replicates the original's expressive and transparent tone. The circuit features hand-picked rare germanium diodes, true buffered bypass and a double ganged gain pot. In true Klone fashion, it employs a “natural crossover” circuit to blend the overdrive with the clean signal.
eBay | Reverb | Amazon

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Have a blast and see you next month!

The Folks at Delicious Audio

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