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As the only Klone pedal that is A/B tested against a real gold Centaur, the Decibelics Golden Horse continues to stand out with its superb sound quality and ability to enhance any guitar tone. Youtube Demo Decibelics Website Introduction It's no secret to all those who know my gear preferences that the Decibelics Golden Horse is my favorite OD pedal of all time. To be precise, I do not use it as an overdrive pedal but more as an always-on booster. It is one of the only two pedals that have never been rotated out of my main board (the other one being the Cali76 Stacked Compressor). I view the Golden Horse as one of the best tone sweeteners that does an incredible job at enhancing the clarity and definition of each note and chord played (it simply makes everything sound better). If you are unfamiliar with and curious about the history of the legendary Klon circuit, read this very informative Klon guide To understand why everyone who tries this pedal falls in love with it, one must understand the Decibelics ethos, which is rooted in attention to detail, extremely high-quality standards for each component used, and superb customer service. The man behind it all is a tone-genius connoisseur by the name of Guillem Vilademunt. For more info on the backstory of this incredible Spanish pedal brand, click here Features Exact sonic reproduction of my original gold Klon Centaur, horsie close-tail, serial number 2505 from 2001 Mini luxury format, vintage, and thru-hole components The same Panasonic ECQ-Series N.O.S. capacitors as the original Same N.O.S. 1N34A Germanium diodes (Clear crystal and black band as the original, made in USA) – Commonly known as the Magic Diodes. The Golden Horse is most probably the only Klone using them The same combination of carbon and metal film resistors The same Tantalum capacitor in position C16 Same format on capacitors in values above 1uf -Electrolytics- adapted to mini size Same Charge Pump that raises internal voltage from 9V to 18V for bigger headroom Buffered bypass, same as the original, with correct values Dimensions with jacks: L 95mm (3.74in) x W 49mm (1.92in) – Current Draw: 25mA Made to order by hand What Sets it Apart? Quality, quality, quality. + its pedalboard-space-saving mini size. Price Point €190.00 - €220.00 (depending on the finish choice) - decibelics Alternatives If size is a factor, there is simply no alternative in the market currently (Note: I do not consider the Wampler Tumnus to be in the same high-end category as the Golden Horse). If size is not an issue for you, other notable high-end Klon-type pedals include the Origin Effects Halcyon, the Nordvang Custom No.1 Signature, and, of course, the more easy-to-obtain than the original Klon, the Klon KTR. GPH Final Thoughts The Decibelics Golden Horse is the pedal I ALWAYS recommend to overdrive aficionados. You simply cannot go wrong. I also recommend this pedal for players who need an overdrive but are not dirt guys themselves (talking to all of you ambient guitar players out there). From enhancing any guitar tone without adding any distortion to adding that slight grit or acting as a full-on overdrive pedal, there is certainly something for everyone here.

This highly responsive filter is a must-have for those in the search for the Jerry Garcia "gritty wah" sound. PDF Manual Youtube Demo 3LeafAudio Website Introduction Though I came to appreciate the Grateful Dead later in life (my fondness grew in my late 20s after attending a Dead & Co. concert), I quickly became enamored with the iconic Jerry Garcia lead tone, much like many other Deadheads. This signature sound can best be described as a gritty, cocked-wah effect with a hint of octave. Naturally, my quest for this tone led me to the Mu-tron IV. And for the octave effect, I turned to the Foxrox Octron 3, which is, in my opinion, one of the finest octave pedals I've ever encountered: Though I had some great gear, I still felt something was missing. That's when I decided to give the Proton V4 a whirl, and it instantly took the place of the Mu-Tron IV on my board. To this day, it holds its spot there, and it's one of those rare pedals I'd never part with. Given they're produced in limited batches, they're quite the treasure to find. The genius behind 3leafAudio is Spencer Doren, who is undeniably passionate and meticulous about his work. Operating solo out of Seattle, Washington, he ensures quality at every step. The PCBs in his designs hail from Utah, while the enclosures are crafted in Oregon. Spencer's creations always have a touch of exclusivity, as he's continually experimenting with fresh aesthetics and tweaking circuits. Features Power: 9V DC, 30mA minimum. 2.1mm center-negative connector. Input Impedance: Very high. Output Impedance: Very low. Bypass: Transparent active bypass system with proprietary electronic switching. No clicks, no pops, will never break. Footprint: 64 mm x 118 mm. Response: Adjusts the envelope detector's sensitivity to playing dynamics. Adjust based on the output of the instrument. Peak: Sets the amplitude of the filter's resonant peak. Higher settings produce a more aggressive sweep. Decay: Sets the time for the filter to close. Adjusts the envelope sound from long and natural to snappy. Tone: Sets the maximum cutoff frequency of the filter. Works like a guitar or bass tone knob. Range: Toggles the frequency range of the filter. High position is similar to the previous Proton version, while the low position is deeper. Sweep: Toggles the direction of the filter sweep. Settings may need to be adjusted based on the sweep direction. What sets it apart Its gritty sound character and dynamic response truly distinguish it. This is one of those pedals that functions as an instrument in its own right. The nuanced way each knob interacts with the others is unique and a feature I deeply appreciate about this pedal. Price Point In 2021, I managed to get it for $250. I'm uncertain about its current price since 3LeafAudio's website doesn't display that information at the moment. The only purchasing avenue is directly through 3LeafAudio's website. Alternatives When considering high sound quality, some comparable pedals include the Analog Man Block Logo Envelope Filter, Mu-Tron IV, and Flower Pedals Hosta Wah Filter. GPH Final Thoughts The Proton V4 ranks among my all-time favorite envelope filters. It's always a delight to experiment with, and I absolutely adore its gritty character. If you ever have the opportunity to acquire one, I can assure you, you won't be disappointed.

With its envelope control of rate, the Twin Peaks V5 ushers in a new era of LFO functionality. The Twin Peaks V5 opens the door to fresh and unexplored sonic landscapes. PDF Manual Youtube Demo Drolofx Website Introduction In the depths of thegearpage.net forum, a gathering place for seasoned pedalboard enthusiasts, I first discovered drolofx and the Twin Peaks tremolo. This forum is where these veterans share insights about lesser-known gems. I had been on a 7-month-long journey to find the perfect tremolo for my pedalboard. During this time, I tried the Empress Tremolo2, Walrus Audio Monument, Source Audio Vertigo, and Subdecay Vagabond—all of which are fantastic tremolos. I was in search of something more experimental, and when I came across a mention of the Twin Peaks, I knew I had to get one. David is the genius behind drolo, running a one-man operation in southern Belgium. There, each pedal is crafted with precision and care. What truly captivates me about his creations is the distinct creativity and innovation in each design. Every pedal not only sounds phenomenal but is also constructed with top-notch components. Plus, the graphic aesthetics are consistently impressive Features 4 Tremolo Modes: V: Volume modulation (classic tremolo). F: Frequency modulation (harmonic tremolo). B: Bass modulation only, with fixed treble. T: Treble modulation only, with fixed bass. LFO Modulation Shapes: Sawtooth, Reversed Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, Sine, Hypertriangle, Reverse Hypertriangle, Random Levels. Unique Controls: Tap Tempo Multiplier Switch: Sets the range of the manually adjusted rate or multiplies the tapped tempo. Env: Adjusts the sensitivity of the envelope detector affecting the LFO rate. Env Mode: Controls how the rate responds to signal intensity. Sym: Skews the shape of the LFO. Tap Tempo Switch: Taps in the desired tempo. Expression Input: Externally controls the rate. Compatible with most commercially available expression pedals using a TRS plug. Can also use a control voltage instead of a resistance-based controller, but precautions are needed. V5 Version Enhancements: - Envelope control of the rate, allowing dynamic control of the rate based on playing intensity. What Sets it Apart - Pristine sound quality - Flexibility of controls (ability to skew the shape of the selected LFO) - Envelope control of the rate - Bass modulation only w/ fixed treble mode - Treble modulation only w/ fixed bass mode Price Point https://drolofx.com/product/twin-peaks/ - € 230.00 (for EU customers VAT taxes are applied, which average at 21%, making the final price around € 278.00 - give or take depending on country) Alternatives The Empress Tremolo2 comes to mind when I think of a pedal with a similar feature set and sound quality similar to the Twin Peaks. GPH Final Thoughts The Twin Peaks V5 stands out as a uniquely captivating tremolo. It provides detailed control over the LFO, making it perfect for those eager to craft experimental soundscapes. Most tremolo pedals just don't offer the features to achieve such sonic explorations.

Although it may not be the most popular pedal in the Strymon lineup, it is perhaps the one that benefited the most from the latest V2 feature upgrades. PDF Manual Youtube Demo Strymon Website Introduction I was first introduced to Strymon pedals a few years ago. At that time, I explored their entire lineup of V1 pedals, including the big box variants. At one stage, I had both the Big Sky and Timeline positioned on the upper tier of my expansive double-decker pedalboard, with a Mobius discreetly tucked away beneath: When I first plugged in and switched on the saturation side of the Deco through my tube amp's fx loop, I was genuinely amazed. My guitar felt alive, responding to every touch, much like what you'd expect from a highly responsive compressor pedal. Yet, it also brought out the clarity in each note, especially with the tone knob set around 3 o'clock. I've been jamming with the V2 for a few months now, and it's become like an old friend on my pedalboard, always there and always on, mainly for its brilliant preamp side. I didn't quite get this much enjoyment from the Deco V1 a few years ago. I definitely believe that the V2's JFET input upgrade made all the difference. For anyone curious about the magic behind tape tracking, Strymon has put together a wonderful article that dives deep into the topic. It's a technical read, but I highly recommend taking a read if you're keen to learn more. You can check it out right here. Features Saturation Side: The Deco V2 is designed to emulate the effects that studio engineers in the 50s, 60s, and beyond created using tape machines. The "Saturation" side of the pedal covers a range from a subtle boost and EQ shift to full-on drive and natural compression. This side of the pedal can add warmth, body, and a hint of compression and edge to your guitar tone. As the saturation control is increased, the gain becomes more pronounced and the compression more evident. The pedal also features a new cassette tape voicing in addition to the classic reel-to-reel tape mode, which emulates the auto level control (ALC) process found in high-end tape recorders from the cassette era. Doubletracker Side: The "Doubletracker" side of the pedal is designed to emulate the effects created by using tape machines for double tracking. This side offers a range of effects from chorus and flange to tape echoes and slapbacks. The lag and wobble controls allow users to dial in a variety of sounds, from woozy chorus effects to classic tape echoes. V2 Version Enhancements: - New 520 MHz ARM Superscalar Processor - High impedance low noise discrete Class A JFET preamp input circuit - USB-C connectivity - Full MIDI control, accessible via TRS, with access to 300 preset locations (I personally use the Disaster Area Designs MIDI Box 4 with a Tech 21 MIDI Mouse) - Saturation side now features a tone knob for EQ shaping & switchable cassette tape voicing What Sets it Apart - Unique delay range - Sweet-sounding preamp saturation and compression - Ability to engage an instant Auto-Flange feature by holding down the doubletracker footswitch - Secondary control features (Live Edit Functions) such as ability to control: Auto Flange Time Wide Stereo Mode Low Trim +/- 3dB Doubletracker Boost/Cut - Switchable Input Mode (Normal or Studio) Normal: for electric guitars or basses Studio: higher headroom for hot fx loops, keyboards, any other hotter signals - Like all Strymon pedals, it is built like a tank, able to survive nuclear blasts Price Point Strymon - $379 Sweetwater - $379 Thomann - €433 incl. VAT Andertons - £359 Alternatives The features of the Deco stand out distinctly on their own. When considered collectively, they position the Deco as a truly unparalleled pedal with no direct competitors in the current market. To mimic the doubletracker aspect of the Deco, one might consider using a TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler or a Keeley 30ms Double Tracker. However, to fully emulate this feature, adding an Eventide MicroPitch Delay pedal might be necessary. And remember, this only addresses the right side of the Deco! I'm uncertain if there's another preamp comparable to the Deco's, especially one that offers such extensive character shaping options, stereo capabilities, MIDI, and more. GPH Final Thoughts The Deco V2 by Strymon is a distinctive gem in the realm of guitar pedals. It serves multiple purposes: as an overdrive/delay/modulation, an end-of-chain pedal introducing that delightful tape analog warmth before connecting to a mixer or interface, or as a tool for managing stereo imaging and spread. In my opinion, the upgrade to the JFET input in itself justifies the transition from V1 to V2. While I recognize that some (especially the Flint V1 owners among you) might disagree, when it comes to the Deco specifically, the JFET upgrade is a compelling reason to trade in your V1 for the V2.