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2025 Best New Modulation, Pitch, Utility and Multi-FX Pedals of the Year

ArpeggiatorBeat MachineBest in ClassBitcrushing and Lo-FiBlender and MixerBossBrowne AmplificationBufferButterfly EffectsCatalinbreadChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoColortone PedalsCustom TonesDigiTechDown-TunerElectro-HarmonixElectronic Audio ExperimentsEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFlangerFlower PedalsGamechanger AudioGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerKernomKinotoneKlowraLichtlaerm AudioLooperModulationModulation WorkstationMoth ElectricMr Black PedalsMulti-FXMXRNobelsOctaverOddball ModulationPastFXPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingPoly EffectsPolyendRing ModulationRitual DevicesRotary SpeakerSampler / SustainerSingular SoundSlicer and StutterSubdecay EffectsSuperCool PedalsSwellThermionThorpyFXTremoloTsakalis Audio WorksUni-Vibe and VibeUtility+-
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This has turned out to be the largest category for 2025 with 38 pedals in this selection. As I favour those pedals that I own first, and then the more pedalboard-friendly editions - inevitably there would be some casualties for the year. With the most significant of those being the larger format Meris Enzo X, and the Polyend MESS Multi-Effect Step Sequencer. I know there are some who favour each of those - but they just aren’t targets for me personally.

 

 I always talk about having a lane - and I’m always going to be more Boss SY-200 than either of the Enzos - which in some ways lean more into the Multi-FX thing - and particularly for the new edition. The MESS is kind of interesting - as a Multi-FX sequencer - but I prefer the library of effects onboard my Eventide H90 for instance. And most who leant into that device - leant more into its Multi-FX side versus its core Sequencer side. I personally find my Polyend Step somewhat clunky on the control interface - while it for sure yields superior sounds. I’ve already decided to move on from the Step - initially I was going to swap in the Beat Buddy 2, while since the Witney Pedal Party I’ve decided that the Audio.Computer Beat Friend will be my next Drum Machine - but that’s not even a pedal / stompbox - and so doesn’t feature here!

 

The major competition here was between the Boss XS-100 Poly Shifter and the Gamechanger Motor Synth Pedal - it was touch-and-go for the longest time as to which would win the GOLD - but in the end I decided to go with the 4-in-1 Precision and Utility of the XS-100 vs the more unruly and slightly unpredictable nature of the Motor Pedal. I reasoned that I would likely deploy the XS-100 more often - so that is the worthy winner here. Funnily both the XS-100 and the Motor Pedal shared the same slot - as that’s the only slot that can accommodate them - so it’s always going to be a matter of one or the other!

 

Beyond those two top dogs, there are actually 7 SILVER award winners here :


[GOLD] - Boss XS-100
[SILVER] - Boss RT-2 Rotary Ensemble, Butterfly Effects Dobbo Granular Playground, Colortone Pedals VibroVerb Stereo LFO Multi-Modulator, Gamechanger Audio Electro-Mechnical Multi-Mode Motor Synth, Kernom Elipse Hybrid Modulation Playground / Multi-Modulator, MXR Bassline / Bass Synth, PastFX Deluxe Elastic Mattress,

 

I debated long and hard as to which of these pedals deserved awards, and iterated the labelling several times. I feel I’ve got it about right now. This is a pretty huge category - but in previous years hasn’t been quite so grandiose. This year we get a mix of different formats right across the range and for the different enclosure sizes. I always own a lesser percent for the final 2 categories - Modutility and Spatial. Where I’m normally at or near the 100% mark for the various gain categories.

I also wanted to bring attention to the excellent Cosmic Loop FX Parallelarator - which I somehow overlooked on the visual - but still include a slot within the featured listing - that has become an essential for me too - and deserves another [Silver]!

 

From this selection of 38, I own 25 - with some definite targets remaining for 2026! And as before I can only award and recommend pedals that I own and have lived with for a while!

 

Here is the full rundown :

  • Boss PX-1 Plugout FX Stereo Multi-FX - $249
  • Boss RT-2 Stereo Rotary Ensemble [SILVER] - $239
  • Boss XS-1 Poly Shifter - $199
  • Boss XS-100 4-in-1 Poly Shifter [GOLD] - $349
  • Browne Amplification Sky Snake Hawk Attack Chorus - $199
  • Butterfly Effects Dobbo Granular Playground [SILVER] €350 / $408
  • Catalinbread Wake DreamPop 8-Voice Chorus + Sub Octave - $199
  • Chase Bliss Lost + Found Stereo Multi-Modlated Pedal - $399
  • Colortone Pedals VibroVerb Stereo LFO Multi-Modulator / Tremolo / Rotary Simulator [SILVER] - $249
  • Cosmic Loop FX Parallelarator Parallel Blender and ingenious Wet-Dry-Wet Gateway! [SILVER] - £285 / $369
  • DigiTech Whammy Hammer On Creative Pitch Shifter - $249
  • Custom Tones Ethos 60’s Harmonic Bias Trem - From $249
  • Electro-Harmonix Pico Atomic Cluster Sonic De-Rezzer Atomic Oscillator - $129
  • Electro-Harmonic Pico Swello Polyphonic Bowed-like Swells - $149
  • Electronic Audio Experiments x Pile V2 Mirror House Slippery Pitch-Shifter & Oscillator - $249
  • Flower Pedals V2 Hosta Wah-Filter - $349
  • Gamechanger Audio Electro-Mechnical Multi-Mode Motor Synth [SILVER] - €329 / $383
  • Kernom Elipse Hybrid Modulation Playground / Multi-Modulator [SILVER] - $299
  • Kinotone Ghosts 6-Voice Polyphonic Chordal Resonator - $399
  • Klowra Vein Stereo Pitch-Shifter - $149
  • Lichtlaerm Nostalgia LoFi Modulator - Chorus / Vibrato / Tape Warble - €199 / $219 / £179
  • Moth Electric M. Stellatarum 32-Combinaiton Multi-Mode Optical Analog Tremolo - $219
  • Mr. Black Analog Tremolo with Robot Formant Waveform - $199
  • MXR Bassline / Bass Synth [SILVER] - $286
  • Nobels CHO-mini Stereo Chorus / Flanger - €99 / $99 / £85
  • Nobels MOD-mini Stereo Modulator - Tremolo, Phaser, and Uni-Vibe - €99 / $99 / £85
  • OPFXS Dig Deep Sub-Harmonic Octaver MK3 - €240 / $279
  • PastFX Deluxe Elastic Mattress (EHX Deluxe Electric Mistress) [SILVER] - $207
  • PastFX Gallstone EHX V2 Small Stone Evolution and Epxansion - $207
  • Poly Effects Trails Unfamiliar Effects That Sustain + Grow... - $399
  • Ritual Devices Rainmaker Analog Vibrato & Tremolo - £249
  • Polyend Step Drum Machine - $599
  • Singular Sound Bead Buddy 2 - $499
  • Subdecay Starlight MKIII Flanger - $199
  • Supercool Pedals Triniphase Multi-Stage & Multi-Mode Phaser - $219
  • Thermion PowerTrem Classic & Harmonic Tremolo - €125 / $145
  • Thermion PowerVibe Uni-Vibe - €125 / $145
  • ThorpyFX Chain Home Supremely Choppy Tremolo (Vox Repeat Percussion) - £215 / $244
  • Tsakalis AudioWorks Phonkify X Octave Up / Down / Blend and Envelope Filter - €219 / $199

Further details on each below :

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Boss PX-1 Plugout FX Stereo Multi-FX - $249

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Controls - Page Left / Param 1, Page Right / Select / Param 2 or 3, Menu / Param 2.

 

There's much to like about the PX-1, but for me it's still a slightly flawed product. I want to have full control over the algorithms and order I have on this pedal - as we only get a maximum of 16. Currently the first 8 are totally fixed and immutable - where some of those effects are front-of-chain, and some are back. Of those first 8 - the OD-1, SP-1, CS-1, SD-1 and DS-1 are totally surplus to requirements - where I already own all those original analog pedals in several editions and mods - and in any case those are front-of-chain effects - where I prefer to mostly use this for its Classic Modulations and Delays. The fact that you're stuck with those first 8 and have not way to change their order on the device - is a major challenge for me. While I really like how the device atomically saves all your knob tweaks - and stores the last version you dialled in - which is very handy. It can sound pretty brilliant - particularly on the Chorus - while this is a flawed device for me - for the reasons I have given!


Boss RT-2 Stereo Rotary Ensemble [SILVER] - $239

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Controls - Level | Drive [Balance], Fast | Slow, Mode : I / II / III, Rise/Fall Time : Slow / Fast, Drive Knob Function : Drive / Horn to Drum Balance (EQ), Press-Hold Footswitch to flip between Slow [5 seconds] and Fast [instant] Speeds.

 

This is simply by far and away my favourite Rotary Effect of all-time - effortless to dial in - I have the Level and Drive pretty much on Max! For that full Hammond tonewheel + Leslie cabinet organ style - it sounds very suitably syrupy for me - and has he elevated levels to really make this effect work!


Boss XS-1 Poly Shifter - $199

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Controls - Dry-Wet Balance (2-Part Harmonics), Action : Toggle (Latching) / Moment (Momentary), Shift : Semitones 1-7 / Octaves 1-3, Direction : Downward / Detune / Upward.

 

This smaller pedal does the Polyphonic Pitch-Shifting and 2-Part Harmonies - so it's a 2-in-1 pint-size version of the XS-100 - which was actually developed first. The most precise Pich-Shifter to date - while shifting to the extremes is always a little problematic. Does a really mean Chorus voicing too - like its larger sibling!


Boss XS-100 4-in-1 Poly Shifter [GOLD] - $349

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Controls - Heel > Toe Treadle, Further 'Toe' Mode, Effect (Parameters), Memory (Presets / CTL and System Parameters), Rotary Selector : Presets and Parameters, click to Select, Effect Footswitch : Typically Pitch-Shifter, Tune Down Footswitch : Core Tuning / Register, Default : Press Both Footswitch to go up a Memory / Preset.

 

The greatest and most precise multi-function pitch-shifter to-date - which obviously includes the expression pedal into the design. Allows you to run 4 Elements / Modes simultaneously, Really smart, really useful and usable - while the deep-dive menus can take a while to master! This one is a massive improvement on any similar effect the came before - it has myriad regular uses - and is for sure one of the most useful pedal you will ever own! A worthy winner of this category!


Browne Amplification Sky Snake Hawk Attack Chorus - $199

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Controls - Speed, Depth / Intensity, Blend : Wet Mix.

 

This is a pretty lush simple 3-knob Analog BBD Chorus - which has been on the target list for a while - where I'm never sure what priority to assign. A great Chorus pedal - while I have quite a few of those already!


Butterfly Effects Dobbo Granular Playground [SILVER] €350 / $408

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Controls - Rate (Grains per Second : 0-20), Size (of Grains : 10ms > 1s), Mix (% Grains), Time (Delay : 0-5s), Pitch (-2 > +2 Octaves), Pitch Mode : Smooth / Octaves / Qnt Semitones, Space (Panning / Verb), Direction : Forward / Random / Back, Envelope : Fast Atck / Slow Rels } Balanced Atck/Rls | Slow Atck / Fast Rels, 5s Timer, Tap (Hold), DICE } Chance (% random wiggle / sway around centre setting) : per Rate / Size / Time / Pitch, Param Selector, Presets : 1-4, Bypass.

 

I dubbed this the 'Granular Playground' and that's a very apt moniker here - where this kind of doubles down on the kinds of granular effects fond on the Hologram Microcosm - here in a much more compact - with some really clever controls. While his is still mostly a table-top style pedal - which for most artists required constant tweaking and manipulation - which doesn't make I particularly suitably as a floor-based stompbox. You can still kind of use it that way (like I do) while this is really much more intended as its own improvisational instrument - which most handle in a table-top context! Still really great pedal - sounds amazing - but possibly not entirely built to my own preferences and sensibilities. Most definitely a significant technical achievement and to be lauded - particularly the 'Dice' section!


Catalinbread Wake DreamPop 8-Voice Chorus + Sub Octave - $199

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Controls - Octave, Rate, Mix, Depth.

 

A really cool DreamPop inspired Multi-Voice Chorus with further Sub Octave for more impact. A really cool distinct take on a chorus - for dreamy textures. This one has not been landed yet - but remains a chorus - albeit that it's digital, and I normally favour Analog BBD types - while this one really sounds pretty special!


Chase Bliss Lost + Found Stereo Multi-Modlated Pedal - $399

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Main Controls - RIGHT CHANNEL } Time R [Alt R], Modify A>B R [EQ R], Channel R Bypass Footswitch - Hold for Secondary Modifiers; LEFT CHANNEL } Time L [Alt L], Modify A>B L [EQ L], Channel L Bypass Footswitch - Hold for Secondary Modifiers; UNIVERSAL } Mix (Ramp) [Spill], Blend [Glue - Compression + Saturation], 1.Reverb, 2.Pitch, 3.Warp, Spread : L>R / L+R / L.

Algorithms :

  • 1. Reverb : 1A Slow-Verb > 1B Useful Ambience
  • 2. Pitch : 2A Orchestral Swell > 2B Pitch Repeater
  • 3. Warp : 3A Pinging Phaser > 3B Spectral Modulator
  • 4. Delay : 4A Tape Echo > 4B Grain Tumbler
  • 5. Synth : 5A Impulse Synthesizer > 5B Sympathic Resonator
  • 6. Bend : 6A Ensemble Expander > 6B Gen Lite

A really cool and distinct Muli-FX Pedal - with 12 somewhat unusual algorithms - including Grain Tumbler and Sympathetic Resonator. It has a few parallels with the Poly Effects Trails - but larger those 2 are very distinct and relatively unusual. Somewhat overall a left-field selection of algorithms. Sounds gorgeous of course!


Colortone Pedals VibroVerb Stereo LFO Multi-Modulator / Tremolo / Rotary Simulator [SILVER] - $249

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Layer 1 Controls - Speed (Rate), Mode : Optical Trem / Harmonic Trem / RotoVibe, Waveforms : Square / Triangle / Sine, Blend, Phase, Saturation, Reverb, Left Tap Tempo Footswitch, Right Bypass Footswich, Press-Hold for Layer 2 Green LED.

 

Layer 2 Controls - Sine 'Q' (additional Sine Wave shaping), Presets : P1, P2, P3 [Waveforms switch], Boost, Stereo Spread, Drive, Drive EQ, Left Tap Tempo Footswitch - Long press is Preset Save, Right Footswitch is Bypass - Long Press for Layer 1 Red LED.

 

One of a pair of new potent Colortone Pedals this year - alongside the ZeroSum Delay. The Delay is somewhat slightly more instantly appealing - but this one really grows on you! Both of those have been on the board since they first emerged around the middle of this year. The VibroVerb delivers really lush sounding Optical Tremolo, Harmonic Tremolo, and RotoVibe. Some really beautiful engineering by my good friend AD Hauser here - every and improvement on its Roundhouse predecessor! The only niggle here is a slightly complicated update path!


Cosmic Loop FX Parallelarator Parallel Blender and ingenious Wet-Dry-Wet Gateway! [SILVER] - £285 / $369

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Controls - Dry Mix (Dry Blend with Loops), LOOP 1 : Stereo TRS / Mono TS, Level 1, LOOP 2 : Stereo TRS / Mono TS, Level 2, LOOP 3 : Stereo TRS / Mono TS, Level 3.

 

An essential utility for me which blends together 3 parts of my signal chain - to great effect. Initially brought in to isolate the Drum Machine and empower the balance to be right for the main outputs - works brilliantly - where TheGigRig Wetter Box somewhat failed me! The Parallelarator came through at exactly the right time - and the Wet-Dry-Wet setup it so beautifully enables - is ingenious!


DigiTech Whammy Hammer On Creative Pitch Shifter - $249

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Controls - PRIMARY LEDs / MODES } Dry, +2nd, +3rd, +4th, +5th, +6th, +7th, +OCT, +2 OCT, -2nd, -3rd, -4th, -5+th, -6th, -7th, -OCT, -2 OCT, Dry+ : Add Dry Signal, Trill : Rapid firing of Multiple Footswitch Impressions, Mode : Hammer On [Purple] / Impossible [Red] / 2-Note-Squence [Blue] / 3-Note-Squence [Teal] / 5-Note Sequence [Green]; Pitch 1 Footswitch, 2nd Pitch Mode LED : Hammer On, Impossible, Sequence 2,3,5, Pitch 2 Footswitch.

 

Undoubtedly a really cool new take on a pitch-shifter - with unique Trill Auto-Repeater and up to 5 note Sequencer / Arpeggiator. In some ways more of a auto-riff-machine than a classic pitch-shifter. And it doesn't to my core favourite Morello action! There's no timing component to the Ramp up or town - so you can't do those familiar Whammy Sweeps. I was hoping this would replace my DigiTech Whammy Ricochet and then deliver more - but I never really gelled with this pedal - and found the control side a little challenging for the more advanced modes in particular. This made quite a splash when it first arrived, but longer-term I'm not sure it had had the intended impact. I still like it - but I much prefer say the Boss XS-100. Still a very cool pedal no doubt and perfect for some!


Custom Tones Ethos 60's Harmonic Bias Trem - From $249

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Controls - Tone, Volume Trim, Slow Speed, Fast Speed, Intensity, Mode : Amplitude / Harmonic, Speed Footswitch : Slow / Fast, Bypass Footswitch.

 

A really cool new 2-mode fully analog vintage style Amplitude and Harmonic Bias Tremolo. I've long loved pretty much everything that Custom Tones has put out - and this is no exception. Far from the perfect enclosure type for me - but still appeals, and is still on the target list - while it's ongoing priority somewhat fluctuates between must-have and nice-to-have!


Electro-Harmonix Pico Atomic Cluster Sonic De-Rezzer Atomic Oscillator - $129

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Controls - Mode : Red Sharp Mode / Green Smooth Mode (Oscillation Transitions), Output Level, Dry > Wet Mix, Speed / Rate of Oscillation Refresg, Atoms - Number of Oscillations (full resolution CW). Tap Tempo on single footswitch via at least 2 presses in relatively quick succession.

 

A cool Spectral Decomposer / De-Rezzer lo-fi manipulating modulator which reduces the fidelity of the pedals core output oscillations. This one remains a target for me into 2026. A pretty unique effect - which I'm not sure I have in any other guise!


Electro-Harmonic Pico Swello Polyphonic Bowed-like Swells - $149

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Controls - 3-way Filter Button : GREEN is Disabled / AMBER is Low Resonance, RED is High Resonance, Volume is Output Level, Attack Time, Frequency (Low Pass Cutoff Frequency), Mod -/+ (Range and Direction of the Attack Envelope applied to the LPF).

 

A really cool bowed-like-effect - where I used to use the Attack Decay for this kind of thing - but the Swello does it slightly better. Great if you like your output slightly more langerous!


Electronic Audio Experiments x Pile V2 Mirror House Slippery Pitch-Shifter & Oscillator - $249

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Controls - Mix (Dry>Wet Mix), Amount (Degree of Shift / Pitch Separation), Mode : Shift / Flutter / Detune, Voices (Pitch Up/Down Mix, Balanced at noon), Animate (Additive Modulation / Oscillation).

 

Really aptly named as a Slippery Pitch-Shifter & Oscillator - this one can all so easily get away from you and end up in skewed and atonal territory - which admittedly many like. For me this is best applied rather subtly - with a flavour of its off-kilter sensibilities rather than the full on detuned experience. This one is mostly about getting the right balance between those controls - and softly bending the output while still keeping it entirely musical!


Flower Pedals V2 Hosta Wah-Filter - $349

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Controls - LEVEL [attack], FREQUENCY, DEPTH [drift depth], MODE : fixed / auto / envelope, RAMP : up / moment / latch / drift / down, SHAPE / RELEASE [ramp speed] SHAPE : hump / triangle / pulse / sine / square, SPEED / SENSITIVITY [ramp to / drift speed], Q Bandwidth [division : half / quarter / dotted eighth / eighth / triplet], TAP / RAMP Footswitch, ON / HOLD Footswitch.

 

This one's predecessor was my favourite ever Auto-Wah - and this one is significantly evolved and improved from that one. While since the Plutoneium Chi-Wah-Wah became a permanent fixture on my board - I've less needed the Auto-Wah pedals - which used to be my favourite takes on Wah. This still remains a target for me but is not a high priority currently because of the Chi-Wah-Wah already permanently attached to the board!


Gamechanger Audio Electro-Mechnical Multi-Mode Motor Synth [SILVER] - €329 / $383

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Controls - Vibrato / Glide (Oscillation and % Portamento Curve), SHIFT : -OCT / -5TH / -4TH / 0 / +4TH / +5TH / +OCT (Intervals), Modulation (X-MOD Cross-Modulation), ENGINE MODE : MOTOR (raw / growling) / MXD (cross-modulation) / M-Wave (Multitimbral Synth) / Coil (AC Coil Injection [vs DC]) / Vocoder (24-Band), Release (Envelope : Short > Long), Clean (Dry Level), Motor (Output), Tone (Tilt EQ), Drive (Analog Distortion), PEDAL FUNCTION : Accelerator (Pitch Up) / Brake (Pitch Down / Stall) / Clutch (Drone Sounds) / Drift (Vibrato / Wipeout) / Volume (Swells), Main Engage / Bypass Footswitch, Car Pedal Spring-loaded secondary Momentary Function.

 

This is the main other heavy-weigh contender - where it just fractionally lost out in the end to the Boss XS-100 as the top dog for this category. The XS-100 is precise and predictable - while this Motor Synth is the opposite - slightly wayward and unruly at time - with not quite perfect pitch tracking - but close enough for sure. If this was just about the most innovative effect - then this would win hands-down - but it has to be about the user experience and deployment - which is mostly highly exhilarating but also somewhat rambunctious. The XS-100 is the direct contrast to the slightly organic and wayward nature of this pedal - and as I have slightly more uses for the XS-100 - that one wins out in the end - but only by a fraction. The Motor Synth Pedal is still wholly ingenious!


Kernom Elipse Hybrid Modulation Playground / Multi-Modulator [SILVER] - $299

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Controls - Shape (Waveform / Pulse Width - balanced in Middle : Sine + Triangle), Mood : Harmonic Tremolo [2] / Rotary / Chorus & Vibrato [3] / Flanger / Phaser / Vibe, LFO Speed, Depth, Mix : 0-100Hz, Swirl (Slow Phase + Drive), Preset Footswitch, On/Off Footswitch.

 

An exceptional multi-modulator - really easy on the dial-in - and always sounds pretty much perfect, but isn't quite as full-fat / juicy as some of my other individual modulations. The way you morph between algorithms has always been ingenious - particularly for the Kernom Moho Fuzz - which is still my favourite. This Elipse is very decent too - where previously though I had classified these effects as being 'Analog' while this is very much a hybrid circuit - and while much of the inner workings are analog, it still dips in and out of a digital envelope - A>D to D>A - and as such has to be classified as a digital effect really - while the 'Hybrid' label is somewhat more apt!


Kinotone Ghosts 6-Voice Polyphonic Chordal Resonator - $399

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Controls - Tone [Reverb], Root [Position], Mix [Touch 1], Decay [Time], Chord : Octave / 5 / 4 / m / m7 / m9 / m11, b9, M9, M7, M, User [Voicing], Volume [Touch 2]. Model Push-button, MIC Push-button. Layer Push-Button [Alt Parameters], Elliptical Ecpression Touch Pad, Touch Footswitch, Bypass Footswitch.

 

I already have a flavour of this in my Chase Bliss Lost + Found and Poly Effects Trails - which both have significantly Resonator Modes. While the Ghost takes the Resonator algorithm up several more notches. I have the Kinotone Sparks to-date, I've still not figured out if I really need the original Ribbons. And based on my experience of the Sparks - I'm not sure this series of effects is necessarily tuned to my own sensibilities. There's much to like about the Ghosts - including the onboard touch pad. This really takes Reonators up to another level - you just need to figure out, like me, how much your preferences are attuned here - and how much you would actually use it. As $399 is a significant outlay for something that will then mostly end up on the shelf!


Klowra Vein Stereo Pitch-Shifter - $149

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Controls - RATE [tone], DETUNE [ramp atk time], MIX [ramp rls time], MODE : ±(2) / ±(1) / ±p5 / ±p4 / ±M3 / ±m3 / ±M2 / ±m2 / UNI, GLIDE ATK, GLIDE RLS, LED Button for ALT / [secondary modes], Press-Hold Footswitch to trigger Glide or Ramp functions.

 

A really cool Pitch-Shifter for sure - which I still really rate, while it's been somewhat overshadowed by Boss's XS-1. The Vein does do a few things differently though, and has a worthy place in this rundown - as one of the best of its kind. Of the recent Klowra pedals I really loved all of them - except for the Sprout Multi-Modulator which was very much a mixed bag! The Vein however is pretty stellar!


Recap!

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Lichtlaerm Nostalgia LoFi Modulator - Chorus / Vibrato / Tape Warble - €199 / $219 / £179

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Controls - RPM (Speed), Waveform : Ramp Up / Ramp Down / Square (Pulse) / Triangle / Sine / Sweep / Random Jittery / Random Smooth, Depth (Intensity), Warp (Delay Time), Mix (Dry > Wet - Chorus @ 50%), Level (Output), Fidelity : Clear > Warbled, Tap Tempo Footswitch, Bypass Footswitch.

 

I acquired this Lo-Fi Modulator at around the same time as the EAE Mirror House - covered above! I found the Lichtlaerm much the easier to deploy - it doesn't go atonal quite so quickly as the slippery pitch-shifter that it the Mirror House V2 - with that one it seems you're constantly fighting its excesses - while for the Nostalgia it's a far more controlled sweep into Lo-Fi-ness! This is a fantastic Lo-Fi Modulator - one of the very best - and one that's extremely shapeable and controllable!


Moth Electric M. Stellatarum 32-Combination Multi-Mode Optical Analog Tremolo - $219

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Controls - Volume, Tone, Depth, Speed, Sub : 1/16 / 1/8 / 1/4 / 1/2, Waveforms : Sawtooth / Reverse Sawtooth / Square / Triangle / Sine / Hypertriangle / Reverse Hypertriangle / Random Level Generator, Mode : Treble Frequencies / Bass Frequencies / Harmonic Tremolo / Amplitude Tremolo / Tap Tempo Footswitch, Bypass Footswitch.

 

One of the best tremolos I've come across recently - which covers no less than 32 combinations - with 4 core algorithm modes - Amplitude / Harmonic / Low Frequencies Only / High Frequencies Only. This is definitely my next tremolo target - will look to pick it up early next year!


Mr. Black Analog Tremolo with Robot Formant Waveform - $199

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Controls - Intense (Depth), Output, Rate, Waveform : Triangle / Square / Sine / Robot (formant).

 

A fairly straight-up compact analog tremolo - the one major difference is the unique 4th Robot Waveform (Formant presumably). I already have well over 30 tremolos so there is no urgency here - this one's more of a nice-to-have than a must have - still very cool!


MXR Bass Synth / Bassline [SILVER] - $286

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Controls - VOICE : Add Additional Oscillators + triggers secondary (violet) functions, LFO SHAPE : Triangle / Sawtooth / Square + tiggers tertiary (red) functions; MIX } Dry/Synth Mix / Voice Mix, Compression, SUB MIX } Synth/Sub Mix / Noise Mix / Output Gain; CUTOFF } 4-Pole LPF Resonant Filter Cutoff / Filter Envelope Degree / Gate Sensitivity Degree; ENVELOPE } Attack & Decay / Fade-In Time / Dry Thru FX; RESONANCE } Resonance Degree / Glide / 3 Tracking Modes (4-string, 5-string, & Guitar 6-string); MODULATION } Modulation Degree / Modulation Blend / Output Mode (Mono, Wet/Dry, Stereo), Presets 1-4 Green (Funky) > 5-8 Red (Electronic), hold push-button to save, CTR Tap Tempo / Expression or R-Audio-Out - slider switch on left side of pedal!

 

What a superb execution of a bass synth - or bassline synth as I call it. Basslines is mostly what I use Synth sounds for in any case - and this is a perfect pedal for that - everything about this is incredibly well considered - and the 8 onboard presets are GOLD! This synth is much more in my lane than the Meris Enzo X. I've really enjoyed deploying the Bass Synth - the tracking isn't totally perfect - but mostly close enough - you can use the variations within your playback - makes it all sound a bit more organic!


Nobels CHO-mini Stereo Chorus / Flanger - €99 / $99 / £85

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Controls - Rate, Width, Mix : Dry > Wet, Mode : Chorus 1 / Chorus 2 / Flanger, Hold Footswitch for 2 Seconds for Tap Tempo.

 

Another cool Nobels Mini Pedal - which mixes up Chorus and Flanger voicings. Of course these are digital modulations - but they are stereo too - a really hand format every which way - and one that I need to land. In fact I quite want each of the 4 Mini Nobels Pedals that have been released to date - all are excellent - just waiting for the opportunity!


Nobels MOD-mini Stereo Modulator - Tremolo, Phaser, and Uni-Vibe - €99 / $99 / £85

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Controls - Rate, Width, Mix, Mode : Tremolo / Phaser / Uni-Vibe.

 

Superb stereo multi-modulator delivering decent Tremolo / Phaser / Uni-Vibe sounds. Definitely on my list for next year!


PastFX Deluxe Elastic Mattress (EHX Deluxe Electric Mistress) [SILVER] - $207

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External Controls - Rate, Filter Matrix (Static / LFO Bypass), Range / Manual (centre-point of Delay Line sweep), Blend, Volume, Color (Tone), Feedback  : ↑ Positive / ↓ Negative, Filter EQ : ↑ 70s Darker / 80’s Lighter ↓.
 
Internal Controls - Delay Time : ← Mod / Stock →, Cancel Trimmer / Adjust, Gain Trimmer / Adjust, Color Trimmer / Adjust, Impedance Switch : ↑ High / ↓ Low.

 

A fantastic take on the Deluxe Electric Mistress - delivers a slightly richer and denser texture with a touch less brightness - but still incredibly lush and musical. PastFX can do no wrong when it comes to Flangers - the range has 5 of the very best available - another superb addition to that range!


PastFX Gallstone EHX V2 Small Stone Evolution and Epxansion - $207

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Controls - Mix, Range : ↑ Stock (faster) / ↓ Slow LFO Sweeps, Rate, Feedback, Mini Level, 8-way Width Rotary Control : Position #8 is ’Color’, Voice : Feedback Network A/B variant, Stages : 2 / 4, Expand : High ’Q’ All-Pass Filter.

 

Great sounding vintage style phaser - with vastly expanded abilities. Not quite all the way up there with my Beetronics Larva Favourite, or Spaceman Explorer for that matter - but it runs those pretty close!


Poly Effects Trails Unfamiliar Effects That Sustain + Grow... - $399

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Besides the 8-Step Sequencer- the other 7 Algorithms are as follows :

  1. MEADOWS - Sympathetic Strings Resonator - [A] Blend | [B] Pitch | [C] Structure | [D] Density
  2. HAVEN - Bell Resonator - [A] Blend | [B] Pitch | [C] Structure | [D] Density
  3. PRAIRIE - Vinyl Effect Delay - [A] Blend | [B] Length / Speed | [C] Aging | [D] Noise
  4. OUTBACK - Vocal Mouth Modeller - [A] Blend | [B] Speed | [C] Shape | [D] Tongue Position
  5. TUNDRA - Pitch-Shifting Delay - [A] Blend | [B] Time | [C] Feedback | [D] Pitch
  6. BADLANDS - Wavefolding + Chebyshev Wave Brutal Distoriton - [A] Blend | [B] Delay | [C] Number of Folds | [D] Bias Amount
  7. COAST - Microlooper / Granular Texture Generator - [A] Blend | [B] Size | [C] Wave Shape | [D] Density

This one has a little overlap with the Chase Bliss Lost + Found - definitely in the core theme here - which is somewhat unusual expansive algorithms - both cover resonators - but the Trails in a little more detail. And while they are thematically similar - the actual aglorithms are mostly quite distinct. Both the Trails and the Lost + Found are currently on the board - and each really delivers!


Ritual Devices Rainmaker Analog Vibrato & Tremolo - £249

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Controls - Depth (Intensity), Freq (Speed / Rate), Level (Output), Tilt (EQ : < darker | brighter >), Texture (Dry/Wet Mix Patter > Tremolo > Vibrato), Engage / On/Off Footswitch, Speed Multiplier Footswitch - Slow/Fast!

 

An excellent analog multi-modulator - delivering subtle pitter pater, pulsing tremolo, and full on Vibrato via the perfect complement of controls - and fairly unique 'Texture' knob - sounds really excellent!


Polyend Step Drum Machine - $599

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Controls - Tracks 1-4, Song (1-1000), Effect (65), (Tempo (30-280 BPM), Volume (1-100%), Beat (332), Kit (245), Steps 1-16, Effect (Punch-in), Next Pattern, Play / Bypass (Hold to shift Songs).

 

An amazing stompbox drum machine - fantastic sounding and with great depths - and an unparalleled Beat and Kit library - probably the best range of all the pedal-based drum machines. I get my best drum sounds to date with this device. While I do find the interface somewhat challenging at times, and not the most intuitive. There are aspects of the new Beat Buddy 2 that I prefer - but the has a relatively small beat library. Where I've kind of already decided that the Audio.Computer Beat Friend will be my next drum machine - while that's not a stompbox at all. Ideally I'm looking for a LinnDrum LM2 in pedal format - so I can recreate my favourite Prince beats!


Singular Sound Bead Buddy 2 - $499

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Main Controls - Drum Set, Tempo (BPM), Main / Headphone Volume, Multi-Directional Pad Controller (Folder / Song), Tap Buton (Tap Tempo).

 

Great new and improved version of the Beat Buddy - where the SuperSwitch accessory is essential for that dynamic live playback. The Beat Buddy 2 has several smart playback features including randomised drum fills. The Polyend Step has more features and much more beats and kits - while the Beat Buddy may still be a better device for my own sensibilities!


Subdecay Starlight MKIII Flanger - $199

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Starlight 3-Part Controls :

  1. Presets - Rate, Depth, Regen (Negative/Positive), Volume, Edit Mode : Preset, Mode / Presets : 0-10.
  2. Color Edit - Mix, Manual (Delay Time), Warp (various - per Mode), Volume, Edit Mode : Color, Mode / Presets : 0-10.
  3.  Fine Edit - Gate, LPF, HPF, Volume, Edit Mode : Fine, Mode / Presets : 0-10.
  • H. Footswitch - Hold to Save Preset in Presets Mode

The 11 Modulation Modes / Presets : 

  • 0. ↑LFO : Sine LFO speeds up via envelope control - Warp = Envelope amount
  • 1. ↓LFO : Sine LFO slows down via envelope control - Warp = Envelope amount
  • 2. Triangle Ramp Up/Down : Step Triangle Sequence Modulation - Warp = Alters sequence
  • 3. Ramp Up : Step Ramp Up Sequence Modulation - Warp = Alters sequence
  • 4. Ramp Down : Step Saw / Ramp Down Sequence Modulation - Warp = Alters sequence
  • 5. Random S/H : Random Sample / Hold Modulation - Warp = Glide control
  • 6. Tri/Square : Triangle + Square Mix Modulation - Warp = Mix of Triangle & Square
  • 7. Tri Rando : Triangle Random Mix Modulation - Warp = Mix of Triangle & Random
  • 8. TZF : Triangle LFO with Through Zero - Warp = Zero Delay Point
  • 9. RISE : Infinite Rise Modulation - Warp = Ø
  • 10. FALL : Infinite Fall Modulation - Warp = Ø 

Excellent latest iteration of the Subdecay Starlight Flanger Series - one of the most versatile of all - with no less than 11 distinct Modes onboard - and 3 layers of controls. Can be a line challenging on occasion - and you definitely need access to the manual - to get the best out of his device. My 21st Flanger!


Supercool Pedals Triniphase Multi-Stage & Multi-Mode Phaser - $219

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Controls : Resonance (feedback), Rate (speed), Depth : 4 Stage / 8 Stage, 2 x LFO Modes (speed range effectively x 2), Dry Signal Bypass.

 

Excellent 80's inspired 4 / 8 Stage Multi-Mode Phaser - with a wonderful 80's Sony-inspired enclosure! Sill on the list for 2026 alongside a couple of other SuperCool pedals I've missed out on so far!


Thermion PowerTrem Classic & Harmonic Tremolo - €125 / $145

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Controls - Intensity. Speed, Level, Mode : Classic / Harmonic, Internal sine or square wave selector.

 

Great Amplitude and Harmonic Tremolo at a brilliant affordable price - budget / affordable pedals are rarely this good - including the Harmonic Tremolo - which is based on the JAM Pedals Harmonious Monk.


Thermion PowerVibe Uni-Vibe - €125 / $145

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Controls - Intensity, Speed, Level, Mode : Chorus / Vibe, Internal sine or square wave selector.

 

Great affordable take on the Uni-Vibe - obviously DSP-based - but one of those really expressive algorithms. The two Thermion PowerBolt pedals are quite superb - and even better with my custom knob colours - standard is orange!


ThorpyFX Chain Home Supremely Choppy Tremolo (Vox Repeat Percussion) - £215 / $244

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Contorls - Tone, Depth, Boost, Rate.

 

Recently reissued super choppy Thorpy Tremolo - part of the Special Projects / Special Order range. If you like you Tremolo choppy - then this is the one for you - simple controls for instant appeal.


Tsakalis AudioWorks Phonkify X Octave Up / Down / Blend and Envelope Filter - €219 / $199

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Controls - Master Volume, FX Mix, Input Gain, OCTAVE } Octave Level, Order : Post, Octave Fooswitch; FILTER } Q Bandwidth, Frequency, Type : LP / BP / LP-HP, Filter Footswitch.

 

A great funky-fier pedal - which combines a Wah-like Filter with an Octave. Really great looking pedal - and pretty distinct - while perfectly honed for the task!


Longlist of 42

2025-GPX-Best-New-Modutility-Pedals-700.jpg
  • Boss PX-1 Plugout FX Stereo Multi-FX
  • Boss RT-2 Stereo Rotary Ensemble
  • Boss XS-1 Poly Shifter
  • Boss XS-100 4-in-1 Poly Shifter
  • Browne Amplification Sky Snake Hawk Attack Chorus
  • Butterfly Effects Dobbo Granular Playground
  • Catalinbread Wake DreamPop 8-Voice Chorus + Sub Octave
  • Chase Bliss Lost + Found Stereo Multi-Modlated Pedal
  • Colortone Pedals VibroVerb Stereo LFO Multi-Modulator / Tremolo / Rotary Simulator
  • Custom Tones Ethos 60's Harmonic Bias Trem
  • DigiTech Whammy Hammer On Creative Pitch Shifter
  • Drolo Kiwami Dual Resonant Filter+
  • Electro-Harmonix Atomic Cluster Sonic De-Rezzer Atomic Oscillator
  • Electro-Harmonic Swello Polyphonic Bowed-like Swells
  • Electronic Audio Experiments x Pile V2 Mirror House Slippery Pitch-Shifter & Oscillator 
  • Flower Pedals V2 Hosta Wah-Filter
  • Gamechanger Audio Electro-Mechnical Multi-Mode Motor Synth
  • Keeley Oaxa Dual Ture Stereo Phaser
  • Kernom Elipse Hybrid Modulation Playground / Multi-Modulator
  • Kinotone Ghosts 6-Voice Polyphonic Chordal Resonator
  • Klowra Vein Stereo Pitch-Shifter
  • Lichtlaerm Nostalgia LoFi Modulator - Chorus / Vibrato / Tape Warble
  • Meris Enzo X Polyphonic Synth / Multi-FX / Sound Designer
  • Moth Electric M. Stellar 32-Combinaiton Multi-Mode Optical Analog Tremolo
  • Mr. Black Analog Tremolo with Robot Formant Waveform
  • MXR Bassline / Bass Synth
  • Nobels CHO-mini Stereo Chorus / Flanger
  • Nobels MOD-mini Stereo Modulator - Tremolo, Phaser, and Uni-Vibe
  • OPFXS Dig Deep Sub-Harmonic Octaver
  • PastFX Deluxe Elastic Mattres (EHX Deluxe Electric Mistress)
  • PastFX Gallstone EHX V2 Small Stone Evolution and Epxansion
  • Poly Effects Trails Unfamiliar Effects That Sustain + Grow...
  • Polyend MESS Multi-Effect Step Sequencer
  • Polyend Step Drum Machine
  • Ritual Devices Rainmaker Analog Vibrato & Tremolo
  • Subdecay Starlight MKIII Flanger
  • Supercool Pedals Triniphase Multi-Stage & Multi-Mode Phaser
  • Thermion PowerTrem Classic & Harmonic Tremolo
  • Thermion PowerVibe Uni-Vibe
  • ThorpyFX Chain Home Supremely Choppy Tremolo (Vox Repeat Percussion)
  • Tsakalis AudioWorks Phonkify X Octave Up / Down / Blend and Envelope Filter
  • TWA Pedals LF-01 Ladditude Envelope-Controlled Resonant Ladder Filter
  • Zorg Effects Love Filter V2 Resonant Envelope Filter
Stefan Karlsson
Posted by Stefan Karlsson
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Stefan Karlsson
Stefan Karlsson
Guitar Pedal X
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