Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Moth Electric's M. Stellatarum Multi-Mode Optical Analog Tremolo may very well be my favourite of all Tremolos to date
It’s a little early to call, as I’ve only had this exceptional tremolo for a week or so now, but it’s one of those perfect executions with everything in the right place, and a really exceptional output profile. It may just be my favourite tremolo pedal to-date (#35!).
The complement of controls is just spot-on - that top row combination of Volume, Tone, Depth, and Speed, and then 8 different waveforms across 4 Modes, and with Tap-Tempo and Sub-divisions. You could argue that the only thing that’s missing here is presets - but as an all-analog all-rounder Tremolo it is a perfect execution in every department.
I mostly live on the 3 central waveforms - Square, Triangle and Sinewave in particular - but like and have made use of all 8 - including the interesting in-between Hypertriangle types, and the final Random Levels option - which require some delicacy on the dial-in - and typically a lot of Speed!.
I also love the Amplitude and Harmonic Modes in particular, and while it took me some time to get acclimatised to the Bass- and Treble-Frequency-Focus Modes - I’ve now seemingly found use for those too - each gives you a different accentuation on the output profile. Having those 4 Modes across the 8 waveforms - gives you some very interesting combinations. The Sub-divisions are really mostly speed-multipliers - it would have been nice to have some dotted syncopation in there too for some more ’swinging’ rhythms - but generally all that works really well too.
The M. Stellatarum really sounds superb in every department - it has a fantastic Harmonic Mode - while overall the JAM Pedals Harmonious Monk is still the flavour champion there - and goes a little more intense, but not by too much. Generally I’ve been hugely impressed by the M. Stellatarum - and I would be happy to call it my perfect Tremolo. I always like juicier, fuller flavours, and optical tremolos can often be more on the subtle side - but this one is perfectly calibrated - and sounds beautifully sparkly, percussive and richly textured when you need it to.
Controls - Volume, Tone, Depth, Speed, Sub-divisions : 1/2 | 1/4 | 1/8 | 1/16, Waveforms : Sawtooth / Reverse Sawtooth / Square / Triangle / Sine / Hypertriangle / Reverse Hypertriangle / Random Levels, Mode : Amplitude / Harmonic / Bass Freq Focus / Treble Freq Focus, Tap Tempo Left Footswitch, Bypass Right Footswitch.
Preferred Settings - Volume @ 3 o'c, Tone @ 1 o'c, Depth @ Max, Speed @ 3 o'c (but Tap Tempo applied also usually), Sub-division @ 1/4 typically, Waveform mostly on Sine, (also Triangle & Square), Mode mostly Harmonic or Amplitude.
All-round this is my favourite Tremolo format to-date I think. I still really rate the Harmonious Monk which still has my favourite Harmonic voicing, and I feel that if you're really serious about Tremolos - you should also look into the Intrepid Audio Crossflow. Each of those represents a different lane and size / format of Tremolo - ranging through Compact, Mid-Size and Large boxes - surely something for everyone there.
While if you want something with plenty of options - with ultimate ease of use and perfect proportions the goldilocks zone of tremolos - then you would be very hard pressed to find finer than this Moth Electric M. Stellatarum.
The M. Stellatarum Optical Tremolo is available via my friend Stephen's Northern Stompboxes in the UK - where it goes for £219 - which is exceptional value. Americans can of course go direct to Moth Electric where the pedal goes for $219.
This is my 35th tremolo pedal to date - and one of my very favourites, if not all-time favourite - I will know for sure in a month or two. So far so exceptional!
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