I've never been one for TB clubs but with the million or so of them floating around, how has IE not already gotten one?
It is a fantastic time to be a pedal junkie, with so many small builders putting out amazing pieces and bigger companies (EHX, MXR, etc) pushing their boundaries and even offering a bunch of bass specific pedals. And yet, even with a world of options available, I find that Taylor's pedals are dominating my pedalboard.
The Xerograph is an amazing 2/4 pole low pass filter that provides super deep dub bass or a perfect swept filter for synthy sounds. And the deluxe version as an envelope follower which has quickly become my absolute favorite filter.
The Oxide is hands down the most versatile and useful fuzz I've ever tried. Gated, synthy sounds, vintage buzz or fat aggressive tones are all in there and easy to dial in.
I can't say enough good things about the FrantaBit. It's a true digital sample rate reducer/bitcrusher that can also do the ring moddy, analog version of sample rate reduction with a flick of a switch. And all of the expression options are very well thought out. I've told Taylor a few times that he absolutely hit a homerun with the FrantaBit's features and control setup.
The Nimbus is a flat out great, no frills bass reverb. The high pass filter keeps it from soundy muddy in a mix and the controls are simple but hugely effective. To me the most amazing part about the Nimbus is that Taylor designed and implemented his own algorithm for it. In a sea of reverbs using off the shelf DSP units it's pretty amazing to see a small builder with both digital and analog skills like what is on display with Iron Ether products.
I don't own a Cygnet but have had a chance to try one out. I think very highly of the Empress Tremolo and I would put the Cygnet on equal footing as they each have their own killer features. For the Cygnet those would be some very cool waveforms (I dig random especially) the width knob to sculpt the waveforms. Most importantly it has a multiplier mod that lets you modify the rate while staying in tempo. So cool. I will be buying one soon.
The only pedal in the IE line that I haven't owned or tried is the QF2. It's an analog, multiband distortion that is tuned either for guitar or bass/keyboards/drums and based on effects wizard Craig Anderton's original Quadrafuzz. I see it and the FEA Labs (another company I respect greatly) Dual Distortion as being the most variable pedals available for sculpting a dirty tone for any occasion.
Best of all with Taylor's pedals they are as compact as possible, often employing top mounted jacks, all with 9V power supplies, the very slick relay based true bypass and of course the awesome aesthetics. I really can't say enough good things about Iron Ether's products.
Just as a note, I have no official connection to Iron Ether other than being a huge fan and having the utmost respect for Taylor's designs and business practices. Above and beyond that I just think he's a great guy and have enjoyed all my communications with him. He's got a vast amount of electronics knowledge and is always courteous and helpful.
So let's give a little love to one of the most innovative effects builders out there today.
It is a fantastic time to be a pedal junkie, with so many small builders putting out amazing pieces and bigger companies (EHX, MXR, etc) pushing their boundaries and even offering a bunch of bass specific pedals. And yet, even with a world of options available, I find that Taylor's pedals are dominating my pedalboard.
The Xerograph is an amazing 2/4 pole low pass filter that provides super deep dub bass or a perfect swept filter for synthy sounds. And the deluxe version as an envelope follower which has quickly become my absolute favorite filter.
The Oxide is hands down the most versatile and useful fuzz I've ever tried. Gated, synthy sounds, vintage buzz or fat aggressive tones are all in there and easy to dial in.
I can't say enough good things about the FrantaBit. It's a true digital sample rate reducer/bitcrusher that can also do the ring moddy, analog version of sample rate reduction with a flick of a switch. And all of the expression options are very well thought out. I've told Taylor a few times that he absolutely hit a homerun with the FrantaBit's features and control setup.
The Nimbus is a flat out great, no frills bass reverb. The high pass filter keeps it from soundy muddy in a mix and the controls are simple but hugely effective. To me the most amazing part about the Nimbus is that Taylor designed and implemented his own algorithm for it. In a sea of reverbs using off the shelf DSP units it's pretty amazing to see a small builder with both digital and analog skills like what is on display with Iron Ether products.
I don't own a Cygnet but have had a chance to try one out. I think very highly of the Empress Tremolo and I would put the Cygnet on equal footing as they each have their own killer features. For the Cygnet those would be some very cool waveforms (I dig random especially) the width knob to sculpt the waveforms. Most importantly it has a multiplier mod that lets you modify the rate while staying in tempo. So cool. I will be buying one soon.
The only pedal in the IE line that I haven't owned or tried is the QF2. It's an analog, multiband distortion that is tuned either for guitar or bass/keyboards/drums and based on effects wizard Craig Anderton's original Quadrafuzz. I see it and the FEA Labs (another company I respect greatly) Dual Distortion as being the most variable pedals available for sculpting a dirty tone for any occasion.
Best of all with Taylor's pedals they are as compact as possible, often employing top mounted jacks, all with 9V power supplies, the very slick relay based true bypass and of course the awesome aesthetics. I really can't say enough good things about Iron Ether's products.
Just as a note, I have no official connection to Iron Ether other than being a huge fan and having the utmost respect for Taylor's designs and business practices. Above and beyond that I just think he's a great guy and have enjoyed all my communications with him. He's got a vast amount of electronics knowledge and is always courteous and helpful.
So let's give a little love to one of the most innovative effects builders out there today.
). I guess I'm just ring mod guy not true bit crushing.
