The Copilot Fx Orbit is a gated fuzz pedal with a built-in VCO, which the maker calls a "Frequency Modulated Fuzz"1. It sits in the fuzz family, but instead of only clipping your signal, it uses the pitch of the note you play to steer an oscillator, producing sounds Copilot Fx describes as "interesting, wacky, spaceship, laserguns type of sounds"1.
How it works, in the maker's own description: "the frequency of the note at the input will move back and forth the center/reference point of the VCO, the result is mix" so that the signal and the VCO interact and force the output frequency to vary1. In practice, playing higher or lower changes how the oscillator tracks against your note, which is where the pedal's pitch-based character comes from.
The controls
The current six-knob version covers both the fuzz side and the oscillator side of the circuit1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vol | Fuzz volume1 |
| DRY | Dry signal volume1 |
| Gate | Amount of input volume / sustain1 |
| VCO | VCO volume1 |
| FRQ | Selects VCO frequency range1 |
| EXP | Fine tune for the FRQ1 |
The Gate knob is the one that gives the Orbit its gated character: it sets how much input volume and sustain the fuzz gets, so backing it off produces quicker decay and digging in produces more sustain1.
Versions
Copilot Fx has built the Orbit in two versions. "This six knob version offers more options from the previous version (5 knob version)," the maker says, including a "wider range of the gate knob allowing more quicker decay or more sustain"1. The six-knob version is the one described on this page.
Power and connections
The Orbit has no battery option1. It needs a 9v center negative supply rated 15mA or higher2, so plan a dedicated power output on your pedalboard rather than a daisy chain.
The jacks, from the manual2:
- Input jack: signal from your instrument or output from another pedal.
- Power jack: 9v adapter input, 9v center negative, 15mA or higher.
- Output jack: output to other FX pedals or an amplifier.
- Expression jack: accepts TRS expression pedals or a 0-5v CV signal (via a TRS cable).
The expression jack opens the Orbit up to foot control and to CV from other gear. The manual lists it as "Compatible with the Autodialer, Bandwidth, Broadcast and, Broadband"2, meaning those Copilot FX pedals' expression jacks can be used with the Orbit. If you are new to foot control, see expression pedals.
Where it sits on a board
The Orbit is a specialist fuzz: where a conventional fuzz on a fuzz pedal board tracks your playing dynamics, the Orbit adds an oscillator that interacts with your note's pitch, so it behaves more like a synth pedal in some settings. Copilot Fx builds other experimental pedals too, including the Copilot Fx Mantis, the Copilot FX Caracol, the Copilot Fx Trek, and the Copilot Fx Terra. For support, the manual lists adam@copilotfx.com as the contact address2.
Videos
Copilot Fx
Jonny Trobro
bassfuzzcom
Questions
Can I use an expression pedal with the Copilot Fx Orbit?
Yes. The Orbit's expression jack accepts TRS expression pedals or a 0-5v CV signal sent over a TRS cable. Copilot FX also lists the pedal as compatible with the expression jacks of its own Autodialer, Bandwidth, Broadcast, and Broadband pedals, so those can be used to control the Orbit as well.
What power does the Orbit need?
The Orbit runs from a 9v adapter input on a 9v center negative power jack, and the manual specifies a supply of 15mA or higher. There is no battery option, so a suitable 9v DC center negative adapter or pedalboard power output is required.
Does the Orbit run on a battery?
No. Copilot Fx lists the Orbit with no batteries option, so it must be powered from a 9v center negative adapter or a pedalboard power supply with at least 15mA available on that output.
What does the Gate knob do on the Orbit?
The Gate knob sets the amount of input volume and sustain. Because the Orbit is a gated fuzz, this control shapes how the fuzz decays and how much sustain it holds, from quicker decay to more sustain.
Which Copilot FX pedals work with the Orbit's expression jack?
The manual lists the Orbit as compatible with the Autodialer, Bandwidth, Broadcast, and Broadband pedals, whose expression jacks can be used with the Orbit.
What does the Orbit sound like?
Copilot Fx describes the Orbit as offering plenty of control to hack around some interesting, wacky, spaceship, laserguns type of sounds. It is a frequency modulated fuzz: the pitch of the note you play moves the center point of the VCO, and the mixed result forces the output frequency to vary.
Sources (2)
- Copilot Fx Orbit frequency modulator fuzz pedal, Copilot Fx, 2017
- orbit.pdf, Copilot FX, 2018
