The Land + Vongon Onset is an auto volume swell effect pedal, a collaboration between Vongon and Land Devices. It does automatically what guitarists normally do using a volume pedal: the volume swell effect, fading each note or chord in from silence. Its rise times range from 100 milliseconds to 2 seconds, set with a single slider, and the pedal was announced in May 20221.
How it works
The Onset listens to your playing and fades the volume in whenever it detects a new note. The signal path is an all-analog high fidelity VCA (voltage controlled amplifier) that is controlled by a digitally generated exponential envelope, so the audio itself stays analog while the swell shape is generated digitally1.
"ONSET is an auto volume swell effect with rise times ranging from 100 milliseconds to 2 seconds."
The LEDs indicate the status of the volume swell, smoothly fading from purple to yellow, so you can see where each swell is as it happens1.
Controls
The pedal is a streamlined device with just two faders. Two sliders are used to control the detection circuit's sensitivity and the volume fade length1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sens | Tweaks the level at which the signal starts getting processed1 |
| Attack | Dials in the swell times, ranging from 100 milliseconds to 2 seconds1 |
The Sens control matters in practice: set too low, quiet playing may not trigger the swell; set higher, the detection circuit picks up the signal earlier. The Attack slider then sets how long the fade-in takes, from a fast 100 millisecond swell to a slow 2 second one1.
Power and connections
The Onset needs 9VDC center negative power through a 2.1mm DC connector and draws 100mA1.
At 100mA, the Onset draws more current than many standard daisy-chain outputs supply comfortably. Give it a supply output rated for at least 100mA.
Connections are 1/4" mono jacks for input and output, with a 1M ohm input impedance and a 1k ohm output impedance1.
How it compares
The Onset automates that motion, fading the volume in on its own whenever it detects a new note, which leaves both feet free. For players who want manual control of swell length while playing, an expression-style unit such as the Sonuus Voluum also exists, but the Onset's approach is the simpler two-slider one1.
Videos
collector//emitter
Vongon
Vongon
Questions
Is the Land + Vongon Onset true bypass?
Yes. When the Onset is bypassed, a mechanical relay-based true bypass circuit is activated by the soft-touch foot switch, so your guitar's signal passes through without the swell circuit in the way.
What power supply does the Land + Vongon Onset need?
The Onset runs on 9VDC center negative power through a 2.1mm DC connector and draws 100mA. It needs its own supply output or a daisy chain with enough headroom, since 100mA is more than some low-current outputs provide.
How long can the swell time be on the Onset?
The Attack slider dials in swell times ranging from 100 milliseconds to 2 seconds, from a quick fade-in to a slow, bowed-sounding swell.
Does the Onset work with bass?
The published material describes the Onset as a guitar effects pedal and does not specifically address bass use. Its 1M ohm input impedance and all-analog signal path are typical of guitar pedals, but no bass-specific claims are documented.
What does the Sens control do on the Onset?
The Sens slider tweaks the level at which the signal starts getting processed, setting how sensitive the detection circuit is to your playing before the swell begins.
Sources (1)
- New Pedal: Land + Vongon Onset Auto Volume Swell, Delicious Audio, 2022-05-02
