REVIEWS
their ranges. High-resonance settings
offer fun variations on funky auto-filter
effects or bubbling-cauldron animation.
All-wet mix settings generate useful
dynamic vibrato effects. With the rate
knob below noon, the modulation rate
increases when you play harder. With
the knob set above noon, louder playing
triggers slower modulation. There are
many attractive phaser tones here, and
they all feel musical and expressive.
complex sweeps you can get from a dualstage phaser pedal such as a Lovepedal
Doppelganger or a Walrus Vanguard.
In all three modes, I found it
incredibly easy to create compelling
sounds. It only took a couple of seconds
to dial in all the tones in the three audio
clips that accompany the online version
of this review. La Calavera strikes a
splendid balance between versatility and
ease of use.
Loco Motion
Loco mode is La Calavera’s biggest
break from traditional phased sounds.
Here, the tweak knob sets the feedback
amount, as in suave mode. But this
time the signal gets fed through a subtle
ring modulator. Naturally, the sounds
are more chaotic, but not necessarily in
the clangorous, metallic way you might
expect when you hear the words “ring
modulator.” It still sounds “phase-y,”
but the interaction between the two
modulation stages feels a lot like the
The Verdict
La Calavera may be digital, but it sounds
and operates like a great analog phaser.
It strikes a savvy compromise between
power and simplicity. It’s no more
difficult to use than, say, a vintage Boss
phaser, but its tonal range is far greater.
Someone spent a lot of time dialing in
deliciously musical ranges and tapers for
all the controls. And you can concoct
cool sounds in seconds. La Calavera
looks rad and the price is fair. It’s already
enshrined in my phaser hall of fame.
SET and FORGET
CLICK HERE TO HEAR this pedal.
Alexander La Calavera
$189 street
alexanderpedals.com
Tones
Ease of Use
Build/Design
Value
PROS Great classic phase sounds.
Perfectly calibrated envelope-follower
mode. Wild-and-wooly dual-modulator
tones. Easy to use. Fun graphics.
CONS None.
Tools and parts
for working on
your guitar
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