Old Blood Noise Endeavors' BL-82 is a cool hybrid of Shimmering Chorusing and Flanging, and Chaotic Modulated Delay

OBNE are re-purposing the BL-44 Reverse Effector format to some degree here - both pedals are delay-line related and with near identical looking topologies - here with dual delay lines that you mostly manipulate with the Clock Slider. The 4th control of the BL-82 is a Feedback / Intensity knob versus the Speed knob of the BL-44.

The two delay lines are modulated by opposite synchronized LFOs, and are combined in parallel with the timing of the delay lines, as well as the speed and depth of the LFOs, all are determined by one tactile ’Clock’ slider. OBNE references the BL-82 as a Variable-Clock Effector - which is essentially the same category as the BL-44.

Controls - Mix, Volume, Clock, Feedback.

This is a markedly different kind of Chorus to the two big hitters we’ve already seen this year - the Jackson Audio New Wave and Beetronics Seabee Harmochorus which both have presets and stereo output. I see the BL-82 as a more experimental tabletop device - which synth players will find particular delight with.

As you move the slider to its extremes you further and further separate the two delay lines - taking you from chorusing initially, through flanging and onto to somewhat chaotic and pitch-shifted delay. There are some very interesting techniques and textures that need to be learned and hones - these kinds of devices have a very hands-on nature - so not particularly suitable for those looking more for conventional stompboxes.

The strength of the BL-82 is that improvisational playback ability - with tweaking and shaping and fading in and out of those textures and effects. Even thought it’s not typically recommended - I would still be trying to manipulate the slider with my feet - or more correctly big toe!

This is not a particularly complicated pedal as it only has 4 controls, and most of the impact is via the Clock Slider. It’s more about exploring the range of the slider and figuring out how to marry those fluctuations with rhythm, structure and melody!

Of the two - the BL-44 is probably still the more interesting for me. I own around 20 Choruses - including the 2 recent big-hitters, so I’m not yet convinced that I really need the BL-82 - while as always - I’m open to persuasion.

The BL-82 Chorus / Delay is available right now from the Old Blood Noise Endeavours Webstore - and imminently at International dealers - it’s priced at $179 / €209 / £185 and equivalent.

There are so many cool chorus pedals being released this year - will be interesting to see which ones win through in the end - each holds appeal for a slightly different audience.

FEATURES

• Chorus Effects pedal
• Simple, yet interactive control layout – for immediate tactile experience and to encourage experimenting
• Clock slider - changes the effect from fast and high-fidelity to slow and degraded
• Feedback knob - enhances the intensity of the chorus/increase the amount of delay repeats
• Wet/Dry mix control
• Soft-touch bypass switching
• Pedalboard friendly size
• Made in the USA
• Powered by 9V DC PSU [-], 2,1 mm, ~110 mA current draw)
• MAP / RRP : $179 / €209 / £185