The Area 51 Alienist is a hand-wired voicing boost pedal from Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, designed to drive a tube amp. Rather than a straight level boost, it shapes how the signal sits in the amp: a six-position Voicing selector and a unique inductor-based resonant filter set the character, and a switch selects between NOS germanium and silicon transistors. The maker listed it at $269 USD plus shipping in 20201. It sits in the wider family of boost pedals, but its filter section puts it closer in spirit to a fixed wah than to a clean volume push.
What it does to your sound
Area 51 describes the Alienist as a voicing boost built to drive a tube amp, topped off with an inductor-based resonant filter circuit1. The Voicing control is a six-position selector, alongside a Volume knob12. Engaging the filter side, via the Norm/Res switch, activates that resonant filter circuit. Pedal of the Day's reviewer described what it does: "This activates a special resonant filter circuit, which drops the gain just a titch, and creates a tone similar of that to a fixed wah - but without the noise"2. In other words, it dips the signal into a resonant peak the way a wah parked in one spot would, without the sweep or the hiss.
The pedal is built around audiophile-grade resistors and capacitors, which the maker says keeps the noise floor low2. Pedal of the Day characterized the pedal overall as "responsive, warm and character-shaping"2.
Transistors: germanium or silicon
A switch on the pedal selects between two transistor types, both visible through a glass lens in the enclosure12:
- NOS germanium: low gain, the vintage-flavored option1
- Silicon: described by the maker as special low gain silicon; Pedal of the Day heard it as the higher-gain side of the pair12
Pedal of the Day put it this way: "You also have the choice between two transistors: NOS Germanium or higher-gain Silicon, which add different flavors into" the sound2. The pedal is fully analog1.
Build and hardware
The Alienist is hand-wired throughout. Area 51 describes it as built to last, with top shelf components chosen for low noise and tone1. The input and output are hand-wired Switchcraft #11 jacks, the same type used in vintage Fender amps1. Pedal of the Day noted the see-through bubble that lets you look directly into the guts of the copper-toned enclosure2.
The maker's page describes the pedal as hand-wired, and these are small-batch builds. The $269 USD price is as listed by the maker in 2020, plus shipping1.
Versions: Tele-style knobs and the redesigned board
There are two recognizable versions of the Alienist. As of May 2020, the maker described the differences: earlier pedals had Tele style knobs, while newer versions changed the knobs, redesigned the circuit board, added two more LEDs, and changed the silicon transistor to a lower gain type1. If you are comparing used units, the knob style is the quickest way to tell them apart, and the newer silicon transistor is the lower gain of the two.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the pedal on 3 June 2020, covering the voicing switch, the resonant filter, the transistor options and the build. The reviewer closed by crediting "Dan and all at Area 51 Tube Audio Designs on a killer booster"2.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Area 51 Alienist true bypass?
Yes. Area 51 Tube Audio Designs describes the Alienist as having low noise true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes to the amp without the circuit in the way. The maker pairs that with hand-wired Switchcraft #11 jacks, the same type used in vintage Fender amps, and audiophile-grade resistors and capacitors for a low noise floor.
Does the Alienist use germanium or silicon transistors?
Both, and you can switch between them. The pedal carries low gain NOS germanium and special low gain silicon transistors, visible through a glass lens in the enclosure. Pedal of the Day describes the two as adding different flavors, with the silicon side being the higher-gain option. In newer versions the silicon transistor was changed to a lower gain type.
How much does the Area 51 Alienist cost?
Area 51 Tube Audio Designs listed the Alienist at $269 USD plus shipping on its product page in 2020. It is a hand-wired pedal, so availability can vary; the maker's page presented it as a direct purchase with shipping added to the price.
What is a voicing boost pedal?
A voicing boost is a boost pedal that does more than raise level: it shapes the character of the signal on the way to the amp. The Alienist does this with a six-position voicing selector and an inductor-based resonant filter, and it is designed to drive a tube amp into its own natural response rather than add distortion of its own.
Are the jacks on the Alienist hand-wired?
Yes. The maker states the pedal uses hand-wired Switchcraft #11 jacks for its input and output, the same jack type found in vintage Fender amps. The hand-wiring extends to the build overall, which Area 51 describes as built to last with top shelf components for low noise.
Sources (2)
- The Alienist, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Area 51 The Alienist Voicing Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2020-06-04
