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2023 Best of New Modutility Pedals of the Year

ALABS AudioAlexander PedalsAll-PedalAmbient EffectsAmp and Cab IR SimAmpliTubeBeetronics FXBest in ClassBitcrushing and Lo-FiBondi EffectsBossChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCompressorCrazy Tube CircuitsDeath By AudioDr ScientistDrunk BeaverFjord FuzzFlangerFormula BGuitar Synth and SequencerHarmonizerHologram ElectronicsJackson AudioJAM PedalsKeyztoneLooperModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-FXOctaverPastFXPeterson TunersPhaserPickup ModellerPitchPitch-ShiftingRainger FXRed Witch EffectsRing ModulationRotary SpeakerSubdecay EffectsSwellThorpyFXTremoloTru-Fi Guitar EffectsTunersUni-Vibe and VibeUtility+-
2023-GPX-Best-of-Modutility-Pedals-700-.jpg

The Modutility roundup combines Modulation, Utility and Pitch type pedals - it also includes Multi-FX and Multi-Modulation pedals of course. Some years this selection is relatively sparse - while this year it’s totally chock-a-block! In fact it was a struggle to whittle the Longlist down - and inevitably some pedals I wanted to feature did not make the cut - including the Endorphin.es Ghost Pedal Multi-FX and Subdecay Prometheus 3 Dual Super Filter.

 

I still feel that this selection of 26 is...

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Alexander Pedals' 4th Leap Series Edition is the expansive 10-Mode Dynaflanger Model 213

Alexander PedalsChorus and VibratoDigital ReverbEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFlangerModulation+-
2023-GPX-Alexander-Pedals-DynaFlanger-213-700.jpg

It’s somewhat interesting that with every new Leap Series release we’re getting diminishing returns on the pedal graphics. Where the #1 Space Force looked great, the Rewind was still kind of on point, and the Luminous Phase-shifter cooly wavy and glowing - for the Dynaflanger we get a tiny 4 bar strip of colour - what!

 

Everything else is as before - the cool little screen and 4 variable parameter knobs, 32 Presets, TRS Stereo in, Multijack action and Footswitch Ramping. A really elegant and...

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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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Alexander Pedals 3rd Leap Series Pedal is the glowing and feature-packed Luminous Phaseshifter 10-Algorithms Phaser

Alexander PedalsChorus and VibratoDigital DelayFlangerModulationPhaserTremolo+-
2023-GPX-Alexander-Pedals-Luminous-Phaseshifter-700--V2.jpg

I’ve said it before - Alexander are definitely on a roll with their Leap Series - which started off so strong with the Space Force Reverb, and just keeps getting better and better with first the Rewind Delay, and now the Luminous Phaseshifter.

 

Each of those pedals has an identical control topology based around a smart - yet compact LCD display which displays up to 4 Parameters per Algorithm at a time - but where you can actually scroll through 3 screens of settings per algorithm - and then ...

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2022 Best of the Best Guitar Pedals of the Year

Alexander PedalsBardic Audio DevicesBeetronics FXBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoColortone PedalsDecibelicsDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDistortionDouble TrackingDriveDrive WorkstationDrunk BeaverDSM & HumboldtDual-DriveDumble Style OverdriveEchoverbEmpress EffectsEQEventideFjord FuzzFlangerFlower PedalsFrost Giant ElectronicsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGermanium FuzzGranular DelayHamstead SoundworksHorrothia EffectsKeeley EngineeringKernomKinotoneKMA AudioLine 6Lo-Fi DelayMarshall Style DistortionMeris EffectsMetal DistortionModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXMXRNordland ElectronicsOctaverOddball DelayOld Blood Noise EndeavorsOpAmp FuzzOverdrivePastFXPitchReverb WorkstationReverse DelaySilicon FuzzSinvertekSlicer and StutterTape DelayThorpyFXTone Bender Style FuzzTone InkTremoloUni-Vibe and VibeUtilityVictory AmpsWalrus Audio+-
2022-GPX-Best-of-the-Best-Pedals-Annual-700.jpg

As I’ve just done all the category overviews / best of genre rundowns - you can refer to those for all the individual pedal details - most have full reviews on this site too - here I will simply lay down the longlist - and explain why I picked those top 3 here - so just the details for the 3 overall winners!

 

I normally try to single out around 40 each year in the final overview - but it also depends on how many can fit the ’jigsaw’ of the visual.

 

There were 4 pedals in the full longlist...

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2022 Best New Time-Based Effects Pedals of the Year

Alexander PedalsAmbient EffectsAnalog DelayBest in ClassBlack Country CustomsBossCatalinbreadChase Bliss AudioColortone PedalsDeath By AudioDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDouble TrackingDr ScientistEchoverbFree The ToneJAM PedalsKeeley EngineeringKinotoneLaney AmplificationLine 6Lo-Fi DelayMerisMojo Hand FXOddball DelayOld Blood Noise EndeavorsPigtronixPlate ReverbPLBR EffectsPolarbear EffectsRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse DelayReverse ReverbShimmer ReverbSolidGoldFXSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbStrymonTape DelayWalrus AudioWamplerZander Circuitry+-
2022-best-New-Time-Based-Pedlas-Annual-700.jpg

So this is the first selection here where I only own a handful of the candidates - it’s easier to say what is in the reference collection than out :

  • Boss RE-2 Space Echo Compact - $249
  • Boss RE-202 Space Echo Deluxe - $399
  • Chase Bliss Generation Loss MKII Stereo Magnetiser - $399
  • Chase Bliss Habit The Echo Collector - $399
  • Meris LVX True Stereo Modular Delay System - $599
  • Old Blood Noise Endeavors Screen Violence Stereo Saturated Modulated Reverb Pedal - $279

Of those the Gen Loss II ...

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2022-GPX-Alexander-Rewind-Delay-700.jpg

Hot on the heels of the Leap Series 8-Mode Space Force Stereo Reverb Workstation, we get the equivalent ’Rewind’  Delay Workstation execution - featuring 2 more Modes / Algorithms for a total of 10. And including both of my Reverse and Lo-Fi Delay favourites - where alas the Space Force was missing a Reverse Reverb. So you can’t combine the two to do a sort of Walrus Audio Lore kinda thing which is a somewhat something of a pity.

 

The Space Force Reverb was certainly impressive - being the ...

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2022AFOAlexanderSpaceForceLeap700.jpg

DSP Pedal Pioneers Alexander Pedals had 3 series of pedals until today - Standard, Neo and Venture in ascending order of development. The recent BB-size Venture Series pedals - Syntax Error 2 and Fever Pitch introduced a cool in-context LCD Display to make it easier to control said pedals.

 

In essence - on the Venture Series you have several screens of parameters - which you can scroll through and edit 4 key parameters at a time via the corresponding 4 main control knobs. You have a further ...

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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+-
2022AfBlg32CompactPedalType700.jpg

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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