Vahlbruch releases updated Octavia V2 fuzz pedal

March 9, 2023 · 2 sources

Vahlbruch has released the Octavia V2, an updated version of its octave-up fuzz pedal, the maker announced. Delicious Audio reported the update on March 9, 2023¹.

The Octavia V2 is a handmade, fully analog pedal built in Germany in the style of the Tychobrahe Octavia, using a special transformer with downstream clipping diodes²¹. The V2 replaces the germanium diodes of the first version with Schottky diodes; Delicious Audio notes that v1 used new old stock germanium ones¹. Vahlbruch says the Schottky parts are "much more stable in value than Germanium diodes"². A toggle switch selects between OctaFuzz and Fuzz mode, the latter removing the octave-up effect, with the Gain knob setting fuzz intensity in that mode²¹. The new Edge control adjusts treble and harmonic content; Vahlbruch says that fully turned up, the frequency response matches the V1 version².

The MagTraB footswitch uses a magnet inside the button whose position is read by a sensor on the circuit board, with a microcontroller driving a gold-plated relay for the audio switching². Vahlbruch says the design gives "an almost infinite number of switching cycles - many, many millions" and switches without mechanical clicks². The pedal can be set to power up in either on or bypass state²¹. It is true bypass²¹.

The US list price is $249². Vahlbruch lists the pedal for order by email or through Reverb.com².