Introduction
Gamechanger Audio is known for its innovative approach. Thier products, such as the Plasma Pedal and Light Pedal, showcase a distinctive aesthetic that highlights the unconventional components of each pedal in a delightful manner. Their latest offering, the Motor Pedal, continues this trend.
At its core,this electromechanical synth pedal features a genuine brushed DC motor,wich,along with an inductor,”captures the real-world motion of the motor’s spinning coils,converting mechanical energy into a raw electric audio signal.”
To break it down, a DC current is applied through brushes to a component called the commutator, generating a magnetic field that causes the rotor to spin. This spinning motion is then captured by an inductor, producing the electric audio signal utilized by the pedal. I’m simplifying this process, as I’m primarily a guitarist!
The pedal offers MIDI and USB-C connectivity, along with a dedicated “Track” input that allows synchronization of the motor’s speed to an external source if desired. If this input is not used, it defaults to the guitar input.
All of this is presented in a fun, car-themed package. Buckle up as we explore what this pedal can do!
Specifications
- Launch price: £359/$399/€399
- Type: Electromechanical synth pedal
- Controls: Engine, Mod, Shift, Vib/Glide, Release, Clean, Motor, Tone, Drive, Pedal, expression Pedal
- Features: Real brushed DC motor, expression pedal, five synth engines
- Connectivity: ¼” input and output, ¼” Track input and output, MIDI, USB-C
- Bypass: True bypass
- Power: 9V, 500mA, center negative
- dimensions: 100x180x80mm/4″x7.1″x3.2″
- Weight: 2.2lbs/1006g
- Contact: Gamechanger Audio
Construction Quality
Build Quality Rating: ★★★★★
You definately wouldn’t want to drop this on your foot.Weighing in at 2.2 lbs, the solid metal construction gives it a significant feel, complemented by robust controls and an expression pedal that has a pleasing rubberized texture, all contributing to a sense of high quality.
The visuals are captivating, with the spinning motor prominently displayed, illuminated by a striking red light.The black chassis adorned with white stripes reinforces the automotive theme,while modes named Break,Accelerate,and Clutch further enhance this concept. As a racing enthusiast, I find it hard not to appreciate this design.
there are a couple of potential drawbacks to consider. Firstly,the brushed motor has a lifespan of 3000-5000 hours.While that’s a significant amount of playing time, it’s still worth noting. Secondly, the pedal requires 500mA of power, which may exceed the capacity of some pedalboard power supplies without utilizing multiple outputs.
However, Gamechanger assures that the motor is easily replaceable, and there are power supplies like the Fender Engine Room that can accommodate this draw, so it’s essential to verify that your power supply can handle it.
Ease of Use
Usability Rating: ★★★
A unique case where the usability trade-off results in a pedal with genuine character.
In terms of usability, the Motor Pedal presents a mixed experience.Some controls are straightforward, with familiar terms like Vibrato, Glide, and Shift managing modulation, portamento, and pitch effects via intuitive rotary knobs.
However, the naming of certain functions-like Clutch and Drift-adds a playful touch but may leave users uncertain about their actual functions, necessitating some experimentation or manual consultation to fully explore the pedal’s capabilities, including features like “Floor It” that aren’t clearly labeled on the front panel.
Nonetheless, these quirky names enhance the Motor Pedal’s automotive identity, which manny users will find enjoyable. This is a rare instance where the usability trade-off results in a pedal with genuine character.
Audio quality
Audio Quality rating: ★★★★½
As you might expect, the Motor Pedal is far from a conventional guitar pedal. It employs the spinning motor to generate sounds that firmly belong in the guitar synth domain, resulting in rich, thick, and driven synth-like soundscapes that will be a new experience for most guitarists.
This sonic landscape is expansive, featuring five distinct synth engines: Motor, MXD, M-Wave, Coil, and Vocoder. These range from the gritty and aggressive MXD engine to the ethereal smoothness of the M-Wave engine, which offers a delightful floating portamento effect between notes.
The M-wave is my personal favorite, while the Vocoder didn’t quite meet my expectations for vowel sounds. The other engines provide an entertaining array of wild, synthy textures, adjustable through the Tone, Drive, Release, and Mod controls.
The Motor Pedal is not your average guitar pedal.
I find the Tone control especially useful for managing brighter engines like the MXD, while the Drive control helps adjust the intensity, depending on the engine in use. the Release knob allows for a range from a spitty gated sound to infinite sustain.
The Mod control is intriguing as it serves dual purposes. the first half of its range enhances the characteristics of each engine, while the second half, according to Gamechanger Audio, routes “the Motor signal through an analogue multiplier IC, modulated by the Main Input Signal-yielding a variety of complex, gritty textures and effectively ‘fusing’ the two signals.”
This adds an extra layer of aggression to the sounds, enhancing drive and bite. The specific changes vary by mode, but it amplifies the wildness of each engine.
For added movement, the Vibrato/Glide dual-function knob is included. Vibrato introduces a delightful wobble, while Glide enhances the portamento effect between notes, which is particularly enjoyable for single-note lines.
The expression pedal adds a variety of functions to the motor Pedal, selectable via the rotary knob above it. Each mode is inspired by automotive terminology-Accelerated and Brake adjust pitch up and down, Clutch holds a note, Drift activates a Vibrato effect, and Volume operates like a standard volume pedal (though I wish they had maintained the car theme here!).
Applying more pressure on the pedal engages the “Floor It” function, which amplifies the effects of each mode.It pushes pitch changes further, adds chaotic fluctuations to the Drift mode, locks a note in Clutch mode, and adjusts the volume to range between 50% and 100% rather of the usual 0% to 100%.
This feature significantly enhances expressiveness, broadening the sonic possibilities available.
Final Thoughts
Expanding the guitar’s boundaries is the essence of the Motor Pedal.
All these sounds present an intriguing possibility for guitarists. While most of us are accustomed to Tube Screamers and fuzz pedals, the Motor Pedal invites us into the synth realm.
Though,pushing the guitar beyond its conventional limits is precisely what the Motor Pedal excels at. Not only does it achieve this with flair, but it also does so in a stylish manner.
Guitar World Verdict: The Gamechanger Audio Motor Pedal is a tool that propels your guitar into uncharted territories. While it may not be the simplest to navigate, those willing to explore non-traditional sounds and embrace a bit of experimentation will find immense joy in this pedal.
|
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build Quality |
A substantial unit with solid construction,it exudes quality. |
★★★★★ |
|
Usability |
Controls themed around cars are entertaining, but they compromise ease of use. |
★★★ |
|
Audio Quality |
A plethora of wild, synth-like sounds for the adventurous guitarist. |
★★★★½ |
|
Overall |
A sturdy build,otherworldly sounds,and a car-themed aesthetic make the motor Pedal endlessly enjoyable,despite some usability challenges. |
★★★★ |
Alternative Options
Video Demonstrations
Gamechanger Audio
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