MOD Devices Announces the MOD Dwarf

August 20, 2021 · 6 sources

MOD Devices announced the MOD Dwarf, a standalone modular audio processor that lets you build custom pedalboards, load plugins, patch effects, and chain synths and loopers, all in a compact stompbox format¹. The company described it as bringing "the convenience and toughness of a standalone device in a compact, gig friendly footprint," and said it delivers "a sound that is rich and diverse, the Dwarf unlocks creative potential, with a near infinite approach to sound"². MOD Devices called it a gamechanger for modern musicians and DJs².

The Dwarf is an evolution of the company's earlier MOD Duo and MOD Duo X, running mostly the same software on a custom Linux distribution with a full DSP platform, and it was crowdfunded in 2020 before launching in 2021³. Sonic State reported that MOD Devices positioned it as easier to use, more powerful and more compact than the Duo, and more affordable at the same time⁴. Synthtopia listed the launch price at $499 USD internationally⁵.

On its surface the Dwarf carries¹:

• 3 soft-touch momentary footswitches, each with an RGB LED
• 3 rotate-and-click endless encoders with knurled metal knobs
• A 2.9 inch LCD display
• Four hands-free operating modes: Pedalboard Navigation, Snapshot Navigation, Individual Controls, and Tools¹

Pedalboard Navigation mode changes your entire setup on the fly, Snapshot Navigation switches between snapshots of a pedalboard, Individual Controls mode tweaks single parameters with precision, and Tools mode reaches utilities such as the tuner and tempo tool¹.

Inside, the unit runs a quad-core ARM A35 processor at 1.3GHz with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of eMMC storage, and it comes pre-loaded with a number of pedalboard setups¹³. Connections include dual 6.35mm TRS inputs with gain configurable from -12dB to +35dB, dual TRS outputs that can run balanced or unbalanced, 3.5mm TRS MIDI type-A in and out, USB, and a headphone output¹⁶. Power comes from a 12VDC 2A supply through a 5.5 x 2.1 x 10mm barrel connector, and the unit measures 202mm x 105mm x 54mm and weighs 800 grams¹.