The Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse is a tremolo pedal that is also a preamp. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio called it "a high-quality tremolo pedal for the tweaking-inclined," and noted that its Gain circuit can deliver edge-of-breakup, overdriven preamp tones, which is what makes it a preamp as well as a tremolo1. It sits in the territory covered by Tremolo Pedals and Preamp Pedals.
Harmonic and Bias modes
The tremolo circuit is placed after the preamp and has Harmonic and Bias modes voiced after the effects found in vintage tube amps1. The two modes work differently:
- Harmonic mode: the signal's bass and treble frequencies phase in and out of each other to produce a rich and vibey sound1
- Bias mode: adds an extra layer with a long-tailed pair and push-pull amplifier stage that modulates the volume of the entire signal, with the LFO pushing the amplifier into and out of distortion1
The controls
The Lighthouse carries the expected Rate and Intensity knobs for the tremolo circuit, plus tone-shaping and blending controls1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Sets the speed of the tremolo1 |
| Intensity | Sets the depth of the tremolo1 |
| Presence | Tone sculpting1 |
| Tilt EQ | Tone sculpting; together with Presence it allows for a fair amount of sculpting1 |
| Mix | Sets the balance between wet and dry signal1 |
| Mode toggle | Selects the tremolo mode1 |
| LFO shape toggle | Selects 3 LFO shape options: square, sine and triangle1 |
| Subdivision toggle | Selects 3 subdivisions: quarter notes (1x), eighth notes (2x), or triplets (3x)1 |
The two double-function footswitches deal with on/off and Tap Tempo duties, and a momentary Ramp Up/Down effect when held1.
Who makes it, and where
The Lighthouse is hand-built with love and care in Newfoundland, Canada, by Mr. Mark Bennett, who completed his engineering studies at Memorial University1.
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Questions
Does the Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse have tap tempo?
Yes. The Lighthouse's two double-function footswitches handle on/off and Tap Tempo duties, and holding a switch also triggers a momentary Ramp Up/Down effect. Tap tempo is built into the footswitches rather than a separate switch.
What is the difference between Harmonic and Bias tremolo?
In Harmonic mode, the signal's bass and treble frequencies phase in and out of each other to produce a rich and vibey sound. Bias mode adds a long-tailed pair and push-pull amplifier stage that modulates the volume of the entire signal, with the LFO pushing the amplifier into and out of distortion. Both are voiced after the effects found in vintage tube amps.
Who designed the Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse?
The Lighthouse is hand-built by Mark Bennett of Bennett Custom Audio, who completed his engineering studies at Memorial University, in Newfoundland, Canada.
Where is the Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse made?
It is hand-built in Newfoundland, Canada, by Mark Bennett.
What does the subdivision switch do on the Lighthouse?
The subdivision toggle selects three subdivisions for the tremolo: quarter notes (1x), eighth notes (2x), or triplets (3x). A separate toggle selects the LFO shape from square, sine and triangle options.
Sources (1)
- Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse Tremolo, Delicious Audio, 2025-07-22