The Donner Celestia Chorus is a chorus pedal from Donner, made in collaboration with guitarist Ruben Wan and released on May 7, 2026 alongside the Umbria Distortion, the other pedal from the same partnership1. The name Celestia means "the sky, paradise," and the collaboration's product page describes its chorus tone as delivering "a pure and sacred auditory experience"1.
Classic Mode and Dream Mode
The Celestia's two modes are the heart of the pedal, selected with a mode toggle that Pedal of the Day's write-up singles out: "I love the mode toggle here as well"1.
| Mode | What it does | Suggested styles |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Mode | A classic, wide chorus with a strong sense of stereo diffusion | 80s pop rock, post-punk |
| Dream Mode | Chorus combined with a subtle tremolo, simulating the "dizzying effect" of tape or rotary speakers | Shoegaze, alternative rock |
Classic Mode is the conventional chorus: wide and diffused in stereo, the kind of sound the collaboration's product page pairs with 80s pop rock and post-punk accompaniment1. Dream Mode layers a subtle tremolo under the chorus, an effect the page compares to the swirl of tape or rotary speakers, and points toward shoegaze and alternative rock players1. If you want a dedicated tremolo effect outside a chorus context, that is the territory of Tremolo Pedals rather than this pedal's Classic Mode.
Controls and Hardware
The control layout is deliberately simple. As Pedal of the Day puts it, "Rate and Depth controls are expected, of course"1, covering chorus speed and intensity, with the mode toggle handling the Classic and Dream selection.
The build is described as durable: an aluminum alloy casing that is anti-scratch and wear-resistant, with metal-textured knobs that are anti-slip and anti-fingerprint1. The footswitch is a metal-contact type rated for thousands of cycles, which the product page notes gives it a long lifespan1.
In the Box
The Ruben Wan collaboration extends to the packaging and extras1:
- Ruben Exclusive Panda String Dampeners
- Custom DIY stickers
- Stylized iridescent flash cards
- Premium special packaging
Where It Sits in Donner's Range
The Celestia is Donner's collaboration chorus, and it sits alongside the company's other modulation pedals such as the Donner Tutti Love and the Donner Mod Square. Players comparing chorus options across the wider category can start at Chorus Pedals1.
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Questions
Who designed the Donner Celestia Chorus?
The Celestia Chorus is a collaboration between Donner and guitarist Ruben Wan. Donner released it alongside the Umbria Distortion, the other pedal from the same partnership, on May 7, 2026. The pedal's name, Celestia, means "the sky, paradise," and the packaging carries Ruben Wan's branding, including his exclusive Panda string dampeners.
What is the difference between Classic Mode and Dream Mode on the Celestia?
Classic Mode delivers a classic, wide chorus effect with a strong sense of stereo diffusion, which Pedal of the Day suggests for 80s pop rock and post-punk accompaniment. Dream Mode combines chorus with a subtle tremolo, simulating what the site calls the "dizzying effect" of tape or rotary speakers, and is aimed at shoegaze and alternative rock. A mode toggle switches between the two.
Does the Donner Celestia Chorus have a tremolo?
Yes, but only in Dream Mode. In that mode the chorus is combined with a subtle tremolo, simulating the dizzying effect of tape or rotary speakers according to Pedal of the Day. Classic Mode is a straight chorus without the tremolo element.
What comes in the box with the Donner Celestia Chorus?
The Celestia ships with Ruben Exclusive Panda String Dampeners, custom DIY stickers, and stylized iridescent flash cards, all in premium special packaging. These extras are part of the Ruben Wan collaboration branding.
What is the Donner Celestia enclosure made of?
The pedal is housed in an aluminum alloy casing that Pedal of the Day describes as anti-scratch and wear-resistant. The metal-textured knobs are described as anti-slip and anti-fingerprint, and the footswitch is a metal-contact type rated for thousands of cycles.
Sources (1)
- Donner + Ruben Wan Umbria Distortion & Celestia Chorus, Pedal of the Day, 2026-05-07
