A DIY mod that buffers the audio signal and offers up to 14 dB of gain.
Chicago, IL (March 16, 2020) -- They say it’s the “Mother Of All Volume Pedal Mods.” Zeppelin Design Labs in Chicago has released a makeover mod for your Ernie Ball VP Jr. Pull out the scratchy pot and broken string and replace them with a magnet and a Hall effect sensor. Together they detect treadle movement without using any mechanical parts. A microcontroller uses the position data to control a pair of optocouplers to alter the volume of the audio signal, all while retaining a pure analog signal path. This mod also buffers the audio signal and offers up to 14dB of gain. You can build the mod from scratch from an affordable DIY kit (intermediate soldering skills required); or get the mod assembled and ready for you to install into your Ernie Ball VP Jr with not much more than a screw driver; or send in your pedal and the folks at Zeppelin will mod it for you.
“The string in my Ernie Ball once broke in the middle a show,” says Brach Siemens, designer of the VPM1. “I promised myself that night that someday I’d develop a solid-state solution – I never want that to happen again.”
By controlling the all-analog signal path digitally, Zeppelin Design Labs was able to incorporate some incredible features into this mod:
- Choose from five different volume taper curves: linear, two logarithmic curves, and two reverse logarithmic curves.
- Set the maximum- and minimum-volume points to any position along the treadle movement for fully custom response.
Reversible treadle action. And if all that is not enough for you, there are even two optional upgrades:
- The Expression upgrade equips your VPM-1 to act as an expression control, compatible with a wide range effects pedals.
- The Stereo upgrade can be configured for either traditional stereo mode or panning configuration.
The DIY kit starts at just $69. The pre--assembled mod starts at $120. Full service mods start at $165.
The VPM-1 is available direct from www.zeppelindesignlabs.com, and also on Reverb, Etsy and Amazon.
Watch the company's video demo:
For more information:
Zeppelin Design Labs
A hybrid analog/digital harmonic tremolo packing many modulation manipulation options.
RatingsPros:Many customization options. Nicely made. Cons: Mono only. Street: $189 Zeppelin Design Labs Quaverato zeppelindesignlabs.com | Tones:  Ease of Use: Build/Design:  Value: |
The term “harmonic tremolo” usually refers to the trem’ effect in Fender’s early-’60s brownface amps. Most tremolos process your entire signal via one electronic path. But brownface-style harmonic trem’ employs two tube-driven circuits: one to process lows and another for highs. The signals are out of phase with each other, producing uniquely thick, textured tremolo/vibrato with a subtle phase-shifted quality.
Fender abandoned harmonic tremolo in favor of the iconic single-tube trem of their blackface amps. But the old sound swirls anew in many contemporary guitar effects, both analog and digital.
Analog Where It Matters
The Quaverato, from Zeppelin Design Labs, takes a hybrid analog/digital approach to generating harmonic tremolo tones. The audio path is entirely analog. Meanwhile, a microcontroller regulates the response of the optocouplers that produce the pulsation. It’s a smart solution that lets the Quaverato mimic both its namesake harmonic tremolo and conventional trem’, while providing ample tone-shaping options.
And man, are there options! In addition to the usual rate and depth controls, an independent boost stage provides up to ±15 dB of gain—a welcome feature, since you often need a level boost to avoid a sense of energy loss when you click on a trem pedal.
A phase switch lets you toggle between the phasey harmonic tremolo sound and conventional trem’. You can choose from five modulating waveforms: the traditional triangle wave, a smooth sine wave, a choppy square wave, and ascending and descending ramps. You can even control the modulation’s duty cycle—that is, the relative length of time the sweep lingers at the waveform’s peaks and troughs. That way, you can emphasize or deemphasize the effect’s volume cuts.
Mix and Match
There are more clever controls: A harmonic mix knob alters the relative depth of the high- and low-frequency modulation. (The traditional sound is 50/50.) You might, for example, choose a dramatically swirly sound for high frequencies and an understated setting for lows.
Additional knobs and switches reside within the Quaverato’s shiny, BB-sized steel enclosure. A pair of tiny trimpots specifies the relative levels of the high and low signals, while a set of DIP switches allows you to specify the cutoff frequency between the bass and treble circuits.
The Quaverato has a tap-tempo switch, plus a multiplier knob that lets you generate a variety of time values from a steady quarter-note tap. (A pulsing LED indicates the current tempo.) Another cool feature is a momentary setting for the activation footswitch. You can opt to have the effect remain active only as long as the switch is depressed.
Zeppelin also offers a MIDI-equipped version of the pedal for $49 above the $189 base price. Our review model doesn’t include this feature, but, theoretically, it would allow you to synchronize the Quaverato’s pulse with external devices, such as DAWs and drum machines. The Quaverato runs on standard 9V power supplies and has no battery compartment.
DIY-not?
Zeppelin also offers the Quaverato as an $89 DIY kit (or $108 with the MIDI options). I didn’t receive a review kit, but based on a glimpse at of the pedal’s guts, it looks like a fun project. The layout is lucid. The design employs large-format, easy-to-wrangle through-hole components. I probably wouldn’t recommend this as your first-ever build. (Maybe a nice, bonehead fuzz?) But anyone who’s successfully built a couple of pedals could handle this.
My first demo clip showcases some of the Quaverato’s tones. It does a fine simulation of amp-style harmonic tremolo, complete with its signature phase-shifted character.
The Verdict
Quaverato delivers an attractive two-band tremolo effect along with more conventional tones. Its array of external and internal controls provides much tone-shaping power. Despite the lack of tubes and the presence of a modern microprocessor, it’s period-accurate with a rich, retro attitude. And the price is right for a boutique stompbox handmade in the U.S.
The Quaverato features a digitally controlled analog signal path and is available as a kit for DIY aficionados.
Chicago, IL (August 13, 2018) -- Zeppelin Design Labs of Chicago has released the Quaverato Harmonic Tremolo guitar pedal. The Quaverato combines many features to make a great sounding, versatile, and practical tremolo pedal at an attractive price. Available ready-to-use or as a DIY kit.
- Digitally controlled, all-analog signal path, combining maximum flexibility with great tone
- Relay controlled true-bypass switching scheme
- Harmonic or traditional tremolo modes
- Up to 15dB of boost available
- Harmonic Mix function applies modulation to to high and low frequencies independently
- User-adjustable crossover frequencies for custom tone, suitable for electric and bass guitar
- Plus all the usual features you expect in a classy tremolo pedal
The Quaverato open-source control code was developed in the Arduino environment. Users can modify the code and flash it to the Quaverato for customized performance.
The Quaverato is available from Reverb, Etsy, Amazon or direct from Zeppelin Design Labs.
Additional Quaverato Features:
- MIDI Control mod available late 2018
- Adjustable LFO wave shape, rate, depth, and spacing
- Tempo multiplier allows for easy access to half time, double time, or triplet tempos
- Bypass footswitch can function either in toggle or momentary mode
- Tap tempo footswitch for setting tempos quickly and easily
- Rugged 18 gauge steel chassis
$89 DIY Kit - $189 Ready-to-Play
Zeppelin Design Labs in Chicago is the maker of the Percolator 2W Tube Amp, Macchiato Mini Synth, Altura MIDI Theremin, and other musical devices. All products are available as DIY kits or ready-to-play.
Watch the company's video demo:
For more information:
Zeppelin Design Labs
