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Express Yourself 2! Further Smart Compact Solutions to Expression Control

Chase Bliss AudioCooper FXCryBabyDunlop EffectsExpressionGPXLeems IndustriesOld Blood Noise EndeavorsPedal BrainzRainger FXSeafoam PedalsUtility+-
2022-GPX-Express-Yourself-2-V5-700.jpg

This is another article that has been a long time coming - mostly impacted by recent updates to some of those featured pedals. Fortunately we are now in a stable position and able to do a rundown on these most handy of Expression pedals - each no larger than compact enclosure - and ranging in price from $49 to $325. Funnily the most complex and potent of these is also one of the smallest.

 

I’m of course a huge fan of handy sized pedals, and for utility types some of those can really take up ...

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Chase Bliss announces Pre-orders for its Ultimate Generation Loss MKII 2-in-1 Stereo Magnetizer

Bitcrushing and Lo-FiChase Bliss AudioCooper FXGlitchModulation+-
2022-GPX-Chase-Bliss-Generation-Loss-II-Vs-700.jpg

Ever since Tom Majeski’s move to Chase Bliss we have been excitingly awaiting the latest evolution of his Generation Loss platform. And the recent announcement is every bit as good as we had hoped - with a tonne of new features compared with the previous edition - and most importantly now including 10+ Tape Models onboard, and Full Stereo Ins and Outs courtesy of TRS cables.

 

I’m not going to break down every facet of the new edition, but rather concentrate on the innovations - and what is ...

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28 Key Guitar Effects Pedal Types - Preferred Medium Enclosure Pedals per Type

Acoustic SimulatorAll-PedalAmp and Cab IR SimAnalog DelayAnalog.ManBecos FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionCarl MartinChorus and VibratoCompressorCooper FXCryBabyDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDouble TrackingDriveDrive WorkstationDrolo EffectsDSM & HumboldtDual-DriveDumble Style OverdriveDunlop EffectsElectro-HarmonixEmma ElectronicsEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQFeaturedFlangerFulltone EffectsFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGFI SystemGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerHorrothia EffectsHot Cake Style OverdriveKlone and Transparent OverdriveKorgLooperMarshall Style DistortionMeris EffectsMetal DistortionModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXNoise GateNux FXOCD Style OverdriveOctaverODR Style OverdriveOverdrivePete CornishPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingPladask ElektriskRed Panda LabReverbReverb WorkstationRock Fabrik EffectsRotary SpeakerSilicon FuzzSitek Guitar ElectronicsSpaceman EffectsStrymonTC ElectronicTech 21 NYCThorpyFXTimmyTone ElectronixTremoloTubescreamer Style OverdriveTunersTweed Style OverdriveTX PedalsUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVolumeVox Style DistortionWah and Fixed WahWalrus AudioWMD Devices+-
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It was about time I did my roundup of favourite and preferred Mid-Size enclosure pedals. This means we’re covering Medium-Slim, Medium-Tall and Medium-Square enclosures - depending on my prevailing mindset - the Horizontal / Medium-Stout types I often group with ’Large’. For my Pedal-Chain in particular - space is very tight - and I really cannot accommodate anything beyond Medium-Square on those slots.

 

The thought process is deciding between Compact and Medium box solutions involves your ...

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2021 Best of the Best New Pedals for the Year

All-PedalAmbient EffectsAmp and Cab IR SimAmpliTubeAnalog DelayBeat MachineBecos FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBlack Arts ToneworksBlackhawk AmplifiersBoostBoost and OverdriveBossChorus and VibratoCompressorCooper FXDecibelicsDelayDemedash EffectsDigital ReverbDistortionDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDual-DriveEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFjord FuzzFlangerFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGermanium FuzzGreuter AudioGuitar Synth and SequencerIK MultimediaJHS PedalsKlone and Transparent OverdriveKuro Custom AudioMaestro Style FuzzMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionModulationNeunaberOctave FuzzOld Blood Noise EndeavorsOpAmp FuzzOverdrivePete CornishPhaserRainger FXRat Style FuzzRedbeard EffectsReverbReverb WorkstationSilicon FuzzSinvertekSpaceman EffectsSpun Loud EffectsStrymonSuhrThermionThorpyFXTone Bender Style FuzzTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityWah and Fixed WahWalrus AudioWamplerWay Huge EffectsZander Circuitry+-
2021GPXBestOfTheBestPedals700V5.jpg

This Grand Finale has been through several iterations and some very advanced Tetris-style re-arrangements. Last year I had 25 finalists, while this year I’ve upped that quotient to 40! I still would have liked to have included a few more - including the EQD Hizumitas, but in the end felt this was about right on balance. 

 

As I’ve already covered all of these in the very recent end of year category rundowns - this article will just be listed mentions - bar the 3 sort of specially singled out ...

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2021 Best of new Modulation, Pitch and Utility (Modutility) Pedals for the Year

3 Degrees AudioAlexander PedalsAll-PedalAmp and Cab IR SimArpeggiatorAWOL PedalsBeat MachineBest in ClassBitcrushing and Lo-FiBossChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCompressorCooper FXCrazy Tube CircuitsDemedash EffectsDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsElectro-HarmonixEnvelope Filter and Auto WahExpressionFlangerFlower PedalsFree The ToneFuzzrociousGamechanger AudioGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerMagnetic EffectsMattoverse ElectronicsModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXMXROctaverOddball ModulationPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingRainger FXRed Panda LabRing ModulationRotary SpeakerSitek Guitar ElectronicsSlicer and StutterSpaceman EffectsStrymonSuproSwellThorpyFXTremoloUAFXUniversal AudioUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityWah and Fixed WahWalrus Audio+-
2021GPXBestNewModutilityYear700.jpg

And here is the turn of the combined Modulation, Pitch and Utility category - which I affectionately label ’Modutility’. Obviously as frequently mentioned -  2021 was ’Year of the Phaser’ - so 8 favourites of those here, alongside 4 choruses, 3 flangers and a couple of stand-out Amp and Cab sims. 

 

Some genuinely innovative pedals here - and particularly handy new expression controllers in the guise of the Chase Bliss Audio Expression Roller, and Cooper FX Expression Generator. Free the Tone...

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Cooper FX Arcades Modular Multi-FX Workstation : Card Spotlight Series #9 : SATELLITE

ArpeggiatorBitcrushing and Lo-FiCooper FXDelayDigital DelayGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerModulationMulti-FXPitchPitch-ShiftingRing Modulation+-
2021GPXCooperFXArcadesSatelliteCard700.jpg

It was great to get in on the limited 170 run of the Satellite Cards - Tom’s last roll of the dice for the Arcades - based on the much-loved DigiTech XP-300 Space Station. I had been aware that Tom was working on this for most of this year - but it was all up in the air when Tom folded his company at the end of October. Actually Tom had been due to send me both the Satellite and Ambient Endeavors Cards for free - but that all got somewhat mixed up in his move across to Chase Bliss Audio. ...

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A Fond Farewell To Tom Majeski and Cooper - Thank You for 7 Great Years of Cooper FX Innovation!

ArpeggiatorBest of BrandsBitcrushing and Lo-FiBuilder ProfilesChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCooper FXDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbEnvelope Filter and Auto WahExpressionGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerLoop-SwitcherModulationMulti-FXOctaverOddball ModulationPitchPitch-ShiftingReverbSwellUtility+-
2021GPXTomCooperFarewell700.jpg

It is with much sadness that we bid a fond farewell to Tom and his faithful companion Cooper - who have now retired from the Cooper FX brand as such. Tom’s protégé Dan will continue to make his new Expression Generator and Signal Path Selector utility pedals as long as there remains a demand for those.

 

The Cooper FX Generation Loss, Arcades and Outward though have all ceased production. While there is still some hope that the final Arcades Modular Card - based on the DigiTech Space Station ...

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All you ever wanted to know about Canada's Premier Pedal Boutique, Guitar Gear Emporium, and Distributor - Axe and You Shall Receive!

Alexander PedalsAxe and You Shall ReceiveBeat MachineBenson AmpsBitcrushing and Lo-FiBoost and OverdriveChorus and VibratoCooper FXDelayDigital DelayDistortionDriveFairfield CircuitryFlangerFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzzrociousGermanium FuzzGFI SystemGreer AmpsGuitar Synth and SequencerIdiotBox FXKlone and Transparent OverdriveModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXOverdrivePhaserRainger FXRotary SpeakerScott HagerSilicon FuzzSpaceman EffectsSpiral Electric FXSubdecay EffectsTape DelayThorpyFXUtility+-
2021GPXAxeaYSRMain700V3psd.jpg

I actually only got to know ’Axe and You Shall Receive’ Owner / Founder Scott Hager relatively recently - while I first bought a pedal from his store (courtesy of Reverb.com) back in 2017 - my much loved ’Gold Bar’ edition of Dr Scientist’s The Elements Preamp / Drive which readers will have seen heavily featured on this site.

 

Earlier this year - back in March in fact - Scott and I bonded over Big Tone Music Brewery’s (BTMB) EQ’d Vintage Series...

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2021GPXCooperFXGenLossV2700.jpg

I’ve been onboard the Tom Majeski train only properly since the Chase Bliss Audio Generation Loss Edition from October 2019. I had been aware of Tom for a while including in particular the Generation Loss, Outward and Moment Machine - in fact I came very close to acquiring the Moment Machine at one stage, before deciding that the Meris Hedra was probably better for my needs - and quite specifically in terms of form factor and pedal-chain fit!

 

The CBA Generation Loss was a real ...

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Preferred Pitch-Shifter, Octaver and Harmonizer Pedal Selection

BossCooper FXCoppersoundDigiTechDown-TunerElectro-HarmonixFree The ToneHarmonizerMeris EffectsMu-TronOctaverPitchPitch-ShiftingTC Electronic+-
2021GPXOctaverPitchHarmonizer700V2.jpg

Sparked by a few recent acquisitions, this seems the perfect time to round up the best of Pitch-Shifter, Octaver and Harmonizer Pedals. I most recently secured a Boss PS-6, EHX Pitch Fork, and CopperSound Triplegraph.

 

The Triplegraph was acquired from Martel Music - I’m just waiting for CopperSound to hand-deliver stock there next week, which means I should get mine early April.

 

There’s two fairly recent arrivals here I have yet to snap up - the Pitch Fork+ and ...

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