News
23rd July 2010 A Tube Delay Retro-Future! I've met with Steve Rothery, guitarist of Marillion several times in the last 6 months to discuss working together on a delay pedal. I've been an big enthusiast for for his emotive playing style since my school days in the early '80s, so meeting him and having the opprtunity to collaborate is literally a dream come true for me. We're aiming at doing something a little different to capture the ethereal, swirling sounds that the all-tube Binson Echorec B2 generates. After testing many pedals, BBD and digital and tape emulators, it became apparent that nothing comes close to the Echorec, especially when working that boundary where the delay is on the edge of self-oscillation and the tape/drum is beginning to saturate. Most pedals attempt to emulate tape echo using a low-pass filter to roll-off all the highs and introducing some pitch waver (wow and flutter), however there's much more to it than that, as the tape medium and transformers introduce a certtain magic to the sound. I have some ideas on how to do this with solid-state storage technology, transformers and tubes, to create those retro-future sci-fi delay effects that other pedals just can't reach. More on this over the coming months
10th June 2010 PC-2A Photo-optical Tube compressor is here! The new Photo-optical tube compressors are now shipping. This musical little compressor has all the important attributes of a vintage tube studio compressor in a tough and compact pedal. The PC-2A is based on NOS (new old stock) USA manufactured subminiature tubes and a custom designed photo-optical attenuator by Effectrode. I've been working closely with Adrian Legg and the guys at Cranes Music in Cardiff to get the compression ratio just right - a considerable amount of research and development had gone into refining the design of the sidechain and attenuator, which is why this project is a couple of months behind schedule. You'll find the compression from this pedal more musical, purer and warmer than japanese based solid-state VCA and FET designs. There's also a 'limit' mode for heavier signal squashing effects as well as more subtle and natural compression that adds life and dimension to your tone.
Anyone who is on the waiting list please contact me as soon as possible. This is really is a very special compressor and is a limited run pedal of 100, so don't hang around, if you want to own a beautiful and unique engineering marvel.
1st May 2010 AT-1A Atomic Isolated Power Supply pre-production model. Here's a picture of the first assembled pre-production model Atomic Isolated Power supply which is currently undergoing soak testing. It packs a punch, being able to power four Effectrode miniature tube pedals. Each output is isolated to prevent earth-loop hum. One of the outputs can also be configured to power 9V centre -ve pedals too, so you can integrate your solid-state pedals into an Effectrode pedalboard. These should be available in summer along with the photo-compressor. We're just working on the paint and graphics right now.
12th November 2009 PC-2A Photo-optical Compressor pre-production model. Here's a picture of the first assembled pre-production model. This pedal gets nice and warm even though it has just one subminiature tube inside. Everything checks out so far. The high voltage power supply is putting out a very healthy 330V, the bias voltages are good and the audio signal path is working beautifully. I have some adjustments to make on the photocell for the attenuator circuit. The photocell in the prototype was a silonex SR3, which didn't produce the correct characteristic slope, being too steep over a narrow range. These are the audio gold standard, but the resistance is too low for good control over compression ratio. I have some specials on order from Silonex, however am dipping into some of my old batch of Clairex photocells in the meantime. These have the right spec but are very inconsistent, like old germainium transistors. Finally, just some small adjustments to make on the limit/compress switch to get the ratio transition just right. Sounding good though and it won't belong before the first of these beautiful little tube compressors are available.
24th July 2009 Over twelve years in the making - the Tube Drive is finally here. All-tube signal path based on T-H-R-E-E triode tubes for stacks of smooth unrelenting overdrive/distortion and an active tube Baxandall tone control circuit for real boost and cut. This pedal also can also deliver substantial boost to provide extra drive to push vintage tube amps further into overdrive. A perfect partner for amps such as the Twin and Deluxe Reverbs and the older Fender Tweed amps, effectively endowing them with an additional high gain channel. The Tube Drive really is a no-compromise pedal that aims to deliver boutique amp overdrive tones whilst maintaining noise levels close to the theoretical minimum. Operation is pure class-A based on three triode vacuum tubes for a total of six stages with no silicon diodes or transistors in the signal path.
13th June 2009 New Effectrode Website is alive! Finally, after 3 weeks of working in to the early hours of the morning, it's here. Also, over the next few weeks I'll be adding several whitepapers on vintage effects technology and some the projects it's used on, including "Dr Who" and "Forbidden Planet". Hope you enjoy the new site!
13th May 2009 Photo-optical Tube Compressor is Still On the Work Bench . . . but is nearing completion - the metalwork, paint graphics are complete and I'll be putting a picture up shortly. Think LA-2A style compressor optimized to work for guitar!
11th May 2009 Effectrode Release Tube Vibra Chorus Pedal Effectrode is now shipping the Vibra Chorus — 100% analog signal path, pure tube chorus pedal. The unique modulation characteristics of this effects pedal are musical and natural, where only the barest minimum of pitch de-tuning is introduced into the original signal with no loss of treble for minimal tonal coloration. At slower modulation rates it produces wide, open and natural chorusing that adds another dimension to chord and rhythm playing and at faster rates it creates a light, watery and bubbly effect, whlist retaining clarity and transparency.
4th May 2008 On the Work Bench I'm working of the tube photo-optical compressor this month and expect to begin audio testing next week (great!). This compressor has been a long time in the making and taken several years longer to complete than expected, however will be worth the wait as it combines an LA-2A studio levelling amplifier tube signal path with a powerful and sophisticated side-chain that replicates the response of the human ear to achieve natural and transparent compression, even at high ratio. More information coming soon. . .
31st March 2008 The Tube-Vibe is back! These new Tube-Vibes are finished in a super tough, mirror-like deep purple powdercoat and sport antique-white epoxy silkscreened graphics with matching "Dakaware" chickenhead knobs. They come equipped with three Premium JJ Tubes as standard for low-noise, hi-fidelity sound reproduction and feature our new ultra-quiet true bypass switching circuit. The unique "Blend" trimmer and powerful bulb driver makes it possible to sculpt thick, swampy vibe tones through to spacious and textural chorus effects. Easily recognized - just look for the new Effectrode Audiophile Pedals logo!
26th November 2007 Welcome Paul! I'm pleased to welcome Paul Sturgess to Effectrode as director of operations. Paul will be responsible for all manufacturing and distribution of our effect pedals. With over 25 years experience in the Pro Audio and music industry at companies such as BSS Audio, Soundtracs and Trace Elliot, Pauls experience will allow me to focus much more on research and developement.
