Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Santana on Beck
  • Friday, I'm in Love
  • Knopfler's 4-note secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Recommended reading
Boss RT-2 Rotary Ensemble: the rotating speaker emulator has a visual reference on front, three modes, mono/stereo outputs and a metallic gold paintjob.
Guitars Boss puts Hendrix and Gilmour rotating speaker sounds on the menu with the RT-2 Rotary Ensemble
Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo: the metallic gray box has cream dials, an LED that lights up blue and/or red, and is photographed here against a wooden background.
Guitar Pedals “A perfect melding of vintage sound with modern practicality”: Strymon EC-1 review
Darkglass Electronics Kaamos: this high-end twofer is a hard-working addition to any bass player's pedalboard, and features a comprehensive suite of controls.
Guitar Pedals “A versatile overdrive and a high-quality octaver – two pedalboard mainstays in one box”: Darkglass Electronics Kaamos review
Donner x Third Man Hardware Triple Threat
Guitar Pedals “A sandbox for experimentation”: Donner x Third Man Hardware Triple Threat review
V863-CA Semi-auto Wah
Guitar Pedals Vox V863-CA Semi-Auto Wah Pedal review
EarthQuaker Devices Rancho de la Luna Dirt Transmitter
Guitar Pedals “Simply a killer fuzz pedal”: EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter – Rancho de la Luna Ltd Ed review
Crazy Tube Circuits Mirage: the dual reverb features two independent DSP engines each equipped with 16 reverb modes – and there are flexible routing options.
Guitars With dual reverb engines, 16 algorithms, Crazy Tube Circuits’ Mirage is one serious reverb pedal
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

Review round-up: offbeat modulation pedals

News
By Alex Lynham ( Total Guitar ) published 26 February 2019

Inspirational options from Keeley, Pigtronix, Boss and Valeton

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Need some new ideas? Got some cash to burn? Whatever the reason, we’ve got just the thing. 

Don't Miss

The 10 best chorus pedals for guitar

This rogue’s gallery of modulation pedals will do it all, from boutique modulation to analogue synthesis. 

With the Dimension C, we’re seeing the return of perhaps the best stompbox chorus ever. Not only that, but in this Waza reissue, a switch to change it over to a SDD-320 mode, emulating the rack effect the original was based on. The SDD-320 fetches astronomical prices on the used market, so its inclusion is a win-win. 

Meanwhile, with the Coral, we’ve got a wallet-friendly, pocket-sized do-it-all box to spark new song ideas while you’re noodling. So whether you’re curious about phaser, flanger or ring modulator, step on up! 

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Keeley Bubble Tron

Keeley Bubble Tron

This multi-function modulation pedal is aimed at guitarists who want to box off several modulation options with a single pedal. 

With a filter, phaser and flanger, the core filter-based modulation sounds are all accounted for and deliver pretty much what you’d expect. There are some pleasant surprises at the extreme ends of the controls for rate and depth, with psyched-out, weird sounds and artifacts aplenty, but most people will be after belt-and-braces decent mod settings, and those are here too. 

We found the phaser most compelling with the depth and speed pulled back for some '70s prog vibes. 

4 out of 5

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Boss DC-2W

Boss DC-2W

The original Boss Dimension C was a stereo chorus that had the relatively unique distinction of using two parallel analogue BBD paths to create its sound. 

That lush, 80s chorus is delivered in spades by the Dimension C, while updates have found issues with the original – noise and low output volume - largely mitigated. Mode 1 is great for subtle, Siamese Dream-style Smashing Pumpkins tones, while at the other extreme in Mode 4, think She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult. 

It’s an expensive beast, but this is a unique chorus sound, magnificently executed, and available again at long last. 

4.5 out of 5

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Pigtronix Ringmaster Analog Multiplier

Pigtronix Ringmaster Analog Multiplier

The Ringmaster is an analogue synthesiser and ring modulator with a ton of controls. 

Even without diving into the different carrier and CV options, the front panel can be a little overwhelming and takes some time to dial in a good sound. Fuzzy, grainy ring mod tones are the easiest to tap, but with some tweaking there’s also tremolo and sample-hold sounds possible, with harmonised notes dancing around the input signal. 

It feels at times like it might better suit a keyboard rather than a guitar, but it’s hard to think of a more feature-rich ring modulator on the market. 

4 out of 5

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Valeton Coral MDR

Valeton Coral MDR

If what you’re looking for is a pedal to trigger inspiration, then it’s hard to go wrong with the Valeton Coral MDR. 

MDR stands for modulation, delay, reverb, and this compact box gets every last mile out of the digital chip nestled inside. There are eight patches, with a further eight accessible via a toggle switch, and the footswitch even works for tap-tempo, though it’s a hair short of foolproof. 

Some sounds are gimmicky, but the sine and square wave tremolo are great, and both the phaser and reverb ‘A’ are decent. It’s fiddly because of its size, but the core sounds aren’t bad at all - so at this price, why not? 

4 out of 5

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Alex Lynham
Alex Lynham

Alex Lynham is a gear obsessive who's been collecting and building modern and vintage equipment since he got his first Saturday job. Besides reviewing countless pedals for Total Guitar, he's written guides on how to build your first pedal, how to build a tube amp from a kit, and briefly went viral when he released a glitch delay pedal, the Atom Smasher.

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
Boss RT-2 Rotary Ensemble: the rotating speaker emulator has a visual reference on front, three modes, mono/stereo outputs and a metallic gold paintjob.
Boss puts Hendrix and Gilmour rotating speaker sounds on the menu with the RT-2 Rotary Ensemble
Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo: the metallic gray box has cream dials, an LED that lights up blue and/or red, and is photographed here against a wooden background.
“A perfect melding of vintage sound with modern practicality”: Strymon EC-1 review
Darkglass Electronics Kaamos: this high-end twofer is a hard-working addition to any bass player's pedalboard, and features a comprehensive suite of controls.
“A versatile overdrive and a high-quality octaver – two pedalboard mainstays in one box”: Darkglass Electronics Kaamos review
Donner x Third Man Hardware Triple Threat
“A sandbox for experimentation”: Donner x Third Man Hardware Triple Threat review
V863-CA Semi-auto Wah
Vox V863-CA Semi-Auto Wah Pedal review
EarthQuaker Devices Rancho de la Luna Dirt Transmitter
“Simply a killer fuzz pedal”: EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter – Rancho de la Luna Ltd Ed review
Latest in Guitar Pedals
Chase Bliss Lost + Found: the new compact offering from the boutique stompbox company is the brand's first multi-effects, and comes in a cool green enclosure with a range of dip-switches for more tweakability.
Chase Bliss invites you to rummage around the Lost + Found – a compact multi-FX pedal with 12 modes
JHS PEDALS
"He's not using a guitar amp. He's using a Tascam 424": JHS Pedals puts a Portastudio in a pedal to help you recreate Mk.gee's "elastic, lo-fi tones"
An Earthquaker Devices Easy Listening headphone amp on a desk
“With no smartphone app, no IR loader, and just a single knob for control, it does away with all the distractions”: Earthquaker Devices Easy Listening review
Peavey Decade pedal review
"If you're seeking a polished, smooth, modern distortion, this is most definitely not the stomp box for you": Peavey Decade preamp pedal review
EarthQuaker Devices Rancho de la Luna Dirt Transmitter
“Simply a killer fuzz pedal”: EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter – Rancho de la Luna Ltd Ed review
IK Multimedia Tonex One Brown Sound Anthology Limited Edition: these special run mini pedals offer the Tonex One in red, yellow and white, each presenting a specific era of EVH's classic tone.
“The anthology fully captures an artist’s tonal journey as he changed rock guitar forever”: Eddie Van Halen’s holy grail tone from a Tonex One mini pedal? IK Multimedia unveils the Brown Sound Anthology
Latest in News
Ozzy Osbourne performs during half-time of the 2022 NFL season opening game between the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 08, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
Ozzy Osbourne BBC documentary mysteriously is moved from tonight’s schedules
the crow hill
"No strings attached": The Crow Hill Company releases Lo-Fi Strings, a free tape-treated string library with a warm and nostalgic sound
Chubby Checker in 2019
“I’m doing what I love doing the most: Being in front of an audience”: Why Chubby Checker is skipping his Hall Of Fame induction
Wunderkammer WoO.1
WoO.1 is a pocket-sized sampler designed for endless on-the-go looping
George Michael and Taylor Swift
How George Michael accidentally created the ‘80s smash that’s now been picked up by Taylor Swift
John Lennon and Yoko Ono polaroid photos
“It embodied what John and I strongly believed in – Rock for Peace and Enlightenment”: New Lennon box set announced

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...