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...

Here follows an in-depth look at the ALABS Audio Adam Adventures Series NovaDrift 9-Mode Modulator.

A pretty decent mix of algorithms - Vibe (Uni-Vibe), Chorus, Multi-Chorus, Phaser, Filter, Rotary, Flanger, Tremolo and Ring.

In my opinion really only missing the Roland/Boss Dimensions Chorus and Harmonic Tremol for a full house!

Generally I cite the Wampler Terraform as the Modulator which has the most perfect mix of Algorithms for my preferences - Auto-Wah, Envelope Filter, ...

I’m really proud to be supporting a small fledgling audio products brand based in Singapore - which has only been around for a couple of years or so, and was originally known for making studio quality Microphones, Wooden Earcup Headphones and Mixing Consoles. ALABS Audio’s Jinbo Hui reached out to me back in September - to ask if I would want to support the launch of their new Adam Adventures Series pedal range - and I of course said I needed to be properly impressed by those pedals for me to ...

Jacques Stompboxes was one of the very first of the French pedal builders to gain major international recognition and traction, while it’s a little under the radar for many these days - so I decided I needed to shine a light and bring some much needed focus back on this legendary French brand!

Jacques Charbit - from whom Jacques Stompboxes gets its name - first took up the soldering iron and started messing around with electronics as a teenager in the 70’s. As a result of his early ...

It’s funny that I feel I’ve already reviewed this pedal - courtesy of the recent Fjord Fuzz Loke - as both those pedals overlap considerably on function. The main difference here is that this MN3007 1024-stage BBD Device is fully analog, while the Loke is powered by a Spin FV-1 Chip.

There are for sure differences in control parameters, and in particular - the Meridian has a 3-way Waveform selector with Sine, Triangle and Flux options - the last mentioned being a somewhat unique semi-...

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 ...

EQD already has a great chorus in its range - courtesy of the 6-knob Sea Machine Super Chorus - which is particularly strong on shaping the modulation for a really intense and wobbly deep sea ocean of a Chorus. While I guess much of the innovation with the Aurelius is in its smart 6 x onboard Presets. 

The controls here aren’t quite so expansive as the Sea Machine’s 6 knobs, but Aurelius’s 4 knobs and 2 switches are equally cleverly employed - and you get to save all your favourite ...

The title here is just an odd confection to represent that the most significant additions to the chain this month were Choruses, Clones and Fuzzes. All-in-all a really special month - with my properly hooking up with hitherto correspondent pal Paulo De Gregorio - of Delicious Audio and Stompbox Exhibit fame. He was in London coordinating his first ever London Synth and Pedal Expo - and I was proud to be a Media Partner for that event. I feel Paulo and I are 2 of the biggest parts of the pedal ...

Readers will know that I had something of a falling out with Mr BJ himself a couple of years back. However, I’m not one to carry grudges forever - where Karma typically delivers its own reward eventually. Guitar Pedal X is all about uncovering and sharing the most innovative and musical guitar effects pedals - and when something has that essential ’X’ factor - it almost doesn’t matter who made it - you have to credit quality and innovation when you come across it.

And this Stereo Analog 7 ...