Dreadbox Effects Pedals

D
readbox are
expanding their
range of synths
(Nymphes and
Typhon) and
Eurorack modules
with a set of fi ve
stompboxes, four of which are
currently available. All four pedals
reviewed here share control layouts
and three (all analogue) sport a trio of
CV in/outs for integration into modular
setups as well as with other CV
capable pedals. The odd one out,
Darkness, is a digital pitchshifting
negative supplies and do not offer a
battery powering option.
Kinematic
Kinematic is a band-boosting VCA
compressor and envelope fi lter. The
two modes are switchable above the
Envelope knob, which is responsible
for the ratio “factor” in compressor
mode and auto-wah depth in
envelope fi lter mode. In compressor
mode, the band boost frequency
range is wide, taking in everything
from sub-bass to airy whistlings.
Parking the Filter control at its lowest
point keeps the band boost clear of
most sources’ audible range, allowing
the Kinematic to act solely as a
compressor. For heavy bass it’s worth
parking at the other end of the dial to
avoid woofer blowing or distortion.
The compression effect can crush
percussive sources to a pulp, but it’s
also easily set to put a juicy squeeze
on guitars, beats and bass. Bringing
the Filter control into play can be
shocking if unprepared for a heavy
lift, especially in the low end, but
with some lightness of touch it’s
simple to lift part of an instrument’s
range and then hammer it back down
with compression. There is plenty of
makeup gain to pull the fl attened
signal back off the fl oor, but
Kinematic also has one more trick up
its sleeve before breaking out the
envelope fi ltering.
The Drive knob wheels in a diode
clipping stage after the band boost/
fi lter and compress stages. In small
amounts, it will add bite to a drum
line or growl to the front end of an
attack-heavy synth, and as it’s rolled
in, harder basses can bathe in a fuzzy
glow while high guitar lines can get a
little Isley lead magic.
Flipping to the envelope fi lter
mode turns the compression into the
shaper for a 12dB/oct lowpass fi lter.
Instantly it’s a Bootsy world, and yes,
Dreadbox are 100% correct in
recommending this for bass guitar.
Despite there being no resonance
control, the fi ltering effect can be
easily set to either tickle the highs or
go full auto-wah. The speed is
relatively slow so it won’t track a high
tempo ‘wukka-wukka’ rhythm guitar
part hit for hit. It does lather the
source in... errr... sauce in a way not
dissimilar to a Mutron III on its
low-pass ‘up’ setting. The Filter
control, again, has a healthy sweep
range to allow for any number of
tone-shaping duties.
The CV jacks provide external
control of the Filter and Level
parameters as well as sending out the
envelope generator signal over a hefty
7V range. These enhance the
Kinematic’s utility and creativity.
Komorebi
This analogue BBD fl anger/chorus
can sit still as a comb fi lter at one
end of the Amount dial, whilst at the
other its three waveform (ramp up/
down and triangle) LFO is modulating
the signal into extreme contortions.
Between these two points is a rich
shimmer delay which features stereo
I/O and processing. The jacks are
rear-mounted, good for desktop use,
ie bunching them up close to
maximise space and hands-on range.
The enclosures are relatively light, but
they’ll easily withstand the rigours of
most players’ footwork when on the
fl oor. The footswitches have been
sensibly selected to be hand or
(socked/bare) foot operable without
too much force, which is essential for
the modular/desktop users. On a fi nal
general note, the Dreadbox effects are
powered by standard 9VDC centre
THE PROS & CONS
+
Wide ranges across
all parameters for
maximum creativity
CV inputs and
outputs for more
fl exible modular/
synth/pedal setups
Simple control
structure with plenty
of space for hands-
on playability
-
Darkness is a little
noisy even in bypass
No CV for Darkness
Dreadbox Effects Pedals | Reviews
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