ThorpyFX Debuts the Pulse Doppler Analog Phaser

May 27, 2021 · 8 sources

ThorpyFX announced the Pulse Doppler, a fully analog multi-mode phaser that also covers vibrato and pulsating tremolo, with an official release date of May 27, 2021. The pedal shipped the same day it was announced, at a price of $376¹².

The Pulse Doppler is a reworked and refreshed version of the Lovetone Doppelganger, the much sought-after phaser/vibrato of the 1990s, and ThorpyFX describes it as a MKII of that circuit³⁴⁵. The maker's own words on the product page:

It is also the first ThorpyFX design since Dan Coggins, the designer behind the original Doppelganger, became a full-time member of the company⁶.

The pedal carries five rotary controls: Depth, Rate, Blend, Enhance and Manual⁶. Two toggle switches select between five modes, including Bi-Directional (figure of 8) and Dual Phasing⁶. The enclosure is engineered with recessed knobs, a sloped front and top mounted jacks, built to be robust but functional⁵.

Early details from the announcement:

• Fully analog phaser circuit, a MKII of the Lovetone Doppelganger⁵⁶
• Five rotary controls: Depth, Rate, Blend, Enhance, Manual⁶
• Five selectable modes via two toggle switches, including Bi-Directional (figure of 8) and Dual Phasing⁶
• Recessed knobs, sloped front, top mounted jacks⁵
• Available immediately at launch, priced $376²

MusicRadar reported the pedal as available now at launch, priced in the UK at £264.99⁷. Later reviews found the controls wide ranging: Guitar.com's reviewer noted that cranking the Enhance knob can bring "pew-pew synth effects", and that the depth control needs careful management, with modulation vanishing below one o'clock and getting motorboaty beyond three⁸.