The Rainger FX Air Space Invader 2 is a rather unique take on the fuzz-based synth pedal for guitar.
At maximum Mix settings, it’s pure fuzz/distortion (with its own Drive knob to set the saturation), while if you start turning that knob anti-clockwise, the synth filter is introduced, but there’s an extra element of white noise in the mix, which is all you hear when the Mix knob is set all the way to the left.
Intriguingly, there are two buttons placed at the bottom of the case, controlling the Filter and it Resonance (Hi/Lo switch).
Here’s how the builder describes what kind of sounds you can get from this pedal in the various configurations:
With the filter on and some white noise blended in it gives a’ moogy-soloing’ hi-resonance funk sound, or a stinging and intense lead tone. Filter off gives our tweaked mid-rangey optimum fuzz (as loved by Billy Gibbons).
You can hear the sound of the Rainger FX Air Space Invader 2 in the videos below.
Here’s a demo of V1:
This pedal is the new mini version of the Air Traffic Controller – but with a switchable filter. The overdrive circuit (not switchable) is from the – now discontinued – El Distorto, so this is actually a two-in-one pedal. With the filter on and some white noise blended in it gives a’ moogy-soloing’ hi-resonance funk sound, or a stinging and intense lead tone. Filter off gives our tweaked mid-rangey optimum fuzz (as loved by Billy Gibbons).
White noise hiss is a feature often ignored in ‘synth’ pedals, but it can add a great texture to the tone. Here it’s blendable; have none at all, just a clear zing – or crank it up towards electro percussion….
There’s also volume and drive controls, a ‘hi/lo’ resonance button, and an ‘incoming’ signal indicator. It’s powered by standard 9v PSU (centre earth) – not included.
This is actually the most flexible pedal from Rainger FX, covering guitar sounds that range from chunky and straightforward, or with a more electro edge, through to noise-based percussion guitar.
