MusicRadar Verdict
An engaging new take on the 'synth' pedal.
Pros
- +
One for sonic adventurers. Nice range of fuzz and synthy filters.
Cons
- -
A definite 'try before you buy'.
MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Air Traffic Controller from London's Rainger FX gets its name from the idea that it can produce "airy whisps of sound", and while that's pretty descriptive of some of its sounds it's probably best to get technical to explain what it does.
"It won't be for everybody, but its bold sounds might tempt noise merchants"
Basically, you get a distortion circuit whose sound can be blended with a white noise generator (for hiss), with the whole lot then going through a low pass filter with a cut-off frequency that can be controlled by dynamics, note pitch or, if you want to confound your audience, just randomly.
With the resonance turned down, you get almost conventional fuzz/distortion with a noise-gate, but turning up the resonance brings in varying degrees of filter to add a synthy blend to your notes.
While the white noise (brought in with the air knob) isn't pitched, it will follow guitar dynamics, adding a layer to the sound. An intriguing pedal. It won't be for everybody, but its bold sounds might tempt noise merchants.
“One of the concepts we are exploring is whether an artist could continue to create work after they have passed away”: The groundbreaking tech that will shape the future of music production
“If you messed something up on a production, admit it, fix it, and move on”: 8 cost-free tips to improve as a producer in 2025
"I switched to a Stratocaster - I got a really good deal in the middle of the night for $120 - and then in 1972, Lowell George showed me his MXR compressor pedal”: Bonnie Raitt on how she developed her famous slide guitar style
