The Carl Martin Trem O' Vibe is an analog "two in one" pedal that puts a tremolo and a true vibrato in a single enclosure, each with its own independent speed and depth controls. Carl Martin describes it as designed to replicate authentic tube vibrato, with the vibrato side using pitch modulation rather than the volume-based effect many pedals market as vibrato1. For a player, that means one box that covers both ends of the wobble family: volume swells on the tremolo side, pitch movement on the vibrato side, switchable on the fly. It sits alongside other modulation effects such as tremolo pedals and vibrato pedals.
What it does
The two sides work in different ways. Carl Martin explains that the tremolo effect works like a change in volume, while the vibrato works as a change in tone, meaning pitch modulation1. The vibrato is pitched as the more interesting half of the pedal: the company says it uses pitch modulation carefully designed to imitate real tube vibrato sound, not just volume-based tremolo1.
Both effects carry their own set of speed and depth controls, so you can set a slow, shallow tremolo and a faster, deeper vibrato and keep both settings stored at the same time1. The select switch enables instant switching between tremolo and vibrato, which lets you move between the two sounds mid-song without re-dialing knobs1.
The unit also has a built-in regulated power supply, which Carl Martin says enables circuitry of the highest quality with maximum headroom1.
Controls and switching
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tremolo speed and depth | Sets the rate and intensity of the volume modulation1 |
| Vibrato speed and depth | Sets the rate and intensity of the pitch modulation1 |
| Select switch | Switches instantly between tremolo and vibrato1 |
| On switch | Engages or bypasses the unit1 |
The two-switch arrangement is the practical heart of the pedal. The on switch works like any pedal's bypass switch, while the select switch makes the Trem O' Vibe function as two effects in one box, each keeping its own settings1.
Who plays it
Session guitarist Tim Pierce uses the Trem O' Vibe, according to Carl Martin's artist page2.
Videos
Gitar Pazar
DanGuitarSE
DanMusikk.no
Questions
What is the difference between tremolo and vibrato on the Trem O' Vibe?
Tremolo is a change in volume: the signal gets louder and softer at a set rate. Vibrato is a change in pitch, so the note itself wavers. Carl Martin says the Trem O' Vibe's vibrato uses pitch modulation designed to imitate real tube vibrato, rather than the volume-based effect many pedals label vibrato. The pedal carries both, each with its own speed and depth controls, and a select switch moves between them.
How do the footswitches work?
There are two. The on switch engages or bypasses the whole unit, so it behaves like a normal effect pedal on your board. The select switch switches between the tremolo and vibrato sides without you having to bend down and turn knobs, which makes it usable as two effects sharing one enclosure.
Sources (2)
- Trem O' Vibe, Carl Martin (carlmartin.com), 2026
- Artists - Carl Martin, Carl Martin (carlmartin.com), 2026
