The Berserker Electronics Aquanaut is a compact delay/echo pedal built in the USA and priced at $129 as of Premier Guitar's July 2025 review1. It is a digital delay designed to sound like an analog one: designer James Millican uses analog filtering at the input and output, and the repeats come from a PT2399 digital chip, an inexpensive and abundant device originally conceived for karaoke machines1. Pedal of the Day describes the processing as analog-voiced digital, producing rich, smooth repeats2.
What it sounds like
Pedal of the Day's reviewer found the Aquanaut delivers "a smooth, analog-inspired tone with subtle, crystalline repeats that fade beautifully into the background," and noted it can also produce "a subtle reverb/ambient effect with repeats that sit behind the dry signal"2. Premier Guitar's reviewer heard "an appealing analog-like toastiness that, apart from the absence of clock noise, could fool experienced analog" delay users, describing warm and contoured repeats with haze1.
The analog character is engineered rather than incidental. Premier Guitar explains that "digital devices aspiring to analog-ness usually accomplish this with little EQ tweaks elsewhere in the chain," and that Millican pushed the PT2399 beyond its usual 300ms maximum repeat time spec, which introduced some distortion to the repeats1. There is also a diode limiter before the delay chip1.
Controls
The Aquanaut keeps things simple with three knobs2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Delay Time | Sets the delay time, up to 600ms for versatile, extended echoes2 |
| Feedback | Sets the number and level of repeats2 |
| Blend | Sets the mix between dry signal and echoes2 |
Premier Guitar's reviewer noted that "everyone can appreciate the generously proportioned and easy-to-manipulate blend and delay knobs"1. One caveat for players who like self-oscillation tricks: the reviewer found "you might find the Aquanaut's controls feel a little uptight compared to true BBD effects" when using oscillation at high mix and repeat levels1. BBD refers to bucket brigade devices, the analog delay chips used in vintage pedals.
Where it came from and what it costs
Premier Guitar's review says the circuit was inspired in part by the analog Way Huge Aqua-Puss and Boss DM-2, two well-known analog delays1. At $129, the review positions it against analog rivals: "At $129, the Aquanaut is just $20 less than the genuine bucket brigade MXR Carbon Copy"1. Premier Guitar's December 2025 buying guide also lists it as "the affordable, U.S.-built Aquanaut"3.
Players who use oscillation at high mix and repeat levels should know that Pedal of the Day's reviewer found "you might find the Aquanaut's controls feel a little uptight compared to true BBD effects"1.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Jack Fossett Guitar
Pair of Pandas
Questions
Is the Berserker Aquanaut analog or digital?
It is a digital delay voiced to sound analog. Premier Guitar's review explains that designer James Millican uses analog filtering at the input and output, and Pedal of the Day describes its processing as analog-voiced digital, producing rich, smooth repeats. The repeats come from a PT2399 digital chip rather than a bucket brigade device, but the filtering gives the repeats an analog-style character.
Who designed the Berserker Aquanaut?
The Aquanaut was designed by James Millican, according to Premier Guitar's review. The same review notes the circuit was inspired in part by two classic analog delays, the Way Huge Aqua-Puss and the Boss DM-2, and that Millican pushed the PT2399 chip beyond its usual 300ms maximum repeat time spec to reach the Aquanaut's longer delay times.
What chip does the Berserker Aquanaut use?
The Aquanaut uses the PT2399, an inexpensive and abundant digital chip originally conceived for karaoke machines, as Premier Guitar's review puts it. Premier Guitar's buying guide adds that the chip delivers analog haze despite its digital nature. Berserker pairs it with analog filtering at the input and output and a diode limiter before the delay chip.
How long is the Aquanaut's maximum delay time?
Pedal of the Day's review gives a maximum delay time of up to 600ms for versatile, extended echoes. That is well beyond the PT2399 chip's usual 300ms maximum repeat time spec, which Premier Guitar notes required pushing the chip and introduced some distortion to the repeats, part of the pedal's analog-like character.
Where is the Berserker Aquanaut made?
The Aquanaut is built in the USA. Premier Guitar's review calls it a well-made, USA-built pedal, and Premier Guitar's buying guide likewise describes it as the affordable, U.S.-built Aquanaut.
How much does the Berserker Aquanaut cost?
Premier Guitar's July 2025 review lists the Aquanaut at $129. The review puts that price in context by noting it is just $20 less than the genuine bucket brigade MXR Carbon Copy, positioning the Aquanaut as an inexpensive alternative among analog-style delays.
Sources (3)
- Berserker Electronics Aquanaut Review, Premier Guitar, 2025-07-29
- Berserker Electronics Aquanaut Delay/Echo, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2025-04-05
- The Year In Gear 2025, Premier Guitar, 2025-11-07
