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Average Price: $195

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

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High-end

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Description

The Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator is an iconic optical tremolo pedal that has become a go-to for discerning musicians. Taking its cue from the revered tremolo circuit in Ry Cooder's Fender Twin amplifier, the Tremulator delivers a warm and smooth tremolo effect. With easy-to-manage knobs for Depth and Speed, it allows for the precise shaping of your sound. In addition, it features a trim pot for biasing the optical circuit, ensuring a performance that is always on point. Renowned for its inherent 1 dB of boost, the Tremulator also boasts low impedance, drastically reducing noise in long cable runs.

Key Features:

  • Optical tremolo pedal inspired by the tremolo circuit in Ry Cooder's Fender Twin amplifier
  • Knobs for Depth and Speed allow for fine-tuning of effect
  • Trim pot for biasing the optical circuit
  • Provides inherent 1 dB of boost
  • Low impedance for decreased noise in long cable runs

Product specs

Brand Demeter
Model TRM-1 Tremulator, The Tremulator
Finish Black
Year 2000s
Made In United States
Categories Tremolo Pedals

FAQs

What type of power supply does the Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator require?

The Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is typical for many guitar pedals.

How does the Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator differ from other tremolo pedals?

The Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator is known for its warm, tube-like tremolo sound, inspired by vintage amplifiers, offering a smooth modulation effect that stands out for its musicality.

Is the Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator is designed to be robust and reliable, making it a great choice for live performances with its easy-to-use controls and consistent sound quality.

Can the Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator be used with both electric and acoustic guitars?

The Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator is primarily designed for electric guitars, but it can also be used with acoustic-electric guitars that have a pickup system.

Does the Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator work well with other pedals in a signal chain?

Yes, the Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator is designed to integrate seamlessly with other pedals, maintaining signal integrity and delivering a high-quality tremolo effect.

THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)

THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)

Demeter Tremulator Tremolo Guitar Pedal Review - GearUP on TMNtv !

Video thumbnail for Demeter Tremulator Tremolo Guitar Pedal Review - GearUP on TMNtv ! by THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)

Demeter Tremulator Tremolo Guitar Pedal Review - GearUP on TMNtv !

THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)

THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)

Video thumbnail for Demeter Tremulator | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Demeter Tremulator | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Demeter Amplification - TRM-1 Tremulator by PedalCasters

Demeter Amplification - TRM-1 Tremulator

PedalCasters

PedalCasters

Video thumbnail for Demeter Tremulator - Demo And Review! by Tri Pedal Reviews

Demeter Tremulator - Demo And Review!

Tri Pedal Reviews

Tri Pedal Reviews

Reviews

PROS

  • Mimics vintage blackface Fender amp tremolo closely

  • Clean signal, not noisy

  • Wide range of speed and depth for diverse tones

  • Can function as a subtle tone enhancer or boost

  • Slight volume boost compensates for tremolo volume drop

  • Smooth and musical quality, superior to many other tremolos

  • Silent switching

  • Compatible with large rigs, as proven by Pink Floyd setups

CONS

  • Sound gets quieter when activated, requiring compensation

  • Only the second half of each dial is effective

  • Perceived as not worth the high price by some users

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
bigbadtonewolfatlanta

An amazing pedal!

I have tried a hundred different trem pedals and this one is by far the closest match to a tube driven amp's tremolo. The tremulator was built to mimic the gorgeous tremolo (vibrato) of a vintage blackface Fender amp. It sounds smooth and lush at almost any setting. It has a much smoother and dare I say musical quality missing on most tremolos, even one's on an amp. Personally, I enjoy it more than the tremolo on silverface Fenders and even the Supro Jupiter's. Only real blackface Fender and Vox AC tremolo sound as pleasing to my ear. There is a slight volume boost when engaged to compensate for the ''soft'' nature of the effect. The switching is silent. If it's good enough for Ry Cooder, it's good enough for anybody!

Artist usage

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See how Jack White uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Jack White

Singer, Guitarist

The Raconteurs

...
Verified via Dolphinmusic

A bronze-plated Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator Tremolo Pedal is used in Jack White's 'bronze' pedalboard for the Raconteurs. The pedal was mentioned in the 2019 Premier Guitar interview.

See how David Gilmour uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

David Gilmour

Guitarist

Pink Floyd

...
Verified via Gilmourish

David Gilmour used the Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator during the 1993 recording sessions at Olympic Studios, as confirmed by Bjorn on Gilmourish, the largest David Gilmour tone resource on the net.

See how Jonny Greenwood uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Jonny Greenwood

Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified via Photo

This detailed gear diagram of Jonny Greenwood's 1997 Radiohead stage setup includes a Demeter TRM-1.

See how Nick Valensi uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Nick Valensi

Guitarist

The Strokes

...
Verified via Wikipedia

The Demeter Tremulator can be heard in use on The Strokes' track "Juicebox."

See how Tom Petty uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Tom Petty

Singer, Guitarist

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

...
Verified via frontman.cz

On frontman.cz, in an overview of Tom Petty’s Mojo Tour rig, one of his pedalboards has a Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator before his gain stages.

See how Lou Reed uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Lou Reed

Singer, Guitarist

The Velvet Underground

...
Verified via YouTube

Used in his Metal Machine Trio tour, seen most clearly (with red knobs!) at the 2:02 mark of the video, at the bottom of the image.

See how Nels Cline uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Nels Cline

Guitarist

Wilco

...
Verified via Photo

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/247909154457475000/ (Bottom left in photo, unnumbered black pedal between #12 and #15)

Nels Cline's use of a Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator was listed, photographed, and detailed quite extensively on a now-defunct website/gear journal Cline maintained himself in the 2000s (last viewed around Fall 2008).

If I recall correctly, Nels Cline explained how it was rarely used on his touring pedalboard by the time of Sky Blue Sky, but was still used in the studio. On tour it had been bumped from primary tremolo duty by a Fulltone Deja Vibe.

Now that Cline's old website is gone, the only reference I can find of him using the Tremulator outside of this random pedalboard picture from 2005, is his remaining inclusion in the wikipedia article for the TRM-1 and a few mentions in old messageboard threads, but no direct sources seem to exist anymore.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demeter_TRM-1_Tremulator

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/nels-cline-pedals-examined-in-which-songs-and-how-does-he-use-them.928958/

EDIT: Found direct source in a March 2005 issue of Guitar Player magazine, featuring Nels Cline on the cover. Nels directly states his use of the Demeter Tremulator on page 54 (highlighted in picture), and is pictured with the Tremulator in the bottom left corner of his pedalboard on page 60.

See how Alex Trimble uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Alex Trimble

Singer, Guitarist

Two Door Cinema Club

...
Verified via Photo

The Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator Tremolo Pedal can be seen in the center of the top row of Alex Trimble's pedalboard

See how Scott Holiday uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Scott Holiday

Guitarist

Rival Sons

...
Verified via MusicRadar

"Above it is one of my oldest and trustiest tremolo pedals, the Demeter Tremulator, which was originally built for Ry Cooder to emulate the Fender Tremolo. I love it."

See how Ry Cooder uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Ry Cooder

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Demeteramps

"I have often been asked how I got involved in the guitar pedal business. In 1982 Ry Cooder came to me asking if I could make him a tremolo pedal, as none were being made at the time. After some experimentation, and Ry's old Fender twin amp as a sound model, the Tremulator was born."

See how Robbie McIntosh uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

Robbie McIntosh

Guitarist

Wings

...
Verified via Flickr

In this photo, which shows McIntosh's pedalboard (the uploader of the photo is an American guitar amplifier manufacturer Jackson Ampworks, which endorses McIntosh), one of the pedals that can be seen in his pedalboard is the Demeter TRM-1 tremolo.

See how samuraiguitarist uses Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator

samuraiguitarist

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

In his YouTube video titled "The Gear I Use," samuraiguitarist features the Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator among his collection of guitar pedals.

Album Usage

The Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Demeter Amplification TRM-1 Tremulator, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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artbarsnstripes

artbarsnstripes

Gear IQ 655

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