Chase Bliss announces Generation Loss MKII stereo tape pedal

June 1, 2022 · 3 sources

Chase Bliss announced the Generation Loss MKII in June 2022. The maker describes it as a significantly upgraded version of the original Cooper FX pedal, now in stereo¹. The maker calls it "a study of tape in all its forms"².

The pedal has a Model knob that steps through a library of tape machines, each with its own EQ profile, built through frequency analysis of physical hardware including VCRs, dictaphones and toys. A Failure knob gathers what the maker calls the little things that can go wrong, such as snags, drops and wrinkles, and the maker says individual elements can be turned off. Separate Wow and Flutter knobs can be blended or used alone. A Classic dip switch returns the pedal to the sound of the original Generation Loss, which the maker says is "just like you remember it, except in stereo"².

Chase Bliss says the Generation Loss MKII is the first stereo pedal in its classic format, with stereo in and out, mono in and stereo out, and a Spread option that uses the Failure knob to create a malfunctioning stereo image². Delicious Audio reports that MKII mode emulates VHS artifacts more closely and that the pedal has 16 DIP switches on the back³.

The pedal also offers an AUX switch and internal modulation of all its knobs, and Chase Bliss has released a MIDI Controller plugin for it². The maker lists shipping in 1 to 3 business days². Delicious Audio reported in October 2022 that the pedal was shipping³. The original Generation Loss came from Cooper FX, whose founder Tom Majeski joined the Chase Bliss team in 2021 after Cooper FX closed, according to Delicious Audio³.