gear giveaway

Parametric EQ

Empress ParaEQ mkII (+ Deluxe Version)

When we put together this article about the best EQ pedal earlier in 2022, we couldn't believe how much interest there was in a discontinued pedal by Empress Effects, the ParaEQ, and wondered why it was out of production... enter the new Empress ParaEQ mkII and mkII Deluxe, two compact…Click on the title for more

Empress ParaEQ mkII (+ Deluxe Version)

New at NAMM 2023: Sunnaudio R2D3 Helion Preamp EQ

At the NAMM 2023 Show, Marc at Sunnaudio showed us and played for us the prototype of the company's new Sunnaudio R2D3 Helion Preamp EQ, a bass-oriented, high-end Swiss army device that works well also on guitar and any other instrument with a pickup. A 3-way parametric EQ section lets…Click on the title for more

New at NAMM 2023: Sunnaudio R2D3 Helion Preamp EQ

New Pedal: Muir Audio Design Morphtone EQ

Hand-built in the UK, the Muir Audio Design Morphtone EQ is a peculiar and powerful take on the dual parametric equalizer pedal designed for guitar and bass players. The basic approach here is to have two very different parametric EQ stages that operate in parallel on a wide range of…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Muir Audio Design Morphtone EQ

KMA Machines Wurm 2 Distortion

The KMA Machines Wurm 2 is an update of the Berlin-based company's high-gain flagship distortion pedal, featuring a circuit based on the BOSS HM-2 but with lots of extra features - or, in the words of the builder, "taking it much further and pushing the envelope of how destructive it…Click on the title for more

KMA Machines Wurm 2 Distortion

New Pedal: Spaceman Effects Equinox

The Spaceman Effects Equinox is here to remind us that a great-sounding EQ is an essential tool on any pedalboard. Even more so if it's a recreation of the most legendary studio EQ of all time: the vintage Pultec EQP-1a, currently selling for anywhere between $8k and $16k, with new…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Spaceman Effects Equinox

Catalinbread Tribute Low-gain Overdrive

The Catalinbread Tribute is the new low-gain overdrive from the Portland-based company and - if memory doesn't betray us - the first device in their roster featuring a parametric EQ since the VariOboost, the very first pedal released by Catalinbread, a now-discontinued boost pedal that inspired this new model. This…Click on the title for more

Catalinbread Tribute Low-gain Overdrive

BOSS IR-200 Amp and IR Cabinet Simulator

The BOSS 200 series welcomes another member to its growing family, the IR-200 Amp and IR Cabinet Simulator, an uber-comprehensive stereo device for performing, rehearsing, and recording without the burden of real amp and cabinets for both guitar (8amp types) and bass (3 amp types). We could spend all day…Click on the title for more

BOSS IR-200 Amp and IR Cabinet Simulator

KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm

Earlier this year, I stood in front of a contemporary art installation from a Quebec-based artist asking me to trigger, via pedal, the end of the world. Irresponsible as I am, I stomped on it, but nothing happened (Quebequas are renowned for loving provocations). Today I am presented with a…Click on the title for more

KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm

KMA Machines Chief Disruptor Fuzz

German pedal makers KMA Machines have increasingly been gravitating towards uber-tweakable devices (with a soft spot for toggle switches), and the Chief Disruptor (sold direct by Thomann) is their take on the uber-flexible, do-it-all Muff-style fuzz. The core of this circuit is the Voicing toggle, which delivers the following three fuzz…Click on the title for more

KMA Machines Chief Disruptor Fuzz

Redbeard Effects Angry Rhubarb MkII Overdrive

Guitarists were seldom faced with the words "parametric" and "EQ" in the same sentence since that's a kind of EQ that is normally found on pro audio consoles and equalizers, rather than effects and amps. However, in the last few years, we've seen that kind of circuit in an increasing…Click on the title for more

Redbeard Effects Angry Rhubarb MkII Overdrive

Stone Deaf FX Q Boost/Distortion

Father and son British pedal builders Stone Deaf FX released some ingenious and imaginative stompboxes in the past, but today they unveiled something rather simple yet extremely intriguing. At a first look, the (Mickey Mouse-themed) Q Boost appears to be a simple boost pedal/preamp with an extra, sweepable mid-frequency boost,…Click on the title for more

Stone Deaf FX Q Boost/Distortion

Stone Deaf FX Warp Drive

Since its inception in 2010, Manchester, UK based Stone Deaf FX has been able to stand out from the pack of new stompbox manufacturers by offering effects at once quirky looking, edgy sounding and overall inspiring. That this company belongs to the "forward-thinking" segment of the pedal manufacturing field is clearly stated…Click on the title for more

Stone Deaf FX Warp Drive