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Guitar Pedals

Secrets of Mixing: Reverb – Space as Third Dimension

If EQ and pan are the most useful tools to create an “open” mix where instruments don’t step on each other’s frequency or placement in the stereo field, a mix wouldn't sound alive without the use of more subtle depth related effects and techniques. Effects like reverb and echo emulate…Click on the title for more

Secrets of Mixing: Reverb – Space as Third Dimension

EHX releases nano re-issue of Hot Tubes

"Vintage" is a word that keeps inspiring many guitarists (and collectors of all kinds). Electro Harmonix, one of the very first manufacturers to unleash the creative possibilities of the stompbox format, has a series of pedals that can be filed under that category, and the 1970s Overdrive CMOS Hot Tubes…Click on the title for more

EHX releases nano re-issue of Hot Tubes

Option Knob introduces the VKnob – Volume Knob

The ideal controller for our guitar pedals' knobs would be some kind of sci-fi brainwave sensor that telepathically changes the settings effortlessly, exactly the way we want, while we focus on playing. While waiting for somebody to come up with that device, we should be happy there's an affordable solution…Click on the title for more

Option Knob introduces the VKnob – Volume Knob

Guitar Pedal Reviews: Jam Pedals Big Chill Tremolo

The Big Chill Tremolo pedal by JAM Pedals, out of Greece, is FANTASTIC! I don't normally open my reviews with all caps but it's that good. What makes it so good? I believe it's a combination of doing some traditional things very well and a few unique and innovative features…Click on the title for more

Guitar Pedal Reviews: Jam Pedals Big Chill Tremolo

Pedal Reviews: TC Electronic Ditto Looper

As I said in my review of Pigtronix's feature-packed Infinity Looper, there seems to be something in the water that's making people gravitate toward the one-man-band setup. The proof is in the gear. Complex programmable loopers, in both hardware and software, are becoming extremely popular, but today's subject, the Ditto…Click on the title for more

Pedal Reviews: TC Electronic Ditto Looper

Pigtronix Gatekeeper Noise Gate

New York City based manufacturer Pigtronix has recently released a noise gate stompbox called The Gatekeeper. The pedal utilizes high speed J-Fet circuitry to quell any static or non-musical sounds from your signal path. With above the average headroom and wide range threshold control, the Gatekeeper enables fast and smooth…Click on the title for more

Pigtronix Gatekeeper Noise Gate

Sonic Youth’s Pedal and Equipment Archive

Sonic Youth is a band that like no other brought innovation to the sound of indie rock – particularly in the guitar tones and playing style departments. But unlike many contemporary Lo-Fi, noise rock bands, Thurston Moore and co. always devoted a lot of resources to researching the sonic possibilities…Click on the title for more

Sonic Youth’s Pedal and Equipment Archive

Z-Vex’s new Step Sequence Pedals with Midi Synch

Step sequence pedals have become quite trendy in the last few years, probably because of their ability to create intriguing textures that manifest themselves as some kind of happy accidents. I find it really useful to have a piece of gear that allows me to approach the creative process in…Click on the title for more

Z-Vex’s new Step Sequence Pedals with Midi Synch

Celestial Effects’ Cancer Wah The Fuzz

Sometimes affordable, simple, great sounding stompboxes give us exactly what we need today, but their one-trick-ponyness fails to keep us entertained for very long. That's why exploring a distortion pedal priced just short of $500 like the hand built Celestial Effects' Cancer Wah The Fuzz can actually make sense. Another plus is…Click on the title for more

Celestial Effects’ Cancer Wah The Fuzz

Production ideas – replacing snare reverb with gated stereo samples

Many contemporary bands thrive on the creation of new sounds and textures. Here’s a cool idea that’s also CPU friendly – since it implies using samples instead of computer-power-hungry reverb plug-ins. With the help of a simple noise gate, a stereo enhancer plug-in, and a virtual sampler (like Drumagog or any of the…Click on the title for more

Production ideas – replacing snare reverb with gated stereo samples

Magnetic Effects’ Electrochop

The New Electrochop from Magnetic Effects is designed to give your guitar sound a really retro echo-esque tremolo. The sound gets imitated with oscillators and can either create a driving rhythmic pulse to the song, or phase through it like a Steve Reich Piece. It is a super choppy tremolo that features the classic,…Click on the title for more

Magnetic Effects’ Electrochop

T-Rex Effects releases multi-boutique effect Magnus

Danish effect manufacturer T-Rex Effects, in partnership with Guitar Center, announced today the new co-developed Magnus boutique tone controller, which will be available exclusively through the mighty musical instrument retailer and its online subsidiary Musicians Friend. This new pedal represents an interesting format, since it's a collection of five custom…Click on the title for more

T-Rex Effects releases multi-boutique effect Magnus