The Broughton Audio Dream Crusher is a lo-fi bitcrusher effect pedal: it continuously degrades the sample quality of whatever you feed it, taking a clean instrument signal from a ring modulator-like shimmer down to lo-fi square wave synth tones. Broughton Audio designed it for bass, guitar and keys alike, and it is an analog circuit with a true bypass switch1.
What it does to your sound
A bitcrusher works by reducing the resolution of the signal, and the Dream Crusher does it continuously rather than in steps. At lower settings, Broughton Audio says the effect is similar to a ring modulator. As the effect is increased, the signal is crushed further, ending in lo-fi square wave synth tones1. Because the effect is polyphonic and covers the full audio frequency spectrum, it handles chords and full-range material rather than only single notes1.
The controls
There are only two knobs, and between them they cover the whole range of the effect1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Crush | Continuously reduces the sample quality of the input signal: lower settings are similar to a ring modulator, higher settings go down to lo-fi square wave synth tones1 |
| Level | Varies from off to +20dB, with unity gain at noon1 |
The Level control's +20dB of boost means the pedal can push a signal well above unity when you want the crushed tone to stand out, and the noon position is the reference point for matching bypassed volume1.
Power
The Dream Crusher requires a 9V DC power supply, which is not included, and it cannot run on a battery. The supply should be a standard Boss style connector with center negative polarity, and the current draw is approximately 50 mA. Broughton Audio also notes the pedal can accept up to 24V with no change in audio performance1.
There is no battery option: the pedal requires a 9V DC power supply (not included)1.
Availability
Broughton Audio states plainly that the design is archived and is not in current production1. The pedal sits among other synth-flavored effects covered on the site's Synth Pedals page.
Questions
Is the Broughton Audio Dream Crusher still in production?
No. Broughton Audio lists the Dream Crusher as an archived design that is not in current production, so it only turns up secondhand or in remaining dealer stock. The maker's product page, which carries the full specifications and the US$170.00 list price, is dated 26 October 2026 and states plainly that the design is archived.
Does the Dream Crusher have true bypass?
Yes. Broughton Audio states that the Dream Crusher has a true bypass switch, so when the pedal is off the input connects straight to the output and the circuit is out of the signal path entirely.
Can the Dream Crusher run on a battery?
No. The pedal requires a 9V DC power supply, which is not included, and there is no battery option. The supply should use a standard Boss style connector with center negative polarity, and the current draw is approximately 50 mA.
Does the Dream Crusher work with bass and keyboards?
Yes. Broughton Audio says the pedal takes pleasure in crushing the tone of bass, guitar, and keys alike, and because the effect is polyphonic and covers the full audio frequency spectrum, it tracks anything you feed it rather than needing a monophonic input.
Is the Dream Crusher polyphonic?
Yes. Broughton Audio describes the effect as polyphonic and covering the full audio frequency spectrum, which is why it works on chords, bass lines and keyboard parts without the tracking problems some pitch-based designs have.
Sources (1)
- Dream Crusher, Broughton Audio
