spaceshipsovrglasgow's Pedalboard

Updates: -DigiTech Polara -Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Max -EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 +Red Panda Context 2 +Mooer Radar Speaker CAB Simulator +EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V3 +Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork

Between realizing a need for more versatility from my rig, wanting to upgrade my end-of-chain reverb, and being introduced to some newer tech at a pedal expo, I decided it was time for some changes.

After trying to love the combo of the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Max in Reverse mode into my Death By Audio Fuzz War, I realized that it just wasn't versatile enough for me to have fun with. So, I decided to throw away the old shoegaze notion that "thou shalt reverse" and subbed in the EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V3 with all of its wild delay-verb weirdness. With the Reflect, Drag, and Length settings dialed back to about 9 o'clock, I get a similar fade-back response into my dirt section without that obvious cutoff that I could never fully get rid of using a true reverse effect. And that's just the beginning -- no matter what mode or settings I try with this thing, I'm constantly surprised and inspired.

I commented in my previous SOTB update that I was really happy with my DigiTech Polara as my end-of-chain reverb, and I was. But after reading so much about the range of the Red Panda Context 2 and its loyalty to the '80s era rack-mount reverbs that inspired it, I couldn't help but pine after it. Having a chance to test it out at a pedal expo last year solidified that it was "the droid I was looking for", and I was lucky enough to receive one as a gift this Christmas. It took me a hot second to figure out the midi interface and lock in my ideal settings (Mono-In/Stereo-Out, DSP Bypass Mode), and I admittedly still have not been able to successfully update to the latest firmware (Linux driver compatibility issues be dammed). But that config tweak alone made this thing absolutely sing in every reverb mode I've tried. So far, I probably like the Grain mode the most -- it's really haunting and feels like the moody cousin to the Polara's Halo mode that was my previous always-on effect.

That same pedal expo inspired two additional changes...

First, I spent probably half of the time I was there just fiddling with the EarthQuaker Devices Data Corrupter and realizing that I needed more pitch/octave shifting and harmony in my life. I wasn't ready to take the plunge with that particular pedal -- it's hella fun but a bit overwhelming and takes up more space than I'd like (maybe something to consider if I ever swap out my Fuzz War for a Harmonic Percolator and free up some room). So I compromised and went the more tame and traditional route with an Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork. I mostly use it in Detune (Down) or P4 (Dual) mode and am satisfied with the depth and chorus-y effect that it adds. Plus, I have plenty of ways to manipulate it further down the chain, so it feels like a good fit (for now).

Lastly, pretty much every booth had a Mooer Radar at the end of their chain as a makeshift headphone amp. Having never heard of impulse response (IR) tech before, I was totally caught off guard by the ability to swap between cab and amp effects on the fly and excited by the tonal richness that was pumped directly to my headphones. As someone who will regularly play without my amp and directly to headphones/laptop with my Focusrite (apartment living will do that), this instantly felt like a good fit. What's more, I realized that this would double as an upgrade to my EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2, since I was able to find some IR files from Shift Line replicating the SUNN Beta Lead and 200s (not the same as a Model T but close enough for me). Given the AG's high sensitivity to the volume settings on my guitar, this solved the issue of forgetting to turn down before engaging the AG and blowing out my eardrums. Whether I have this guy at the end of my chain (and into my noggin) or as the power amp distortion aspect of my dirt section, I couldn't be happier.