Effects Database

Weekly overview (2026, week 11): 3 new pedals

DiscoFreq — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

3 new effects

1 new article

Last week's top 20 videos (2026, week 10)

Overviews of the previous weeks: https://www.effectsdatabase.com/updates/weekly

SoloDallas CD65 CompanDrive 65 - Compander / Overdrive / Boost

DiscoFreq — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000

The SoloDallas CompanDrive 65 is an all-analog guitar effects pedal based on the companding circuitry introduced with Dolby studio recording systems in 1965. By recreating the interaction of compression and expansion used in tape recording chains, the pedal translates classic studio dynamics into a format designed for guitar pedalboards.

Its signal path combines a Vintage Console Gain Circuit, soft-knee compressor, expander stage, and vintage-style op-amp boost. Together these stages generate harmonic overdrive, controlled compression, restored signal amplitude, and adjustable output gain within a single companding signal path.

Catalinbread CB Paint - '90s Digital Reverb

DiscoFreq — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The Catalinbread CB Paint is a compact digital reverb pedal that recreates the distinctive ambience of late twentieth century rack processors such as the Alesis Microverb. Known for its characteristic reflection filtering and early digital processing artifacts, the Microverb introduced studio-style reverb to smaller studios and home recording environments. CB Paint recreates several of those recognizable reverb algorithms in pedal form, preserving the tonal character and behavior of the original programs.

The pedal includes six Microverb-derived room reverbs along with gated and reverse reverb modes. Additional controls expand the original concept with adjustable dry and wet balance, a 2-pole low-pass filter for shaping the reverb tone, and an Onset control that determines how long the reverb takes to appear after the input signal. This combination retains the recognizable character of early digital reverb while providing parameter control suited to pedalboard use.

Last week's top 20 videos (2026, week 10)

DiscoFreq — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Weekly overview (2026, week 10): 7 new pedals

DiscoFreq — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

7 new effects

1 new article

Last week's top 20 videos (2026, week 09)

Overviews of the previous weeks: https://www.effectsdatabase.com/updates/weekly

Baltimore Sonic Research Institute Radical Conversion - Discrete Opamp Distortion

DiscoFreq — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 16:15:00 +0000

The Baltimore Sonic Research Institute Radical Conversion is a discrete transistor distortion pedal that reinterprets the architecture associated with the Boss Metal Zone using fully discrete opamp stages. Inspired by the transistor-based opamp designs used in several Boss pedals beginning in the mid-1980s, the circuit replaces integrated amplifiers with multiple discrete stages, resulting in a 27-transistor signal path. The design preserves the multi-stage gain structure and active semi-parametric midrange equalizer while exploring the harmonic behavior of lower performance discrete amplifier circuits.

Radical Conversion expands on the original concept with three selectable preamp voicings that shape the signal before it reaches the main gain stage, altering low-frequency response, midrange emphasis, and overall compression characteristics. Combined with an active bass, treble, and semi-parametric midrange equalizer, the pedal provides detailed tone shaping within a fully discrete distortion circuit.

Puremagnetik JOTS - Dual Track Wanderer

DiscoFreq — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:42:40 +0000

Puremagnetik JOTS is a dual-track audio recorder and resampling pedal built for capturing quick ideas and transforming them into evolving layers of sound. Incoming audio can be recorded, reshaped with adjustable loop points and filtering, and resampled repeatedly to create overlapping phrases and textures. Each of the two stereo tracks runs independently while playing simultaneously, allowing loops to interact, drift, and blend in continuously shifting ways.

Two operating modes provide different approaches to shaping the material. DUB Mode offers direct sound-on-sound recording with manual control of loop boundaries, filtering, and probabilistic reverse playback. GEN Mode introduces autonomous modulation and alternate recording behaviors, including insert recording and inter-track copying, while random-walk LFOs continuously vary loop points and tone for generative, evolving playback.

ModTone SE-Stomp Sound Exciter

DiscoFreq — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The ModTone SE-Stomp Sound Exciter is a compact exciter pedal that adds clarity, presence, and dynamic range enhancement to guitars, basses, keyboards, and synthesizers. Its processing stage provides up to +14 dB of dynamic range expansion while maintaining a high-headroom, low-noise signal path suitable for both stage and studio use.

Three controls allow targeted tone shaping. Low EQ adjusts the low-frequency response, Enhance sets the intensity of the exciter processing, and Focus tunes the midrange area where the enhancement effect is concentrated. The pedal also features true hard-wire bypass and dual LED indicators for effect status and +14 dB activation.

Eleca Amplified Talkbox II

DiscoFreq — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The Eleca Talk Box 2 is an updated amplified talk box designed to expand the capabilities of the original Eleca talk box platform. Combining a built-in preamp, power amplifier, and integrated noise gate, it allows instruments to drive the talk box system directly while maintaining a controlled and low-noise signal. The classic vocal modulation effect is created by routing the amplified signal through a tube to the player’s mouth, where subtle mouth movements shape the sound into expressive, speech-like tones.

This revised design introduces greater routing flexibility with a selectable effects loop, a dedicated "To Amp" output for simultaneous amplifier connection, and an external speaker output. Four main controls handle gain, tone, noise gate threshold, and master output level, while additional routing controls manage amplifier output, loop placement, and gate activation. Together these features transform the Talk Box 2 into a more versatile performance tool while retaining the characteristic sound and playing technique of traditional talk box effects.

EarthQuaker Devices Towers - Stereo Reverberant Filter

DiscoFreq — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

EarthQuaker Devices Towers Stereo Reverberant Filter is a stereo reverb pedal that processes the input signal through resonant filtered feedback networks, combining cavernous ambience, regenerating multitap delays, and an integrated resonant low-pass filter. The result is a spacious, movement-driven reverb voice with harmonic content that evolves across the stereo field.

With three filter modes, eight user presets, assignable expression control, and the unique Stretch function that doubles reverb length while introducing pitch bending, Towers offers extensive control over texture and motion. Designed for mono or full stereo operation, it delivers a distinct reverb platform built for expansive and dynamically responsive sound design.

Last week's top 20 videos (2026, week 09)

DiscoFreq — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Sonulab StompStation Pro

DiscoFreq — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The Sonulab StompStation PRO is a compact native NAM multi-effects pedal that delivers uncompromised Neural Amp Modeler playback directly on stage. With true native NAM A1 and A2 support, dual profile loading per preset, and a full stereo IR engine, it preserves the integrity, dynamics, and realism of your amp captures without conversion or tonal loss. High-resolution 192 kHz, 32-bit processing and low-latency performance ensure studio-grade sound in a pedalboard-ready format.

Beyond amp modeling, the StompStation PRO integrates a complete stereo effects chain including modulation, delay, and reverb with spillover, all managed via a full-color display, three multifunction footswitches, and dedicated tone-shaping controls. Full MIDI implementation, USB-C connectivity, and wireless control through the VoidX-Control app make it a flexible centerpiece for modern live and studio rigs.

20 years of Effects Database!

DiscoFreq — Thu, 25 May 2023 16:03:35 +0000

20 years ago I started a little site called "DiscoFreq's Envelope Filter site" as there were no overviews listing more than 20 envelope filters. After the envelope filters, I added other types of filters (including synth modules), then octavers, ring modulators, vocoders, talkboxes, fuzz pedals, phasers, flangers,... until I decided to add ALL pedals, including the hundreds and hundreds of distortion and overdrive pedals.
From the beginning, it was very important to me to include all the small builders. There was a small "wave" of new builders (after the "boutique pioneers" from the 90s) and a lot of those new companies at first only had a presence on eBay and forums like Harmony-Central.

A lot of those early brands disappeared and many of the "big" brands now didn't even exist yet. I've seen several other "waves" of pedal builders since (the next one was in 2007-2008, "helped" by the financial crisis at the time, a lot of Musikmesse (RIP) and NAMM shows and a lot of other changes (YouTube didn't exist in 2003).

I can't really make a big celebration of this anniversary right now as the last few years I had to slow down (divorce, moving a few times, evening course,...) and focus on keeping the site running, adding the new videos,... I did see the new brands and pedals and added many hundreds of each in a queue, but I couldn't keep up adding them.
I'd like to catch up again soon and finally give the site a big overhaul as well (there were previous attempts, but no results...).

I always had lots of plans and ideas, some of which have since been done by others like a similar site about synth modules, a system to "switch" pedals on/off in audio demos (working prototype for about 10 years),...
As I did it all on my own and in my spare time with very limited resources, I didn't really manage to add everything I want/wanted. I had lots of work just to keep it running and growing in the existing format, so I'm still interested in help from others, this really should be a community effort.
Help is very welcome with content, development (also for a related Raspberry Pi idea I have for years!) and sponsorships/advertisers (currently carrying a big part of the costs myself).

That way I hope we can add many more years to this site and celebrate the next big birthday

Cheers!

Bart / DiscoFreq

Effects Database

Weekly overview (2026, week 11): 3 new pedals

3 new effects

1 new article

SoloDallas CD65 CompanDrive 65 - Compander / Overdrive / Boost

Catalinbread CB Paint - '90s Digital Reverb

Last week's top 20 videos (2026, week 10)

Top 20 videos last week (March 1-7)

Weekly overview (2026, week 10): 7 new pedals

7 new effects

1 new article

Baltimore Sonic Research Institute Radical Conversion - Discrete Opamp Distortion

Puremagnetik JOTS - Dual Track Wanderer

ModTone SE-Stomp Sound Exciter

Eleca Amplified Talkbox II

EarthQuaker Devices Towers - Stereo Reverberant Filter

Last week's top 20 videos (2026, week 09)

Top 20 videos last week (February 22-28)

Sonulab StompStation Pro

20 years of Effects Database!