Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
New brand Automat Audio Devices releases 2 compelling extended range Fuzzes - the Rara Avis and Triplegänger
Automat Audio Devices is one Peter Arends who’s working in collaboration here with Boutique Amp Distribution - who are responsible for manufacturing these pedals as far as I understand.
The more compact edition Rara Avis (Rare Bird) is a somewhat thicker raunchier distortion style of fuzz - while the Triplegǎnger is more of a 3 layer sound design fuzz. For the Triplegänger - the 3rd Sub circuit is permanently assigned - either to Fuzz 1, Fuzz 2 or Both - if you want it out of the mix - you just need to dial that Level control back.
Both these circuits are fairly distinct - each with their own unique control topology. I am interested in doing some hands-on reviews of both - perhaps something for next month, as my dance card is already kind of full for this one.
I love each of these concepts and for a fledgling brand these are very well executed as a first proper attempt. They sport both custom enclosures and custom milled aluminium knobs - an all-round very attractive proposition I would say - prices are slightly on the higher side of things, but not necessarily unreasonable - there’s a lot of custom tooling that’s had to be put in place for these 2 to be made - and I’m very much really impressed on first encounter.
I can’t issue any proclamations or preferences until I try them - I typically favour fuzzes with external Bias controls like the Rara Avis - but there’s so much to the Triplegänger also that I just can’t call it on this occasion. I guess price-wise you would likely start on the more compact lower priced circuit and then move up to the larger one if that encounter was satisfactory.
The Rara Avis is @ $300 and the Triplegänger is @ $350 direct from the Automat Audio Devices Webstore.
These are a very fine, possibly exemplary even first attempt - where I’m intending to go for both of them.
Further individual details below :
Rara Avis Distortion-Leaning Fuzz - $300
Controls - Treble, Filter (Bandpass?), Bass, Output, Bias, Gain, Mode : Lean (tighter) / Big (loose, organic full-on fuzz).
So the topology seems fairly straight forward here - with a sort of 3-Band EQ - Treble and Bass are obvious - and I can only assume that the Filter is something of a Band Pass - which probably largely target mid-band frequencies. There's nothing really to grab on the internal circuit - in terms of the nature of that - whether OpAmp / IC / Transistor. While this one sounds like it's more likely OpAmp - and possibly a touch Big Muff adjacent or thereabouts.
It's always key for me to figure where each circuit sits in its overall category - how loud it is, and how well it cuts through the mix - also how shapeable - all those matter to me. I have well over 700 fuzzes in the reference collection by now - so I always like to see which circuits it sits close to, and what aspects of it are entirely unique!
Depending on how my negotiations go - I would like to get both of these in - where this moe compact one is the model I would start on first.
And do all my usual tests to put it thoughts its paces and find out exactly what manner of fuzz circuit we have here - and whether it has enough about it to be declared a future classic!
There's a few really cool extended-range fuzz pedals recently lunched - including a new version of my long-time favourite Shift-Line Termofuzz Multi-Fuzz - so we're very much in the golden age of fuzz innovation now!
Triplegänger Triple Fuzz with Sub - $350
Controls - FUZZ 1 } Level, Fuzz, Fuzz 1 Footswitch; FUZZ 2 } Level, Fuzz, Fuzz 2 Options : Splatter / Octave / Double, Fuzz 2 Footswitch, SUB } Sub Level, Sub Options : on 1 / on 1 & 2 / on 2. UNIVERSAL } Output (Master Level), Treble, Bass.
There have been Fuzz pedals that have layered up different voicings / layers, albeit very few that have done it in triplicate - and none that follow the same formula as we see here - with those 2 Independent Channels, and then assignable Sub.
The left-hand Option / Mode switch - allows you to set Splatter, Octave, or Double Voicings for Fuzz 2 - where the other toggle switch is simply which channel/s you assign the Sub too.
It's an elegant and quickly intuitive interface - which requires a fair amount of experimentation to unearth all the different tones and textures available on board.
I'm currently not wholly clear as to which of the Rara Avis or Triplegänger has the most extended range and versatility. It's often a case of usable range - as for Biasing - there are areas which don't necessarily yield musical results. So it's kind of hard to call at this precise moment.
I think it makes sense to start on the smaller device first - before you begin exploring all the options of the Triplegänger. I'm a huge fan of extended range fuzzes - and have several all-time foavurits that give my myriad flavours out of a single box - I expect these two to be much the same. The race is kind of on - as to whether I land these first, to the MKII Termofuzz from Shift-Line! All 3 will hopefully find their way into the GPX reference collection!
