Crazy Tube Circuits announces Sidekick Jr compact delay, reverb and modulation pedal
August 21, 2024 · 2 sources
Crazy Tube Circuits announced the Sidekick Jr, a compact version of its 2019 Sidekick, in September 2023. MusicRadar reported the pedal on September 19, 2023, describing it as "a compact version called the Sidekick Jr" with "even more algorithms and DSP power than big bro"1.
The Sidekick Jr combines delay, reverb and modulation in one enclosure. Delicious Audio describes it as "a 3-in-one stompbox that (quite remarkably) combines delay, reverb and modulation into one compact enclosure"2. It carries six reverb modes, three modulation types and two delays, all inspired by effects from the 1980s2. The algorithms, in routing order, are:
| Section | Algorithms |
|---|---|
| Modulation | Dimension (voiced after the BOSS DC-2), Flanger, Ensemble (voiced after the BOSS CE-5)2 |
| Delay | Tape, Digital ('80s inspired)2 |
| Reverb | Spring, Gated, Hall, Plate, Shimmer, Exciter2 |
The reverb modes are split into two banks. Bank A holds plate, spring and hall; Bank B holds gated, exciter and shimmer2. MusicRadar reports the reverb section is doubled from the original Sidekick, and that the modulation algorithms move from two to three1.
The pedal has two footswitches. The delay and reverb sections operate independently, and the modulation can be assigned to either footswitch2. With the optional XT footswitch, sold separately, the modulation section becomes fully independent and can be switched on and off on its own in true bypass2. Delicious Audio reports the Jr. drops the original's modulation footswitch and its headphone output, along with switches and outputs for DI signal, cab simulation, ground lift and levels2. MusicRadar also reports the removal of the speaker sim DI and headphone output1. According to Delicious Audio, the pedal is more than 50% smaller than the original and has almost twice as many algorithms2. MusicRadar reports an internal switch for true or buffered bypass with reverb tails1.
A power-up bypass/engage preset function lets players choose the state the pedal enters when power is connected2.
"The perfect companion now comes in a smaller package - meet Sidekick JR !"
US pricing was not given in the published material.