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Distinct, Memorable and Instantly Brand-Identifiable Compact Pedal Enclosures Part 2 - Trade Dress Edition

Alexander PedalsAnimals PedalBJFEBlackhawk AmplifiersColortone PedalsDeath By AudioDemedash EffectsDiamond PedalsEarthQuaker DevicesFlower PedalsGuitar Gear Improvements and PrototypesGuitar Gear ResourcesGuitar Pedal 101GuitarSystemsIconic GearJackson AudioJAM PedalsJHS PedalsMu-TronOrigin EffectsPettyjohn ElectronicsSitek Guitar ElectronicsSpaceman EffectsTanabeTru-Fi Guitar EffectsVFE PedalsWalrus AudioZander CircuitryZvex+-
2023-GPX-Compact-Pedal-Shapes-PT2-700.jpg

So this is the second of this series - where the first was more about the uniqueness of the enclosure shape - more structural really - covering the overall form factor. While this edition is more about ’Trade Dress’ or the Memorability of the Aesthetics - style of graphics, consistency of theme, and consistency of control topology - doing something in a consistently measurable way that makes that pedal instantly recognisable from afar as belonging to a certain single brand.

 

So this one is ...

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2023 Compact Chorus Pedal Capsule Collection

Alexander PedalsBeetronics FXBossChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoDemedash EffectsDemiurge InstrumentsDigiTechDrunk BeaverFlangerHungry Robot EffectsJackson AudioModulationParadox EffectsPastFXRotary SpeakerTC ElectronicVS AudioWalrus AudioZvex+-
2023-GPX-Capsule-Chorus-Collection-V3-700.jpg

To many commentators - ’2023’ has sort of been the ’Year of Chorus’ so far - while overall I’m not sure there have been enough releases to fully justify the label. While at the same time my own collection of compact chorus pedals has reached a very decent 21. I also have the larger format ThorpyFX Deep Oggin, and recent TC Electronic SCF reissue. So really not short of options for that style of Modulation!

 

This year has seen a number of recent additions - including most recently the ...

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9 Killler Compact Lo-Fi Modulators

Bitcrushing and Lo-FiChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoDemedash EffectsDemiurge InstrumentsGlowfly EffectsHungry Robot EffectsLichtlaerm AudioModulationParadox EffectsZvex+-
2022GPXCompactLoFiModulatorsV5700.jpg

This article was originally first written back in May - while there was always a question as to what the 9th pedal should be in this selection and I changed my mind several times over before setting on the Pladask Elektronisk Falma Random Modulator - which is actually discontinued currently but due back imminently as an updated version!

 

This post was inspired by my then recent (May) acquisitions of Demiurge’s Compact The Great Sea modulator (based on the Shallow Water), and my finally ...

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32 Key Guitar Effects Pedal Types - Preferred Compact Pedal per Type : 2022 Edition

Acoustic SimulatorAlexander PedalsAmp and Cab IR SimBecos FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionBufferCatalinbreadChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCompressorCrazy Tube CircuitsCryBabyDelayDemedash EffectsDigital DelayDigital ReverbDigiTechDistortionDOD EffectsDr ScientistDriveDryBell EffectsDual-DriveDunlop EffectsElectro-HarmonixEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQFeaturedFlangerFlower PedalsFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGlitchGuitar Gear ResourcesGuitar Synth and SequencerJackson AudioJAM PedalsJHS PedalsKMA AudioLooperMarshall Style DistortionModulationMulti-DriveMXRNoise GateOverdrivePastFXPedalboard and Pedal-ChainPeterson TunersPhaserPigtronixPitchPlutoneium EngineeringRedbeard EffectsReverbRing ModulationRotary SpeakerSilicon FuzzSinvertekSonic ResearchSource AudioSubdecay EffectsTC ElectronicToneQuestTremoloTunersUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVolumeWalris Audio+-
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NOTE - this article is too large (108 videos) to work properly on Mobile devices - make sure you view on Desktop or Laptop!

 

This is my largest ever article - and it will unlikely be repeated in this fashion - as this takes so long to compile - and the 108 Pedals / Videos included just take a little too long to load up on the screen. In any case it’s a pretty exhaustive run-down in rough order of preference of my favourite Compact Enclosure Pedals of Each Type.

 

For a few here there are ...

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End of Year Pedal-Chain Update - Final Formation - Class of 2021

Ambient EffectsAmp and Cab IR SimAmpliTubeBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBlackhawk AmplifiersBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionChorus and VibratoCoppersoundDecibelicsDemedash EffectsDigital ReverbDistortionDriveDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDual-DriveEarthQuaker DevicesEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFjord FuzzFlangerFlower PedalsFoxpedalFuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGuitar Synth and SequencerIK MultimediaKlirrton ManufakturKlone and Transparent OverdriveKuro Custom AudioMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXOCD Style OverdriveOctaverOpAmp FuzzOverdrivePedal ChainPete CornishPettyjohn ElectronicsPhaserPitchPitch-ShiftingPlate ReverbPreAmpRack Style ReverbRat Style FuzzRedbeard EffectsReverbReverb WorkstationReverse ReverbRotary SpeakerShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzSinvertekSpaceman EffectsSpacey ReverbSpiral Electric FXSpring ReverbStrymonTimmyTremoloTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVox Style DistortionWah and Fixed Wah+-
2021GPXSKPedalChainUpdateDecemberFinal700V2.jpg

2021 was another very significant year for me - and one that signals that I probably need to slow down now - as I picked up well over 200 new pedals during the year - which really is excessive. Storage is starting to become an issue - and I will need to be a lot more prudent and strategic in my acquisitions next year!

 

So more than 200 new ones, and in fact 25 slots were switches up during the year - where only 12 were totally untouched and unchanged. A slew of new gain pedals as always - ...

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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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2021 Best of New Boost, Overdrive and Distortion Pedals for the Year

Ananashead EffectsBardic Audio DevicesBecos FXBenson AmpsBest in ClassBlackhawk AmplifiersBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionCatalinbreadCornerstone Music GearCustom Audio ArtDecibelicsDemedash EffectsDemiurge InstrumentsDistortionDriveDrive WorkstationDrunk BeaverDual-DriveDumble Style OverdriveElectronic Audio ExperimentsFoxpedalFunny Little BoxesFuzzrociousGreuter AudioKlirrton ManufakturKlone and Transparent OverdriveKMA AudioKuro Custom AudioMarshall Style DistortionMatthews EffectsMetal DistortionMulti-DriveMXROverdrivePete CornishPettyjohn ElectronicsPigtronixPolarbear EffectsRedbeard EffectsSinvertekSpun Loud EffectsTsakalis Audio WorksTubescreamer Style OverdriveTweed Style OverdriveWalrus AudioZander Circuitry+-
2021GPXBestNewBoostODDistforYeat700.jpg

The Boost, Overdrive and Distortion category is the most heavily contested, and indeed the most heavily congested category this year. I started with a Longlist of more than 70 and whittled down to the 39 featured here. Note that for balance I have included Rat pedals in the Fuzz Category already listed. This list features some of the more subtle fuzz-edged / fuzzy-drive varieties - although there will of course be some slight degree of overlap.

 

Featured above and listed here are 39 ...

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2021 November Pedal-Chain Update - Episode XI, Penultimate Shuffle

Big Muff Style FuzzBlackhawk AmplifiersBossChorus and VibratoDemedash EffectsDemiurge InstrumentsDistortionDr ScientistDriveEarthQuaker DevicesElectronic Audio ExperimentsEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFlangerFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionJHS PedalsKuro Custom AudioMetal DistortionModulationOddball ModulationOpAmp FuzzPedal ChainRat Style FuzzSilicon FuzzSuper-Fuzz Style+-
2021GPXSKPedalChainUpdateNovember700obscure.jpg

It was inevitable that November would be a slower month after the birthday bounty that was October. In fact I deliberately made it so - as I can only deal with so many incoming pedals at a time - and too many makes things rather chaotic.

 

That said there are still quite a few changes to the chain - or 10 all told - including the featuring of the two Blackhawk Fuzzes I recently required which hadn’t been covered yet. Boss delivers another killer gain pedal in the shape of the FZ-1W 60’s Style...

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2021GPXDemedashT60Dual700V2.jpg

I’ve been very excited to get my hands on this pedal ever since Steve first teased it back in May of last year. Essentially an Analog Chorus + Vibrato with fully Analog Signal path and Smart Digital LFO and Controls - for myriad variations of classic and unusual modulation tones - available in full stereo output via TRS Y-Splitter cable.

 

The pedal is principally a Chorus / Vibrato type, but with lots of extended features and secondary Modulation which allow you to get Flanger and...

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