NAMM 2024: Gamechanger Audio MOD is a new series of three pedals that merge traditional guitar effects with modular synths and patching.
Guitar pedals and modular synthesizers are two completely different worlds. But they have something in common: they are equally addictive. In addition, modular synth manufacturers used to be pedal developers or vice versa in the past see Dreadbox, 4MS, and others.
What if you merged both worlds? Dreadbox, for example, has already done something like this with its pedals by installing patch points. Gamechanger Audio, which always tries to turn the music tech world on its head, goes further. You can see the result in the new MOD Series pedals for NAMM 2024.
Gamechanger Audio MOD Series
The MOD Series consists of three stereo effects: chorus, delay, and reverb. This design is striking and triggers a WTF moment. The opinions will be polarizing, and people will love or hate them.
Just as extraordinary and exciting is the concept. According to Gamechanger Audio, it uses a revolutionary circuit that combines guitar effects with modular synthesis and patching. More, it’s a complete reimagining of what a pedal can be.
Performance is the focus here and becomes part of the sound effects. Your touch, your playing dynamics, and your note choice are important elements in these new pedals. Two core features in each pedal capture these elements and infuse them into the algorithms: dynamics and pitch tracker.
Dynamics follows the volume nuances of your playing, capturing the character of your picking style and your instrument’s loudness and decay. The pitch tracker, on the other side, detects note choices, bends, and vibratos.
Both modulators can be routed to any of the four effect knobs using the patch bay in the middle. Since they are all inter-compatible, signals can also be routed out to the other MOD Series pedals. So cross-patching for achieving very complex effects using different dynamics, and more.
With these, you can set the parameters not only in motion, but it allows you to play the effects in a very expressive, unique way.
Three MOD Series Effects
Three classic stereo effects start things off: Chorus, Delay, and Reverb. Each of them has various algorithms, offers a very simple, hands-on interface, and incorporates a modular patch bay, introducing the performance factor.
- chorus: chorus & vibrato, ensemble, and flange
- delay: tape, analog-style BBD, and digital
- reverb: plate, spring, and hall emulations
Then, each pedal offers four primary effect knobs that are paired with corresponding smaller attenuverters for precise modulation adjustments.
- chorus: level, depth, rate, and feedback
- delay: level, time, feedback, and tone controls. Plus three ping-pong panning settings.
- reverb: level, decay, tone, and drive controls. Plus three stereo spread settings.
The MOD series completely dispenses with presets or MIDI-accessible settings. You do this on the fly by creating your own effects using the patch cables. Wilder? No problem. Just cross-patch the pedals.
Connectivity
The back of the MOD Series also stands out with its very unique, striking design. You can find stereo input and output on 6.3mm mono sockets, the option to switch between Eurorack, line, and instrument level, and between wet-only mix or input.
Further, it hosts track in/out for more advanced routings, a MIDI/clock input, a USB-C port for future updates, and a 9V DC power supply input.
First Impression
A very intriguing, bizarre idea to continue the concept of guitar pedals. I’m sure there will be a lot of people celebrating these new effects. They will also provide the well-known “Why” comments in the community.
I always find it very positive that Gamechanger Audio dares to come up with new ideas. Even if they cause criticism or harassment, they try something new and don’t repeat themselves. A big like for this. More demos will show how sophisticated the concept is.
Gamechanger Audio MOD Series pedals will be available soon. Availability and price TBA.
More information here: Gamechanger Audio
Doesn’t seem so out there to me: phasers, octave dividers and envelope filters are all began as synth modules adapted for guitar use. Moog and Oberheim are two of the pioneers of guitar effects, and, uh, Roland, anyone?
I have three of those Dreadbox pedals and I love to patch between them. Modular CV concepts are going to be a new thing for most guitarists but this is super promising
the lfo on those dreadbox pedals go into audio rate, you can send the lfo out to an external synth or vca or whatever and send pitch cv to the lfo in and you have an osc. doesnt track so well buts pretty neat.
Saw the trailer yesterday and incorrectly assumed they were mono FX because of the V shape but now I’m stoked it’s actually stereo in/out plus MIDI. GCA stuff is niche but damn it is fun.
Interesting idea, but guitarist are already busy on both hands, it would be cumbersome to fiddle the modular pedals when playing the guitar.
It’s almost as if you didn’t read the description at all. It doesn’t have conventional CV, and the point is that you don’t have to fiddle while you’re performing.
I really like these. I had no interest before watching the introduction video but I think they’re wonderfully expressive and love how they interact. Very creative execution! Probably my favorite product from GCS thus far.