A couple of new boxes from Electro-Harmonix that aren’t very traditional-but cool nonetheless-are the RTG and 8 Step Program. The RTG or Random Tone Generator is actually a recreation of the device box of the same name produced in 1980. It creates randomly pitch changing tones over a four-plus octave range and has controls for rate, glide and a stomp to turn the cycle of tones on or off. It has only a 1/4″ output. This would sound great going through effects pedals that are being sequenced by the next new item from EHX.
The 8 Step Program sequencer connects to a variety of pedals and synths that accept Expression Pedal or Control Voltage input. It runs in an 8 step loop wherein which each of the 8 steps can have their own unique value of voltage being sent out to the device being controlled. Imagine sending out stepped voltages for something like EHX’s Riddle filter pedal. Additional features include tap tempo, MIDI sync, 5 tempo divide modes, 4 run modes and the ability to store up to 100 presets if you plunk down for the 8 Step Program Foot Controller. Both of these devices aren’t normal guitar effects but they can enhance the experimental guitarists pedal board for sure. I like pedals that blur the lines of pedal type. –Gus Green
