The Dr. No Effects MotherBrain is a hand-built analog delay pedal, part of the wider family of delay pedals. The maker describes it as an analog voiced delay that produces classic, classy tones, running from rockabilly slapback, almost reverby, to insane oscillation spaced-out tones and everything in between1. It was announced in May 2016 as a limited edition of 350 units, each signed and numbered by Dr. No2.
What it does to your sound
The MotherBrain is a delay in the analog tradition: the repeats come from analog circuitry rather than digital conversion, which is the approach the maker points to with its "analog voiced" description1. Dr. No Effects describes the range of sounds as spanning rockabilly slapback, almost reverby, to insane oscillation spaced-out tones1. Premier Guitar's press coverage put it the same way: with three easy-to-adjust functions, it is easy to achieve rockabilly slapback or insane oscillation2.
One feature the maker stresses is what happens to the dry signal. The engaged delay effect has no influence on the send-through signal, which stays at the same level and clarity as the original1. For a player, that means the pedal sits alongside your clean tone rather than reshaping it, and the Present knob decides only how much delayed signal is blended in.
The maker also positions it beyond guitar: Premier Guitar reported the hand-crafted pedal as an excellent sonic tool for guitarists, bass players, keyboards and vocals2.
Controls
The MotherBrain keeps things simple with three knobs12:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Present | Mix of delay with the guitar signal running through, from "Wet" (delay fully mixed in, dialed clockwise) to "Dry" (no delay in the signal, dialed back)1 |
| Insanity | Delay time1 |
| Memory | The amount of repeats/feedback you prefer, with Short Term and Long Term settings1 |
Guitar World's launch coverage described the Present knob as running your signal from "Wet" to "Dry," and the Memory knob as locking in your feedback for "Long Term" or "Short Term"4.
Power
The maker's product page states the MotherBrain uses a 9v power supply1. At launch, Premier Guitar and Guitar World both reported that all a player needs is a 9-volt battery24, so the pedal can run from a standard 9V source either way.
Build and limited edition
Dr. No Effects hand-builds high-end boutique effects, as gearnews.com put it in its 2016 review3. MusicRadar's launch coverage highlighted the eye-catching silk-screened enclosure replete with brain control knobs5, and Premier Guitar added that from the circuit to the silkscreened housing, custom brain knobs, box, and brain keychain, the MotherBrain is entirely handmade and built to last a lifetime2.
The run is capped: all MotherBrains are hand numbered and signed from 1/350 to 350/350, because Dr. No will only build 350 copies1.
The MotherBrain is a limited edition of 350 units, each signed and numbered. Once the run is gone, the maker states no more will be built1.
Price
The maker's webshop lists the MotherBrain at €325.00 EUR as of 20 October 20261. At the May 2016 launch, Guitar World reported an MSRP of €239/$2724, and MusicRadar reported the pedal available for €239 at launch4.
What reviewers said
Coverage at launch was largely descriptive, but gearnews.com's reviewer Jef offered a cautionary verdict, writing that the Motherbrain is one he "would probably, well, forget about myself," citing the lack of information on design, components and audio demos overall3.
"So the Motherbrain is one I would probably, well, forget about myself."
Questions
Is the Dr. No Effects MotherBrain analog or digital?
The MotherBrain is an analog delay. Dr. No Effects describes it as an analog voiced delay, and press coverage at its 2016 launch, including Guitar World and gearnews.com, listed it as the MotherBrain Analog Delay. Analog delays repeat your signal through continuous circuitry rather than converting it to digital, which is part of what the maker points to when describing its classic tones.
Can the MotherBrain run on a battery?
Yes. Premier Guitar and Guitar World both reported at launch that all a player needs is a 9-volt battery. The maker's product page states the pedal uses a 9v power supply, so it can be powered either way with a standard 9V source.
Does the MotherBrain change the dry signal?
No. Dr. No Effects states that the engaged delay effect has no influence on the send-through signal, which stays at the same level and clarity as the original. The Present knob only controls how much of the delayed signal is mixed in with that untouched dry signal.
How many MotherBrain pedals were made?
Dr. No Effects limited the MotherBrain to 350 copies. Each one is hand numbered and signed, from 1/350 to 350/350, and Premier Guitar reported the same figure at the 2016 launch.
What does the Insanity knob do?
The Insanity knob sets the delay time. Along with the Present mix knob and the Memory feedback knob, it is one of the three controls Dr. No Effects gives the pedal, and Premier Guitar noted that its three functions make it easy to reach everything from rockabilly slapback to oscillation.
What does the Memory knob do?
The Memory knob sets the amount of repeats or feedback you prefer, with Short Term and Long Term settings. Premier Guitar described it as locking in your feedback for Long Term or Short Term.
Sources (5)
- MotherBrain Delay, Dr. No effects webshop
- Dr. No Effects Introduces the MotherBrain Analog Delay, Premier Guitar, 2016-05-24
- Dr. No Effects Motherbrain Analog Delay for the more cerebral atmospheric moments, gearnews.com, 2016-05-27
- Dr. No Effects Launches MotherBrain Analog Delay Pedal, Guitar World, 2016-05-25
- Dr. No's MotherBrain is the thinking guitarist's analogue delay pedal, MusicRadar, 2016-05-17
