Versatility is, without a doubt, one of the biggest concerns that guitarists have. The last few decades have seen major additions to the gear world, with high focus on giving the player the most sounds with the best tone possible in the smallest amount of space, and trying to keep that balance. Sometimes, the gear fires on all cylinders, with each feature sounding distinct and usable. At other times the product is congested with so many bells and whistles that the tone chokes on its own multi-facted hubris. We’ve all been there, getting that latest and greatest, all-in-one device that does everything, only to realize later that it doesn’t do any one thing extremely well. Canada’s own Kilpatrick Audio has taken the multi-feature concept and merged it with compact pedal design, releasing four dual-function devices that cover a good range of modulation effects. Each has dual mono outputs to provide a stereo effect, noise-free bypass, and all are hand-built using quality components in their home nation of Canada
Echo Centric
(Echo with Stereo Syncopation)
Download Example 1 Standard Echo | |
Download Example 2 Syncopate Mode | |
Clips recorded with a Gretsch G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary guitar into a Quidley 22, using a Sennheiser e609 and a Rode NT1 into Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP, using Logic Studio. |
Buy if...
stereo syncopation is the name of your echo game.
Skip if...
you want the densest delay you can get.
Rating...
Street $249 - Kilpatrick Audio - kilpatrickaudio.com |
Chora Lush
(Rich Chorus with Reverb)
Download Example 1 Fast Chorus | |
Download Example 2 Reverb | |
Clips recorded with a Gretsch G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary guitar into a Quidley 22, using a Sennheiser e609 and a Rode NT1 into Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP, using Logic Studio. |
Buy if...
you want your chorus and reverb in one stompbox.
Skip if...
you want to run only one of the effects through an effects loop.
Rating...
Street $249 - Kilpatrick Audio - kilpatrickaudio.com |
Lush Puppy
(Stereo Reverb with Delay)
Download Example 1 Reverb with Delay Size Switch - Small | |
Clips recorded with a Gretsch G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary guitar into a Quidley 22, using a Sennheiser e609 and a Rode NT1 into Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP, using Logic Studio. |
Buy if...
you want to create the sound of vast expanses.
Skip if...
you’re a complete sucker for spring reverb.
Rating...
Street $249 - Kilpatrick Audio - kilpatrickaudio.com |
Vibro Man
(Touch-Sensitive Tremolo, Vibrato and Vibrating Filter)
Download Example 1 Filter Mode | |
Download Example 2 Vibrato Mode | |
Clips recorded with a Gretsch G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary guitar into a Quidley 22, using a Sennheiser e609 and a Rode NT1 into Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP, using Logic Studio. |
Buy if...
you have a desire for a vibrato with a huge range of tones.
Skip if...
a simple, one trick vibrato is in order.
Rating...![]()
Street $249 - Kilpatrick Audio - kilpatrickaudio.com |
The Final Mojo
Kilpatrick Audio’s four releases are all very impressive, with the Vibro Man certainly being the stellar standout. Each has its own weakness, but their strengths far outweigh anything that I could find—in every aspect from the excellent tone to dual outputs on each unit, to the easy access battery door— note to pedal manufacturers: it’s 2010... every pedal should have a door like this, or something equivalent. Apart from the Vibro Man’s ability to create otherworldly filtering, all are very complimentary to the guitar tone, sitting very nicely as a backdrop to the core dry signal. I was thoroughly impressed by how well the original tone stayed intact when the pedals were engaged.