Dreadbox announces Raindrops hybrid delay, pitch shifter and reverb pedal

September 1, 2022 · 4 sources

Dreadbox announced the Raindrops, a compact stereo pedal that combines delay, pitch shifting and reverb, with a September 2022 release date and a list price of EUR 229¹. The maker calls it "a versatile hybrid delay, pitch shifter, and reverb"².

The pedal runs a hybrid circuit with multiple delay stages and ICs, and offers three algorithms: modulated delay, pitch shifted delay and lush reverb³. A three-way Mode switch selects among them, and each algorithm has one preset memory slot³¹⁴. Delay time runs from 50ms to about 1 second with tap tempo; Dreadbox says that above 700ms the repeats start to become lo-fi and some dirt is added³. The pitch-shifting mode lets the feedback path sit before or after the pitch shifting⁴. Delicious Audio describes the reverb mode as created from cascading delays⁴.

Controls are a large Time knob, a Mix knob for dry/wet balance, a Feedback knob for the number of repeats, and a Control knob whose function changes with the algorithm and the Mode switch position¹. The footswitch turns the effect on and off and works as a shift function button while held². The circuit is analog dry, hybrid delay and digital reverb, with buffered op-amp bypass and true stereo in and out on unbalanced TS 6.4mm jacks². Inputs accept up to 2Vpp². The pedal measures 14 x 10 x 5.6cm, draws 220mA and runs on a 9VDC BOSS-style center-negative 2.1mm supply that is not included².

Gearnews reported the EUR 229 MSRP and a September 2022 ship date¹. Dreadbox's product page lists the pedal at 214.00 EUR excluding VAT and marked out of stock, with shipping in 2-3 working days³. Delicious Audio reported in December 2022 that the Raindrops was shipping, and said it was unveiled at NAMM 2022⁴. The Raindrops is one of the delay pedals in Dreadbox's compact line.