Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
My Spaceman Effects Capsule is now complete with the addition of White Light Editions of the Atlas IV Preamp Booster and Apollo VIIb Overdrive
Key Points
The Spaceman Effects collection is now 25 pedals, completed with White Light Editions of the Atlas IV and Apollo VIIb. Gemini III was also added, alongside Coriolis Effects Grissom-Young II, an almost identical circuit with rare components; Blue Silicon Sputnik I is included.
Atlas IV Harmonics-enhancing Preamp Booster: $249, with Boost, Thrust and Axis controls; its THT circuit uses seven JFET Transistors and a diode. Apollo VIIb Voyager Preamp / Overdrive: $299, with Level, Gain, Tone and three clipping options. Over 60% of components and/or values changed from Apollo VII; it is hand-wired, analog, mechanically bypassed and battery-compatible.
So back in August of last year I did the last roundup of my Spaceman Effects pedals - which then numbered 20. In that feature I indicated 3 remaining targets - including the two mentioned at the top of this article. I also indicated that I was missing a Gemini III - which has also since been rectified. The visual from last year’s rundown is as follows :
The above visual shows the missing targets - which you can see have been fully targeted in the follow-up visual.
While the very top cover visual is derived from my 'Team Red' feature that I posted a month before the above Capsule Collection Rundown. 'Team Red' is one of my favourite ever visuals, and it is likely that the White-Out version will end up as a trifecta too - as I have another White Light Edition target in mind - albeit a duplicate of one I already have. But I can't resist the pull of these White Light Editions - with that gorgeous minimalist / inverted aesthetic - accentuated by that striking turquoise LED crystal pilot light.
I was fortunate to pick up a pristine Blue Edition of Gemini III last year. Which was preceded by the amazing same-components Coriolis Effects Grissom-Young II - which I include in the same rundown - as it's an almost identical circuit - with the same rare components onboard.
So those 3 additional fuzzes - also including my Blue Silicon Sputnik I, plus the 2 latest additions - the Atlas IV and Apollo VIIb - make up the full current Spaceman selection of 25 as indicated below!
Many thanks to my good friends Max @ Cream City Music, and Scott @ Axe And You Shall Receive for above and beyond customer service. The idea was to get those pedals in before the end of the month - and that mission was entirely successful Much like with the Red Editions - the White Light Editions initially passed me by - but they turned out to be exactly what I was hoping for. I'm hoping to bring my White Light Edition up to 3 very soon - and will follow that up with a further visual!
Atlas IV Harmonics-enhancing Preamp Booster - $249
Controls - Boost (+15dB >), Thrust (Extra Harmonics) : On/Off, Axis (Treble Booster) : Shift / Origin.
This is a full-fat THT circuit - featuring 7 JFET Transistors and what looks like a single Diode (Asymmetrically clipping therefore) - that’s seemingly engaged with the Thrust switch!
A really cool tone-enhancing preamp / booster. Actually I realise I could include this in my Treble Booster collection 2 for its second toggle-switch!
Delighted to have this one onboard!
Apollo VIIb Voyager Preamp / Overdrive - $299
Controls - Level, Gain, Tone, Clipping : VOY (Semi-Symmetrical LEDs) / None +Boost / ALT (Asymmetrical Silicon).
"Just to clarify : over 60% of the components and/or values have been changed to 'correct' the Apollo circuit (Apollo VIIb vs VII). The overall frequency curve, gain structure, clipping balance and dynamics have all been refined because of this."
"The VIIb is also 100% analog w/ mechanical bypass, has battery option and is fully soldered & wired by hand in the old style. The 2019 version has digitally controlled relay bypass & no battery snap, with the standard edition being an SMD build. There were many adjustments & changes made for this pedal to meet my original vision for the Apollo."
The original had as its 3 clipping options - Symmetrical Silicon / None / Semi-Symmetrical LEDs, while the new one has Semi-Symmetrical LED’s / None +Boost / Asymmetrical Silicon - so really just a single different clipping option - albeit a significantly more textured one - with more harmonics also.
I rather liked the original Apollo VII and initially wasn't convinced I needed the upgrade - while the VIIb is indeed every-way improved - so a doubly worthwhile endeavour with this particular edition.
Spaceman is a little like Beetronics in that regard as the later editions are often prettier than the originals!
